MY DAD’S BUSH DEATH ISN’T THE END OF THE FIGHT
The family of the late Chris Thomas is calling for an urgent, bipartisan commitment to ensure that all regional South Australians have access to lifesaving medical services close to home.
Mr Thomas died last week at his home in Crystal Brook after returning from Adelaide, where he had been receiving care following two cardiac arrests. At the beginning of July, medical staff at the Lyell McEwin Hospital told the former farmer and pastoralist he would need to relocate permanently to Adelaide to access dialysis — or cease treatment and prepare for the end of life.
After the public release of his story, Minister for Health Chris Picton, met with Mr Thomas’ daughter Alex and agreed that SA Health would explore options for him to receive dialysis close to home.
“At the same time, Dad’s condition worsened, and he made the decision to stop dialysis and return to Crystal Brook so he could spend his final days at home,” said Ms Thomas.
“The media coverage of Dad’s story led to an overwhelming wave of public support, but it also exposed just how many people in regional South Australia are silently suffering because they cannot access the same standard of healthcare as people in the city.”
Ms Thomas called for an immediate, bipartisan strategy to listen to the lived experiences of regional patients, identify gaps in care, and deliver long-overdue reform that ensures country South Australians receive the healthcare they deserve — no matter their postcode.
“As we head towards the state election in March next year, we want to see a collaborative approach by the government and the opposition to listen to people in the bush and implement changes to provide equitable access to healthcare, no matter where you live.”
“This isn’t just about Dad. It’s about every regional South Australian who deserves dignity, care, and the chance to live, receive treatment or die at home.”
“Our experience with Dad highlighted flaws in the system — a lack of facilities for patients with complex medical needs, a gross lack of palliative care options in the bush, and a fragmented health system severely limited by bureaucracy and a shortage of funding.”
A lifelong country resident, Mr Thomas worked as a farmer and pastoralist in the Mid North and Northeast pastoral districts before later working in Roxby Downs. After contracting Q fever and Ross River virus in the 1980s and 1990s, Mr Thomas spent the last decade of his life living with complex medical needs including diabetes, kidney failure, cardiomyopathy, multiple amputations, and mobility issues. He died at his Crystal Brook home last Wednesday with his three children by his side.
The “iconic Aussie bushman” will be laid to rest later this week in Yacka.
Alex Thomas is the founder of Plant A Seed for Safety, a grassroots initiative focused on improving health, safety, and wellbeing in rural Australia, advocating for practical, people-centred approaches to safety in farming.