Patient subsidy increase

RURAL and regional Queenslanders will now receive better access to healthcare with the State Government's pledge to double the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme coming into effect this month.

The scheme's mileage subsidy rate has doubled to 30 cents per kilometre while the accommodation subsidy rate has also doubled to $60 per person per night for patients staying in commercial accommodation.

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the government wanted to help ease the gap in access to healthcare for rural and regional Queenslanders.

"The scheme now provides greater support for patients to access specialist health services that are more than 50km away from their closest public hospital," Mrs Frecklington said.

For more information or to find out if you are eligible call 13 HEALTH on 1343 2584 or visit health.qld.gov.au/ptss.