Why this mum thinks moving states is the 'only option' for her son's health
A Burnie mum has contemplated having to move back to the mainland and sell her newly built home due to the struggles she is having with thePatient Travel Assistance Scheme(PTAS). Subscribe now for unlimited. . .
A Burnie mum has contemplated having to move back to the mainland and sell her newly built home due to the struggles she is having with thePatient Travel Assistance Scheme(PTAS). Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingSave 30%All articles from our website& appThe digital version ofToday'sPaperAll otherin your areaJodi Ross' son Bruce was born with a cleft palate and needs ongoing treatment from a maxillofacial surgeon and an orthodontist. Burnie's Jodi Ross is getting increasingly frustrated about the extra paperwork and ongoing funding rejections from PTAS for her son's appointments in Melbourne. Pictures by Rodney Woods and ShutterstockBruce's appointments are in Melbourne, where he can see the surgeon and orthodontist in close collaboration. In Tasmania, the maxillofacial surgery could be done through the public system but orthodontic work would be private. Ms Ross said she would be thousands of dollars out of pocket as, to her knowledge, the full benefits of the Medicare Cleft and Craniofacial Services scheme are not available in the state. Braddon Labor MHR Anne Urquhartsaid, "if there are private providers in Tasmania that are choosing not to provide Medicare-funded services, that is very disappointing". While Bruce was born in Victoria, he and his mum have lived in Tasmania for about 15 years. However, it has only been for the past few years that Ms Ross has hit a roadblock when it comes to the paperwork she submits to PTAS for her 19-year-old son. "They've started clamping down on changing the rules as to who is allowed to go [and] what you can claim," Ms Ross said. "It's been difficult because it's not always cheap to fly . . . and I can't get him over there [at times]. "I just wonder if my only option is to pack up and move to get the care he needs. "Health Minister Bridget Archer said PTAS, which is run by the Health Department, "must operate within approved legislation, policy frameworks and funding parameters". "We are committed to continuous improvement in our health system, including PTAS," she said. A Health Department spokesperson explained what the process involved but did not answer why the process had been made harder for patients. "Accessing payments as part of the scheme requires the completion of application forms, billing information, and treatment confirmation documentation," the spokesperson said. "Applications are prioritised if urgent travel is required. "All PTAS applications for interstate and intrastate travel, once approved, are valid for a period of 12 months for travel to the same specialist. "Ms Ross said she never had a problem submitting the paperwork until the past few years. Picture by Rodney WoodsMs Ross said she was getting increasingly frustrated about the extra paperwork and ongoing funding rejections. "You get so frustrated and upset that Bruce is missing out on his treatment [if I can't pay to get him there]," she said. "It's not something you can stop and start and it just feels like no one understands that. "The healthcare system here go on about this patient-centred care, doing what's best for patients but the best thing for him is to continue with the place that knows him, that he's comfortable with and that he trusts. "We don't know them here, we haven't had good experiences trying to get the care we need here, so how do you trust them?"More from HealthAs it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.