Regional South Australian patients may be forced to go without important cancer screenings as they can not access them locally.
Port Pirie patient Geoffrey Bowman has had growths removed in the past and is now overdue for a screening check.
He claims he is not eligible for a colonoscopy due to his lack of a social network.
"I have had an operation years ago for polyps since then I've found out you're meant to be checked every five to 10 years." Mr Bowman said.
"When I went to fill out the forms, they said I need to have someone to care for me after the operation and they're [the hospital] not willing to provide it."
Mr Bowman said that despite living without family or friends in town, the hospital is not willing to provide general observation after he has been administered a general anaesthetic.
"I'm not allowed to even get a taxi home — I need to organise someone to pick me up."
"I said to the doctor my only other choice is to pull all the arrangements I have here and transfer it all to Adelaide."
"I don't want to go any further than Christmas or else I'll be too stressed out and will need to do something."
SA Health said in a statement that surgeries at Port Pirie hospital are day procedures and patients are prioritised on a case-by-case assessment basis for inpatient admission.
However, it is a similar story for Keith Sherritt, who said if he can't get the procedure done here, he will simply go without.
"It is disappointing to me because I have lots of problems with my health," Mr Sherritt said.
"I think they should accommodate for people like me who are on my own."
""I wouldn't go to Adelaide to get it done."
Time is of the essence
Bowel Cancer Australia's Doctor Graham Newstead said it has been tough for patients to get checked with COVID-19 rules restricting some elective surgeries.
While unable to comment on specific patients, he said it is important for patients who are at risk to be prioritised.
"There certainly have been delays and will continue to be, and it's up to us as medical professionals and GPs to push the situation if people are looking like they have a significant reason for a colonoscopy," Dr Newstead said.
"For example, during COVID restrictions most of Australia had delays for several reasons including hospitals closing their routine services."
"We still can't take the risk of ... delays that are going to potentially increase their risk of cancer."
