Subsidy travels a long way

Breast cancer survivor Mary Beach of Stanthorpe is singing the praises of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme, which provides financial assistance to patients who live more than 50km from the nearest specialist medical service.

TRUDGING from Stanthorpe to Toowoomba several times a week for chemotherapy can take its toll when physical reserves are already low.
That’s what Mary Beach was forced to do after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012.
But the Granite Belt resident was given a reprieve when she was given a helping hand by the State Government.
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) provides travel and accomodation assistance to patients, and in some cases carers, when the nearest medical specialist service is more than 50km away.
“I had someone to drive me and we’d try to share the load,” Mrs Beach said.
“The travel scheme was great because it gave you something towards your fuel costs as well as the wear and tear on your car.
“It meant that you could manage the travel without ruining the budget.”Having finished regular treatment Mrs Beach still needs to travel to Toowoomba several times per year for check-ups as well as preventative scans.
Between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014, the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (DDHHS) contributed more than $6 million, enabling more than 9790 Darling Downs and South Burnett residents to access specialist services.
DDHHS chief executive Dr Peter Bristow said the five major reasons for travel from these areas included diagnostic radiology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, cardiology and general surgery.
“Where possible, we try to provide services locally, however, in cases where it is necessary for patients to travel to larger cities for more specialised treatment, the patient travel subsidy scheme is there to assist them,” he said.
From 1 January 2013, the Queensland Government doubled the PTSS mileage subsidy rate from 15 cents to 30 cents per kilometre and the accommodation subsidy rate from $30 to $60 per person per night when staying in commercial accommodation.