![PATS overhaul helps rural patients PATS overhaul helps rural patients](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pmH8iEcJFcisX9MzTZXqgd/7905bcbc-27c5-4b8a-9892-c670504abef6.jpg/r0_78_1500_922_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Rural patients travelling long distances for medical specialist appointments will be given more flexibility to plan their trips under changes to the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade said feedback from regional leaders and communities showed greater flexibility, common sense and compassion into the way PATS operates was needed.
"Until now PATS has limited the number of nights people can stay in Adelaide before or after a medical specialist appointment and still be eligible for a PATS subsidy," he said.
"In hundreds of cases each year, country South Australians have effectively been penalised for consolidating multiple medical appointments into one trip, combining trips with other non-medical appointments or for spending extra time in Adelaide recuperating before undertaking what in some instances is a very long drive home.
"After listening to feedback, we have removed the limitation that disqualified people from receiving a PATS subsidy if they stayed more than two additional nights in commercial accommodation or more than five additional nights with family and friends.
The restriction that required patients to travel directly to and from their appointment has also been lifted.
"We understand that it makes sense for regional patients to coordinate medical specialist appointments with personal or business appointments, so we have amended the guidelines to allow this to occur," Minister Wade said.
From today, anyone eligible for a PATS subsidy who decides to extend their trip will also not be disqualified from receiving their payment.
They will continue to receive a subsidy payment to help defray their travel costs and, if they stay in commercial accommodation, a subsidy for any nights covered under PATS.
PATS will also support people with a terminal condition who are seeing a medical specialist to continue to see that specialist, even if another specialist becomes available nearer to where they live.
"This change, which will initially apply to patients with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, will negate the need for someone to change their treating medical specialist during a challenging time for patients and families," Minister Wade said.
SA Health Rural Support Service patient assistance transport scheme manager Bill Slattery said receiving treatment away from home was a challenging time for patients and their families.
"These changes are being introduced to improve the patient journey and strengthen the support available through PATS," he said.
For information on the PATS and how it can be accessed, visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/pats
Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Click here to sign up to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.