At any one time, approximately 200 patients from regional, rural and remote parts of our state receive treatment at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
The Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) is a subsidy program that provides money to pay for some travel, escort and accommodation costs when rural and remote South Australians travel over 100 kilometres each way to see a specialist.
The scheme is available to eligible country patients and approved escorts who do not have access to medical specialist services locally.
PATS is designed to assist clients who are required to attend planned specialist appointments and is not designed to subsidise travel for emergency medical needs.
You are eligible to make a PATS application if you:
- live more than 100 kilometres away from the nearest treating specialist
- are a permanent South Australian resident
- are receiving treatment claimable under Medicare
- have claimed any available benefits from a private health fund first, if applicable.
You do not need to visit your local doctor to make an application, but you must ensure there is no medical specialist service available closer to home.
Get more information about PATS and how to make an application.