The lengthy form required the signatures of a number of different doctors each time it had to be filled out. It could be difficult for cancer patients who were already struggling with their illness to pin down busy health professionals and therefore they were missing out on vital funding assistance.

This means CanAssist was asked to cover costs that could have been covered by the government. While the charity organisation was always more than happy to help, a limited pool of funds meant anything given to patients because IPTAAS forms had been incorrectly filled could not be directed to other people in needs.

Local CanAssist members were instrumental in bringing these changes about, with Ms White and vice president Di Jamieson meeting with Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson last year to ask for changes.

Last year the state government announced a significant boost of $28 million, over four years, to IPTAAS. The increase in funding means a 30 per cent increase to accommodation subsidies and a 25 per cent increase in petrol

subsidies.

Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said the changes to the form came about in response to concerns raised by country patients and community organisations about administrative complexities.

“We want to make it as simple as possible for patients who travel long distances to access treatment to benefit from the subsidies,” Ms Skinner said.

Other improvements to IPTAAS include a new online claiming system, which allows patients to complete and claim their subsidy over the internet. Patients can also monitor the progress of their claims

online.