The editor,

(Open letter addressed to Health Minister John Hill).

It concerns me that you have not replied to my letter or contacted me regarding the letter transport for very needy patients (March 6, 2008).

In addition it now appears from the advertised SA Country Health Care Plan and your announcements on the news, that even more of a burden for health care and Transport in regional areas will be placed on the patients and their families many of which are elderly and disabled.

It appears you have had some very poor advice as to the health care needs in country areas and the impact of travel to a regional centre by a transport system which is already totally inadequate.

To say I am a little angry at the stupidity would be an understatement.

Could you or one of your health planners please explain how transporting people to another centre as intended would have any cost savings.

The opposite will occur with increased costs that will impact dramatically on all elderly people in the regions.

Are you aware of what happens when a patient is discharged from hospitals, does the ambulance return them to their original centre, I think not.

Are all family and support members, including carers now impacted with additional costs and inconvenience?

Many families having to take time off work to pick up patients.

If you haven't noticed, fuel prices are now a major cost to travel, and what about people too frail or elderly to drive the increased distances (if in fact they have a car at all).

Could you please explain where all the ambulance services and staff will come from to transport patients from the admitting hospital, or is this also going to be the problem and cost of the family if they live in the area.

You may not be old enough to know but centralisation to reduce costs was a catch cry in the ‘70s, which was disastrous, resulting in increased costs and loss of services.

In my opinion your transport to other regional hospital centres from places like Port Augusta is the most stupid suggestion I have ever heard.

What will the flying doctor do?

Fly from Port Augusta to Whyalla to pick up a crew, retrieve a patient from outlying areas, return the patient to Whyalla and then fly back to Port Augusta.

It is my opinion that the consultation of the Country Health Care Plan was grossly inadequate and poorly advised.

A public meeting should be held to give you the opportunity to answer the many questions and allow the local community to have a say.

Could you please send me a free copy of the plan.

I await your early reply by e-mail or by personal contact.

Malcolm Simes

Port Augusta