IPTAAS helps regional patients get the treatment they need
Date published: 21 Jun 2023
Author: Dijana Angeleski
When Robert Hanson from Armidale NSW needed cancer treatment, he and his wife, Pat, were grateful the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme was there to help.
The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme known as IPTAAS, is a NSW Government initiative, managed by HealthShare NSW. The scheme supports more than 26,000 people per year from regional NSW to access specialist healthcare services that are not available locally.
Patient benefits
For many people learning that you have cancer can be hard. Making plans for how to proceed can be overwhelming especially when you need to travel long distances to undergo treatment.
When Robert was first diagnosed, he and Pat thought they’d have to budget for large travel and accommodation costs.
‘When Robert was diagnosed with cancer, it was a very stressful and overwhelming time as his treatment was going to be in Coffs Harbour, 180km away, and he needed six weeks of radiation treatment,’ Pat said.
‘IPTAAS allowed us to travel and stay in Coffs Harbour for that time without needing Robert to drive back and forth, which was a huge relief. It covered our petrol and our accommodation at the hospital, saving us around $3,000.’
More information
To learn more, please visit our IPTAAS website.
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