Getting to hospital - transport & claiming expenses

[Ralph-YK]

I was reminded recently that it's possible for some people (inc. on certain benefits etc) to claim travel expenses when attending hospital appointments. (I think it doesn't apply for A&E visits .)
In the 2 areas I deal with, this can be done at the hospitals themselfs. You may need proof of entitlement, and bus tickets etc. (I don't know what is needed if you go by car.) Precises procedure varies.

Also, depending on your condition, you may be able to get 'hospital transport'. (Or is it patient transport?) This could be volunteers, using ordinary estate cars. Or a hospital mini bus (driven by actual, uniformed, staff(?)).
This is free, and they will pick you up from your home. (Make sure to tell them you want to get home afterwards.) Several people may be picked up in the same journey, and dropped off at different hospitals.
Booking is done through your GP or the hospital. You've to do this yourself. And it has to be done in advance. At least 48 hours in my area.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks for the heads-up @Ralph-YK

This could be very helpful for members, and may not be well known or publicised.

 

[PhoebeC]

Great advice!

 

[Jha19]

I used to donate blood at a hospital site, and parking was free for donors. I did consider as I didn't use a car , whether I could ask if I could get my bus travel free.

While I'm not necessarily against reducing or removing hospital parking charges for regular patients... Maybe something could be done at same time to encourage patients who are able to to use public transport, to do so at a reduced cost.

 

[mikeyB]

I book transport for all my hospital appointments, have done for 3 years, even when ferries were involved. Down here in England it’s much the same. Not a problem, I get to know the local drivers, so there’s always good craic. And being a regular user, I don’t have to explain why I need transport, though they always check that I can transfer unaided from my wheelchair to a seat.

 

[trophywench]

Nightmare at ours - can't actually get there by a direct bus route from where we live and where we would need to catch any bus that goes there, would involve a bus ride. Thus the 40 minute bus ride once you get to it, would take up to an hour. Or more.

Hence we happily drive - max 15 mins. And then get stressed and grumpy looking for a space to park. It's equally awful even for chemo or radiography - whatever, best to arrive an hour early in order to allow enough time to get to the necessary check-in desk in sufficient time before the allotted hour.