Temporary relocation guide
Relocation and financial assistance
Under current PTSS guidelines, eligible patients an receive financial help up to $60 per night staying in a commercial facility, and their approved support person can also receive up to $60 per night. So, for 2 people, a total of $120 per night maximum. If staying with family and friends, a $10 per night (total) subsidy is applicable.
Long term stays of over 3 months are calculated differently, as seen in the points below.
Because pre and post liver transplant patients often stay in Brisbane for quite a few months, the subsidy payments might be worked out differently by the patient's HHS. The subsidy amount provided is up to the patient’s regional Hospital and Health Service (HHS) to decide. This decision by the regional HHS occurs because whilst the PTSS scheme is a state-wide scheme, it is managed at the local regional HHS level. Therefore, every regional HHS manages the PTSS Guidelines according to local needs.
More recently, the regional HHS’s have been supporting transplant patients and families at the equivalent rate of the single commercial rate—up to $420 per week. This enables patient and families to receive a significant contribution to their rental payment. There are many rental options which provide flexibility and choice for patients and families.
More information:
When a patient, or family on patient’s behalf know they are being referred for transplant assessment or is to be definitely listed for a transplant and is seeking PTSS support - they should tell their regional HHS Travel Office. The Travel Officers will then be able to tell the patient and family about what documentation is needed. Specific subsidy amounts and payment arrangements can be worked out. These arrangements continue until the patient is discharged back to their home region—usually about 12 weeks post-transplant.
PTSS support: patients from nearby regions
- Nearby regional areas would include the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island, Caboolture, Toowoomba, Beaudesert, Northern Rivers (NSW) and other areas of similar distance.
- Patients who reside in these areas, generally do not need to move before the transplant, but need to be prepared to stay near the PAH for up to 2 months post-transplant. The exact time frame recommended to stay nearby, is determined by individual medical needs.
- PTSS is generally offered at the regular rate for the time-frame which the near-regional patient needs to stay in Brisbane, at the $60 or $120 per night formula, as they meet the PTSS criteria and are classified as short stay, as compared with the patients who stay for an unknown number of months before there transplant and then for up to 12 weeks after their transplant.
- It is important to note that if near- regional patients become unwell during the wait for the transplant, they might need to move short term to Brisbane or be admitted as inpatients.
In this guide:
- Key points
- Referral for liver transplantation
- Processes and help with costs
- Step 1: Referral
- Step 2: Assessment
- Step 3: Case presentation
- Step 4: Treatment pathways
- Relocation and financial assistance
- Brisbane accommodation information
- Staying in Brisbane after discharge to home region
- Long term care
- Waiting times
- Impact of relocation on patients and families
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