Tag Archive for: IPTAAS

REPORT TWO: FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

REPORT TWO: SELECT COMMITTEE ON REMOTE, RURAL AND REGIONAL HEALTH; FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

The Committee continues its investigations with respect to the implementation of all recommendations handed down during the 2021/22 Inquiry into regional, rural and remote health in NSW. 

Read full submission here

 

Findings 21 and 22 outline the funding issues for CT: IPTAAS ineligibility for patients and the ongoing need for not for profits like Can Assist to cover the out-of-pocket costs.

Recommendations 23, 25, 26

Directly recommend that isolated patients be able to claim IPTAAS when choosing community transport. The committee further supports an increase in government grant funding for community transport operators. Further funding reform is recommended through the development of pricing benchmarks.

The State Governments official response is due within 6 months. We are optimistic that the recommendations will be implemented since Premier Minns has repeatedly stated that all recommendations of the original 2021-22 inquiry will be implemented. This subsequent follow up Inquiry is clearly states that more work needs to be done.

Can Assist has impact – giving patients the financial assistance to access treatment at the grassroots level whilst affecting meaningful policy change at the network wide level.

We congratulate the CEO of the peak body of CT who Can Assist has been collaborating with for some time now on these issues. Singing from the same song sheet – it has been a powerful alliance. Should you read chapter 7, you will see that our combined evidence acts as the main source for the committee’s conclusions.

Finally, we congratulate Dr Joe McGirr – for his hard work and dedication to the cause. He has been a key catalyst for significant change – not only in his electorate in Wagga Wagga, where patients can now for the first time access cancer treatment on the same basis as all other public hospitals in our regional centers , but also for the broader population of country NSW as his committee addresses the need for change across our state.

Read submission in full here

See here for our thoughts on healthcare professional workplace reforms in regional, rural and remote NSW post the 2021 Health Inquiry

Excerpt from Submission below:

Can Assist is the largest cancer support network in rural, regional and remote NSW; active in 56 branches with near 3,000 members. Over the last 30 years we have delivered near $50million in direct patient assistance with one goal in mind – equitable access to cancer treatment and care for non-metro residents. Our branches are operated by local volunteers who live and work in these areas and many have a detailed understanding of their local health landscape.

Read submission in full here

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Nearly $150 million has been allocated to help pay accommodation and other expenses for people in rural NSW who need to travel for vital medical treatment........

“This is a really significant win …for anyone in the country trying to access specialised health services” Emma Phillips Exec Director, Can Assist

Rebates to ease NSW rural patients’ burden

Nearly $150 million has been allocated to help pay accommodation and other expenses for people in rural NSW who need to travel for vital medical treatment……..

 

 

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It has allocated an extra $149 million in Tuesday's budget for the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Scheme (IPTAAS)........

More than $140 million in NSW budget for regions to help with travel for medical care

The state government is set to almost double the rebates for people in regional areas who need to travel for medical treatment.

It has allocated an extra $149 million in Tuesday’s budget for the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Scheme (IPTAAS)……..

 

 

Read submission in full here

Excerpt from Submission below:

Our submission seeks increased budget allocation for an existing government scheme – The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS), not only to lift rebate levels but also to improve the profile and processes of the scheme. We see broad applicability to the customer service, health, and regional clusters. Can Assist has actively been seeking change for some time now. To date we have: made two separate submissions to the Inquiry into Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional, and remote NSW, provided our personal testimony to the Upper House Committee conducted two meetings with NSW Health and one meeting with Minister Hazzard. We have met with several other regional MPs on the matter.

Read submission in full here

Read submission in full here

Excerpt from Submission below:

We identify THREE broad problems with regards to the provision of palliative care in country NSW. The severity of these problems, and their consequences are magnified with distance from metropolitan and regional areas. Our insight speaks predominantly to the experience of those who choose to die at home – which, in a rural setting is typically very expensive and, in many cases, simply not possible.

Read submission in full here