Hello everyone,

In March, at the age of 47, I received a life-altering diagnosis of a brain aneurysm after experiencing a sudden episode at work. As a mother of three with a grandchild on the way, the news was devastating. After a thorough examination at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, I discovered I had not one, but two aneurysms, necessitating the urgent placement of a stent. Since March, I've been caught in a frustrating cycle of delays, with my operation being canceled once. Meanwhile, my daily struggles include constant headaches, visual disturbances, balance problems, and relentless dizziness.

This experience has highlighted a critical issue within the Western Australian healthcare system: the severe shortage of high dependency beds dedicated to neurological intervention and imaging services. Being told that in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital—a major healthcare facility in Perth—there are only four such beds is alarming. This scarcity not only affects me but countless others who require urgent and specialized medical care.

Western Australia is home to over 2.7 million residents, yet the resources for specialized neurological care are glaringly insufficient. According to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia’s healthcare system has been struggling with capacity issues for years, and these are particularly pronounced in complex care sectors such as neurology.

Immediate action is needed to address this shortage and prevent prolonged suffering for patients like me. We urge the local government to allocate more resources and funding to expand the high dependency bed availability for neurological care in Western Australia. With more beds, facilities like Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital can provide timely and effective treatments to individuals in critical need.

Furthermore, increasing bed capacity must be accompanied by investments in advanced imaging technologies. This combination is paramount for the timely diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions, ultimately saving lives and lowering long-term healthcare costs by mitigating severe health deterioration.

This issue is not just about numbers or statistics; it’s about real people, real families, experiencing real suffering. We need to rally together as a community to support this vital cause.

Please join me in urging the local government to act now. By signing this petition, you are helping to ensure better, more accessible neurological care for everyone in Western Australia. Every signature brings us one step closer to the change we so desperately need. Please sign and share this petition to reach more people who care about the quality of healthcare we receive here in our beautiful state.