THE ACT Opposition has accused Chief Minister and Minister for Health Katy Gallagher of “prioritising photo opportunities” over the treatment of cancer patients. 

Some patient appointments for radiation therapy at the hospital were rescheduled last month when Ms Gallagher officially launched a new linear accelerator device used to treat cancer.

Ms Gallagher says the launch was originally planned for August 24 but was brought forward after an extra Assembly sitting day was scheduled due to lost time caused by the no-confidence motion.

But Liberal health spokesman Jeremy Hanson says the patients deserve an apology.

“A patient I spoke with was very upset and angry that her treatment time was changed after she had already made arrangements, and said that other patients were also upset and inconvenienced,” he said.

“The Health Minister should understand that patients come first and should immediately apologise to those who were inconvenienced because of her photo opportunity.”