QUEENSLAND PATIENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY BOOST ANNOUNCED

Patients required to travel more than 50km to access essential specialist medical services will have their Queensland Government private transport subsidy increased to 15 cents per kilometre.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today the subsidy increase is among new Queensland Health initiatives designed to improve the Queensland Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS).

“Queensland is already spending $29.9 million this year on patient travel subsidies -- up to four times more than being spent by other states and territories,” he said. (See table)

“Queensland Health will invest an extra $2.758 million in 2007-08, rising to $3.034 million in 2008-09, to increase the patient travel subsidy by five cents per kilometre.

“The 15 cents per kilometre rate brings Queensland into line with travel subsidies paid in other states and territories.

“We also have the most generous minimum distance eligibility threshold at 50km compared with up to 200km in other states and territories.”

Other changes being implemented to improve the PTSS include:

• Reducing red tape and the number of forms patients need to complete to apply for assistance and reimbursement.

• Once a patient is entered on the system, the information will be retained eliminating the need to continually complete forms. Long stay patients and frequent travellers will be flagged in the system.

• Local Health Transport Reference Groups have been established in health districts allowing local transport providers and community representatives to help develop more coordinated patient transport systems.

• 13 HEALTH hotline (13 432584) will become a one-stop shop for patient enquiries about patient travel subsidy.

Queensland Health is also exploring new strategies to support patient accommodation although Queensland’s $30 per night subsidy is already in line with other States and territories.

Mr Robertson acknowledged it was difficult for patients in rural and regional Queensland to leave their community and family to access some specialist medical services.

“That’s why we’re taking steps to better integrate health transport planning with health service planning.

“For example, we’re investing a further $2.2 million to upgrade Queensland Health’s Statewide Telehealth Network.

“The network delivers specialist healthcare to patients in rural and regional communities via videoconferencing links at 430 sites throughout Queensland.

“Upgrading the network will help reduce the need for patients in rural and regional areas to travel long distances to access some specialist health care services.”

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health was also preparing a submission to the recently announced Senate Inquiry into Patient Travel Assistance Schemes.

“The department’s submission will highlight the need for the Commonwealth to contribute to patient travel subsidies especially where there is no local private specialist.

“Queensland Health is also seeking Commonwealth reform to private health insurance legislation to ensure patient transport costs are included in private hospital insurance products.

“Alternatively, States should be reimbursed the cost of transporting private patients through their public-funded patient travel subsidy schemes,” he said.

NOTE: The Queensland Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme is designed to assist patients to access essential specialist medical services, which are not available in their local area, by providing a financial subsidy for transport and accommodation costs.

The intent of the Scheme is to subsidise costs associated with accessing this medical care not to reimburse and cover entire travel and accommodation costs.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 0417 728 676

TABLES ATTACHED:

Table 1: State and Territory Expenditure on PTSS and respective populations 2005/06

NOTE: In 2006-07 Queensland is spending approximately $29.9 million.

*Population figures as at 30 June 2005 were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics website

Table 2: Comparison of Schemes across Australia