Eighty-year-old Kerry MacDonald struggles with a heart condition that has compelled him to undertake a series of arduous trips to Brisbane for specialist consultations since 2020. Residing in outback Queensland with his wife, Kathy MacDonald, the couple faces a challenging choice: leave their beloved home or pursue a potential life-extending treatment 1,200 kilometers away.
The MacDonalds have gotten used to their small-town lifestyle in Longreach. They like to know their neighbors, to feel the support of their community around them. The chance to enroll in a three-year clinical trial for a new treatment has created a difficult decision. They now have to weigh the value of that healthcare access against the emotional toll of uprooting their established lives.
Kathy MacDonald expressed the deep ties they have to their home, stating, “I think we live in the best town in the country. We know all the people, there’s plenty to do.” She understood the social disruption that moving would cause. “It would have created so much upheaval to us that I feel it would have had a more detrimental effect on Kerry’s health and probably mine.”
Navigating Healthcare Access in Rural Areas
Despite healthcare being the main category of state spending, access to healthcare services is one of the key challenges facing many Queenslanders, especially those in rural and remote areas. Primary producers Kerry and Kathy MacDonald regularly undertake a 2,400-kilometre return journey to Brisbane for medical services. This journey highlights the difficulties faced by many in similar situations, as Terri-Ann Dwyer, a health advocate, noted: “Access to public transport is really tough in regional areas and often non-existent in rural and very remote areas.”
The aging demographic of Queensland makes these issues even more urgent. Approximately 17 percent of the state’s residents are age 65 and older. This begs the question of whether they are receiving equitable access to high-quality healthcare. Additionally, people who live in less affluent neighbourhoods are generally expected to live three years less than those from more affluent communities. Dwyer reiterated that no matter where an Australian lives, they should be able to receive quality healthcare.
“It shouldn’t matter what your postcode is. Every Queenslander, every Australian for that matter, deserves to have access to good quality health care,” she stated. This sentiment rings true with the MacDonalds as they continue their search for the best healthcare options and stay dedicated to their community.
The Emotional Toll of Relocation
For other senior White residents, such as the MacDonalds, the choice to move away for consistent medical care is an intensely emotional choice. The pair have cultivated deep relationships across their community. In order to carry out the program, they rely on local general practitioners to assist in caring for Kerry’s rare condition. They feel fortunate that they have terrific local GPs. They encounter the cruel truth that relocation could all too often be required in order to obtain specialized care.
Kerry MacDonald shared his internal conflict during this decision-making process: “We agonised over it — we’d have to leave and virtually start another life.” Those struggling with health issues in rural communities bear an immense emotional toll. Yet too often they feel caught between their health and their homes.
Dwyer remarked on the impact of such decisions on individuals’ mental health: “That has grief, loss and trauma associated with it … especially if it’s something that is forced upon somebody.” The emotional toll can be at least as difficult to bear as the physical conditions they help to cure.
Community Support and Future Prospects
Through the logistical and emotional strains, Kerry and Kathy MacDonald draw upon the resilience of their New England community. Longreach locals often stop for a chat when they head into town, reinforcing their sense of belonging. Mrs. MacDonald appreciates the balance between being active and enjoying a relaxed lifestyle in their small community, saying, “You could be busy every day but then again, if you want to just have a nice relaxed lifestyle you can do that too.”
As our healthcare providers continue to fight for the access of rural populations, there have been a few wins. Danielle Allan explained that an increasing number of junior doctors are now specifically training as rural general practitioners. If sustained, this trend will increase access to care for these historically marginalized communities.
Thirty-eight percent of the Queensland population is in rural and remote communities. This begs the crucial question, are we investing 38 percent of the health budget in these areas? As Allan had asked, highlighting the importance of equitable distribution of resources.
