$25.9m scheme cuts costs for Albury patients

Member for Albury Justin Clancy has announced that more than 31,000 patients, who have taken long journeys from regional and rural areas to access medical treatment, received a helping hand from the NSW Government’s $25.9 million Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme.

IPTAAS subsidises the transport and accommodation expenses people incur when travelling at least 100km – or a cumulative distance of at least 200km in a week – to access specialist medical treatment.

Mr Clancy said investment in the IPTAAS scheme had more than doubled in the last eight years under a Liberals & Nationals Government, from $12.2 million in 2011–12 to $25.9 million in 2018–19.

“It’s great to see so many patients have benefited from the NSW Government’s $25.9 million investment into this essential travel assistance scheme,” Mr Clancy said.

“When you live in regional areas the tyranny of distance can present unexpected challenges, including affordable access to essential specialist medical services.

“With many parts of the state currently struggling with the drought, the NSW Government is backing communities with this travel assistance scheme, which makes a significant difference to patients.”

More information about IPTAAS can be found here.