Participant travel support service for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) is a screening program which uses low-dose computed tomography (low-dose CT) scans to look for lung cancer in high-risk people without any symptoms. Low-dose CT scans are already being routinely performed by many radiology providers across Australia.

People living in rural and remote areas are a priority population for the NLCSP. The Department is looking to provide additional support for people living in rural and remote areas to enable better access to fixed and mobile radiology services (radiology providers).

The objectives of this procurement are to:

· Enable NLCSP participants living in rural and remote areas of Australia to travel to a radiology service to receive low-dose CT screening.

· Reduce the inequity in access to health services experienced by people living in rural and remote areas.

The service provided may entail a combination or all of the considerations outlined below:

· Identifying the most appropriate and convenient radiology provider (whether mobile or fixed infrastructure)

· Co-designing a culturally safe Service and understanding the varying needs of community

· Addressing the needs of participants. For example, the inclusion of a support person to accompany the participant to screening

· Identifying, leveraging off, and coordinating services through existing local or jurisdictional health services, particularly in relation to the provision of travel

· Identifying the most appropriate service delivery mechanism for participants and considering existing localised travel and/or accommodation support options

· Funding third party organisations to support existing community based travel services

· Considering the needs of participants and reflecting any bespoke requirements in costings

· Liaising with and reimbursing local health organisations and service providers to facilitate the travel requirement

· Provision of payments as appropriate (for example, to local health providers, air charter services, vehicle rental organisations, or participants)

· Booking transport and/or accommodation for participants who need to travel

The Service should include promotion in rural and remote areas to relevant stakeholders (consumers, local and community health services), noting any promotion will be done in collaboration with the Department.

The Service Provider should have the ability to be flexible subject to Service requirements and adapt the Service as necessary to ensure the best outcomes for participants.