One of every two Australians rely on pathology for diagnosis and treatment every year.

In Warrnambool alone that number would be more that 16,000. 

Pathology tests can include pap smears, bowel screening and blood tests.

A percentage, if not the whole cost of these tests may fall to patients unless the federal government’s decision to cut bulk billing is reversed.

For diabetes sufferers this would mean paying more than 15 per cent of four annual tests.

Warrnambool Dorevitch Pathology collector Melissa Bajger said every patient she had seen had asked about the campaign, completed the petition and some had even taken them home for others to sign. 

“It’s been really well supported here,” she said. 

“Everyone who’s come through has signed.”

Pathology Australia president Nick Musgrove said they were hopeful the decision to cut funding to pathology services would be amended before July.

“The government, without any consultation, announced the removal of the bulk billing incentive from all pathology tests,” Dr Musgrove said. 

“There have been seven previous cuts since 2000 that have seen a 43 per cent reduction in funding.

“These proposed cuts will be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

“We cannot absorb the cuts.”

In 2015 Pathology Australia launched a national petition that called for the support of individuals and communities. 

“We’re still keen to reach a solution and the petition is an important part of that,” Dr Musgrove said.

“We’ve had fantastic support with an almost 100 per cent pick-up rate to date.

“That’s about 290,000 signatures from 5500 collection rooms across the country.”

The consequences from cuts to pathology could result in delayed diagnoses, more time spent in hospital and avoidable deaths, Pathology Australia says.

St John Of God general chief executive officer Michael Hogan said the whole industry was united against the removal of bulk billing.

“It’s an industry that’s already struggling due to previous fee cuts,” he said. 

“There are risks to services and to patients and there’s a lot of uncertainty.”

Hamilton GP Dale Ford said that while the ability for government to cover costs of a growing population limited, there was a question of how to make the situation fair.  

“The problem with completely abolishing is those with the highest need are often the ones with the least ability to pay out of their own pocket,” he said.