System cost us

Jessica Benton
THE STATE Government is hiding documents that could lesson the burden of a battling Ocean Grove woman, according to the opposition.
Opposition community services spokesperson Mary Wooldridge has joined the fight of 30-year-old Alicia Withington, who has endured a long battle after being treated for a rare brain lesion in 2007.
Ms Wooldridge said the State Government’s refusal to foot the bill for Alicia’s lifesaving medical treatment showed flaws in the state’s health system.
“The fact that someone has to go interstate for lifesaving treatment says something about Victoria’s health system,” she said.
“I think she’s been treated terribly by the Government, with their failure to give her due consideration.
“The Government refuses to hand over documents that clarify why Alicia is not eligible for assistance, we’ve been asking for them for over 12 months.
“They’re absolutely hiding something and we want to know with clarity the decision making in relation to Alicia’s case.”
The Independent reported last month that Alicia had overcome a “death sentence” but at a huge financial cost.
Alicia underwent a massive operation in Sydney last year to remove a 12.5 centimeter artra-venous malformation on the right side of her brain after Victorian doctors refused to operate.
She is now on the road to recovery, but Alicia and husband Daniel were forced to remortgage their family home to cover the $240,000 operation and other medical costs.
Alicia’s parents also remortgaged their home, while Daniel’s mother and father took out a loan to help with bills.
A community fundraiser gathered about $70,000 toward the costs.
Ms Wooldridge stepped in last year in an attempt to add weight to Alicia’s appeal.
The Government refused to support Alicia despite Bellarine MP Lisa Neville taking a petition with 3281 signatures to parliament. The case was also removed from the parliament debate agenda.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews later told the Independent the government’s position remained unchanged, so no financial assistance would be granted.
Ms Wooldridge has since applied for Freedom of Information documents from State Health Minister Daniel Andrews and the Department of Human Services that outline the government’s refusal to assist Alicia with funding.
The opposition was still waiting for the FOI documents 12 months on, Ms Wooldridge said.
She did not expect the Government to change its mind, but hoped the fight could lead to improving the state’s health system.
“If Victoria is unable to provide the lifesaving treatment needed, we need to understand why there is a failure of services to save people’s lives.