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Support programs

Ambulance services | Disability equipment | Travel assistance | Destitute funerals | Participating in student education | Participating in medical research

Interpreter services

An interpreter can be arranged for you if English is not your first langugage and you would prefer to discuss your health or treatment in your first language. Interpreter services are also provided for deaf and hearing impaired people. You may request an interpeter, or a health worker may book an interpeter, if either person needs information relating to your treatment. All interpreters are trained and services are confidential. Interpreter services are:
  • free in the public health system
  • provided face to face, by telephone and by videoconference
  • available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ambulance services

Ambulance services accounts are not covered by Medicare. You will have to pay for ambulance services unless, at the time of receiving them, you were eligible for free or subsidised ambulance services under these schemes:
  • Pensioner/Veterans' Affairs / Health Care Card Holders
  • Private health fund membership or State Ambulance Insurance Plan
  • Interstate residents with Ambulance Cover (except Queensland and South Australia)
  • Workers' compensation or third party insurance
  • School or group contributions.

Eligibility for free or subsidised ambulance services under these schemes is subject to conditions.

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Disability equipment

The Program of Appliances for Disabled People (PADP) is a NSW Government program to assist eligible residents of NSW who have a life-long or long-term disability to live and participate within their community by providing appropriate equipment, aids and appliances.

Information on eligibility for PADP, the range of equipment available, the lodgement of applications, mutual responsibilities and expectations, and steps for complaints and appeals is outlined in the Program of Appliances for Disabled People - NSW Health Policy.

People with a disability interested in seeking further information about PADP should discuss their query with a health care provider, or contact their nearest PADP Lodgement Centre. 

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Travel assistance

The Isolated Patients' Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) is a subsidy program that provides some assistance for people who need to travel long distances to obtain specialist medical or oral surgical treatment which is not available locally.  In March 2006, the NSW Premier announced changes to the eligibility criteria for Transport for Health - IPTAAS to increase the number of people eligible for assitance under the scheme.

The distance criteria for eligibility is 100km one way and a motor vehicle subsidy of 15.0 cents/km. Assistance is provided through the Transport for Health program in each rural Area Health Service.

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Destitute funerals

The Area Health Service or a hospital will pay for a basic funeral if the person who died had no known estate and relatives/friends cannot pay for a funeral. Destitute funerals are arranged with funeral operators under state contract.
 
The person who died will be cremated or buried at Rookwood cemetery if the person dies in Sydney or at the nearest cemetery if the person dies outside Sydney. If the destitute funeral is for a person who died in a hospital a long way from the person's usual home, costs for the return of the body to the usual home area will be paid if requested by the person's relatives.
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Participating in student education

Education of student or trainee doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and other health staff sometimes takes place in hospitals and community centres. Clinical education is necessary to train students or trainee health staff in how to provide good health care.
 
You may be asked to allow student or trainee health staff to be present when you are receiving care or treatment. You can refuse to take part in student education if you prefer.
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Participating in medical research

Medical research is important in improving health care and you may be asked to participate in research.
 
  • Before research is undertaken, you will be given information about the research and you will be asked to decide if you want to take part in the study.
  • You decide whether or not you want to take part in medical research. If you decide not to take part this will not affect your access to services and treatment now or in the future.
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