Motor neurone disease sufferers in Bendigo forced to drive hours for 20-minute medical appointments.

Carolyn Hutchison has to travel hours to Melbourne for routine neurology appointments as short as 20-minutes. Pictures: DARREN HOWE

A California Gully woman with motor neurone disease says a dearth of specialistneurologists in Bendigois forcing patients with complex conditionsinto lengthy round trips for routine appointments.

Carolyn Hutchison says she and other MND sufferers have to drive to Melbourne for appointments as short as 20 minutes becausethe one part-time neurologist in Bendigo does not specialise in the condition.

Theres a few other people here in Bendigo with MND who also travel down and see the same neurologist, she says.

They try and do a lot of appointments while were down there so its a whole day out travelling and when youre already tired,having to get up at 7.30 in the morning for an appointment at 10.30 is just crazy and you dont get home until after dinner.

Ms Hutchison saysher Melbourne neurologistcansometimesspeak to her via video link, but there are times when she has no choice but to make the trip, even though her condition means she is unable to drive and has to rely on family to get her there.

Carolyn Hutchison is one of at least five MND sufferers in Bendigo who are unable to access the specialist neurology they need outside Melbourne.

Ms Hutchinsons 18-year-oldson, Zamien, also travels to Melbourne for neurology appointments after suffering a stroke as a childresulting from complications from cancer, and she sayseven having a part time Bendigo-based doctor would make a big difference for both of them.

Hes also linked up with [the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre]but Peter Mac actually come up to Bendigo every six months, so we can have our Peter Mac appointments here but we cant see the neurosurgeon, she says.

Weve got this beautiful big new hospital and we just donthave the staff, it just seems a shame, it really does.

Ms Hutchison saysshe is aware of at least four other patientsin the regionwho all have to drive to Melbourne to see the same neurologist.

We have an MND meet-up every month and theres a gentleman that comes from Castlemaine, theres myself, theres [another man] and a lady who comes from Rochester as well and were hoping to get a new member soon, she says.

So theres at least five of us that are within this area that could benefit from a neurologist if he visited Bendigo.

A Bendigo Health spokeswoman said whilethehospital did not have a neurologist on staff, it hada number of physicians with extensive neurology expertise.

As part of the development of our next strategic plan, Bendigo Health is currently undertaking extensive planning regarding our service delivery profile for the future to ensure we continue to play our role in the state-wide service delivery framework, she said.

St John of God Hospital Bendigo was contacted for comment.

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Bendigo neurology patients forced to drive hours for specialist care - Bendigo Advertiser