The ACT opposition has accused the government of putting a ''photo opportunity' at the Canberra Hospital ahead of patient treatment.
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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.
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.
''If I am elected as health minister, patient treatment will never be disrupted as it has been in this case.''
Ms Gallagher said she always tried to avoid inconvenience to staff or patients during her regular visits to the hospital.
''I don't want to infringe on them and I never would have asked for anyone to be cancelled. If I thought anyone had had their stuff cancelled to let me walk around the hospital, I'd be absolutely mortified,'' she said.
Ms Gallagher said the launch had originally been 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.
Ms Gallagher said it was important that events were held at the hospital to recognise the work done by those who delivered and improved services.
