Thousands of South Australians living in rural and regional areas will get significantly more financial support to travel to specialist health appointments.
In the first major increase to the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) in more than 20 years, the Malinauskas Labor Government is doubling the fuel subsidy from 16c per kilometre to 32c per kilometre for eligible medical appointments.
PATS provides financial assistance towards transport and accommodation costs for people who need to travel more than 100km each way to attend planned specialist healthcare services that are not available locally.
Last year more than 13,000 South Australians received financial support through PATS.
The doubling of the fuel subsidy - which took effect from January 1 - means people travelling from Port Augusta to Adelaide, for example, who claim a refund through PATS, will now be entitled to about $200 for a return trip, up from $100 previously.
It will be a welcome relief for thousands of country South Australians amidst rising fuel prices and cost of living pressures.
The subsidy is also available for people approved to take patients to appointments, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people travelling to specialist appointments may be eligible to receive additional support.
The PATS subsidy is funded by the South Australian Government and operated by the Rural Support Service (RSS) on behalf of SA Health's six regional Local Health Networks.
People living in remote areas are encouraged to check their eligibility and apply for subsidies by submitting a claim on the PATS website. Paper forms are also available online or at GP clinics.
PATS also has five offices located in regional SA Hospitals including Mount Gambier, Berri, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Lincoln. For more information visit www.pats.sa.gov.au.
Quotes
Attributable to Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton
We are pleased to deliver the first significant increase since 2001 to what we know is an important subsidy that supports South Australians living in regional and rural areas.
This is great news for the many thousands of people who access the scheme now or may need to travel for medical treatment in future.
Attributable to Acting Executive Director of RSS, Dr Hendrika Meyer
This increase will give a helping hand to more people needing to travel to vital medical appointments.
With the rising costs of living and increasing fuel costs, we know how important this subsidy is to people living in regional and remote communities.
