"Allied health service in regional areas"

I attended Albany Health Campus recently. The fact that the OT, specifically hand therapy, is absolutely brilliant in a regional centre which is, I feel, vital for country people and it keeps getting cut back as the hours keep getting changed. I believe it has to do with funding issues which makes it more difficult to get an appointment, which I feel also means the function of the patient is compromised.

Now, in my opinion, this is not cost-effective because if we can’t get this service here then I believe we have to go to Perth and that costs PATS. And if you have an issue along these lines I feel you do not have medical support down here and in my opinion, it just makes the whole situation much more difficult for the patient, given that this service needs to be provided more often than going to Perth to see a consultant.

I cannot stress enough that it really is an excellent service.

Please do not cut back funding for allied health in regional areas. I believe it’s really to do with the ability to function in the community which of course if the client loses functions I feel it affects a lot.