East Gippsland patients forced to travel hundreds of kilometres for specialist medical treatment will receive greater financial assistance under a $53.6 million commitment to the Victorian Patient Transport Scheme (VPTAS) from The Nationals, with an additional focus on ensuring reimbursements are also paid in a timely manner.
The Nationals’ candidate for Gippsland East, Gemma Rendell, said The Nationals in government would significantly increase accommodation assistance under VPTAS from $49.50 to $125 per night and private vehicle travel assistance from 21 cents to 35 cents per kilometre.
“I know our current member, Tim Bull, has raised this in Parliament many times, so it is good to have this policy commitment.
“For many East Gippsland residents, accessing specialist medical care means travelling to Melbourne, sometimes several times over the course of treatment, and for those in our remote communities, that can mean a round trip of over 1,000 kilometres,” Ms Rendell said.
“Whether you live in Mallacoota, Heyfield, Orbost, Maffra, Stratford, Paynesville, Omeo, Lakes Entrance or further afield, the costs of travelling for this care can be enormous, particularly when overnight accommodation is required.
“It is not just the fuel and accommodation costs, but also time away from work, family and home, often when people are already dealing with the stress of a serious health condition,” she said.
“While these increases are long overdue, we also need to address the time it takes for patients to receive their reimbursements.
“People are often required to pay significant travel and accommodation expenses upfront, and they should not then be left waiting extended periods to get that money back.
“We will address the timeliness of VPTAS reimbursements so patients and families are not left unnecessarily out of pocket.”
Ms Rendell said VPTAS reimbursement rates had remained largely unchanged for the past 11 years and were now the lowest in Australia, despite the significant distances regional Victorians have to travel to access specialist healthcare.
“Living in East Gippsland should not mean facing a substantially greater financial burden simply because the specialist care you need is not available locally.
“We cannot always bring every specialist service to our smaller communities, but we can make sure those who must travel to access that care receive fairer financial support.
“This is a practical commitment that recognises the challenges of living in regional Victoria and will make a real difference to patients and their families when they need it most,” Ms Rendell said.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals’ candidate, Gemma Rendell spoke with Raymond Gallagher from the high country about the high costs rural and regional patients face when travelling to Melbourne for essential healthcare. This support will help ease some of the financial burden.
