In the picturesque coastal communities of Yanchep and Two Rocks, located in Perth's northern outskirts, a pressing issue is casting a shadow over the lives of many residents. The lack of local health services, particularly for those battling cancer, has become a source of outrage and frustration. The situation is dire, with some residents facing vast distances and arduous journeys to receive the life-saving treatments they need.

The story of 80-year-old Pauline Wimsett, a local Yanchep resident, is a stark example of the struggles faced by many. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2003, Pauline and her husband Peter have endured the physical, emotional, and financial toll of traveling to Perth for treatment. Their journey involves a two-hour trek on public transport or an exorbitant $200 for taxis, both ways. This is a common narrative for residents in the area, who are calling for improved health services and the establishment of a local hospital.

TRYACT provides medical-related transportation for cancer patients from Yanchep and Two Rocks while calling for better medical services in the area. Image Credit: TRYACT

The Two Rocks Yanchep Assisted Cancer Travels (TRYACT) service has been a beacon of hope for many, providing a free shuttle service for cancer patients to Perth hospitals. Volunteer drivers, like Joanna Landsdale, offer more than just transportation; they provide comfort, support, and a listening ear during what can be a six-hour treatment day. The service is invaluable, as it alleviates the stress of travel and allows patients like Pauline to focus on their health rather than the logistics of getting to and from appointments.

However, TRYACT is under immense pressure due to soaring demand. The growing population in the area, expected to reach 27,620 by 2031, is outpacing the available health services. The nearest hospital, Joondalup Health Campus, is almost 37 kilometers away, and for many specialized treatments, patients must travel even further.

The recent opening of the ECU Health Centre Yanchep offers a glimmer of hope. The center, which provides student-led, affordable, and accessible services, is a step towards addressing the community's needs. While it cannot offer cancer surgeries, it aims to provide support therapies for those living with cancer. Professor Moira Sim of Edith Cowan University acknowledges the community's needs and the necessity for a hospital with an emergency department in the rapidly growing area.

The state government has responded by stating it will 'continue to monitor demand for healthcare services,' but for many residents, this is not enough. They argue that action is needed now to ensure their community's health needs are met, especially as the population continues to grow.

In the interim, TRYACT remains a critical lifeline for cancer patients. The service not only offers transportation but also a compassionate space where patients can share their experiences and concerns. As TRYACT treasurer and vehicle coordinator Jo Hutchins explains, the simple act of listening can be just as important as the ride itself.

The situation in Yanchep and Two Rocks is a stark reminder of the disparities in health service access across Australia. It highlights the need for a more equitable distribution of medical resources, ensuring that no Australian, regardless of where they live, has to endure such harrowing journeys to receive essential medical care.

Key Takeaways

• Residents in Yanchep and Two Rocks are calling for improved local health services as demand for a free cancer patient shuttle service to Perth has soared.
• The local shuttle service, TRYACT, is a vital resource for patients, providing door-to-door transportation to Perth hospitals for treatment.
• ECU Health Centre Yanchep has started to operate, providing some health services, and there is discussion around it potentially offering support therapies for cancer patients.
• There is a growing need for a hospital in the area, according to both residents and ECU's Executive Dean of the School of Medical and Health Sciences, with population forecasts predicting significant growth by 2031.

We at the Seniors Discount Club stand with the residents of Yanchep and Two Rocks in their call for improved health services. We urge our members to support local initiatives like TRYACT and to advocate for better healthcare infrastructure in their communities. Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below. Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges in accessing healthcare services? Let's bring these stories to light and push for the change that is desperately needed.

 

[Towing]

Services are bad in Adelaide now too. An Oncology Centre attached to the Western Hospital is closing. It currently has 200 or more patients. Those all have to find oncologists at other locations to arrange therapy at another location.
I think the areas in WA areas are mainly farming areas so the Govt. just doesn't consider the needs are as great as they are.

 

[magpie1]

One of the unfortunate problems facing Australians living in remote areas of our vast Continent. Well done to TRYACT for providing such a wonderful service.....the Australian Gov't should provide adequate funding for these types of organisations that provide essential services for residents in remote areas with aids for their necessary healthcare. I hope that the WA and National Gov'ts get behind this organisation and also look at providing a hospital to service this region and its community members.

 

[Catherines]

This is an extremely vast country. The government cannot build, find, equip and staff every remote area for its residents. Disease and illness knows no bounds and we must understand and accept all these situations.

I realise not everyone, for whatever reason, is able to live close to a hospital or medical centre for treatment but saying the government must come to their aid making more facilities available is ridiculous. How is the government to expect a certain area or its population MAY get a certain disease or illness? Setting up clinics, hospitals and staffing them in the expectation of maybe just one someone getting a disease or illness is not viable. That facility could lie vacant and staff must be paid, equipment maintained etc for perhaps years before it is needed. The more sensible option would be for certain diseases and illnesses to be funded better so the genuine sufferer can access. Sometimes we have to accept that the better option for out-lying patients is to move closer to their treatment and better funding availability for the move & treatment required.

The government cannot fund everything without taxes being raised. They DO NOT have unlimited funds. We must take some responsibility for our own health. Having said that, I wish this patient a speedy recovery and better health in the future.

 

[MariaG]

I have to agree with Catherine's message, to a degree.
Because the services are needed, the doors do not necessarily open to meet their needs.
What I do believe is that those who require medical attention that is not available in their area, MUST have subsidised travel. Why should someone have to fork out $200 a trip just to get medical attention. There has to be something that can be done to displace the thought that only the rich can afford to be sick.
I feel so sorry for those folk who must be feeling completely alone and ignored.
I have always believed that every problem has a solution. Time the desk jockeys got off their keyboard perch and looked at ways to help people like Pauline.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Yanchep is a far north suburb of Perth, about 55 kilometres from the CBD. It is not out in the "Boondocks" and is serviced by a newly opened rail service. So what is the problem? If your condition is bad enough to rule you out of public transport, how do you endure a greater travel time sitting in a taxi? About 55 minutes by train in peak hour and who knows how long by taxi? Double that? And free travel to boot!

Think about other ways to get around a problem rather than complain about the $200 cost which is easily alleviated.

 

[richmich.4422@gmail]

Yanchep is a far north suburb of Perth, about 55 kilometres from the CBD. It is not out in the "Boondocks" and is serviced by a newly opened rail service. So what is the problem? If your condition is bad enough to rule you out of public transport, how do you endure a greater travel time sitting in a taxi? About 55 minutes by train in peak hour and who knows how long by taxi? Double that? And free travel to boot!

Think about other ways to get around a problem rather than complain about the $200 cost which is easily alleviated.

You are right Veggie. I was going to mention along the same lines as you have. I was also wandering if they could well have tossed a good samaritan neighbour a donation to drive them too & from the nearest railway station.

When the wife & self were over in Perth on of our trips there, for something to do to kill a few hours one day, we boarded a train & went to the most southern part of the "Metro" to the most northern part of the "Metro" which was fun.
When you think about it, 55 k's by rail, "Aint" that far at all. About the same distance from Sydney out west to Penrith in the metro., area.

"Upteen" thousands do that train trip every day.

"Novezar".

 

[Noon]

Disgusting, what is their Health Minister doing & why are they having to pay their own travelling & accommodation costs, they should be covered by their PTTS.

 

[Catherines]

Yanchep is a far north suburb of Perth, about 55 kilometres from the CBD. It is not out in the "Boondocks" and is serviced by a newly opened rail service. So what is the problem? If your condition is bad enough to rule you out of public transport, how do you endure a greater travel time sitting in a taxi? About 55 minutes by train in peak hour and who knows how long by taxi? Double that? And free travel to boot!

Think about other ways to get around a problem rather than complain about the $200 cost which is easily alleviated.

Absolutely, Veggiepatch. The government cannot provide services, whether medical or any other, ‘next door’ to every citizen. I was recently in Perth visiting a lung cancer patient (my husband’s brother) and my 3 cousins (2 in aged care) and we went to Yanchep for the day - it cost us $2000+ in accommodation rather than stay with & inconvenience the sick relative, over $1000 in air fares from Brisbane. We didn’t say the government needed to pay anything towards our expense because we were visiting a sick relative! Yes, distances in this vast country can be extensive but, as I said in a previous post, the government coffers are not bottomless. At least this patient has the option of volunteers driving them. They should be looking further into any government funding as aged patients. There are government allowances for a lot of things and they should investigate them.