Hi Googly,
You do need to travel to Perth for all IVF treatments as none of the facilities are available out here. You do get a small amount back through the Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS) for your travel and accommodation expenses to Perth. Basically, you have your main treatment appointments in Perth with your specialist clinic, and they give you all the drugs you need to take home with you. You then have all your blood tests and scans done in Kalgoorlie (the OB is experienced in ART, and is linked with one or two of the fertility clinics in Perth - he does most of the scans, but there's also the hospital & a private clinic that can do the required scans) until the time is right, then you (with fairly short notice) go to Perth for any procedures.
It's not easy. The main challenge I faced was getting blood results to the clinic because there are only two pathology places in Kalgoorlie & they only send their blood once a day (in the mid afternoon). Even when it was sent to Perth for processing on time, the results were frequently not sent through in a timely manner (I would expect something labelled 'URGENT' would help, but no!), and the clinic would have to chase it up. That can be really nerve racking when you're trying to create a life. The next frustration was the one & only obstetrician being unavailable one the odd occasion. The hospital isn't always very professional when it comes to keeping appointments, but the private clinic were great (however, they are not claimable on Medicare). The final hassle is medication. There is not much in the way of fertility supplies out here, and I have been in a throat clutching position to rely on another patient with spare medication, and another mercy-dash from a family member to pick up the drugs from the clinic for me.
Our first baby needed quite a few trips to Perth (1 egg collections, two FET, and a polypectomy, plus ~3 consultations). The baby in utero only took less: 2 consults, 1 egg collection, 1 FET.
So, that's about all I can type at midnight. Let me know if you need any more info.
