Alternative arrangements are in place for patients needing subsidised travel between Douglas Shire and Cairns
Patients’ access to their specialist appointments will not be impacted by the closure of a private bus company that provided patient travel from the Douglas Shire to Cairns.
Mossman Multi-Purpose Health Service’s facility manager Peter LeGriffon said that the Health Service had sourced temporary patient transport providers, following the private bus company’s decision to unexpectedly cease operations last week.
‘Eligible residents will still be able to get to their specialist appointments,’ said Mr LeGriffon. ‘We will continue to provide a quality patient travel service.’
‘We are talking with a pool of local transport providers and expect to have secured new patient transport providers soon,’ said Mr LeGriffon.
‘Our patient travel officer is working very hard to support eligible patients during this transition to a new transport provider.’
Queensland Health provides financial assistance for eligible patients to access specialist medical services not available locally in the Douglas Shire.
Eligible Douglas Shire residents may use the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme to attend specialist appointments in Cairns. The scheme can also provide reimbursements for eligible patients who travel to Cairns using private motor vehicles.
For more information about patient travel eligibility see the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS).
If you have any concerns or feedback please email CHHHS_feedback@health.qld.gov.au