In November, Jessica Errild, a disability support worker from Devonport, discovered a concerning lump in her breast while getting dressed. With a family history of breast cancer, she knew immediate action was necessary. However, what followed was an unexpected and frustrating journey through the healthcare system.
Errild’s general practitioner recommended a bilateral breast ultrasound, but when she contacted I-MED in Devonport, she was told the earliest available appointment was not until April of the following year. “People should be able to get the scan and not have to wait months for something that could be very serious or deadly,” she expressed.
Long Waits and Health Anxiety
The news of a six-month wait for a potentially life-saving scan left Errild in a state of distress. “I haven’t been sleeping and it could turn out to be nothing, but it’s the weight, it’s having to find out what it is, and it just brings about dark thoughts like ‘am I going to be here this time next year?'” she shared.
Errild’s experience is not unique. Many women face long waits for breast imaging services, a situation exacerbated by the limited availability of appointments in public healthcare facilities. In 2015, Errild required a similar scan and recalls the process being much quicker. “Between getting a doctor’s appointment, a scan, and results, it was only about two weeks,” she recalled.
A Stroke of Luck and Systemic Issues
Fortunately, Errild’s connections in the healthcare industry helped her secure a cancellation appointment, sparing her further delays and expenses. “While I’m entirely grateful for that, how many women are waiting because they don’t know someone in the industry?” she questioned. Without this intervention, she would have faced a wait of over six months, a reality for many others.
Even with the appointment secured through the public system, the scan cost Errild $120, a significant expense during the holiday season. “I’m fortunate enough that I could afford it. [But] how many women can’t for what’s such a killer in women?” she pondered.
Government Response and Future Plans
Health Minister Bridget Archer announced plans to address the shortage of breast imaging services. A new permanent Breast Screen Tasmania Clinic is set to open in Devonport, alongside others in Triabunna, Glenorchy, and Kingston. An interim clinic is expected by mid-2026, with a permanent facility by the end of 2027.
Additionally, a $15 million Public Diagnostic Breast Care Centre is under construction in Hobart, slated to open in April 2026. This center aims to reduce wait times and out-of-pocket costs, providing financial support for travel through the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) for those outside the capital.
“The opening of the new centre will build capacity to accept GP referrals in addition to all public referrals for diagnostic breast imaging,” said Ms. Archer.
Advocacy and the Road Ahead
Errild is now advocating for improved access to breast cancer screening, emphasizing the need for timely and affordable healthcare. “I want to see women be able to easily access these appointments and not have to travel hours to get there, not have to be so out of pocket to find out if they’re healthy or not,” she stated.
Her story underscores the pressing need for systemic changes in healthcare accessibility, particularly for women facing potential breast cancer diagnoses. As Errild and others continue to push for change, the government’s planned expansions offer hope for a more efficient future.
