A town's health service is gone

ABC Western Qld

Topic: Public Health

Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 7:22am

Antje Dekruyf had pains after her first child was born and got help from a pelvic health physiotherapist.

In short:

Longreach mothers want a pelvic floor physiotherapist back at the local hospital.

The only public pelvic floor physiotherapist in Central West Queensland left in July.

What's next?

The hospital is hiring a new physiotherapist, but they might not have the same skills.

Leanna Testa was at a mother's group and heard about help for post-birthing issues.

She talked to other moms about her abdominal separation and if it was severe or minor.

One mom told her about a great pelvic floor physiotherapist in Longreach.

Leanna Testa was referred to see the physiotherapist in May but never got a call back.

She got a referral to see the specialist.

She never got a phone call, even after a few months.

The pelvic floor physiotherapist left the region in July after a couple of years.

One patient said the local treatment was life-changing.

The physiotherapist helped her function without pain in daily life.

Jade Miller faces an eight-hour drive to see a pelvic health physiotherapist.

She had an appointment in Rockhampton before moving to Longreach.

Now she can't have follow-up appointments without a long drive.

Women in Central West face uncertainty about access to specialized care.

Recruitment is underway, but the new physiotherapist might not have the same skills.

The number of births in Longreach rose by 60% between 2020 and 2025.

The hospital says it's not downgrading pelvic health services.

The hospital says specialist allied health professionals are hard to find.

The executive director said recruitment is underway, but no guarantees about the new physiotherapist's skills.

Longreach has a population of about 3,000 people.

Pelvic Pain Australia's vice chair said the situation is concerning.

A generalist physio might not understand pelvic health concerns.

Not replacing the position might be a shortfall of innovation.

Local mothers are worried about the potential gap in future services.

They need someone knowledgeable in pelvic floor health.

A generalist physiotherapist might not be enough.

There's growing interest in pelvic health physiotherapy.

Pelvic Pain Australia said physiotherapy is a growing specialty.

Physiotherapists can help with muscle function during life transitions.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association said more physiotherapists are choosing to upskill in women's health.

Since 2020, 669 physiotherapists have gained knowledge for after-birth treatment.

Women in rural areas deserve access to physiotherapy services.

Antje Dekruyf says Longreach needs better specialist services.

She agrees that it's a necessity with the growing number of families.

ABC Western Qld has local news.

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