Funded through the Rural Health Outreach Fund (RHOF), a recently introduced outreach sonography service is making a significant difference to patients in some of the Kimberley’s most remote Aboriginal communities.
Delivered by Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Ltd (KAMS), the service provides essential diagnostic imaging directly to Country – improving access, reducing cultural and logistical barriers, and offering a more cost-effective model of care.
Led by experienced sonographer Julia Mayes, visits are focused on communities with high rates of missed sonography appointments, particularly among pregnant women who are currently referred to Broome or Kununurra through the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS).
The need for an alternative is clear. Travel often involves being away from home for three to five days, creating disruption for families and significant discomfort for women in late pregnancy. Many patients are also reluctant to leave Country due to cultural obligations or anxiety around flying. These challenges contribute to growing concerns among imaging specialists, who report increasing frustration that scans are being missed and opportunities for early diagnosis lost.
In addition to performing diagnostic scans, Julia worked closely with local GPs to improve clinical capability, identifying equipment gaps, offering technical guidance, and supporting diagnostic decisions on site. In one instance, the clinic’s existing ultrasound machine was found to be unsuitable for trauma-related scanning and lacked the correct probe for vascular assessments. Julia’s presence enabled immediate scanning and avoided a costly and unnecessary transfer.