Collie residents who require renal dialysis have called on the state government to provide a local service, so they don't have to travel to Bunbury for the life-saving treatment.
Since the 2017 state election, the Collie Hospital has received $16.2 million for upgrades and maintenance, most of which has been aimed at the hospital's operating theatre.
But Collie renal dialysis patient Colin Lewis said he had to travel to Bunbury three times a week for treatment and couldn't understand why the service was not being offered at Collie Hospital.
"It's just not good enough. I know of at least seven other patients who travel from Collie like I do and we deserve better," he said.
"We get taken down with the St John's Patient Transfer Service. When I get taken down, another man gets picked up and the girls just drive up and back all day.
"We should be able to get this treatment at home. It has to cost the government a lot of money transferring us every day, so why can't that money be put into a service here in town?"
Mr Lewis said he was disappointed that none of the millions of dollars coming into Collie were going to renal patients.
"I spoke to Mick Murray about a year ago and he said there was funding available, but I haven't heard anything since," he said. "I want to know what's happened."
Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray confirmed there had been funding made available, but said the machine was only one aspect of bringing treatment to Collie.
"I'm well aware of the increasing demand for dialysis machines at Collie Hospital and it is certainly something that has been on my radar for some time," he said.
"Funding for a dialysis machine had been sourced from a private entity, but the WA Country Health Service was not able to provide the support required at Collie Hospital to utilise the machine to treat patients.
"I recently wrote to Health Minister Roger Cook asking for him to consider whether more support can be provided to allow dialysis machines to be placed at the hospital or home. I am currently awaiting a response."
Mr Murray said he was speaking to the WA Country Health Service about alternatives that would alleviate the need for travel, including home treatment options.
"Patients wishing to explore other methods of dialysis are invited to contact my office so this matter can be pursued further," he said.
