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FOUR motels in Dubbo have come to the aid of expectant mothers who must temporarily relocate to the city before their babies are born.
From Tuesday they will begin bulk-billing the NSW government's Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) for stays by pregnant women living in communities like Bourke in the "northern sector" of the Western NSW Local Health District.
The health district hopes that in time the same service can be provided to "all western region residents coming to Dubbo for specialist treatment".
Its district manager of midwifery and paediatric strategies, integrated primary care and partnerships, Alison Loudon, has confirmed the "trial" will be launched on the same day as IPTAAS subsidy rates rise for patients across the state.
The long-term closure of maternity services in the region has made Dubbo Hospital a regional birthing hub.
Expectant mothers from rural and remote communities are encouraged to settle into Dubbo well before their labour pains begin.
Ms Loudon said the health district approached members of the Dubbo Accommodation Network Group knowing of the "extra burden of the costs associated with paying upfront for accommodation".
"Motels were invited to submit expressions of interest to bulk bill for patients travelling to Dubbo Hospital and staying with their establishment under IPTAAS," she said.
"We are very pleased that four Dubbo motels have offered to partner with the health district to provide IPTAAS bulk- billing accommodation.
"These are Green Gables Motel, Dubbo Palms Motel, Country Leisure Dubbo and Matilda Motor Inn."
Ms Loudon said the Dubbo Accommodation Network Group was facilitated by Dubbo City Council.
"It was with the assistance of Dubbo City Council that the health district was able to meet and present the idea with the Dubbo accommodation providers to facilitate this," she said.
The health district reports that women currently coming to Dubbo to deliver their babies stay with friends or family, or pay for accommodation.
It suggests three to five pregnant women per week require accommodation in Dubbo and stay for "one night to weeks at a time".
"We are predicting that women utilising the arrangement in the lead time to the birth of their baby and possible early postnatal period would need to stay approximately one to two weeks on average," Ms Loudon said.
The IPTAAS changes include stepped subsidy rates for patients staying in for-profit establishments.
From September 1 two people staying in commercial accommodation between one and seven days will receive the nightly rate of $60, from eight to 14 days $105, and from 15-plus days $120.
A full account of the IPTAAS changes can be found at www.iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au.
The health district's director of operations Lindsey Gough has welcomed the lifting of the subsidy rates.
"The health district is aware and is very pleased with the recent announcement that the IPTAAS subsidy rates will increase as this will assist patients and their families with the costs of health-related travel," she said.
"We will continue to facilitate this assistance with our patients and their families when they need to travel away from home to receive the health care they need, whether it is within the health district or to Sydney."