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While the system is yet to come up with an option, Eden Motor Group managing director Con Zurcas has arranged to drive Ron home from Bega after his appointments.
Mr Zurcas said he was “heartbroken” after reading the story (below) online on Tuesday, and met with Wayne on Wednesday to offer his services.
“I’m very concerned about the elderly gentleman and his health, and I really want to help out,” he said.
“I know how hard it is being self-employed, and we’ve got enough cars and enough people here to bring him home and make sure Wayne is able to go to work.”
Wayne said Con’s offer has “made his year”.
“I can’t believe it – you don’t know how much pressure he’s taken off my shoulders,” Wayne said.
“Con didn’t need to do any of this, but he’s really come through for us.”
ORIGINAL STORY: TUESDAY, 9AM
An Eden man whose elderly father requires regular transport for critical medical treatment says the health system fails to support his father’s needs.
Wayne Longford’s 79-year-old father, Ron, suffers from leukaemia and kidney failure, and needs to travel to Bega three times per week to undergo dialysis treatment.
Wayne says attempting to organise transport for his father, who is a resident at the Bupa Eden aged care facility, has been “an ongoing battle”, and neither Bupa nor the Southern NSW Local Health District has been able to come up with an arrangement.
The situation means Wayne is losing out on potential income, as he has to shut down his business three afternoons per week in order to drive to Bega and back.
“I always say to them, ‘What would happen to dad if I wasn’t here?’” Wayne said.
“I’m running my own business, and I have to leave work at lunchtime three times a week to pick him up and bring him home.
“I can take him up there in the morning, but if they could get someone to bring him back, it would be a huge help.
“Regardless of that, he needs to have this treatment or he’ll die – if I wasn’t around to take him, what would happen to him?”
Each time Ron attends Bega Hospital for treatment, the dialysis vent in his arm is checked.
If it has collapsed, as it has done five times this year, he needs to be taken to the Calvary John James Hospital in Canberra to have it fixed.
“It’s only a five-minute procedure at the John James, but it’s a long way from home and he needs to get there and back somehow,” Wayne said.
“Bupa organised an ambulance for him last time, but every other time I just keep hitting brick walls.
“Whenever I take him to Bega, I see patient transport vehicles just sitting outside.”
Both the Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) and Bupa Australia provided brief statements in response to the Magnet’s enquiries.
An SNSWLHD spokesperson said the service is looking at options to better support Mr Longford, but a lack of funding is creating a barrier.
“The Southern NSW LHD is attempting to find a solution,” the spokesperson said.
“However, there is unfortunately no funding for outpatients requiring transport for treatment.”
A Bupa spokesperson also said potential solutions will be looked at.
“The home is working with Ron Longford’s family to explore the options available,” the spokesperson said.