Bundaberg and Burnett patients will suffer following revelations the Palaszczuk Labor Government has mismanaged a key program that provides support to regional Queenslanders trying to access proper health care.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said Labor failed to contribute additional funding increases to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme which were made under the LNP over four years.
Mr Bennett said the Palaszczuk Government had blatantly mismanaged the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme, after a boost provided by the LNP in 2012/13 was not renewed.
“Patients in the Bundaberg and Burnett region and across regional Queensland are being short-changed and abandoned by this ‘do-nothing’ Labor Government,” Mr Bennett said.
“Is it any wonder regional health services are delaying or denying reimbursements of payments since funding dried up in 2016 under this Labor Government?
“The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme is a critical part of ensuring Bundaberg and Burnett residents get access to medical treatment and care by offering subsidies to cover the cost of accommodation for regional Queenslanders undergoing treatment away from home.”
Mr Bennett said he was gravely concerned that there were significant delays in patients receiving financial reimbursements for travel and accommodation costs, leaving many people out of pocket and in some cases causing financial hardship.
Mr Bennett said next week’s budget was an opportunity for Labor to right the wrongs of the 2016 budget and reinstate the extra funding that the LNP had provided.
“Labor is failing the sick and ill in regional Queensland, including Bundaberg and Burnet patients, as it sits on its hands on this issue,” he said.
“The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme Ombudsman’s Report, released this week, provides an opportunity for Labor to tackle poor administration of the scheme, but the real issue is Labor’s slashing of funding to the program.
“It was the LNP that doubled the patient travel subsidy scheme in 2012 from $30 to $60 per night, the first time it had been changed in more than two decades.
“I am bitterly disappointed for the people of Bundaberg and Burnett that this critical funding to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme has been cut and I want to assure this community that I am committed to providing the best health system for our region.”
ENDS.
9 June 2017