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Regional cancer patients must be a focus for the next State Government
Cancer Council SA (CCSA) is calling on the next State Government to provide more support for people with cancer from regional areas of South Australia undergoing cancer treatment in.
With the next election looming and the major parties vying for seats in regional areas, Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Professor Brenda Wilson says travel and accommodation assistance for people from regional South Australia having cancer treatment in Adelaide could become an election issue. “In particular we are asking for a reassessment of the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) in South Australia, which provides financial assistance to regional cancer patients travelling to major treatment centres for cancer treatment.” Professor Wilson said. “The current level of financial assistance – which helps to pay for travel and accommodation – is unrealistic and well below what is offered in other states to regional cancer patients. “PATS is one of 12 election priorities about which Cancer Council SA will be lobbying in the lead-up to the next state election. We have stepped up our campaign in the past week, with a full-page advertisement in the Adelaide Advertiser urging all political parties to take cancer issues seriously. “We will continue to raise awareness to both political parties about the need to commit to these priorities aimed at preventing cancer and supporting people in South Australia with cancer - and our regional patients are high on the list. “Inequalities exist for regional cancer patients and a simple way to improve health outcomes is to review PATS with a view to increasing reimbursement rates for travel and accommodation. “Australians living in rural and regional areas have significantly worse cancer outcomes, including increased mortality. Many factors contribute to lower survival rates for regional patients including delays in diagnosis due to lack of access to appropriate tests, decisions not to have certain treatments due to costs –time away from home, travel and accommodation – and poorer access to specialist treatment and multidisciplinary opinion prior to commencement of treatment. “In summary, the further away a patient lives from a major treatment centre, the poorer their chance of survival and we are calling on the next State Government to ensure all South Australians have equitable access to treatment no matter where they live in the state. “While regional cancer patients are provided with some financial assistance for travel and accommodation, it really is inadequate.” Currently regional cancer patients receive 16 cents per kilometre for travel and a $30 accommodation rebate per night (or $60 per night if they have a carer with them). To receive the reimbursement, patients must live more than 100 kilometres from Adelaide treatment centres, so cancer patients in areas such as Victor Harbor or the Barossa do not qualify for financial assistance. “We are asking that the travel allowance be increased to a more realistic figure and accommodation be increased to $85 per room and that it is indexed annually. In addition, we believe the distance threshold should be reduced from 100 kilometres to 65 kilometres.” Professor Wilson said. “With current travel and accommodation costs, it is unacceptable for people with cancer and their carers from regional areas to receive travel reimbursement of 16 centres per kilometre and to expect anyone to find safe, clean accommodation in Adelaide for $30 per night.” Cancer Council SA has three Lodges providing accommodation for regional people with cancer. The accommodation is provided at a much cheaper rate than regular hotels and motels; however $30 per night no way near covers the cost of this service. “Cancer Council SA provides affordable and comfortable motel accommodation in our three Lodges for people from regional areas having cancer treatment in Adelaide. The accommodation facility also provides a counselling support service.” Professor Wilson added. “Cancer Council SA is finding it increasingly difficult to accept such a low payment for this support service, which is highly valued by people from regional areas and maintain the standard of accommodation which people deserve and require. “If patients received more of an accommodation reimbursement, Cancer Council SA could put more money towards cancer research, prevention and other cancer support services, rather than the upkeep and general maintenance of the Lodges. “Overall PATS needs to be improved so that regional cancer patients have the same access to treatment as those in metropolitan areas or we will continue to see a disparity in survival rates.” PATS is one of 12 Election Priorities launched by Cancer Council SA in November last year in the lead up to the next State election. Together with the statewide cancer control plan it provides a blueprint for the next State Government to reduce the impact of cancer in this State. Professor Wilson said that while we had made great progress in the fight to beat cancer in the past few decades, policy change was crucial to reducing the mortality rate further. “During the term of the next State Government around 36,000 South Australians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer at a cost to the community of nearly $1.5 billion.” she said. “Cancer Council SA is challenging the next State Government to reduce the financial and social burden of cancer on the community by adopting some key policy changes and improvements.” The full election priorities submission is available at www.cancersa.org.au/electionpriorities  Top |
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