patient and carer travel expenses

jackieb

My parents get pension credit. They have a lot of hospital appointments to go to, and I drive them there, sometimes in my car, sometimes in theirs (they're elderly and Dad's not able to drive now as he's too ill, and Mum doesn't like driving long distances). Mum just takes her appointment letter to the office at the hospital, they check her entitlement letter (for the pension credit), phone the clinic or ward that they've been to (always go to the office after your appointment as they phone to check whether you've attended). They ask how they got there (by car) and they get so many pence per mile. It comes to £15.20 for about 84 miles. They don't ask for petrol receipts. They don't ask who was driving or whose car they were in. My Mum and Dad have free bus passes but they're not really able to go on the bus (Dad definitely isn't) - it takes almost 2 hours each way on the 2 buses it takes to get there, I can get them there in just over an hour in the car. I wouldn't want Mum to go on the bus on her own now as she's almost 80, so i'd want to go with her. It costs me almost £20 to get there by bus, although i'm not down as a carer for either of them so that wouldn't be paid.

Dad could get patent transport but I wouldn't wish that on him, as he'd have to go on his own and go all round the villages to get there. Usually they're picked up early in the morning and get dropped off home after 5pm.

cit_k

Ugnaught wrote: »

Got a reply....

"Thank you for your e-mail. I am afraid that we only reimburse a customers travel expenses and not those of a companion.

I am sorry if this information was not clear and can confirm that I will bring this matter to the attention of the relevant department for their information."

I wanted to also ask if expenses includes food?

You should raise the issue with your MP.

greenface

trying to claim for everything OP is the local MP hahaha

rotoguys

Now that is sorted do you think we can get back to the real issues raised by the OP?

Ugnaught

I sent them another email and got a response...

"Unfortunately, there is no scope within our contractual agreement with the DWP to pay subsistence to customers who have been asked to attend an appointment for an assessment or those of their companion. If the examining HCP felt that a companion was necessary, this would be reflected on the expenses claim form, in which case, the companion’s travel expenses would be reimbursed. However, if the HCP felt that there was no medical reason for a person to be accompanied, a companion’s expenses would not be reimbursed.

Once again, I am sorry for any confusion caused."