Ongoing News & Events

• Wheelchair Parking At Austin Health Facilities
• Transport Accident Commission - Information for People with Disabilities
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net

Wheelchair Parking At Austin Health Facilities

For the last couple of years I have been talking with Austin Health about providing more convenient parking facilities for wheelchair bound patients. I am very pleased to announce that as a result of these discussions the current arrangements are as follows:

At the Austin Hospital wheelchair-bound patients can now park free outside the kiosk and western forecourt by turning into the hospital internal road near the top of Burgundy Street , opposite Powlett Street. There are 11 spacious wheelchair only car parks on level ground and they can only be accessed by driving to the left and down to the gatehouse and pushing the intercom button to security on the right of your vehicle, stating you are in a wheelchair (you will see the small sign to your right). If you then turn right around the roundabout, security will raise the boom gate to allow you to enter and parking is free, the boom gate will automatically rise when you exit. I have consulted security at Austin Health and if on the rare occurrence there is no security available at the other end of the intercom, due to unforeseen circumstances, and you find there are other cars queueing behind you, you may need to circle around the roundabout and re-enter pass the gatehouse again to try the intercom once more. This is not a scenario anticipated to happen very often, but patience is a virtue with a new procedure being put in place. If you drive your vehicle and think that you may have some difficulty pushing the intercom button, give Rob McGlynn or David Gorman heads of security (03 9496 4999) a call and let them know approximately what time you will be arriving for your appointment and they can arrange for security to meet you there to raise the boom gate. Alternatively wheelchair patients can park in the new Austin Tower car park for $3 under the dispensation policy. To arrange this you will need to go to the Austin Tower Reception/Inquiry desk on level 1 before paying on the way out. There are 46 wheelchair accessible spaces on level B3 which are accessed via the Studley road entrance and once through the boom gate by doing a hairpin left turn around the Lift structure.

At the Royal Talbot Hospital wheelchair-bound patients can park free on any of the 25 wheelchair only car parking spots within the hospital. Push the intercom button on entry and state you are a wheelchair patient, security will lift the boom gate and parking will be free.

At the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital wheelchair-bound patients can park free by simply entering at gate 9 in Waterdale Road and alerting the security guard that you are a wheelchair patient, parking will be free anywhere on the grounds of the hospital.

These new arrangements are for the benefit of wheelchair patients and we thank Austin Health for taking into consideration the special requirements of wheelchair patients in Melbourne attending Austin Health facilities. If you have any troubles at all please e-mail me at madge@alphalink.com.au and I can consult with security who have welcomed any feedback from wheelchair patients, so as they can iron out any teething problems and rectify them immediately.

Gary Allsop

Transport Accident Commission - Information for People with Disabilities

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has developed its website www.tac.vic.gov.au to provide information to clients, families, people with disabilities and service providers on what is available within the local and national community and disability sector to promote inclusiveness, empowerment, support available in the community and availability of information.

It has inspiring personal stories of people with disabilities that have overcome various challenges to get on with their lives again. It also has links to organisations and supports that aim to assist people with disabilities to participate actively and independently in the community.

By clicking the relevant link, people with disabilities, their families and service providers can get the most up to date information on transport and travel, holiday accommodation, dining and access, sport and recreation, rights and responsibilities, education and concessions.

The information is found by clicking on Client Info rmation in the main navigation banner and then clicking on Info rmation for People with Disabilities.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net

If you or your family need a lot of medicine in a calendar year, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) safety net may help you with the cost. All Australian residents, and eligible people from countries with which Australia has a reciprocal health care agreement, are eligible for the PBS safety net.

The safety net applies when you have spent the safety net threshold on prescription medicine. In 2006, the threshold amount is $960.10 for general patients and $253.80 for concession cardholders. When you, or your family, reach the safety net threshold, you can apply for a PBS safety net card and your PBS medicine will be less expensive or free for the rest of the year.

To keep track of how much you spend on medicine, it's a good idea to ask your pharmacist for a prescription record form and to get them to fill it in for you whenever you buy prescription medicine. Your pharmacy might also be able to keep a record for you on their computer, but it's best to keep your own records as well. If you have a family, ask your pharmacist about combining the amounts you spend for your safety net total.

You can get more information about the PBS safety net by:

• talking to your pharmacist
• visiting your local Medicare office
• phoning 1800 020 613 for the cost of a local call
• visiting Medicare online at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au