Refund of Fares For Hospital Treatment/Appointment

olgadapolga

deannatrois said:

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.  

You are entitled to, and should claim the money back. And not feel as though you are 'taking' from the NHS. 

And you definitely should not ignore health issues. If you need help then you should get it. If that includes claiming for travel, or anything else permitted, then that is what you should do. If not for yourself, then for your family. 

I'm entitled to help with travel. My local hospital is a mile away and on the rare (usually very wet) occasions when I've driven there, I have had to claim 72p for mileage just because I asked for a pass to get out of the very expensive car park. I didn't want the 72p, just the pass but was told that I couldn't have one without the other. 

[Deleted User]

I explained the transport difficulties to Minor Injuries and they had no suggestions.  Hospital transport won't get me to the QVH 30 miles away for 07.30.., and to be honest I wouldn't know who to go to to request it.  I've asked for help before with injuries, there's never been an answering suggestion at my local A&E, I guess the fact that not everyone has access to a car is something the system can't cope with.

I have returned the partial refund, with an explanation why.  Its a hole financially but I have too much pride to 'take' from the NHS.  I used to work for it.  I won't take from it nor will I let anyone make me feel like I am nothing (as the Cashier did) applying rules that didn't make sense, I don't need that, got enough to deal with.  I can make the money up but I would even if I was much less able to manage budgets than I am.  Having done it on this occasion, I will refuse future distant treatments.  It was humiliating, and I don't find travelling easy. There just isn't an NHS service anymore unless you can access it and feel safe doing so (covid).  I have a GP surgery that is incommunicado for its clients (no one in charge seems prepared to do anything meaningful about it), I just need to face facts.  Its less challenging to deal with situations myself. Fortunately this situation has worked out ok. But it will now take something urgently life threatening to make me go near a hospital again.  Even then it will probably take more courage than I have.  I find with covid, and my GP surgery, lack of friends, my world is getting miniscule.  But I can survive.  Maybe one day things will get better again.

But I thank you for your responses.

Lanzarote1938

Hospital transport got my husband to a hospital 25 miles away for surgery at 07.30. the did actually send a taxi for him. you need to speak to your GP surgery to find how to access this service and then meet the eligibility requirements. There is often a lot of hanging about for your return journey but take a book with you.

[Deleted User]

I did ask GP surgery (which is pretty useless and under investigation) for another referral to another far flung specialist centre.  GP surgery couldn't suggest a thing.  I also asked the minor injury unit with this thumb problem.  They couldn't suggest anything either.  The A&E at the local hospital I went to with the eye problem couldn't suggest anything.., they seemed offended I even asked to be honest.  Its like, you are lucky to be offered treatment, tough if you can't get there, stupid person.  I'm just not going to do all that again.

olgadapolga

deannatrois said:

I did ask GP surgery (which is pretty useless and under investigation) for another referral to another far flung specialist centre.  GP surgery couldn't suggest a thing.  I also asked the minor injury unit with this thumb problem.  They couldn't suggest anything either.  The A&E at the local hospital I went to with the eye problem couldn't suggest anything.., they seemed offended I even asked to be honest.  Its like, you are lucky to be offered treatment, tough if you can't get there, stupid person.  I'm just not going to do all that again.

Those working in the NHS should not be treating people in a way that makes them feel stupid. That's really inappropriate behaviour and when I worked in the NHS, would not have  been tolerated.

You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. You should make s complaint about the way in which you've been treated, not just because you were made to feel awkward, but for those to whom may be exposed to the same behaviour.

 Half the time people don't realise that they are making others feel small and just need a small reminder (or sometimes a rather massive kick up the backside) that the way in which they are treating people is wrong.

Lanzarote1938

My GP surgery weren't sure about it either....the receptionists all seem to be young with not much experience. Google will probably be your friend. The ambulance service runs it,all hospitals will have a transport area where enquiries can be made. Their eligibily criteria are quite strict and as said before some places will not allow anyone who already receives mobility support via DLA/PIP.

calcotti

Lanzarote1938 said:

.. and as said before some places will not allow anyone who already receives mobility support via DLA/PIP.

..which, if true, seems to me to be a breach of the published rules. If somebody is on a specified means tested benefit they appear to be entitled to reimbursement regardless of whether or not they also get a disability benefit.
https://www.hfma.org.uk/docs/default-source/publications/Briefings/reimbursements-of-travel-costs-to-patients---briefing.pdf?sfvrsn=c36597e4_0 see page 3
and https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

Lanzarote1938

I was specifically asked whether any mobility benefit was in payment and was told that if it was then it would disqualify from using hospital transport.

calcotti

Lanzarote1938 said:

I was specifically asked whether any mobility benefit was in payment and was told that if it was then it would disqualify from using hospital transport. 

Perhaps you should refer them to the published information on that second link I posted.

Logically a mobility payment will help with the extra travel costs associated with normal life - it isn’t expected to extend to the much greater number of journeys that may be required in connection with medical treatment for some health conditions.

Lanzarote1938

I believe we are thinking of two entirely different scenarios. Your's is for reimbursement of travel costs for those on mcertain means tested benefits. I am mentioning free hospital transport either by ambulance or volunteer drivers. My husband gets the latter as he imeets their eligibility criteria. He is not in receipt of any means tested benefits or any mobility payments.