The Chief Executive Officer
St Vincent’s Hospital
41 Victoria Parade
FITZROY, 3065 July 17, 2005

REF: Dr. Mathew Piercy, Anesthetist, (unlisted on your website?) St Vincent’s Hospital

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to bring to your attention an article I have posted on my website www.yourchoiceindying.com, the name of which will give you an indication that I am an activist for choice and dignity in dying. 

In my Viewpoints – Current Diary - dated July 12, 2005 I have recorded briefly a discussion which took place at the recent Right to Life Conference held July 9 at which Dr Piercy was a guest speaker.

It would seem that the Archbishop of Melbourne has been requested to intervene on Dr Piercy’s behalf when being counseled by his Professor, as a result of an article he wrote for the Age, March 23rd supporting the “Pro Life” for Terri Schiavo. It is my understanding based on the excitement around me at the meeting that the Archbishop has already been involved previous to the Conference, and would be asked again to intercede, on behalf of the Doctor.

As stated on my web page Dr Piercy has already said publicly that his conscience will be the ultimate factor in any outcome, which does not give comfort to those patients who do not necessarily share his religious beliefs. 

Because of the nature of religious beliefs, in this case, Right to Life at any and all costs to the patient (not the Doctor!) I believe that Dr Piercy will find it impossible not to impose his morality on those already in a traumatized position. This could have very serious consequences for the patient who may not be fully informed of all the options available to them, and then there may be relatives left “holding the bag” arising out of a decision based on “morality” not medical facts.

Until Saturday July 16, 2005, Dr Piercy had left his name, and details as Critical Care Registrar, and address as Peter MacCallum, recorded on the Internet. It was only scrutiny that revealed the entry had been there since 2000-2001. I immediately rang at Peter Mac at 6 am absolutely horrified to think this doctor would be employed in a cancer specific hospital, to be reassured that they had no current record of him. I had it explained to me that Doctors rotate throughout Hospitals.

I believe the entry on the Internet was left on deliberately so as to give him kudos for being attached to such a renowned organisation. I rang the Peter Mac before 4 am this morning to say “thank you” for their prompt action in having the entry removed. We have a situation here of what I would normally describe as “selective Christianity.” Dr Piercy knew the entry was incorrect and misleading, I feel, yet he chose to continue with the charade, until prompted by others to remove it. 

I had been fooled initially, into believing that he had some current connection with Peter Mac.

I wonder how many other health care givers in a Catholic Hospital would over ride a patients’ physical wellbeing, because the “soul” is considered by the carer (not the patient) to be of more importance. Are patients fully informed before they enter St Vincent’s Hospital that their wishes will only be honoured should it meet with the Doctor’s religious belief? And how, can this be prevented?

I also have a personal interest in this situation and am distressed to learn that the Archbishop of Melbourne could be asked to intervene in what is essentially a matter for medical, not spiritual considerations in any hospital, Catholic or otherwise, being funded by the State.

I believe the Doctor’s stated position discriminates against those people who do not share his Christian values. Patients who are Christians may also prefer choices, given horrendous suffering.

I believe that this situation also gives rise to the very real necessity for patients who enter a public hospital to be given legal assurance in the form of an enduring medical power of attorney or living will, which should be mandatory and binding on the medical provider. 

The “likes” of Dr Mathew Piercy with his entrenched religious beliefs over riding a person’s expressed wish is not reassuring to patients who may well be left in intolerable pain, to ensure they don’t die of the pain relief. It has been said to me that as an Anesthetist, Dr Piercy poses no direct threat to a seriously ill person, but of course he does. Any person who soars to the heights of holding the title of Critical Care Registrar of Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, even for a year, is in a position of great power to any patient he may come in contact with.

We need an enforceable law which protects us from them 

What I am requesting of you as the CEO of the hospital, is a categorical reassurance that no person working in St Vincent’s would be allowed to ignore a patient’s needs, based on the criteria as set out in the Medical Treatment Act 1988, namely “What is required under the Act of the Registered Practitioner.”

Dr Mathew Piercy’s situation will not be an isolated incident and others need protection from similar type individuals who by their position in society weld great power over the uninformed, and the truly vulnerable. .

I await your response with interest.

Mary Walsh

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Copies of this letter will be sent to:
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute
- Cabrini Hospital
- Director of Anesthesia, St Vincent’s Hospital
- Premier
- Department of Justice
- Minister for Health
- Minister for the Aged
- Local Member
- Exit International
- Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Victoria
AND

- www.yourchoiceindying.com


It would be very much appreciated to receive a formal response to this correspondence from each individual, receiving a copy of this letter, of course with exception of Exit and VESV. 

I thank you in anticipation.

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