Caring Together: Overhaul of patient transport and extra rural doctors
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Health. Media Release.
"NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, today announced that eligible pensioners and health care cardholders would no longer need to personally contribute to travel costs to get specialist treatment.
“The improvements are part of the NSW Government’s Caring Together: The Health Action Plan for NSW developed in response to the Garling Report,” the Minister said.
“The changes apply to people who have to travel 100 kilometres or more for specialist treatment and have access to the Isolated Patients' Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS). This means they will no longer have to pay a co-contribution and administration charge.
“Clearly, in remote areas of the State, there will always be a need to travel to receive specialised services, such as dialysis, and this can present financial challenges for some communities.
“For someone needing dialysis treatment three times a week, this can add up to $3000 a year – so these changes represent a significant saving.
“The need for greater support with transport costs was one of the key themes that emerged from consultations in regional communities about the Garling Report recommendations."