❓ Bill Stretch questions the Health Minister about inconsistencies in the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) between the Great Southern and South West health regions, focusing on GP voucher issuance and funding concerns. The Minister denies funding issues and highlights the South West's streamlined phone-based application process.
AnsweredQoN 971Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the minister aware that patients requiring transport assistance under the patient assisted travel scheme in the great southern health region can be issued with vouchers by their local general practitioner - I understand through the hospital - along with a referral letter; whereas doctors in the south west health region needs the approval from PATS head office in Perth before obtaining such assistance? (2) Will the minister take urgent steps to address this unfair anomaly between adjacent regions; and, if not, why not? (3) If the South West Area Health Service has run out of money to fund PATS, will the minister ensure that funds are made available at least to enable GPs in the smaller rural towns to authorise on-the-spot travel assistance with their referral letters, rather than burdening patients with a second visit to town when the approval from Perth arrives; and, if not, why not? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I provide the following answer - (1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
(2) Will the minister take urgent steps to address this unfair anomaly between adjacent regions; and, if not, why not? (3) If the South West Area Health Service has run out of money to fund PATS, will the minister ensure that funds are made available at least to enable GPs in the smaller rural towns to authorise on-the-spot travel assistance with their referral letters, rather than burdening patients with a second visit to town when the approval from Perth arrives; and, if not, why not? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I provide the following answer - (1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
(3) If the South West Area Health Service has run out of money to fund PATS, will the minister ensure that funds are made available at least to enable GPs in the smaller rural towns to authorise on-the-spot travel assistance with their referral letters, rather than burdening patients with a second visit to town when the approval from Perth arrives; and, if not, why not? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I provide the following answer - (1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I provide the following answer - (1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I provide the following answer - (1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
(1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
(3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
(2) Will the minister take urgent steps to address this unfair anomaly between adjacent regions; and, if not, why not? (3) If the South West Area Health Service has run out of money to fund PATS, will the minister ensure that funds are made available at least to enable GPs in the smaller rural towns to authorise on-the-spot travel assistance with their referral letters, rather than burdening patients with a second visit to town when the approval from Perth arrives; and, if not, why not? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I provide the following answer - (1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
(3) If the South West Area Health Service has run out of money to fund PATS, will the minister ensure that funds are made available at least to enable GPs in the smaller rural towns to authorise on-the-spot travel assistance with their referral letters, rather than burdening patients with a second visit to town when the approval from Perth arrives; and, if not, why not? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I provide the following answer - (1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I provide the following answer - (1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I provide the following answer - (1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
(1) The process within the great southern is for a GP to complete the yellow PATS application form, which is then taken by the patient or posted to the PATS clerk within their geographic area for approval, registration and processing. The GP does not issue the voucher. The PATS process in the south west allows the GP to ring a 1800 number to register the patient for PATS. The patient then contacts the call centre to complete the application over the telephone. This means that patients in the south west have the convenience of registering for PATS from their home, rather than having to travel to their nearest PATS centre or having to post the form. This process has significantly expedited the application and registration processes associated with accessing the PATS scheme. (2) Not applicable. (3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
(3) The South West Area Health Service continues to fund PATS in a manner consistent with the Department of Health guidelines as they apply across the State and the program is fully funded. Patients in the south west are not required to travel to South West Area Health Service locations to have PATS applications processed and approved. All approvals are conducted over the telephone.
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