Help with travel expenses??? Hospital with child.

karend1980

Thanks for the advice. I looked into coachs and yes they are cheaper if I want to be on there for 5 hours and then have to get from london victoria to the hospital and be late!! 5 hours with a 1.5 yr old on a coach and being 6 months pregnant would just about kill me ( having a terrible pregnancy) I had to have someone come with me on the train and underground as it was hectic and i would need to carry my son and his buggy and bags etc.. and being pregnant i cant do that on my own argghh what a nightmare.

joanne_d_3

Isnt there any way that you could stay at the hospital with your child whilst they are in ?

Many hospitals would rather that you did this anyhow.

I would guess that it would also be comforting for your child to have mummy there as well .

caro100

Hi, I'm going next week with my son (Great Ormond Street) who is having an op and will be in for a week to 10 days. There is an office as you go in, where you will be reimbursed with your travel expenses if you take proof of your tax credits (entitlement card, award notice or letter) and receipt for cost of travel (or show them your tickets).

I travel from the North East and have previously travelled on the overnight coach for one off appointments as it was the cheapest form of travel, then going back home the same teatime...a horrendous journey considering you saw the consultant for 15mins at most. Now I buy a family railcard and use the train on an advance off peak return ticket which isnt that much more expensive than the coach and is soooo much better. My son is 14 so this is the best option for us- think you need a child over 5 to travel with you though.

There is a patient hotel over the road but you have to stay with the patient in it...we have 1 night booked as he has a preassessment one day then his op the next. Not sure what happens to me when he has his op though reading the bumpf I think that 1 parent will be put up in the hospital somewhere...can let you know next Wednesday.

caro100

Just read generalcuster's post (9). There wasnt a problem getting rail fare reimbursed about 15months ago on our last visit. I am now worried as have my tickets booked for rail travel and will be seriously skint if I dont get it reimbursed OMG!!!

karend1980

joanne_d wrote: »

Isnt there any way that you could stay at the hospital with your child whilst they are in ?

Many hospitals would rather that you did this anyhow.

I would guess that it would also be comforting for your child to have mummy there as well .

My little one may just be in for the day or could be over night. Wont know until the op is done. but I will have to take him back 2-3 times in the weeks after to check bandages or other things depending on how op goes. I'd rather be in over night as when we would be discharged there is no train or coach!! that late in evening!

joanne_d_3

Oh yeah , im with you now ! Its the follow up appointments that are causing the hassle then ?

Your best bet then is to do as the others have advised and show your benefit entitlement to the finance dept of the hospital.

Its been many years since i had to claim back travel expenses , in my time of doing it you had to wait a few weeks before you were repaid....can make things tight while you wait.

generalcuster

caro100 wrote: »

Just read generalcuster's post (9). There wasnt a problem getting rail fare reimbursed about 15months ago on our last visit. I am now worried as have my tickets booked for rail travel and will be seriously skint if I dont get it reimbursed OMG!!!

It seems that after reading other posts on here, it is up to the hospital how they interpret the legislation. I have searched on the web and can find no definition on what type of travel is refundable. My hospital in Liverpool look at the mileage x 15p OR coach travel only. Other hospitals may be different.

The following is an extract out of NHS Choices:

"You should use the cheapest most appropriate means of transport, which in most cases will be public transport. If you travel by car you will be reimbursed the estimated cost of fuel used plus unavoidable car parking and toll charges."

They used to, as I said, allow off peak train travel, but now say that they can only refund the cheapest form of public transport - coach travel.

Mind you I don't know if they would check and how they would check, and I don't for one minute suggest you do it, but you could say you travelled by car. In my case I would get £90 + tolls (£13) making £103, instead of the £10! Still losing money, but not as much.

Why not telephone their finance office to find out what they will refund, you may be surprised.

generalcuster

karend1980 wrote: »

My little one may just be in for the day or could be over night. Wont know until the op is done. but I will have to take him back 2-3 times in the weeks after to check bandages or other things depending on how op goes. I'd rather be in over night as when we would be discharged there is no train or coach!! that late in evening!

I don't know which hospital in London you are going to, but two years ago when I was in St Thomas's, they had a block of flats in the hospital grounds that relatives can stay in - I seem to think it was about £20 for the night. They were originally doctors' and nurses homes.

maxmycardagain

it may be a long shot but all doctors, hospitals and ambulance services should be able to advise about using the ambulance service "PTS" (patient transport service) - very often volunteers paid by the ambulance services

pm me

Indie_Kid

maxmycardagain wrote: »

it may be a long shot but all doctors, hospitals and ambulance services should be able to advise about using the ambulance service "PTS" (patient transport service) - very often volunteers paid by the ambulance services

pm me

I asked about that on here. Someone said that they pick you up when they want to - not when you ask. So, it could take 5 or 6 hours between you getting to the hospital, having your appointment and getting home.