Today, Council wrote to Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Minister for Health, Health Infrastructure and Ambulance Services, seeking urgent clarification regarding community concerns about the withdrawal of transport services for patients requiring dialysis, cancer treatment and other critical care This follows feedback that transport to Seymour, for dialysis treatment – a lifeline for patients-, is being discontinued as of 30 September 2024.
This issue is of significant concern to our community, which already experiences a higher incidence of chronic health conditions, including kidney disease, compared to the Victorian average. Living in Murrindindi Shire should not impede access to critical public health services.
We are eager to work with the government to explore opportunities for expanding health services within our shire, including the possibility of providing dialysis locally. This would alleviate the financial and logistical burden of transport while also addressing the challenges of distance and the lack of public transport. Reducing these barriers would improve early diagnosis and treatment, preventing the progression of chronic conditions that can worsen due to delayed care.
Council will continue to advocate for the expansion and continuity of essential healthcare support.
