Aims:
Significant logistical and financial barriers are faced by patients travelling from rural and regional communities for cancer care, impacting access to care, outcomes and survival. The primary aim of this audit was to report utilisation of a national accommodation directory for patients requiring accommodation near hospitals. Secondary aims included quantifying accommodation preferences, accommodation rates and financial subsidies.
Methods:
Accommodation booking data were extracted from MediStays1 2024 database. Bookings were ineligible for inclusion if accommodation was funded by a hospital, health service, insurance agency or charitable organisation. A retrospective audit was undertaken using summary statistics (count and percentage). Endpoints included bookings, location, nights, costs, subsidies, booking method and accommodation preferences.
Results:
Of 748 eligible bookings, 496 (66%), 114 (15%) and 78 (10%) were in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, respectively. Of these States, the lowest and average nightly rates were $93.45 and $172.20, $114 and $253.44, and $105 and $228.13, respectively. Government nightly subsidies ranged between $45-$90, $75-$120 and $70-$140, respectively. Gap payments varied based on stay length and guest (patient/carer/both). 608 (81%) guests self-booked with an average stay length of 3.2 nights. In contrast Care Navigator assisted outpatient (n114, 14%) and hospital discharge bookings (n=26, 5%) stayed for 13.9 and 57.4 nights, respectively. Accommodation preferences were hotels 322 (43%) versus self-contained 426 (57%). Of 80 amenities, the top five features were car-parking, walk-in showers, self-contained, onsite management and pet-friendly.
Conclusion:
As recommended in a recent Australian white paper2, MediStays’ national accommodation directory provides a dedicated solution for patients and carers. The directory features live streaming of accommodation rates, availability and linkages to financial subsidies. Flexible booking methods include Care Navigators, and a newly released hospital agent portal to further remove barriers faced by patients, thereby enhancing timely and equitable access to life-saving cancer care.