Rural group backs changes to PAT scheme

19/5/95

An influential rural organisation has backed Health Minister Graham Kierath's changes to the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS).

The Country Hospital Boards' Council says it not only agrees with the changes, but it urged the Minister to make them.

The Council also confirmed the Minister's previous assertion that there was abuse of the PATS scheme.

"The changes we have made will save money which will be channelled back into country and remote area health," Mr Kierath said.

"Our foremost objective is patient care.

"The Country Hospital Boards' Council's comments totally vindicate our decision.

"Unfortunately, however, the Opposition has again embarked on a campaign of scare tactics which may mislead and frighten existing PATS patients."

Mr Kierath said the Opposition was objecting to the reduction of the travel subsidy from 15 cents per kilometre to 10 cents and to the $25 contribution from health card holders.

However, massive improvement to medical services in the rural and remote areas would obviate the need for many patients to come to the city.

Centres to benefit from the extended services and specialist equipment would include Albany, Bunbury, Mandurah, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Port Hedland.

"We will be able to treat many current PATS patients in their home towns," the Minister said.

"It must be remembered that these changes were made after wide-ranging consultation with the community.

"And the hospital boards, which are the ones who actually provide the PATS funding, believe that the overhaul will free up more funds to provide better services in the country for country people - where it is needed.

"In any case, the Opposition agreed to these modifications, but later changed its mind."

In Parliament, Mr Kierath dismissed the objections, saying Opposition MPs had double standards.

The Minister attacked ALP Upper House member Kim Chance and accused him of doing a backflip.

"Mr Chance was a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee which insisted on an intensive community consultative process," Mr Kierath said.

"He joined the other three committee members in a unanimous approval of all aspects of the proposed changes except for the $25 contribution."

The Minister likened Mr Chance to Arthur Chance from the well-known RAC television commercial.

He said there was evidence that Mr Chance had not only agreed to the changes, but approved a media release announcing them.

"The Opposition, and in particular Mr Chance, are once again playing politics, using scare tactics to beat up what is really responsible Government action," the Minister said.

"If we needed justification for the changes to PATS it is in these comments from the Country Hospital Boards' Council."

Media contact:  Brian Coulter 481 2133 / 222  9595 or Judith Adams (President Country Hospital's Boards' Council) (098) 311 159 or Mrs Irene Mills (Vice President Country Hospital's Boards' Council) (096) 621 033