"Regional Women's Health & transport assistance"

I want to start by saying that this is not a criticism of our local GP or hospital.

Newman has one GP for the whole town, and in my experience, they do an amazing job considering the workload. The Newman Hospital team also does a fantastic job filling the gaps - they have always treated me and my family with respect, care, and dignity, even when we’ve presented with issues that would normally be managed by a GP.

I’m sharing this because I’m angry and frustrated - and because PATS told me there’s nowhere to escalate my concern. I believe that’s ridiculous, because after putting my story on social media, a friend told me there is (this platform) - and that it's also buried, I feel, on the PATS website. 

For over 12 months, I bled heavily and painfully every two weeks. I was changing tampons every 10 minutes, wearing a pad, period underwear, and a tampon all at once. I bled through my clothes in Woolworths. In a café carpark. In my car while dropping my son at daycare. I replaced my car seat covers because of it.

I came home from work sick or made excuses just to go home and change. 

This is not a normal way to live.

When I saw my (private, as there are no public or bulk-billing options in Newman) GP for test results, I was told the lining of my uterus was growing into the muscle surrounding it - and I also had masses. I needed to see a gynaecologist.

The public hospital in Port Hedland has a 365-day wait just to see a gynaecologist.

Not surgery - just an appointment.

Because this issue wasn’t considered “urgent”.

My GP advised if I have private health, that’s my best option.

My options at that point? Try hormonal control again, which I can’t take for medical reasons. Or have a hysterectomy. No mention of less invasive options.

My private specialist (the same obstetrician who delivered my son) offered a minimally invasive procedure - something that was never mentioned publicly.

All pre- and post-op appointments were done via telehealth. I only needed one trip to Perth for day surgery. I sent him all my test results, and he knew my medical history - so I only needed one telehealth appointment for him to consult and advise me of my options. I waited two weeks for this appointment and four weeks total for surgery. Opposed to the 365 day wait for the public system. 

He also took biopsies of the removed masses - thankfully, they were benign. But what if they weren’t?  How is it okay to be told to wait a year while that risk hangs over your head? It cost me $1,500+ in travel and accommodation, plus private health fees.

But within weeks, I got my life back - pain-free, able to swim with my son again, and go to the shop without fear.

The PATS nightmare

Just prior to the surgery, PATS told me that procedure is available in Karratha and Port Hedland, so they won’t reimburse me.

This was the first time anyone had mentioned it being available locally - and it came after I’d already been seen by my obgyn & was booked for surgery the following week. I chose to continue with the plan over starting the whole process in the public system again. 

My specialist wrote a letter supporting my claim, citing extensive waitlists, but PATS refused to accept it, saying only the public system can make that determination.

So, it seems regional women are left to choose:

Wait a year for care that may never come, with potentially cancerous lumps, or pay thousands for care that works - and still be denied support.

Why is women’s pain not considered urgent?

Why are we still being offered outdated, extreme “solutions” when safer, modern options exist - but, in my experience, no one tells us?

If a man was discharging bodily fluids for two weeks out of four, and had lumps growing in his penis - would that be considered “not urgent”?

I asked for $630 to help cover the cost of flights and accommodation. I don't think this is unreasonable considering how much the public system saved on me going private. 

Currently it takes 6 weeks to get reimbursed by PATS. The alternative is assistance in advance, but I understand this rarely covers accommodation- only flights.

They will also only book a week before your procedure or appointment, making planning for childcare, work absence and travel an additional headache on top of medical issues. Not to mention, for me, having to book travel for children I must take with me because there isn't any other option when my partner can't take time off work & my closest family is more than 1000kms away. 

The PATS process also involves a lot of admin - which in my opinion could and should be streamlined. I believe repetitive forms need to be replaced by a portal or automated service because being sick in a remote area is stressful enough. 

I believe we Need PATS Reform Now to:

- Include private inpatient procedures when public wait times are excessive.

- Respect the clinical opinions of private specialists.

- Respect regional women’s right to timely, informed, and equitable healthcare.

I do not regret choosing to get this medical issue sorted the way I did - and this isn't about the reimbursement any more. 

It's to highlight that if a service is technically offered in your area, but the wait times are not equal to alternative private care, I feel we deserve the right to access prompt and comprehensive treatment. 

Finally, private health funds do not offer a discount to remote and regional people - we pay full premiums and contribute to alleviating the pressure on the public system. Encourage this - and support equality in women's health.