Hi everyone, I've just done the first week of my rural prac at Moora hospital. One issue that I have found difficult is the waiting list time for patient referrals from the doctors in town. There is just the one physio (my supervisor) who is publically funded. There was a vacancy in her position for some months before she got there and she has just recently taken some leave. The problem is that the waiting list for physio is around 80 patients long, and patients with non-urgent problems are waiting 5-6 months to see the physio. I saw a lady with hip pain today which she initially got a referrral for 5 months ago. This means that a lot of problems in town which were acute invariably turn to chronic by the time that the patient gets in to see the physio eg a few chronic ankles post-sprain, which if initially managed well may have recovered better. This also creates some resentment in town as to who gets in to see the physio when. The only other option is for the patients to travel to Jurien Bay to see the privat physio, which is a fair drive away. There isnt really any solution to this not involving extra funding for a second physio (there are two OTs!), or if someone began a private practice in the town.
Apart from this it is a great little town and prac is going well!
Mel.
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Hey Mel
Hope you're enjoying Moora. I'd tend to agree that the health dept has a responsibility to better serve its public. Another physio wouldn't hurt would it? Mind you, if any enterprising soul wanted to move there, it looks like a private practice would be busy... I'm sure your presence will help to reduce the waiting list a bit anyway
M
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