September 19, 2022
Darling Downs Health employed two more staff members – and hired extra contract staff – to help clear a backlog in Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) payments.
In a letter to local MP Deb Frecklington, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the ability of the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service to sustain the consistent staffing levels required to maintain a 30-working day payment commitment to patients.
“The Darling Downs HHS has also reported an increase in patient registrations, receiving an average of 120 new PTSS registrations each month over the past six months,” the Minister wrote.
“I am advised by the HHS an additional two permanent FTE were recruited to the PTSS team and these staff members commenced on June 13.
“During June and July 2022 additional temporary contract staff were engaged and current staff offered overtime to address the volume of claims.
“I am pleased to confirm the current processing times have returned to the expected 30 working days payment period provided all correct information has been submitted in the first instance.”
The reply came following a letter from Mrs Frecklington to the Minister stating that South Burnett patients applying for the PTSS had reported wait times of up to 12 weeks (60 working days), ie. double the processing time Queensland Health states in its guidelines.
Mrs Frecklington said she hoped the extra staff would help alleviate some of the stress the lengthy reimbursement delays had been causing for patients.
“As I have said before, people from the South Burnett rely on the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme to allow them to afford treatment and many must travel at least two hours to see a specialist or to undergo surgery as most specialist services are not available locally,” she said.
“I thank the DDHHS for addressing this issue and the importance of the timely reimbursement of the PTSS for our community.”
Minister D’Ath also stated that the PTSS box (where patients drop off their application forms) is emptied at Nanango Hospital twice daily, Kingaroy daily, and twice weekly at Murgon.
