The Palaszczuk Government has let down Regional Queenslanders through a dysfunctional Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
Burnett residents are reporting delays of more than three months for PTSS processing with the backlog of claims continuing to grow.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the State Labor Government has refused to admit there’s a problem.
“Unsurprisingly, the Health Minister has failed to answer my question regarding how long the PTSS delays actually are,” said Mr Bennett. *
“All we’re asking for is transparency in an administrative process; no answer means there’s something to hide.
“Patients are already dealing with extremely stressful health situations, now they’re forced to factor in whether they can afford it or not.
“Labor’s failure to plan ahead of population growth has delivered us the Queensland Health Crisis.
“The latest QLD Health data has revealed the performance level of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service is at an all-time low.
“It’s on ‘Intensive Performance Support’, the lowest performance rating you can get. **
“It’s time the Health Minister and her chaotic Labor Government take responsibility, admit there’s a problem and finally heal the Queensland Health Crisis.”
Local resident Sheryl Riesenweber said she’s been told to expect a PTSS processing delay of over three months.
“I have four reimbursements outstanding so the upfront costs are racking up,” she said.
“Living in a remote area, it’s not practical or even logistically possible to book most of my travel arrangements in advance so I am constantly out of pocket.
“Admittedly I made one small mistake with one of my claims but now I’m back to the bottom of the pile looking at a six-month processing turn around in total.
“Sadly, although I love where I live, we’re now looking at moving closer to medical facilities as it’s become too difficult.
“The staff I have managed to speak with on occasion have always been wonderful, but there’s no doubt the system is broken.”
* Source: https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/1115-2023.pdf
** Source: https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2023/1078-2023.pdf
ENDS.
18/10/2023