A lack of local medical services is prompting a call for better incentives to attract doctors to rural areas, according to Lou Papps, a 64-year-old cancer patient from Peterborough, South Australia. Papps, who is battling a double terminal diagnosis of emphysema and myeloma, endures long drives for essential medical appointments, highlighting the struggles faced by many in rural communities.
Each week, Papps spends considerable time driving for treatment, often making a one-hour round trip to Jamestown for routine blood tests. This journey is a necessary alternative to waiting for hours in the Peterborough Hospital’s Emergency Department, where she would hope to be seen without facing a significant wait. “I could be there four or five hours just to get my bloods done,” she remarked, noting the pressure on the hospital’s existing staff.
Fridays require another lengthy trip, this time to Port Pirie for chemotherapy, which adds up to approximately three hours on the road each week. “Some days I’m on autopilot behind the wheel, which is probably dangerous,” Papps said, stressing the mental and physical toll of her situation.
Papps moved to Peterborough in 2021, a year after her emphysema diagnosis was confirmed. Following a stint living on Lamb Island in Queensland and in Tasmania, she opted for a more affordable lifestyle in South Australia’s Mid North. “It’s a lovely community. Everyone keeps an eye on everybody,” she stated. The local café has been a social hub, where owner Evie has introduced Papps to new friends.
Her experiences in Peterborough have included supporting a terminally ill friend through the voluntary-assisted dying process at the local hospital. “We had the best day with her family,” Papps recalled. “I’ve never laughed so much in all my life because she was a character.”
Conversations with her adult children have shaped her views on end-of-life decisions. Papps, who has significant experience as a former nurse, understands the realities of living with chronic illness. “Nobody wants to see people suffer,” she said.
As she contemplates her own future, Papps wishes for more consistent medical support in Peterborough. The infrequent presence of locum doctors at the hospital raises fears that she may not receive timely care when needed. “It’s what happens when seriously ill people in rural areas can’t see doctors,” she explained, emphasizing the risks of isolation faced by many in her situation.
With the absence of permanent doctors in her community, Papps worries that the healthcare system is failing those who are chronically unwell. “Now, you don’t get what you need in a regional town,” she said. The closure of the local medical centre has only exacerbated this issue, leading to a “knock-on effect that affects everybody.”
Papps believes that greater government incentives for medical professionals in rural areas would alleviate pressure on metropolitan health systems. “We’re an older population, and this situation is only going to get worse,” she warned, arguing that the needs of rural communities should not be overlooked. “Just because we’re little, it doesn’t mean we don’t exist. We all exist. And it’s a beautiful town.”
The challenges faced by Papps and others in similar situations highlight the critical need for improved healthcare access in rural regions. Without action, the risk of diminished healthcare services is likely to continue, leaving vulnerable populations without the support they need.
