Murrindindi Shire Council has written to Victorian Health Minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, seeking urgent clarification regarding community concerns about the withdrawal of local transport services for patients requiring dialysis, cancer treatment and other critical care.
The move follows feedback that transport to Seymour, for dialysis treatment – a lifeline for some patients – is being discontinued as of 30 September.
“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,” the Council said in a statement.
“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,” it stated.
