On the road again: a farming family's experience of the socio-economic cost of travelling for health care

Almost anyone who lives in a rural area has a story to tell about travelling for health care. The costs, both social and economic, of rural travel for health are well known as an issue but there are no agreed ways to count the true costs. Until ·there is a body of evidence about the nature and extent of the socio-economic cost of health-related travel, it will not be possible to create practical and effective ways to respond to the experiences and needs of rural citizens travelling for health care. Knowing what it is really like for rural patients is the best way to guide change to service delivery.