There is a scheme which offers financial assistance to patients in order to help them travel to hospital, but the need for that transport will be assessed. For patients where there are medical needs for ambulance transport the particular Trust concerned is responsible.
Help is available under the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) to those who do not have a medical need for ambulance transport and for those who cannot meet the cost of travel to hospital.
Form HC11 – Help with Health Costs should be available at the GP’s surgery. It does not just cover the cost of travel – it also covers other aspects of health needs.
Further details are available from NHS Choices – Hospital Transport
Patients who are eligible would be those in receipt of:
- Income support
- Income based jobseekers allowance
- Tax credit – working tax credit or child tax credit
- Pension credit
- Guarantee credit
Other patients who are on low income may be entitled to partial or full reimbursement.