High airfares strain Western Australia regional medical services

Rising costs impact patient care

A temporary Productivity Commission study revealed that brief regional journeys cost 173 per cent more per kilometre compared to larger routes. Specialist Centre practice manager Latrice Porter stated that locking in visiting staff for her Albany clinic is becoming increasingly difficult. She observed that soaring ticket prices and scarce flight options are greatly raising expenses for delivering specialized outpatient treatment in regional WA. These disruptions require clinics to reorganise, amend accommodation arrangements and adjust patient schedules which places more strain on stretched healthcare resources.

Pilbara patients face high fares

The WA Patient Assisted Travel Scheme offers some of the nation's smallest refunds for fuel and lodging. Kim Simpson, a resident of Karratha, stated that high travel costs unfairly weighed on regional patients who sought medical care beyond their community. She explained that if a procedure is not available locally like Mohs surgery for skin cancer, patients must cover the fare themselves. Families also face high costs when grandparents travel to see newborn babies in Karratha which can cost well over $2,000.

Telehealth limits and future risks

Practitioners believe telehealth is not fit for an aging population requiring physical nurse support during consultations. Porter cautioned that continuing cost increases would force regional community specialists to begin charging patients for their travel expenses. FIFO mining traffic makes Karratha Airport WA's busiest outside Perth allowing airlines to charge higher prices according to Simpson. Residents feel treated like second-class citizens while paying first-class prices for essential medical travel within their own state.