AMA (NSW) and Can Assist applaud IPTAAS details
AMA (NSW) and country-based charity, Can Assist, applaud today’s announcement by the NSW State Government of the detail behind its $28 million boost to the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Scheme (IPTAAS).
“This is a genuinely good result for patients who need to travel long distances to receive vital medical care,” AMA (NSW) President, Dr Michael Steiner, said.
“A person’s location should not determine their access to quality health care and it’s excellent to see the Government is in agreement with the AMA and Can Assist on this issue,” Dr Steiner said.
Can Assist Chief Executive Officer, Mr Richard Appleby, said, “We are genuinely excited for the country people we look after. The increases to IPTAAS announced today will enormously relieve the financial pressure on country people who need to travel for cancer treatment.
“The increases will also help reduce the stress country patients face when going through one of the most challenging times in their lives.”
“Anything that can be done to reduce the additional burden chronic disease places on patients living outside the reach of the medical care enjoyed by those in major centres is a step in the right direction,” Dr Steiner said.
The changes to IPTAAS, announced by the Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, see accommodation subsidies increase by 30% to $43 per single person and $60 per double. Reimbursement for car travel has increased from 15 cents to 19 cents per kilometre.
“The key initiatives of increasing the daily accommodation subsidies and reimbursement for car travel are a very welcome step towards removing the often overwhelming barriers to equitable health care faced by country patients,” said Mr Appleby.
IPTAAS is a Travel and Accommodation Scheme to improve access to health care for people in rural and regional communities.
Can Assist is the only charity dedicated solely to helping country people in NSW affected by cancer. Our vision is that every country community, family and individual should have equitable access to cancer treatment, support services and care.
Media contacts:
AMA (NSW): Elyse Cain 02 9902 8138 / 0419 402 955
AMA (NSW): Lachlan Jones 02 9902 8113 / 0419 402 955
Can Assist: Fran Connelley 02 8217 3400
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