‘I can’t live without dialysis’: Fuel costs hurt rural and regional patients

Belinda Menzies and her family all live with significant health issues.

But as fuel prices rise, she says they are cutting back on driving time, which she worries will affect her family’s health.

“I’m appalled at the lack of progress we’ve made,” Ms Menzies said.

She said her family lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder.

It takes more than an hour to travel from her home in Beaudesert to doctors and therapists in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and trips are quickly becoming impossible.

“We may only have half a grocery store and have to live on cheap baked beans or whatever is in the fridge and cupboards,” she said.

Fuel bills have “skyrocketed” for the Menzies family, with Ms Menzies estimating between $300 and $350 a month for fuel costs of around $500.

But she said the cost could increase further “depending on how much prices go up”.

Anxiety causes patients to cancel or delay medical treatment

Australian Rural Doctors Association president Sarah Chalmers said rural and remote communities already paid more for fuel than city drivers.

to load

She said fuel prices in parts of northern Australia were now higher than $3 a litre, making travel too expensive for some patients.

“There are situations where people feel the need to delay treatment can be a life-and-death situation for them,” Dr Chalmers said.

“We’re certainly in a situation where people may make decisions that they think are going to save money but actually may end up costing them more in the long run, including potentially their lives.”

Rural patient advocate Justin Christerson said he had been contacted by people “stressing” about their budget.

“Sadly, it’s easier to sacrifice travel for health care than to cut back on their groceries or not pay their weekly rent,” Ms Christerson said.

‘Without Dialysis, I Can’t Live’

Bruce Bass, 72, lives with a range of complex medical needs, including kidney failure.

He travels from his home in rural South Australia to his nearest town three times a week for dialysis.

“I’m very worried … I mean, without dialysis I can’t live. It’s that simple,” he said.

He regularly travels further afield to Adelaide for numerous specialist appointments.

“We’ve reduced our budget to survival-type rations … we’re just very careful about what we spend our money on,” he said.

Mr Bass is deeply concerned about the possibility of fuel shortages or rationing.

“I mean, if we don’t get the oil, I’m not sure what we’re going to do,” he said.

Mr Bass wants governments to give priority to rural and remote patients.

He said, “The government should take action here.

Call for increased travel subsidies for rural and regional patients

Dr Chalmers said more equal access to health care was an important part of the solution, but “the most urgent” was financial help for patients.

Dr Chalmers said: “Increasing travel subsidies for rural and remote patients requiring care in larger centers who travel to receive that care.”

“We know there are already people who can’t afford to travel … it’s another disadvantage.”

The ABC contacted all state and territory health departments.

None said they planned to increase the fuel subsidy given to rural or regional patients who need to travel for medical care.

Loading…