July 25, 2024
The removal of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme’s (PTSS) four-night rule by the State Government has been applauded by the National Rural Health Alliance.
Rural Queenslanders travelling to get health care will no longer need to be out-of-pocket for their first four nights of accommodation from August 1.
The initiative is expected to save patients hundreds of dollars every year.
It comes after Health Minister Shannon Fentiman ordered an administrative review into the PTSS last year.
Currently, people pay out-of-pocket for their first four nights of accommodation each financial year, unless they can access an exemption.
“This is timely and necessary news for rural populations in Queensland,” Alliance chief executive Susi Tegen said.
“Many rural patients must travel over 50km from their homes to the nearest hospital to receive medical treatment. As such, this change to the PTSS ensures that financial barriers are less likely to hinder access to healthcare.
“We’re pleased to see the Queensland government taking positive steps towards addressing an inequity long felt by its rural communities.”
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington also welcomed the change.
“The PTSS is a really important subsidy for people in my community who have no other option but to travel to Toowoomba, Brisbane or the Coast for specialist treatment and surgery,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Any changes which make the scheme for more accessible for my community are welcome.
“However, I continue to receive complaints from local patients about the lengthy delays they face to actually receive the subsidy and I will continue to advocate on their behalf to reduce these unacceptable wait times.”
The PTSS provides financial support to subsidise the costs of accommodation and transport for more than 95,000 Queenslanders every year.
