Our remote vulnerability

THE difficulties of attracting specialist medical staff to the Far North has been highlighted with the near impossible task to hire a surgeon to perform breast reconstruction work.

Our remoteness is making us extremely vulnerable to providing vital medical professional services.

Finally the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service has found a surgeon to perform breast reconstruction.

But the person is to come from overseas because no-one in Australia was interested in the position.

This creates another problem, the delay until the end of the year of the person actually arriving and starting the surgery.

Registration and visa requirements for international medical graduates are leading to the delay.

Surely in this circumstance red tape should be slashed to fast-track the arrival?

Despite, trying to find a locum specialist to fill the gap, the only applicant withdrew the day before he was due to arrive, adding to the frustration.

The situation is of no comfort for the 287 parents on the plastic and reconstructive surgery waiting list.

While, some will argue that the surgery is not vital, to the women waiting it is more about self esteem than anything else.

These poor souls already have been through traumatic and heartbreaking mastectomies.

Breast reconstruction is part of the emotionally healing process and allows the patients to return to a normal life as possible.

The health service also is to be commended for committing to $4 million to clear the appointment waiting list times.