Gallagher accused of putting 'photo op' before patients

The ACT opposition has accused the government of putting a ''photo opportunity' at the Canberra Hospital ahead of patient treatment.

Some patient appointments for radiation therapy at the hospital were rescheduled to a different time of day last month when Chief Minister Katy Gallagher officially launched a new linear accelerator device used to treat cancer.

The government said yesterday the date of the launch had been changed at short notice because of the no-confidence motion moved by the Liberals against Ms Gallagher in the Assembly and there had been no intention to inconvenience patients.

A Health Directorate spokesman said some appointments had been moved to a different time to protect patient privacy when the media and other visitors attended the launch on August 21.

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Opposition health spokesman Jeremy Hanson said the rescheduling of patient appointments was disgusting and Ms Gallagher should take responsibility for what had occurred.

''I think it's actually disgraceful that she has prioritised her photo op over the cancer patients who have been disrupted by this,'' he said.

Mr Hanson said he had spoken with a patient whose appointment time for radiation treatment had been changed to accommodate the ministerial visit to the hospital.

The patient said the the time of another appointment on August 24 had also been changed.

''The patient I spoke to was very upset because, as you would appreciate, people make plans and it's a very difficult time for people to get themselves to the hospital and get themselves back,'' Mr Hanson said.

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Gallagher accused of putting 'photo op' before patients