Dominic Perrottet claims his wife was crying, couldn’t MOVE and ‘almost blacked out going to the bathroom’ when he rang health boss leading to an ambulance to be sent to his house
- An ambulance was sent for Dominic Perrottet’s wife Helen
- The NSW premier rang the health minister when it was sent
- Mr Perrottet claims his family did not get special treatment
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has denied that his family received special treatment when he called Health Minister Brad Hazzard because his wife Helen was suffering a medical emergency.
Mr Perrottet was quizzed over why he called Mr Hazzard over an ambulance to help his wife by Sky News Australia journalist Sharri Markson on Tuesday night and held a fiery press conference on Wednesday morning.
The premier said that he called the health minister for ‘advice’ as the two are ‘very close’ and regularly ‘speak about a whole range of issues in relation to matters such as that’.
When asked if Mr Hazzard or NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan had arranged an ambulance, Mr Perrottet said he was ‘not sure’ who made the call.
He said he called Mr Hazzard, who happened to be in a meeting with Mr Morgan at the time. Both advised him to go ‘straight home’ and told him he needed an ambulance.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured right with his family) says his family did not receive special treatment after an ambulance was sent out for his wife Helen who suffered a medical emergency
During the call, Mr Hazzard asked for Mr Perrottet’s address; however, the Premier said he was only told on Wednesday that it was Mr Morgan who called emergency services.
‘I’ve been completely transparent in relation to the situation. Never at all did I seek to get any treatment ahead of anyone else and that’s 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 in relation to that situation.’
Mr Perrottet said he was unaware who leaked his family’s medical records but denounced the action.
‘I don’t believe that anyone’s private medical records should be leaked. That’s not about Helen, that’s about anyone’s private records,’ he said.
‘She was crying, she couldn’t move, she was lying in bed. She almost blacked out going to the bathroom.’
Mr Perrottet (left) called the health minister Brad Hazzard (right) before an ambulance was immediately sent
The premier was questioned over why he called Mr Hazzard over an ambulance or doctor multiple times during an interview with Sky News presenter Sharri Markson (left)
During Mr Perrottet’s Sky News interview, Markson suggested that the premier was given preferential treatment .
‘Do you understand that most people in NSW wouldn’t have the access to call the health minister or ambulance commissioner when they need an ambulance?’ she asked.
It comes as NSW paramedics have begun a week-long revolt against rules that require them to stay with non-urgent patients until they are transferred to hospital staff.
Instead, they will leave low-risk and non-urgent cases unattended so they can respond to emergency calls.
