Dominic Perrottet defends the call to the Minister of Health that led to an ambulance call for his wife
Dominic Perrottet claims his wife was crying, unable to MOVE and ‘nearly passed out going to the toilet’ when he called the chief health officer to have an ambulance sent to his home.
- An ambulance was sent for Dominic Perrottet’s wife, Helen.
- The NSW Premier called the health minister when he was dispatched
- Perrottet claims his family received no special treatment
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet denied his family received special treatment when he called Health Minister Brad Hazzard because his wife, Helen, was suffering from a medical emergency.
Perrottet was asked by journalist Sharri Markson of Sky News Australia why he called Hazzard in an ambulance to help his wife on Tuesday night and held a fiery press conference on Wednesday morning.
The prime minister said he called the health minister for “advice” as the two are “very close” and regularly “talk about a wide range of issues in relation to matters like that.”
When Asked whether Mr Hazzard or NSW ambulance commissioner Dominic Morgan had organized an ambulance, Mr Perrottet said he was “not sure” who made the call.
He said he called Mr. Hazzard, who was in a meeting with Mr. Morgan at the time. They both advised him to go ‘straight home’ and told him that he needed an ambulance.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured right with his family) says his family received no special treatment after an ambulance was dispatched for his wife Helen, who suffered a medical emergency.
During the call, Mr. Hazzard asked for Mr. Perrottet’s address; however, the prime minister said he was only told on Wednesday that it was Mr Morgan who called the emergency services.
I have been completely transparent regarding the situation. I never sought any treatment before anyone else and that has been proven by Dom Morgan,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
‘My wife was in immense pain. I spoke to Brad, it was a low order priority. I’m sure the commissioner can provide a statement regarding that situation.
Perrottet said he did not know who leaked his family’s medical records, but he denounced the action.
“I don’t think anyone’s private medical records should be leaked. That’s not about Helen, that’s about anybody’s private records,” she said.
“She was crying, she couldn’t move, she was lying on the bed. She almost passed out going to the bathroom.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard (right) was called by Mr Perrottet (left) before an ambulance was immediately dispatched.
The prime minister was asked why he called Mr Hazzard instead of an ambulance or a doctor several times during an interview with Sky News presenter Sharri Markson (left).
During Perrottet’s Sky News interview, Markson suggested that the prime minister received preferential treatment.
‘Do you understand that most people in NSW would not have access to call the health minister or ambulance commissioner when they need an ambulance?’ she asked.
It comes as NSW paramedics have started a week-long riot against rules that require them to stay with non-urgent patients until they are transferred to hospital staff.
Instead, they will leave low-risk, non-urgent cases unattended in order to respond to emergency calls.