Petition to Improve Healthcare Services in Leigh Creek

Petition Title

Support Transitioning the Leigh Creek Health Service to a Royal Flying Doctor Service Clinic

 
Petition Statement

To the South Australian Government, SA Health and the Minister for Health,

We, the undersigned residents and supporters of the Leigh Creek community, are calling for urgent action to improve access to reliable and sustainable healthcare services in our town.

Leigh Creek is a remote community that relies heavily on local medical services for essential healthcare needs. Many community members feel that the current Health Service model operated by SA Health is struggling to consistently meet the town’s minimum healthcare requirements. Concerns within the community include limited appointment availability, minimal services offered, difficulty accessing timely care, inconsistent staffing, and challenges in accessing ongoing medical support.

For remote communities, access to dependable healthcare is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Quality healthcare services are essential for the wellbeing and safety of residents, including children and infants, elderly community members, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, workers, travellers, grey nomads, and families living in the Far North region.

We believe the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has extensive experience in delivering healthcare services to rural and remote communities across Australia and may provide a more sustainable and responsive healthcare model for Leigh Creek.

We respectfully request that SA Health:

Conduct a formal review of healthcare delivery within Leigh Creek.
Consult directly with community members regarding current healthcare concerns.
Investigate the feasibility of transitioning the Leigh Creek Health Service to a Royal Flying Doctor Service operated clinic or partnership model.
Ensure remote residents have access to consistent, safe, and high-quality healthcare services.
Provide appropriate support to the RDFS to facilitate any transition, including infrastructure, transport, and operational assistance where required
This petition is not intended to criticise individual healthcare workers, but rather to advocate for a healthcare model that better meets the needs of our remote community.

Healthcare equity should not depend on postcode.

 
Why This Matters

·        Leigh Creek residents and surrounding communities deserve reliable access to healthcare.

·        Remote communities face unique healthcare challenges, including distance, workforce shortages, and limited access to specialist services.

·        The Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) does not adequately cover many healthcare expenses, including allied health services, general dental care, or travel to the nearest GP services in Marree or Hawker. Rising fuel costs and long travel distances place significant financial pressure on many residents.

·        Delays in accessing medical care can have serious consequences, particularly for infants, young children, elderly residents, and people with chronic health conditions.

·        Families should feel confident that essential healthcare services are available locally or that travel costs to access necessary care are appropriately supported.

·        The RFDS has a long and respected history of delivering healthcare services to rural and remote Australians.