I live in Gascoyne Junction Western Australia, 175km east of Carnarvon. Gascoyne Junction is the hub of the Shire of Upper Gascoyne- one of WA's biggest shires. While the town itself is only 50-60 people in size, there are hundreds of people in the district. We recently had our only medical resource in the form of a fortnightly visiting doctor from Carnarvon cancelled due to lack of funding. It is now a 340km minimum round trip to access any medical or health service.
I recently suffered a suspected as a heart attack in the middle of the night, while I rang 000 it would be a 3. 5hr wait for an ambulance or any medical attention. My wife was forced to drive me into Carnarvon at 2am in the morning with our young children in the car. Not only was this terrifying but we hit two kangaroos causing serious damage to our car. Fortunately my condition improved and was not a heart attack, but the fact that we had no medical services available meant that we placed my entire family at risk by having to drive 170km at night to get help.
People have to take an entire day off work to access any form of health care or suffer until conditions warrant time off.
Please don't forget about rural Australians- we are just as important.
"Lack of health care in rural areas"
About: Carnarvon Community Health Service Carnarvon Community Health Service Carnarvon 6701
Posted by Gassy Junction (as ),
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See more responses from Michele Young
See more responses from Michele Young