Ms Howard, who was named Benalla Rural City Citizen of the year in 2021, is having to travel to Wangaratta three times a week for treatment.
She said if she could have the treatment in Benalla it would take away a lot of stress and allow her to go back to work.
“I’d have a lot more time to do things”, Ms Howard said.
“Three days a week for nearly eight hours a day is a lot.
“By the time get across there and get set up and then get home after it takes a long time.
“I’m from Devenish and it would be 20 minutes into Benalla, but it is taking me at least 45 minutes to get to Wangaratta.
“At the moment I can’t do my voluntary work, I haven’t got time, and arranging transport is not easy.
“Initially my husband was taking me back and fourth. Then he got sick, so I had to arrange alternatives, which has a cost.
“I have driven myself a few times when I’m feeling okay, but I can be there and the girls will say I’m not all right to drive home, my blood pressure is not good enough etc.
“So then I have to get someone to come and pick me up.
“I understand there are a few clients in Benalla with no transport, and they rely on an ambulance to get there, and of course that is taking up an ambulance, so we really need to look at getting something here in Benalla.”
Ms Cleeland said the reality for many people across the region was they were unable to access the health services they needed close to home.
“When you’re undergoing treatment for serious medical conditions the last thing you need is to spend hours every day in the car just to get to your appointments,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The mental strain this places on patients can’t be understated.
“We know of at least four people in Benalla being supported by the Royal Melbourne Hospital to receive dialysis treatment in Wangaratta, but the odds are there’s more people in our region travelling elsewhere for this essential treatment.”
Ms Cleeland said State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan put questions to Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley on May 3 about how many people were undergoing dialysis in our region, where they were going, and how they were supported
“Four months on and we haven’t heard a thing from the minister,” she said.
“This is reflective of the contempt this government has for regional Victorians and regional health.
“The Nationals priority at this election is ensuring regional Victorians can get the healthcare they need when they need it and as close to home as possible.
“Rather than spending billions on a metro rail project we are committed to focusing on repairing our health system after $2 billion in health cuts from the Andrews Government.”
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the needs of local residents are always taken into full consideration when planning services.
“We welcome ongoing discussions with the Benalla community so we can meet their health care needs,” the spokesperson said.
“We always endeavour to provide Victorians with the care and treatment they need close to home, but where that is not possible patients may be eligible for subsidised travel and accommodation costs if they need to travel long distances for health care.”
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