Medical specialist barriers to access for regional WA

MR RICK WILSON MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR O’CONNOR

14 May 2026

Medical specialist barriers to access for regional WA

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability has announced a new inquiry into access to and affordability of medical specialists in Australia.

Rick Wilson, Federal Member for O’Connor knows the barriers that exist to access basic health services such as a doctor, a pharmacist or a hospital bed.

“Distance, cost, waiting times, the need for additional tests that may also require a separate trip are all the challenges that O’Connor residents share with me,” said Mr Wilson.

“This is the experience for basic care that is often taken for granted by metropolitan dwellers, but when it comes to medical specialist services the difficulties are magnified.

The inquiry will be examining access, effectiveness, affordability and the impacts of delays for all Australians.

The terms of reference have identified that there are differences in access for city, rural and regional patients and it will examine innovative and emerging models of care that may improve access to medical specialists for all Australians.

Mr Wilson urges O’Connor residents to share their experience and ideas with the committee.

“I can and do make statements and observations about the provision of healthcare services in my electorate, however, the value of sharing your experience as an individual or health service provider referring patients to specialists and its impact on health outcomes is invaluable.

“My office hears the stories when things go wrong, referrals or appointment details that go missing or delayed and the difficulty people can have in attending specialist appointments because of a lack of suitable transport.

“Sharing your experience is important to enable change to happen,” Mr Wilson said.

The Committee encourages all interested individuals, including patients, carers, health professionals, professional bodies, governments, academics and community organisations to make a submission by Friday, 16 October 2026.

Full details of the terms of reference and how to make a submission can be found at the following:

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Disability/Medicalspecialists

For a full list of current inquiries in the Federal Parliament please go to the following link: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees

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