Accommodation for cancer patients and carers

FAQS

• Who can use Cancer Council NSW’s Accommodation Services?

  Cancer Council NSW’s Accommodation Services are available to all cancer patients and their carers who must travel away from home to access cancer treatment.

• Can families or carers of patients in hospital use the Accommodation Services?

  If you qualify for IPTAAS as a carer accompanying a cancer patient, you will be able to stay at most not-for-profit accommodation facilities available under Cancer Council NSW’s Accommodation Services.

  In areas that do not have relevant not-for-profit accommodation facilities, family and carers of cancer patients are eligible for the discounted rate at AccorHotels.

  Please call Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support to discuss your individual circumstances.

• How many people can stay at accommodation facilities?

  The number of people who can stay varies across different facilities.

  Please call Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support to discuss your individual circumstances.

• Can I use Cancer Council NSW’s Accommodation Services if I don’t live in NSW?

  Yes, if you are travelling to NSW from another state for cancer treatment, you can use Cancer Council NSW Accommodation Services, however you are not eligible for IPTAAS.

• Do reduced rate rooms at AccorHotels apply for all cancer patients?

  Reduced rate rooms of up to 30 per cent will apply for all cancer patients who must travel to Sydney to access cancer treatment.

  Cancer patients eligible for discounted rooms must be self-care patients who do not require on-site medical assistance.

  Patients who need medical assistance will be required to stay as a hospital in-patient or at other care-assisted accommodation.

  Through this partnership, Cancer Council NSW and AccorHotels will work with cancer patients to provide a range of accommodation choices based on the budget that is best for them. Those in financial distress should contact Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support to discuss what options are available.

• Which AccorHotels can I stay at?

  The partnership between Cancer Council NSW and AccorHotels includes Ibis, Ibis Styles, Novotel, Mercure, The Sebel, Pullman, Quay West and Sofitel.

  The partnership provides rooms in 62 AccorHotels properties close to treatment facilities in greater Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and other locations in NSW that do not have relevant patient accommodation facilities.

  Please use the Accommodation Request form to see a list of the hotels near your treatment centre.

• What if the hotels close to my treatment centre are booked out?

  If you are having difficulty booking a room please contact Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support and we will assist you with accommodation bookings and transport to your treatment centre.

• Do the reduced rates apply for AccorHotels accommodation outside of Sydney?

  The partnership provides rooms in 62 AccorHotels properties close to treatment facilities in greater Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and other locations in NSW that do not have relevant patient accommodation facilities.

  Cancer patients who need to travel to local and regional treatment facilities in NSW and require accommodation, can find out about our accommodation solutions by using the Accommodation Request form.

• How will AccorHotels manage special dietary and housekeeping for cancer patients?

  Cancer Council NSW has consulted with AccorHotels on best practices for dealing with housekeeping and management of dangerous waste associated with cancer treatment when a cancer patient is staying on site. All staff will be fully briefed by Cancer Council NSW on these requirements.

  Cancer Council NSW’s nutrition team has also provided guidelines for AccorHotels for meals and snacks for people who are going through cancer treatment.

  Patients will also be provided with further information on managing their cancer treatment through an information and support pack.

• What accommodation options are available for people travelling to regional centres in NSW?

  Cancer Council NSW continues to invest into and partner with 10 community-based accommodation facilities across NSW.

  The AccorHotels partnership provides rooms in AccorHotels properties close to treatment facilities in Newcastle, Wollongong and other locations in NSW that do not have relevant patient accommodation.

  Use the Accommodation Request form to find out about regional accommodation options. Or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support.

• What is IPTAAS and can all cancer patients access it?

  IPTAAS is the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme provided by the NSW Government as part of it’s obligation to provide health care services for everyone in NSW.

  The IPTAAS scheme financially assists people to access specialist medical treatment when it is not available in their local area.

  You are eligible for IPTAAS if you are:

  – an Australian citizen and a permanent resident of NSW or Lord Howe Island and hold a Medicare card

  – referred by a recognised, accredited medical practitioner for specialist medical treatment

  – needing to travel at least 100 km (one way) from home to attend treatment, or your combined trips to and from the specialist exceed 200kms/week

  – a carer who has been certified as being medically necessary by the medical practitioner or specialist.

  You are not eligible for IPTAAS if:

  – you live within 100kms of appropriate treatment and are referred to that centre

  – you have had your costs covered by another agency (e.g. DVA, employer schemes, workers compensation, other insurance claim)

  – you travel by ambulance, air ambulance, other emergency transport or inter-facility transfer – you can still make a claim for other costs incurred

  – you are participating in a clinical trial

  – you use community transport to get to treatment from home.

  Clinical trials are currently not covered by IPTAAS. Will clinical trial patients be eligible for reduced room rates at AccorHotels?

  While the government’s IPTAAS scheme does not cover clinical trial costs, cancer patients travelling for a clinical trial will be eligible for reduced room rates at participating AccorHotels properties.

  If you are unsure of your eligibility for IPTAAS:

  – Please call Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support to talk about what options are available to you.

  – Visit the IPTAAS website at enable.health.nsw.gov.au/home/iptaas

  – Call 1 800 IPTAAS (1800 478 227)

• Will all patients be fully reimbursed through IPTAAS?

  If the patient or carer is eligible for IPTAAS, they will be reimbursed for their AccorHotels room, in line with the commercial rates outlined as part of the government IPTAAS scheme.

  Reimbursement and rates for non-Accor accommodation vary. Please call Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support to discuss your individual circumstances.

• Can I claim IPTAAS retrospectively?

  Yes, if you qualify for IPTAAS you can claim after your treatment.

  Visit enable.health.nsw.gov.au/home/iptaas to find out how to claim IPTAAS

• What if I can’t afford to pay for accommodation?

  For cancer patients in financial distress which may impact their decision to travel for treatment, call Cancer Council NSW 13 11 20 Information and Support to talk about what options are available to you.

• Can I use Transport to Treatment services if I’m staying at an Accor Hotel?

  Yes you can still use Transport to Treatment services to get from the hotel to your treatment centre in areas where transport services are available.

  The AccorHotels accommodation footprint across Sydney ensures that the distance that cancer patients need to travel to their nearest treatment centre in Sydney will be minimal.

  For help coordinating travel to your treatment centre call – Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support.

• What other services does Cancer Council NSW provide for people having cancer treatment?

  Find information on our full range of support services.