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being ineligible for accommodation

Posted By venuswb67

"being ineligible for accommodation"

About: Patient Assisted Travel Scheme - WACHS Great Southern St John of God Subiaco Hospital

(as the patient),

I had to return to Perth for a check up with my TMJ and the mouth splint I had been given by a professor, previously. There was no one in my area who could offer the services I required. This necessitated me staying 2 nights in the city. As I have to travel by bus the day before the appointment and return the day after the appointment.

Accommodation is not cheap in the city. I survive on a pension.

I was to have physio to see if my problem could be resolved without an operation. This would have necessitated several trips to Perth, costing a lot.

Thankfully the Professor and his secretary were able to find a physio in Albany with the right experience. This will mean less trips to Perth. I used my free yearly bus ticket an pay for all meals and transport costs. I felt concerned that I was not able to recoup  some accommodation costs. I would not have been able to continue the treatment, [involving several trips} if it required me to return to the city.

As I was having trouble opening my jaw to eat I felt depressed and was suffering severe pain and I was unable to eaten certain foods. e.g. nuts, steak or any hard foods. It also meant it restricted my socialisation with friends and family. So far the physio has improved my jaw, but I am not sure if the Professor will require me to visit again at some stage.

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Responses

Response from Kate Hambleton, Director, Albany Health Campus, WACHS GS 2 weeks ago
Kate Hambleton
Director, Albany Health Campus,
WACHS GS

Submitted on 11/09/2026 at 4:15 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 4:35 PM

Dear venuswb67,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

I am sorry to hear about the difficulties you have faced managing your TMJ condition and the significant impact it has had on your daily life. Living with severe pain, difficulty eating, restrictions on the foods you enjoy, and reduced opportunities to socialise with family and friends can be both physically and emotionally challenging. I also recognise how distressing it must have been to experience these symptoms while facing uncertainty about your treatment options.

I understand that attending specialist appointments in Perth required considerable travel and expense. Having to travel by bus, stay overnight before and after appointments, and cover accommodation, meal, and transport costs can place a significant burden on patients living in regional areas, particularly for those relying on a pension. I appreciate your concerns regarding accommodation expenses and your disappointment at not being able to recover some of these costs. I also understand your concern that multiple trips to Perth may have made it difficult to continue treatment if ongoing physiotherapy had only been available in the metropolitan area.

It is encouraging to hear that your Professor and their secretary were able to identify a physiotherapist in Albany with the appropriate experience to support your care closer to home. Access to local services can make a substantial difference for regional patients by reducing travel requirements and improving access to ongoing treatment. I am pleased to hear that the physiotherapy has resulted in some improvement in your jaw function and symptoms.

Thank you for sharing your feedback. Your experience highlights both the challenges regional patients can face when accessing specialist healthcare services and the importance of local treatment options whenever possible. Feedback such as yours helps us better understand the practical and financial impacts that travel for healthcare can have on patients and their families.

I wish you all the best with your ongoing treatment and hope your improvement continues. Should further specialist appointments be required in Perth, please feel welcome to contact the Great Southern PATS Office at PATS.Albany@health.wa.gov.au or the Allied Health and Dental team at PATS.AHD@health.wa.gov.au to discuss your circumstances and any assistance that may be available.

Kind regards,

Kate Hambleton

District Director |Lower Great Southern

WACHS Great Southern

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