“Postcode Shouldn’t Be a Death Sentence” — Family Calls Out SA Health Over Dialysis Ultimatum
Chris Thomas has spent his life on the land — farming through drought, raising a family, and rolling with the punches of life in rural South Australia.
When the going got tough, he didn’t walk away. He turned to goat mustering — criss-crossing the state to keep food on the table when the seasons refused to play nice. Off the land, he played in a local band called Twisted Lizard, belting out tunes at events like Clare Gourmet Weekend and country race meets.
Now 68, the retired Crystal Brook farmer is fighting a new battle — not with nature, but with the health system that’s meant to care for him.
In May this year, Mr Thomas, 68, had two major cardiac arrests while undergoing rehabilitation following the amputation of a leg. He’s since been receiving treatment in the Lyell McEwin Hospital, with staff giving him an ultimatum last week to either move permanently to Adelaide to access dialysis or cease treatment and call it a day. The reason? A lack of resources and equipment to help transfer him into a dialysis chair.
Chris’ eldest daughter, Alex Thomas, says the ill-informed ultimatum from SA Health is a death sentence for her Dad, who should be able to spend the rest of his days living and receiving treatment in the community he loves.
“Your postcode should not determine your standard of care”, she said.
“Why can’t my Dad access dialysis in Port Augusta, Clare or even Whyalla? What about home dialysis, or using his existing NDIS support to help facilitate each transfer?”
Chris’s story is far from rare — but the family is refusing to let it slide. Alex, now a rural safety advocate and founder of Plant a Seed for Safety, says this is a matter of basic dignity.
“My call to SA Health is to respect his choice to remain in the bush and honour the contribution he’s made as a farmer who’s fed and clothed many Australians over the course of his working life. It’s time for the medical fraternity to find a way for my Dad to continue to access dialysis in reasonable proximity to Crystal Brook,” she said.
Disgusted at the lack of compassion, Alex says “this position smacks of geographic discrimination. Dad’s only two hours from Adelaide. Imagine what it’s like for those living more remotely.
Surely all Australians should have access to life-saving treatment and the right to remain in their community, particularly in their eleventh hour and during a time of such extreme vulnerability.”
Chris’ family aren’t asking for miracles — just options.
They’re urging SA Health to reconsider its stance, explore alternate pathways, and give this country man the dignity of staying connected to his people, his place, and the land he’s always called home.
