Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, but finding treatment options in the bush is tough going, ACCRM says.
The health system will continue to fail rural and remote Australians with epilepsy unless rural generalists and GPs receive more support, ACRRM has told a senate inquiry into the condition.
The inquiry into epilepsy in Australia received 187 submissions by its 15 May 2026 closure, revealing a fragmented and overstretched system with long wait times for neurologists and major disparities between metropolitan and regional care.
Citing research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), ACRRM’s submission highlighted that health system costs for epilepsy were highest in very remote areas – $4.3 million per 100,000 population, to be precise, compared with $2.5 million in major cities.
With epilepsy-related hospitalisations 2.1 times higher in remote and very remote areas than in major cities, it is unsurprising that over two-thirds of epilepsy expenditure was for public hospital services.
Indigenous Australians are twice as likely to have epilepsy as non-Indigenous people, with higher acuity and hospitalisations, requiring a “specific, and culturally appropriate approach that is designed and led by community”, the statement read.
ACRRM said high hospitalisation rates in areas with limited or no specialist epilepsy support pose a health equity issue for a condition manageable through antiseizure medication, surgery and lifestyle adjustments.
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So, what is ACRRM calling for?
More efficient referral pathways for diagnosing and managing epilepsy, and enhanced training for RGs and GPs in rural and remote areas are needed, supported by appropriate remuneration and incentives for upskilling.
“Professional development and upskilling is often lacking in rural practice… without dedicated funding for the paid time of clinicians is unlikely to succeed on the scale required to affect change in treatment and care pathways,” the statement read.
While the statement pointed to research that found 31% of Australia’s population who reside outside major cities are only served by 4.1% of neurologists, simply building the workforce won’t meet the current shortfall in services.
Rather, neurology-trained or specialist nurses, telehealth-enabled first-seizure clinics, or more holistic approaches, such as informational, emotional and social support services, are necessary.
Queensland Parliament House hosted a public hearing today, featuring a lived experience panel and Epilepsy Queensland’s Submission.
Epilepsy Queensland’s submission also highlighted rural medication access challenges, compounded by out-of-pocket travel costs, limited telehealth access during initial diagnosis, and fewer hospital and ambulance services.
These rural barriers become even more worrisome given one in three people with epilepsy are estimated to be medication-resistant.
Further public hearings across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory are scheduled for August, with the final report due by 10 September 2026.
See all the submissions and details of the inquiry here.
