People living in rural and remote Queensland
Living and working in rural and remote communities can make accessing end of life and palliative care services more difficult than for people who live in larger towns and cities. People who live and work in rural and remote areas can experience extra pressures such as social isolation, financial hardship, lack of employment opportunities, and natural disasters such as fire, flood or drought.
There are a range of services available to help people living in rural and remote Queensland to access end of life and palliative care support.
Telehealth
Telehealth allows patients in rural and remote locations to use videoconferencing facilities (TV screen and digital video camera) to speak to and see a health professional from hospitals in Queensland without the need to travel far from home.
Telehealth appointments can:
- improve access to health services locally
- reduce patient travel and costs
- reduce time away from home
- reduce making lengthy family or day care arrangements
- reduce taking extended amounts of time off work to attend appointments.
For more information:
- visit the telehealth website
- email telehealth@health.qld.gov.au.
Transport assistance and information
- Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme—help with travel and accommodation costs. You may be eligible if and your carer need to travel more than 50km to access specialist treatment that are not available locally
- Royal Flying Doctors Service—provides aero-medical transport, health care and 24-hour emergency services to people who live, travel or work in rural and remote Queensland communities, including transport between health care facilities and response to emergencies.
- Queensland Taxi Subsidy Scheme—subsidises taxi travel—half of the total fare, up to a maximum of $25 per trip—for people with severe disabilities.
- Wheelchair accessible taxis have been introduced into over 50 rural and regional locations through the qconnect initiative. Call the local taxi service to make a booking.
- Community transport options—available to help people travel for medical appointments.
- Disability parking permit scheme—you may be able to get an Australian parking permit if your ability to walk is severely restricted by a medical condition or disability.