Herd of Hope Drives Rural Health Care Forward

Rural communities in South Australia, especially rural organ transplant recipients are facing a number of health care fear and issues such as catching a life-threatening infection. Keeping this in mind, Meghan McLoughlin who explored this through a University of South Australia study has now established the Herd of Hope charity.

Research fellow, Dr Kate Gunn said she has done research looking at the experience of cancer patients who have to travel for treatment and how they want to be supported to make the process easier. Dr Gunn said they found that people interacted to a minimum because of the fear of catching a potentially life-threatening infection. McLoughlin said as a transplant recipient, one has the immune system of a three-week-old baby, so they just can't go to the supermarket for the fear of infection.

Dr Gunn highlighted the issue of having to work through feelings of being immensely grateful for the gift of donation, while also feeling guilt that another person had to die for this to occur. Anxiety was also pointed out, especially when living far away from the hospital that can perform the surgery. "Transplant recipients can find it difficult to return to work, due to their daily medication and energy levels, and their options are limited in regional areas."

McLoughlin said the findings of the study highlighted the need to set up a coordinated peer support network for transplant recipients, donors and families across regional areas. And this, she said is the focus of Herd of Hope.