Increases to travel and accommodation rebates for cancer patients have been welcomed by support agency Can Assist

The NSW Government announced that it would be increasing the rebates to almost double their earlier amount, with an extra $149 million announced for the scheme in the recent budget. Travel rebates will go from 22 cents to 40 cents per kilometre for anyone travelling over 100 kilometres for treatment.

In addition, the away-from-home subsidy will receive a boost to a $75 per day flat rate, which will increase to $120 if a patient is spending more than seven nights away from home.

Can Assist Executive Director Emma Phillips said that the changes would be a welcome change for those in regional NSW.

"We applaud Minister Bronnie Taylor and the Government for these changes; the improvements will ease the financial burden placed on people affected by cancer living in country NSW, ensuring they can access the care and treatment they need," Ms Phillips said.

Olga Forner, President of the Griffith branch, said that she was thrilled.

"It's excellent, that's really good. Particularly because of the petrol costs, it's really good timing," she said.

"It still would be better if we didn't have to travel, it would still save money if we had our own facilities but with that not being the case, the support will be very appreciated by many patients."

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Ms Forner added that they'd still be around to help patients with upfront costs and to navigate the other trials of cancer treatment.

"We'll still be there for the patients who outlay costs beforehand but at the same time, we can recover most of that from IPTAAS which is something we needed ... we're really appreciative of the fact that they've definitely lifted their game."

The changes now mean NSW has the most generous scheme in the country for long-distance cancer patients who require specialist treatment.

President of Can Assist Vicki Meyer said that this wouldn't be the end of Can Assist's grassroots activism efforts.

"We represent the views and experiences of our network stakeholders - that is, our community of volunteers, our recipients, and the primary and secondary healthcare network. We will collaborate to ensure the grassroot communities are engaged and that changes made are effective and helpful," she concludes.

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