Not long ago, 74-year-old Jodi Scholz was managing a small farm just north of Beechworth, Victoria, with horses and cattle. However, after her partner developed health issues and died two years ago, she found herself alone managing a 40-acre property. Now residing in a nursing home where she once worked as a nurse, Ms Scholz's chronic illness has become a concern for local doctors.

The closure of Beechworth's taxi service 18 months ago, combined with limited public transport options, has left many residents without reliable means to attend medical appointments. Dr Rodda noted that this situation forced her to revert to making home visits, especially during major weather events.

The Victorian Patient Transport Access Scheme, intended to assist patients with transport, has been described as "grossly underfunded" and difficult to navigate. Chief executive Susi Tegan stated, "Those [regional] communities are not happy so it's put major stresses on top of the cost of living."

Residents like Ms Scholz have had to rely heavily on community cars, carers, and friends traveling long distances to provide transport. An Indigo Shire Council spokesperson confirmed the council has not applied for funding through the Victorian Government's Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program but is exploring public transport options to support GP and health appointment visits.

The complexity of a multi-layer health system funded by various government levels adds to the challenges faced by patients in regional areas.

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