My husband was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about a year ago. We live in Geraldton in Western Australia. We have a great hospital here and the services they do provide are fantastic but we have very few specialist services. The only neurologist who visits Geraldton comes once a year and is hard to get in to see.
While my husband was working and on sick leave, we could afford a private specialist in Perth. We were not aware that he would be forced to retire on medical grounds and therefore no longer afford to go private. When we explained this to his neurologist he basically said that there was nothing more he could do and that was that. It has been around 7 months since seeing him and we are finally getting in to see someone in the public system in Perth.
I would like to see more specialist services in the public hospital system in Geraldton. We have a large enough population to support it. It is expensive when we have to stay in hotels/hostels every time we go for appointments in Perth. There is some subsidy provided but it doesn't cover everything and if we wanted to fly instead of driving there is no subsidy. My husband is no longer able to drive so it falls to me to drive the 450km trek to Perth. It's difficult enough being a carer of a disabled family member without having to drive so far for treatment.
"Country services"
About: Midwest Health Midwest Health Geraldton 6530
Posted by avocetzs77 (as ),
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