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The fractures in our healthcare system aren't just statistics – they're people waiting months for knee surgeries, children losing developmental progress, and families watching loved ones suffer unnecessarily. In this powerful conversation, frontline social worker Tripti Deswal shares her eight years of experience witnessing the actual human cost of healthcare delays in the rapidly growing Nepean region.

Drawing from countless patient stories, Tripti reveals how waiting lists not only delay treatment but also fundamentally alter recovery trajectories. When people miss their optimal recovery windows, conditions worsen, independence diminishes, and psychological well-being deteriorates. Yet most disheartening is how the system strips away dignity, reducing complex individuals to mere patient numbers without honouring their values, goals or unique circumstances.

Tripti doesn't just identify problems – she shares the practical solutions being implemented at Nepean Advanced Rehab and Health Centre. Their approach centres on meeting people where they are through mobile therapy services and telehealth options, making healthcare accessible for those with mobility challenges or in remote locations. Equally important is their commitment to collaborative care, where GPs, allied health professionals, families and case managers work in concert with meaningful communication and shared responsibility.

What makes this conversation especially resonant is host Leon Goltsman's perspective, having navigated severe arthritis and experiencing firsthand the difference between being treated as a number versus receiving compassionate, dignified care. Both Tripti and Leon emphasise that a community's strength isn't measured by wealth but by how it supports those who need help most.

For anyone currently waiting for care or feeling forgotten by the system, this episode offers both validation and hope. Healthcare is evolving, with more providers recognising these gaps and building responsive services where everyone feels seen, heard and supported. As Tripti powerfully notes, "A small start can make a big effect" – and this conversation is indeed a meaningful beginning.

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