Patient transport
Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (18:11): (1276) My adjournment this evening is for the Minister for Health. The action I seek is for the minister to reinstate claims for taxi fares for the Victorian patient transport assistance scheme. Since 2013 the Victorian patient transport assistance scheme has been helping regional Victorians cover the costs of travelling to the city to receive vital treatment for cancer and other diseases. From train and taxi fares to accommodation, the Victorian patient transport assistance scheme helps ease the burden on patients who, through no fault of their own, must travel great distances for treatment. My constituents have reached out in dismay at the knowledge that taxi transfers from Southern Cross station are no longer covered by the VPTAS as there is public transport available. Since September of this year patients have been expected to travel on public transport to get to and from their medical appointments. I am not sure if the minister has ever tried to travel on trams, buses or trains when she is unwell, but this can be a harrowing, difficult and dangerous journey for the elderly and those undergoing treatments. Those in wheelchairs or who need the aid of walkers or walking sticks find it very difficult to use public transport. The public transport system can be difficult for the elderly to understand, not to mention that after treatment most patients are tired, in pain, nauseous and generally feeling unwell. Forcing these patients to travel on public transport is cruel. Minister, reinstate the capacity for rural patients to claim their taxi fares through the Victorian patient transport assistance scheme.