Media | Local News

20,000 extra in the Public Sector – But patient travel claims still take 3 months

23rd April 2018

Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says that despite the Labor Government employing an extra 20,000 public servants, services are no better, and people in the South Burnett are still waiting three months or more for their Patient Travel Subsidy (PTSS) claims to be reimbursed.

Mrs Frecklington said she recently wrote to the Minister for Health about the unacceptable wait times for PTSS reimbursements, but there was no clear reason given for the delays.

"The Minister talks about additional temporary resources, but we need dedicated staff to ensure these lengthy delays are fixed and never occur again," Mrs Frecklington said.

"The public service is ballooning, but services to the South Burnett are deteriorating. It is totally unacceptable that people from our region must wait so long to receive their travel claims," Deb said.

Nanango local, Mr Allen Bassett, recently met with Deb to discuss the issue and how it has affected him.

"I can’t believe there are 20,000 extra public servants, but it still takes three months for me to receive my travel claim reimbursements," Mr Bassett said.

Deb said that if anyone knows the health system inside and out, it is Allen Bassett.

"Allen has been travelling to Brisbane for medical treatment for many years and he keeps me up to date with these continuing PTSS delays."

Many people from our community rely on the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme to allow them to afford treatment when they have to travel to Brisbane or Toowoomba.

"This is affecting our most vulnerable community members, many of whom are pensioners and are undergoing treatment for cancer and other serious conditions. It is causing them a lot of anxiety and frustration."

"I am extremely disappointed in the Minister’s response to my enquiry. He obviously doesn’t understand the difficulties regional people face when they need to travel away for treatment. I’m calling on the Labor Government to fix this problem urgently," Deb said.

Photo – Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, recently met with Nanango local, Allen Bassett, to discuss the lengthy delays he has experienced with his Patient Travel Subsidy Claims.