Terms of Reference
Conduct of the inquiry
Background to the inquiry
  The Broader Context – Australia's health care system
  Health care and travel assistance
  Other forms of patient travel assistance
  Current arrangements – Patient assisted travel schemes (PATS)
The call to improve the operation of Patient Assisted Travel Schemes
Outline of the report
Acknowledgements

Regional, rural, remote: demography
Measures of health status in rural and remote areas
Access to services
  Supply of hospital services
  Workforce shortages
  Diminishing services in regional, rural and remote areas
An increasing demand for PATS
  Future pressures on PATS
  A changed operating environment
Conclusion

The application process
  Complexity
  Inconsistent interpretation and application
  Acceptance of recommendations
Eligibility issues
  Distance threshold
  Restrictions on referrals
  Type of transport
  Appeals processes
Subsidy levels
  Motor vehicle rates
  Accommodation rates
  Subsidy of other costs
  Restrictions and co-payments
  Delays in reimbursements
  Conclusion

Patient support
  Women and children
  Inconsistencies in the application of escort guidelines
  Improving access to escorts
  Conclusion
Cross-border issues
  Differences across the States and Territories
  Interstate arrangements
  Patient choice and interstate treatment
  PATS and interstate travellers
  Conclusion

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
  Cultural safety
  Communication
  Escorts
  Transport infrastructure
  Accommodation
  Continuity of care
  No Shows
  Liaison
  A separate program for Indigenous Australians?
  Conclusion
Ante-natal care
Older people
Patients with chronic illnesses

The role of charities and not-for-profit organisations
  Conclusion
Improving communication
  Awareness, marketing and promotion
  Conclusion
Other related health initiatives
  E-health
  Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP)

A National Approach
  National consistency and uniformity
  A case for national standards
  Monitoring and reporting
  Who should administer a national approach?
Expanding PATS
  Ante-natal and post-natal care
  Allied health services and dental care
  Screening services
  Primary medical care
  Procedural and specialised services undertaken by GPs
  Clinical trials
  Other services
  An expanded scheme – government responses
  Funding
A path to reform