"Strengthening the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme"
a Northern Territory Government Initiative - commenced on 1 July 2008
Northern Territory Health Minister announced a major investment of $2 million to strengthen the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS) and support Territorians living in rural and remote regions who require specialist health services, as part of Budget 2008/09 initiatives.
New improved service
The Patient Assistance Travel Scheme assists Northern Territory residents to access a range of essential specialist medical / surgical services where services are not available locally, from within the Northern Territory or from a visiting service. PATS provides assistance with travel, and if applicable, accommodation costs to residents of the Northern Territory who are required to travel more than 200kms to the nearest specialist medical treatment.
From the 1st July 2008 the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme eligibility criteria will be enhanced to include:
- An escort for every patient travelling interstate for surgery or intensive therapies e.g. radiation therapies, non surgical cancer treatments, cardiology and neurosurgery,
- A ground transport allowance of $40 per return trip for patients who are required to travel interstate for treatment
- An increase to the commercial accommodation rate from $33 a night to $35 a night - making the Territory's scheme equal top among Australian jurisdictions
- An increase to the Private Vehicle allowance to allow a claim of 15cents per kilometre per patient for up to three patients travelling together
- A new support and coordination officer to support Territory patients travelling to Adelaide for treatment
- New support and coordination positions at the Royal Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine Hospitals to provide additional support to patients travelling intrastate.
Assistant Secretary, Acute Care
Resources
For further information please download the following documents:
- Brochure Information for Patients (Adobe PDF document - 618KB)
- Escorts for Patient Travel (Adobe PDF document - 607KB)
- Fact Sheet PATS Frequently Asked Questions (Adobe PDF document - 77KB)
- Fact Sheet - Requesting Medical Practitoner (Adobe PDF document - 93KB)
- Fact Sheet New PATS Scheme information sheet (Adobe PDF document - 437KB)
- Information Sheet for Patients - Kriol (Adobe PDF document - 607KB)
