How Do I Claim For Hospital Transport?

Red_Doe

Right (deep breath) this is the situation...
In the next few weeks I have a hospital appointment at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. That`s well over a hundred miles away and across country from me. I have no personal transport and so have to use public which involves a postbus and train, but because of the length of time all of this takes it`ll also involve an overnight stay.
I`m broke.
I receive WTC.
Someone once told me I can claim travel and accomodation expenses beforehand. Twice now I have asked for hospital transport but they won`t give it to me as I`m not disabled enough. Being ill but broke in an area with no transport doesn`t count.
Please can someone tell me if I am allowed to claim expenses before my appointment? I don`t have the cash to pay upfront then claim afterwards, as I know I can.
If so, please do you know who I apply to?
Am really hoping for some constructive advice here.

FBaby

I think you have already found out the answer. You can't get NHS transport because you don't meet the criteria (they indeed don't take into account financial matter, only the physical/mental need for an ambulance), and if you go through the job centre, you would be expected to pay upfront and be reimbursed (that would be at the hospital though, so instantly). Is there anyone who can loan you the money knowing you would be able to repay them the same day? Can't you hold paying some bills for a couple of weeks knowing you can pay them immediately afterwards. Maybe you can call some of the agencies and request a delay in paying. Otherwise, all I can think of is an emergency loan?

Oldernotwiser

Haven't you got anybody who would take you if you paid them the petrol money?

McKneff

And the NHS would not pay for overnight accommodation.

Red_Doe

No, I`m pretty much on my own out in the sticks here. I realise it isn`t a `normal` situation but even though I explain it to the authorities they just shrug and don`t want to know.
I can`t withold any bills...am living beneath the breadline as is. Nobody will loan me the couple of hundred it will take to get there and back and for one night`s accomodation. Nobody has that to spare.
I don`t know how the Benefits folks expect you to pay upfront...if I had that sort of cash I`d not be needing WTC! Unfortunately due to my location, it isn`t as simple as it is for others, where it`s a matter of getting a bus or train to a possibly local hospital.

Red_Doe

McKneff wrote: »

And the NHS would not pay for overnight accommodation.

Then apparently, I have to miss my appointment. I`m at a loss...I have an illness that is possibly long term, certainly needs treatment, I asked the doc about hospital transport but she only said "I don`t deal with that, you must see to it yourself" but when I tried, got told I`m not crippled enough! Apparently in this area you must literally not be able to walk.
So it essentially means I can`t get medical treatment, due to no cash, living in an isolated area, and NHS cutbacks, because at one point hospital transport was available here to everyone who needed it, but no longer.

RAS

Please ring the hospital and ask to speak to the Hospital Almoner (they may not have one but should understand the term). I am not sure about Scotland but in England, people on some benefits can reclaim their travel costs; I have seen the queues at the Finance Office windows.

Failing that see if there is a Patients Liaison Service and contact them.

I susepct you are not eligible for hospital transport but may be able to get costs repaid.

Sixer

Is there not a local support group that could help you? I live in a remote location at the other end of the UK and there is a group set up here specifically for that purpose. Is there a patient liaison service at the hospital that could put you in touch with such a group?

Sixer

I don't know where you live, but:

"Travel Costs - Highlands and Islands

The following arrangements apply to patients who live in the former counties of Shetland, Orkney, Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness, Argyll, Arran, Bute, Cromdale or Nairn.

Such patients from the Highlands and Islands catchment area who have to travel more than 30 miles (or more than 5 miles by water) to hospital can claim repayment of travel expenses without test of means less the first £10.00 (for each appointment).

Those who receive Income Support, Working Tax Credit (with Child Tax Credit or with a disability element), Job Seeker's Allowance (income based) or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or who are named on an HC2 or HC3 certificate or who complete an HC5 form will not have to pay the first £10.00 of any expenses claimed as long as proof of entitlement can be given.

The expenses of an escort may also be paid if medical staff consider that an escort is medically necessary.

Expenses will be paid on the basis of travel by public transport.

Any patient who is unable to use public transport due to medical reasons and has no other means of travelling to their appointment should contact the Scottish Ambulance Patient Transport Service on 01463 667566.

If you use your own car a mileage allowance will be payable.

Claims can be made at the Hospital Cash Office. Please keep any tickets and receipts as proof of your travel costs.

Travel claim forms are available from wards and clinics."

Other areas also seem to get help:

http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Pages/RaigmoreHospital.aspx

I realise this isn't beforehand, but in my experience, you'll get the money back on the day. There won't be any wait.

munchings-n-crunchings

Red_Doe wrote: »

Nobody will loan me the couple of hundred it will take to get there and back and for one night`s accomodation.

Just looking at Google, you can get a B&B for around £30, and even with transport costs, it's not going to be a couple of hundred.

There are deals on car hire, if you drive, but don't own a vehicle.
Where I live, you can hire a Ford KA, for £10 per day plus your fuel costs.

Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet, and your health needs to come before other things.
If you are in receipt of WTC, you will also have wages, and some of that will need to be used to cover some of the up front expenses.

Munchie

tanith

Try speaking to the secretary of your consultant or whoever is running the clinic you are attending and tell them you will need transport, they may be able to authorise it and book it with the relevant Ambulance Service for you. Good luck with it..