WBHHS to add three new staff to ease pressure on Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
The state government has unveiled its latest step in trying to help the 25,000 Wide Bay residents who need to seek outside specialist aid for their health.
Bundaberg
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The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service have recruited two new staff with a third on the way to decrease processing delays for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
The scheme provides assistance to those who are referred to specialists outside of their local area, a common situation for regional patients such as those across the Wide Bay.
News of the new staff was revealed in a release from Labor Health Minister Shannon Fentiman’s office.
Funding for the scheme came under fire in September after Labor announced a $10 per person per night increase in its accommodation rates.
The increase, labelled by some critics as “a joke”, was the scheme’s first since 2012.
The new staff will help process applications to the scheme faster, as part of an ongoing review of the scheme by the Queensland Government.
The staff are also expected to work with local GP’s to ensure the right information is being included in the application, in the hopes of speeding up processing.
Queensland Health figures show the WBHHS service processes 18,000 patient inquiries every quarter, organising 25,000 bookings and reimbursements annually.
The media release said the hirings followed on the back of advocacy by Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith.
“I have listened directly to locals facing these delays that are having an impact on our community, and I’m absolutely committed to reducing wait times,” MP Smith said.
“The news that additional staff are being recruited to help process these claims is a great step, and I’m optimistic that Queensland Health’s review will bring even more changes.”
According to Mr Smith, he spoke directly with the Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman to address the issue.
“Tom Smith has been a terrific advocate for his community, and I want to thank him for bringing these issues to my attention,” she said.
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