June 9, 2017
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington says the State Government has slashed funding to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
The scheme reimburses rural and remote residents who have to travel more than 50km for specialist medical services which are not available locally.
On Wednesday, an Ombudsman’s report was released which was highly critical of the administration of the scheme, especially with the long delays that some patients have waited to have claims reimbursed.
Figures released by Mrs Frecklington show the LNP Government almost doubled funding for the travel scheme from $13.4 million to $26 million in the 2013-14 Budget. In the 2014-15 Budget, this figure rose to $30.8 million.
But Mrs Frecklington says funding dried up in 2016.
“I have received so many calls from very worried and upset people who have experienced difficulties with the scheme, with those inquiries increasing steadily over the past 12 months,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“For the South Burnett, the PTSS it is one of our biggest issues.
“In many instances, the only way people in our region can access the health care specialists they need is to travel to the major centres like Toowoomba or Brisbane.
“They need assurance that when they make a claim for their travel and accommodation, it will be honoured, and it will be provided in a reasonable time-frame, not months and months later.
“In 2012-13, the our former LNP Government doubled the subsidy for patients needing the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme – from $30 to $60 per night – the first time it had been increased in more than 20 years.
“What we are finding now is that reimbursements are being delayed or denied as the funding provided by this Labor Government dried up in 2016.
“I can’t stress how important this scheme is for regional people and the funding must be reinstated to the levels the LNP had provided.
“The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme Ombudsman’s Report provides an opportunity for Labor to tackle poor administration of the scheme, but Labor must also come clean on the slashing of funding to the program.”
- Related article: Patient Subsidy Scheme Faces Overhaul
