Changes To The Patient Assistance Travel Scheme Will Deliver More Support For Regional South Australians Travelling For Treatment
Regional South Australians have been asking a simple question for years…
Why should your postcode determine the healthcare you can access?
This has been the case for far too long, but from July 1, thousands of country patients travelling for medical treatment will receive more support through changes to South Australia’s Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS).
The accommodation subsidy will increase from $44 to $110 a night for an individual patient, while patients travelling with an approved support person will be eligible for up to $154 a night.
The changes will also expand travel assistance to include people who make multiple trips each week for treatments such as dialysis and cancer care, even if each individual journey falls short of the current distance threshold.
It’s a welcome step for country South Australians. But let’s be honest, a tonne of country families will be wondering why it’s taken so long.
Anyone who has spent weeks travelling backwards and forwards for cancer treatment, specialist appointments or dialysis knows the costs add up super fast. Fuel, accommodation, meals, time off work and time away from family all come with a massive price tag.
Years Of Advocacy Are Finally Paying Off
Organisations such as From Here to Health Care have been highlighting the reality faced by regional patients and pushing for a fairer system.
This announcement won’t solve every problem, but it is a sign that the voices of country South Australians are finally being heard.
South Australian Health Minister Blair Boyer said, “South Australians deserve access to healthcare no matter where they live.”
“That’s why our Government is delivering this critical expansion of the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme, which will help thousands of regional and remote South Australians every week.”
“This will support South Australians travelling for treatment to do so without worrying about the additional burden of accommodation and fuel costs.”
Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Kerry Rowlands welcomed the changes.
“For many regional people, accessing specialist medical services means travelling away from home and finding affordable accommodation all while managing the physical, emotional and financial toll of a cancer diagnosis and treatment,” she said.
“We are thrilled that the State Government has increased the accommodation subsidy for regional South Australians who need to travel to access life-saving cancer treatment and specialist services.”
Cancer Council SA says the increased subsidy has enabled it to commit $20 million towards a new accommodation facility near the Lyell McEwin Hospital, while a new Ronald McDonald House facility at Thebarton is also set to expand accommodation options for regional families.
Patient Assistance Travel Scheme Boost Welcomed, But More Work Remains
This is fabulous news for rural patients grappling with the reality of chronic illness or a cancer diagnosis, but the reality is that regional South Australians still rely heavily on charities and community organisations to fill gaps in the healthcare system. Cancer Council accommodation, Ronald McDonald House and countless local fundraising efforts continue to carry the weight for families forced to travel for treatment.
That’s why this announcement should be seen as a beginning, not an ending.
Australia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Accessing healthcare should not depend on where you live, how much money you have, or whether a charity has a spare room available.
Now the challenge is making sure it’s only the first of many steps toward a healthcare system that treats regional Australians as equal citizens and not an afterthought.
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