A doctor who provides assistance to prospective Dubbo parents is optimistic about the benefits of a new government rebate program that could eliminate out of pocket costs for those having difficulty conceiving.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
IVF Australia's Medical Director Assistant Professor Peter Illingworth has been helping patients in Dubbo via video conferencing technology for 16 years and sees the $42 million package as a boon for his patients.
As part of that package, patients will be offered a new rebate for use with pre-IVF testing that will cover up to $500 in costs.
READ ALSO:
"I think the rebate is a very positive thing to allow patients to get help with some of the difficult stages before they go to IVF, it allows them to have that testing done without the out of pocket costs," Professor Illingworth said.
Professor Illingworth, who provides consultation and evaluation to patients in Dubbo at the Macquarie Women's Health clinic, says that the earliest stages are some of the most important and is an area of work he takes particular pride in.
The clinic locally employs Dr Ajith Samaratunga and Dr Dianne Avery, obstetricians and gynaecologists who work in partnership with Professor Illingworth to deliver care.
"We've had a longstanding arrangement with the practice in Dubbo to work in partnership to look after patients who are needing fertility treatments, they'd normally be seen and have their treatment carried out by the doctors in Dubbo at the fertility clinic there," Professor Illingworth said.
Considered a world-leading expert in his field, Professor Illingworth says the tests covered by the rebate can provide a huge difference for couples or individuals trying to conceive.
"The important distinction is that one in six people have difficulty conceiving, but most of those issues are relatively simple fixes to address, it's only a small minority of people who require IVF," Professor Illingworth said.
"I think it's right that these tests help people in remote locations who don't have as much access to information, there are a lot of big decisions to be made before someone takes a big step like undertaking IVF, so having that access and advice before they do that is very, very important."
Professor Illingworth is optimistic that the rebate will benefit the patients he works with in Dubbo and other rural areas.
"I think it will help people regionally, most people who have trouble conceiving, all they need is the tests, and this will help them get the tests they need and if the results are normal, it'll encourage them."
"Personally, I love regional patients, I think they're the best people I come across," Professor Illingworth said.
