Useful Information

PATS Policy

PATS Policy Guidline PDF

Brochures and guides

• PATS: A guide for patients and their carers - A5 booklet -  (PDF)
• PATS: A guide for patients and their carers- DL leaflet (PDF)
• PATS: A guide for patients and their carers in the South West - DL leaflet (PDF)
• PATS: poster (PDF)
• PATS: 'Six easy steps' poster (PDF)
• PATS: Perth Airport transport options 

 Patient information sheets

• Applying for PATS - Information Sheet
• Eligible Medical Specialist List (PDF)
• Information for patients PATS after Inter Hospital Patient Transfer or Primary Evacuation
• Statutory declaration pending WC/MV insurance claim

For information on how to apply for the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme, please go to Get Started.

Optional accommodation options

WA Country Health Service does not recommend or endorse any accommodation providers, as PATS is a subsidy scheme. As such, PATS does not have a formal relationship with accommodation providers but we will reimburse you regardless of which provider you choose. You can choose any commercial provider that you assess as suitable to your needs. You will need to conduct your own research to determine which providers meet your needs, and communicate with those providers directly to make enquiries.

While WA Country Health Service does not have a role in booking accommodation, we provide the following lists of known accommodation options that are close to commonly used hospitals and are available to discuss your accommodation needs in Perth. This may help provide you with a starting point for your research, and is not an endorsement of the services offered by these providers. It is the responsibility of all commercial providers to advise you how they may meet your needs, however this information is published to assist you with your research.

Providers may offer bookings with various booking services (including online booking websites) and some of those services may offer discounted rates.

When using commercial accommodation please ensure you ask for a full tax invoice and receipt in order to claim your PATS accommodation subsidy.

• Accommodation close to Fiona Stanley, Fremantle and Bentley Hospitals 
• Accommodation close to Joondalup Health Campus & Osborne Park Hospital
• Accommodation close to Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner, Perth Children Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital
• Accommodation options for people with disabilities 

 Other Providers

This information has been published by the relevant accommodation provider to assist with research, however you should contact the provider directly to ascertain the currency of this information and to understand if this meets your needs.

• Kalimera House Bunbury
• Genesis Cancer Care Lodge Two Rocks 
• Cancer accommodation units - Albany

Useful organisations and links

There are several other agencies that provide various support services to patients that need to travel for medical treatment, in cooperation with WA Country Health's Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS).

Country Health Connection

Country Health Connection provides culturally appropriate transport services for Aboriginal patients/carers travelling from rural and remote regions of Western Australia (WA) to the Perth metropolitan area, to access specialist and medical services.

Aboriginal patients/carers requiring transport services must meet the Patient Assistant Travel Scheme (PATS) eligibility criteria. You can contact PATS to find out more information.

Referrals to Country Health Connection are forwarded by local PATS officers. PATS officers will provide initial patient/carer travel and appointment booking details to Country Health Connection by 4.30pm each weekday, including any weekend or public holiday travel.

Country Health Connection, in liaison with PATS, Health Service Providers, accommodation facilities and Aboriginal patients/carers, will coordinate patient/carer transport requirements whilst staying in the metropolitan area to ensure effective patient journey planning.

Country Health Connection transport operating hours are 6am - 10pm, Monday to Friday. Weekend and public holiday transport is available, however must be booked within office operating hours. 

Country Health Connection office operating hours are from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. All transport bookings are completed during office hours. Bookings received outside office hours are organised the next business day.

Country Health Connection transport services include:

• a ‘Meet and Greet’ service for country Aboriginal patients/carers arriving into Perth metropolitan transport terminals (Airports, Bus and train depots)
• pick up and drop offs to hospital appointments, for patients/carers staying in approved accommodation
• culturally appropriate patient liaison and coordination support
• hospital or health facility navigation as required
• assisting with the transfer process of deceased Aboriginal patients (upon PATS approval) back to the place of residence.

Contact Country Health Connect for patient transport enquires and general service information on

 (08) 9318 6880 

Interstate Patient Travel Scheme 

Patients who need to travel interstate to obtain essential specialist medical treatment not available in WA may be eligible for assistance under the Interstate Patient Transfer Scheme (IPTS). For further information about IPTS contact:

Department of Health Chief Medical Office IPTS 189 Royal Street East Perth WA 6004 Telephone (08) 9222 2474

Department of Veteran Affairs 

The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) offers several forms of travel and accommodation assistance to their Gold and White DVA card holders through the Repatriation Transport Scheme. To discuss eligibility, PATS clerks are to contact the DVA on 1300 550 454. A DVA fact sheet on the Repatriation Transport Scheme is available on the DVA Website.

The Cancer Council of WA

The Cancer Council of WA  is a non-government agency which provides a comprehensive range of support, information, resources and services including accommodation.