Darrell Ziebell, a 72-year-old resident of Moura, Queensland, faces challenges accessing healthcare due to his Parkinson's disease and limited driving distance. The Heart of Australia bus, a mobile clinic providing cardiology and specialty healthcare checks, has been a lifeline for Ziebell, detecting his heart condition and referring him for further testing.
The Heart of Australia service has expanded significantly in recent years, adding specialists in endocrinology, gastroenterology, and neurology to its team. Founder and cardiologist Rolf Gomes emphasizes the importance of bringing healthcare services to aging regional populations.
Despite the availability of outreach services, rural and remote areas in Australia continue to face healthcare disparities. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports higher rates of hospitalizations, death, and injury in these areas, along with poorer access to healthcare services.
Fly2Health, a service that flies clinicians to rural communities, has expanded its reach to 20 communities in Queensland. Managing director Tim Gibson highlights the unique challenges faced by families in remote areas, such as managing rural properties and long distances to hospitals.
Jos Middleton, who manages the mental health service for Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland's Far North section, emphasizes the vital role of face-to-face contact in rural areas. The service has seen a surge in demand following severe flooding events, underscoring the importance of accessible healthcare in isolated regions.
While fly-in, fly-out healthcare models are crucial for service delivery in remote Australia, they also present challenges in managing complex chronic diseases. Training and up-skilling local healthcare professionals is seen as a long-term solution, but FIFO models remain necessary for continuity of care in the short term.