❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses concerns about the South West Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS), including accommodation costs, carer support, and travel reimbursements. The response provides details on accommodation options, application statistics, and policy clarifications.
AnsweredQoN 1564Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Given that the rebate for accommodation under the South West Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS) is $35 per night, what accommodation is made available for regional patients within this price range?
(2) How many South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation have been successful in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06?
(3) How many South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation and travel have been unsuccessful in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06?
(4) If only the day of arrival and departure for accommodation claims under PATS are acknowledged, are approved carers/escorts of regional patients financially and emotionally disadvantaged?
(5) Why are approved carers not able to claim accommodation or repetitive travel expenses under the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme during extended periods of care?
(6) Can patients, who are required to travel to Perth for treatment, have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility within the Metropolitan area for further treatment or diagnosis within that day?
(a) If not, why not?
(7) Given that in May 2005 the Minister advised changes had been made in the administration and patient processing of PATS and that additional changes would be made to PATS as a result of user feedback, can the Minister advise what was the summary of the user feedback and what changes have since occurred?
(2) How many South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation have been successful in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06?
(3) How many South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation and travel have been unsuccessful in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06?
(4) If only the day of arrival and departure for accommodation claims under PATS are acknowledged, are approved carers/escorts of regional patients financially and emotionally disadvantaged?
(5) Why are approved carers not able to claim accommodation or repetitive travel expenses under the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme during extended periods of care?
(6) Can patients, who are required to travel to Perth for treatment, have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility within the Metropolitan area for further treatment or diagnosis within that day?
(a) If not, why not?
(7) Given that in May 2005 the Minister advised changes had been made in the administration and patient processing of PATS and that additional changes would be made to PATS as a result of user feedback, can the Minister advise what was the summary of the user feedback and what changes have since occurred?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 November 2006
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
34 days
List of accommodation providers that have affordable accommodation and are usually utilised include: - Crawford Lodge- $35 single (s) $70 double (d) - Jewel House- $25 (s) $50 (d) - Beatty Lodge- $35 (s) $46 (d) - Mounts Bay - $35 (s) $46 (d) - Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Crawford Lodge- $35 single (s) $70 double (d) - Jewel House- $25 (s) $50 (d) - Beatty Lodge- $35 (s) $46 (d) - Mounts Bay - $35 (s) $46 (d) - Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Jewel House- $25 (s) $50 (d) - Beatty Lodge- $35 (s) $46 (d) - Mounts Bay - $35 (s) $46 (d) - Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Beatty Lodge- $35 (s) $46 (d) - Mounts Bay - $35 (s) $46 (d) - Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Mounts Bay - $35 (s) $46 (d) - Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Crawford Lodge- $35 single (s) $70 double (d) - Jewel House- $25 (s) $50 (d) - Beatty Lodge- $35 (s) $46 (d) - Mounts Bay - $35 (s) $46 (d) - Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Jewel House- $25 (s) $50 (d) - Beatty Lodge- $35 (s) $46 (d) - Mounts Bay - $35 (s) $46 (d) - Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Beatty Lodge- $35 (s) $46 (d) - Mounts Bay - $35 (s) $46 (d) - Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Mounts Bay - $35 (s) $46 (d) - Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Leukaemia Foundation- $35 (s) $70 (d) - Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Agnes Walsh House - $35 - Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Good Earth Hotel- $67 (d) The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
The Fremantle Tourist Bureau also has a range of reasonably priced accommodation available. 2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
2. Successful South West PATS applications for approved carers/escorts accommodation in the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 were: Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Year Total Claims Total Escorts Approved Percentage August 2003-04 10,509 2,856 27% August 2004-05 9.952 2,856 29% August 2005-06 10,229 3,700 36% 3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
3. This information cannot be extracted from the PATS databases in use during the years from August 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. Only accepted claims were recorded and while the rejected claims have been kept, they are archived and would require retrieval and physical counting. 4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
4. The PATS guidelines have been developed to assist country residents in travelling to Perth for specialist medical appointments and treatment and the guidelines are reviewed periodically. There is no way of specifically identifying carers/escorts of patients who might be financially and emotionally disadvantaged. 5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
5. Approved escorts are able to claim accommodation expenses under PATS during extended periods of care when: - Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Escort/carers are eligible for assistance through PATS where the referring practitioner certifies, prior to departure, that an escort/carer is necessary for the patient's medical well being. - The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- The specialist certifies it is necessary for medical reasons for the escort/carer to remain with the patient. - The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- The patient is a dependent child and has been admitted to hospital and the escort is unable to stay at the hospital as a boarder. - The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- The patient will need assistance from an escort due to their medical condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay accommodation for the escort to remain, rather than pay for a second journey to collect the patient. - Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- Approved carers are able to claim for a second amount of travel expenses during extended periods of care when the patient will need assistance from an escort due to their condition on discharge and it is cheaper to pay for a second journey to collect the patient, rather than pay accommodation for the escort to remain in the metropolitan area. The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
The benefit is payable when accompanying an eligible patient to or from a specialist appointment and/or where an overnight stay is necessary due to the patient being hospitalised, awaiting transport home or receiving outpatient treatment. 6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
6. PATS provides assistance for people to travel on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to their medical condition. Patients who are required to travel to Perth for treatment cannot have their transfer taxi fares reimbursed under PATS when specialists refer them to another facility, within the metropolitan area, for further treatment or diagnosis within that day. Travel by taxi needs to be pre-approved and this is usually only granted when the patient's medical condition warrants the use of taxis or where cultural issues, such as, non-English speaking or unescorted people from remote Aboriginal communities, make it impractical for the patient to use other means of transport. 7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
7. The following actions were taken as a result of the recommendations of the review of the McKesson Pacific South West PATS contract in 2005: Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Recommendation 1: More advertising needed: Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- All GP practices in the South West were contacted to promote the service and conduct a survey of their satisfaction. - McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- McKesson staff visited all the major social work departments in Perth metropolitan hospitals to explain the new process and answer any questions. - McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- McKesson staff visited key stakeholders in order to encourage feedback re the process for South West PATS claims. e.g. Crawford Lodge and Ronald McDonald House. Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Recommendation 2: To make payments sooner: Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- McKesson streamlined the service delivery model to ensure payments were being made in a shorter time frame. This was achieved by upskilling team members from other programs to process claims. Payments previously through both the South West Area Health Service and McKesson could take up to six weeks (this is the acceptable timeframe as per the PATS guideline). Payments are now made within a week of receiving an eligible claim. Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Feedback: Patients unhappy with enforcing the guideline to refer to Specialists in Bunbury where available: Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
Actions: - It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- It was decided to continue to process PATS claims for referrals to Perth specialists even if there is a specialist in Bunbury, based on a need to provide continuity of care. - New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
- New patients however require a valid medical reason to support their claim to see a specialist in Perth when there is one available in Bunbury. This practice was implemented in January 2005.
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