Eden Private Hospital recognised for commitment to veteran health care services
11th October, 2007
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, today formally recognised Eden Private Hospital’s contribution to veterans’ health.Mr Truss said the partnership Eden Private Hospital, along with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has enhanced veterans’ health services in the region.
“Eden Private Hospital is one of 236 metropolitan, regional and rural Tier One Veteran Partnering private hospitals, offering support and health services to local veterans,” Mr Truss said.
“The Tier One Veteran Partnering program was designed to deliver quality health care service to veterans, close to home and with minimal waiting periods.”
In 2006, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs allocated $3 billion in funding to expand veteran access to private hospital treatment.
Mr Truss said that since its inception, the Tier One Veteran Partnering initiative, as part of the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme (RPPS), has almost doubled the number of private hospitals to which veterans can be admitted without prior approval.
“This now includes most major private hospitals, all key rehabilitation facilities and most small rural and regional private hospitals across the country,” he said.
“In most situations, medical practitioners no longer need DVA approval to admit veterans to these hospitals, simplifying hospital access and streamlining administration.
“These new arrangements clearly demonstrate the Australian Government’s commitment to providing the best possible health care services to our veterans. I commend Eden Private for their ongoing support to ex-servicemen and women,” Mr Truss said.
All hospitals contracted by DVA to provide services to veterans are licensed, quality accredited and have agreed to provide preferential access to veterans, subject to clinical need.
For more information on Tier One Veterans’ Partnering Hospitals or other DVA health care services, visit http://www.dva.gov.au.
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