Refund of Fares For Hospital Treatment/Appointment

Lanzarote1938

I don't think it is part of the NHS remit to provide transport services. The NHS is for care and treatment. How the patient gets to the site of the treatment is not the responsibility of the NHS. Bearing in mind that very few of us have been able to go anywhere since March what need is there for mobility payments?

calcotti

Lanzarote1938 said:

I don't think it is part of the NHS remit to provide transport services. The NHS is for care and treatment. How the patient gets to the site of the treatment is not the responsibility of the NHS. Bearing in mind that very few of us have been able to go anywhere since March what need is there for mobility payments?

That may be your opinion but this is not a discussion forum, it is a support forum. A scheme for reimbursement of travel costs to those on low incomes who need the help in order to access NHS services does exist and this forum is an appropriate place to ask questions about the scheme. Debating whether or not such a scheme ie appropriate is for another place. My opinion is that I disagree with yours.

[Deleted User]

Lanzarote1938 said:

I don't think it is part of the NHS remit to provide transport services. The NHS is for care and treatment. How the patient gets to the site of the treatment is not the responsibility of the NHS. Bearing in mind that very few of us have been able to go anywhere since March what need is there for mobility payments?

As calcotti rightly says this isn't a forum for discussion but for help, as for not going anywhere since March that of course is bull manure, and help with travel cost from the NHS has been avaliable for many years from the NHS, how else can people living close to the breadline (also known as universal credit) afford unexpected cost? Seems you are another lucky one..good for you

[Deleted User]

Well I have had to make various visits to hospital, have a GP practice that everyone who uses it is complaining about as they are no help whatsoever (two locums at best, most other staff have left and you can't get through on the phone, no prescriptions even) so as I have had a few health problems I have had to be quite inventive to find help with.  Its a very scary world when you have health problems and you have little access to local health care.  Went to an osteopath three weeks ago - not cheap (and guess what, i got totally lost and had to call a taxi because I DO have problems travelling).  I have to pay for taxis to get places if I can't travel easy on the bus (like supermarket shops when no spaces online although because of the conditions I have I would be better self isolating).  So I do have to be 'mobile' regardless of covid/mobility difficulties experienced (I have two children to keep fed and clothed).  I am also paying more for food due to restricted choices because of COVID.  I'm sure that those who aren't inclined to, won't have any sympathy or understanding, so be it.  I know I am having to be even more careful with my money than I was precovid.  Ordering things online isn't the cheapest way.  Doing one shop a week rather than shopping around isn't. I am not alone in all this of course.  But neither am I sitting in a comfy chair at home laughing at all the money I'm not spending. Like everyone else I am stressed, and trying to cope with a changing world with little help for health problems.

Finally almost back to normal, can stay out of bed for some hours without feeling sick or throwing up so made a decision that I won't proceed with claiming the fares back.  I do think its wrong that because I have no access to anyone with a car I have to pay £100 for taxis but I also don't want to 'take' from the NHS either.  Doesn't mean any of this is right though.  It would be nice if my local hospital could have carried out the procedure.  But tough.  Stressing how to cope with the hospital, getting there, paying for the taxi (sorry but £100 is a lot to anyone to suddenly have to find), dealing with wandering cold hospital corridors in pain and constant nausea while waiting to be seen was not overly pleasant, neither was the procedure.  The staff were totally brilliant when they realised I wasn't coping, I thank them so much for that. I shook like a leaf when it was all over.  They thought I was cold.  I wasn't.  Too much stress.  So to those who think I am a taker, think again. I was just unwell and not sure what to do, trying to cope as best as I could. There has been so much stress and pain, lack of help and various things I can't get treated (again, not unusual in this I am sure), it wears you down temporarily when you aren't at your best.

I will make up the money somehow.  Thank god I haven't been eating this week lol.  That helps, ironically.  Just glad I'm getting back to normal now to be honest. Its been a scary week.  No I am not going to try and call the GP to organise the dressing change (they haven't called me, surprise surprise).  I've spent £20  bought what is needed so I can do it myself.  Another expense but I am sure that's allocated for in my benefits somewhere just like spending £100 to get to and from a non local local specialist treatment unit!

Having been through this experience, if anything else requires a hospital visit.  I just will take my chances.  I won't put myself through this again.  

Robbie64

^

Ignore people who are critical. You had to pay the money out and it has left you short. Claim the refund. The NHS provide help with travel costs to prevent patients from having to be put in a situation of having to choose between heating and food or travelling for medical treament. I think there was only one person in this thread who was critical and he or she can just be ignored.

[Deleted User]

No it was a bit embarrassing being lectured by the cashier as well lol. I won't do it again.  

KxMx

Exactly, it would be a waste to go through that embarrassing situation for nothing. 

Claim this time and never again if that's what you want, but as you rightly say £100 is a lot of money for you and your children to go without when you are entitled to it back. 

Lanzarote1938

why not apply for hospital transport? In our area it is possible to book for the next day up until 4pm.

srpsrp

I've not had problems claiming travel although they wouldn't give me a car park refund without a ticket! 
 If I have to go again I will look into the taxi option. The procedure I had requires sedation which means you can't use public transport. luckily I have a family member who gave me a lift but he wasn't exactly pleased to be getting up at 7 a.m. on a Sunday. 

I noticed that Southampton say they don't pay for the Isle of Wight ferry under any circumstances, not surprising it's supposed to be the most expensive ferry crossing in the world apparently.

Morglin

I’d take the money back.  You paid it, you can’t afford to lose it, and the NHS waste shed loads of money on nothing anyway.

The only way decent services will ever be returned to more accessible areas is if they have to start paying out more for making people drag miles for various treatments that could be done locally.