In a town families are moving to, an important health service has departed

Mothers in Longreach, a small town in Central West Queensland, are urging the local hospital to rehire their pelvic floor physiotherapist after she left in July. Leanna Testa, a mother of two, had to travel to Rockhampton for treatment, as there is currently no other specialist locally. Jade Miller, a new resident, faces an even longer eight-hour drive to receive care.

The hospital, Central West Hospital and Health Service (CWHHS), claims it will not compromise on pelvic health services, stating that a shortage of allied health clinicians with specialist skills makes it difficult to attract and retain them in remote areas. Pelvic Pain Australia, a representative group of pelvic floor specialists, worries that the absence of a trained physiotherapist could result in a significant gap in future services.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association notes that more physiotherapists are choosing to specialize in women's health, which could potentially alleviate rural shortages. However, local mothers fear the changes may make it impossible for them to access the specialised care they need, especially given the increasing number of families in the region.