Government boosts Patient Assisted Travel Scheme fuel subsidy

Goldfields patients travelling to Perth for medical treatment will receive a welcome relief to rising fuel costs with an increase in the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme subsidy. The State Government announced it will invest $13 million to increase the PATS fuel subsidy in recognition of significant increases in fuel costs and cost-of-living pressures. The subsidy will increase from $0.16 per km to $0.26 for the next four years for WA residents who need to travel long distances for specialist medical care. This will increase the subsidy for a return trip to Perth for Kalgoorlie-Boulder residents from about $200 to about $300. Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent said 5100 Goldfields residents accessed PATS to make 9850 trips for specialist health care last year. “The increase to the PATS fuel subsidy will be a welcome relief and recognises the financial burden fuel costs are having on Goldfields residents who have to travel for specialist medical treatment,” she said. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson will visit Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Saturday following the announcement. “We know the burden of increased fuel costs is being felt by regional Western Australians who need to travel for medical treatment,” she said. “The increase to the fuel subsidy will help with cost-of-living pressures and ensure all Western Australians can access specialist medical treatment no matter where they live.” In 2022-23, PATS supported 35,038 regional West Australians to make 73,383 trips. Premier Roger Cook said the announcement showed his Government was improving equity and access to medical specialist services for those who live in the bush. The announcement builds on the Government’s move to increase the PATS accommodation subsidy by 83 per cent and expand eligibility to enable vulnerable patients to travel with a support person.