PMP Surgeons and Specialists in Australia

Campaigning for patients

To limit expenditure, the number of operations at each of these hospitals available per year is restricted, irrespective of demand. This is why we have been campaigning in Australia for more funding for this life-saving surgery (read more at http://www.livesatrisk.com.au). This surgery isn’t performed in the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory or Tasmania but patients from those places can become “interstate patients” to obtain this surgery in a state which is not their “home state.” The present criteria appear to give the interstate referring oncologists the final say as to whether “interstate patients” pass the very difficult hurdles of being “assessed as eligible in their home states” for this surgery and, for example, “clinically referred to St George Public Hospital” in NSW. Unfortunately for patients, not all members of our medical profession know about this surgery or are well informed about this surgery. We are campaigning for the following criterion to be added:

Before an interstate patient is refused this life-saving surgery at a public hospital in Australia an opinion from a “peritonectomy specialist” in Australia, of the patient’s choosing, will be considered by the Enhanced Multi-Disciplinary Team for peritonectomy at St George Public Hospital or other similar body at the relevant public hospital.

You can help by emailing the Federal Health Minister and the Health Minister for your state.