The Alliance welcomes the support by the Government of Western Australia (WA) to its regional patients by increasing the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) fuel subsidy to cover the inflationary increase of fuel costs of long travel to access medical care, which is a significant relief to the increasing cost of living.
The WA PATS fuel subsidy will increase by more than 50 per cent and a $13.1 million investment in PATS will support regional patients travelling for treatment.
"The Alliance is pleased to see the positive steps taken by the WA Government towards addressing an inequity long felt by its rural communities.
"This initiative provides significant cost-of-living relief in a difficult economy where rural communities in WA can take care of their health without having to think about the cost," said Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen.
"Rural communities are already financially burdened due to out‐of‐pocket costs in accessing treatment. The tyranny of distance places them in a unique situation where healthcare access means additional fuel costs which for many are unbearable.
"We know that nearly 45,000 people in remote Australia have no access to primary healthcare services within an hour's drive time from their home. Therefore, the WA initiative is timely and necessary for its rural populations.
"The Alliance wishes to see more such initiatives taking place, with access to health care not only being a population expectation but also a right. We are keen to work in collaboration with federal and state governments, and communities, so that rural populations obtain the healthcare they need and deserve as Australian people," Ms Tegen said.
About us:
The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) comprises 53 national organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the over 7 million people in rural and remote Australia. Our diverse membership includes representation from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, health professional organisations, health service providers, health educators and students.
