NHS help with health travel costs

Free

The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme exists to ensure that people are not prevented from accessing specialist medical treatment simply because they cannot afford the cost of getting there. If a patient is referred by a doctor, dentist, or other primary care professional for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests, they may be eligible for a refund of their travel expenses. This typically applies to journeys to hospitals or other NHS premises for secondary care. To qualify, patients generally need to be receiving specific means-tested benefits or hold a valid certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme. The scheme covers the cost of the cheapest suitable mode of transport, which in most cases is public transport, though it can include mileage for personal cars or parking and toll charges where necessary. In some circumstances, patients can also claim for the cost of an escort if it is deemed medically necessary for someone to accompany them.

• Financial support
• Information & advice
• Transport