Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

Advice and Information - 26 September 2023

Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.
Nurse with clipboard

Most people drive, use public transport, or rely on the kindness of family and friends to get to the doctor, pharmacist, or hospital on time. But, if you don’t have good access to transport, it can mean that you’re late or end up missing your appointment. It can be even harder if you need to attend regular appointments at a hospital for long-term conditions, such as chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

There are lots of reasons why you might not be able to get to NHS services easily for non-emergency issues. For example, we often hear from people who are physically unable to travel or can’t afford transport.

Here, we provide some  information about the support available to help make this easier for you.

What support is available?

If you need help getting to appointments, find out whether you’re eligible for NHS-funded support.

If you can’t travel because of your medical condition

Barts Health NHS Trust operate Patient Transport Services to Whipps Cross University Hospital and to their other hospitals. These services provide free transport to and from hospital for:

  • People whose condition means they need additional medical support during their journey and/or where it would be detrimental to their health if they travelled by other means
  • People who find it difficult to walk and would be unable to access healthcare
  • Parents or carers of children who are being transported

If you’re travelling on public transport

If you do not receive benefits, but you are having to make frequent trips by public transport, there may be weekly or monthly season tickets that can reduce costs, or options such as booking tickets online, which may work out cheaper than the full cost of one ticket.  

For students, people with disabilities and those over 60 there are often options for reduced or free travel passes.

If you’re driving to Whipps Cross hospital

You can check its parking facilities before you go. (Under the Visit Us section).

There are parking concessions available to any parent whose child is admitted as an inpatient (including day surgery), and where A&E waits may be prolonged. The relevant area will provide a pass on the first visit.

All carers have access to concessionary parking when the person they are caring for is admitted. They should make themselves known to nursing staff. Visitors/carers have access to concessionary parking for patients who are EOL/ palliative or admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (including SCBU).

 

Tell us about your experience of care 

Has your care been disrupted by COVID-19 and its impact on health and social care services? Whether it’s good or bad, we want to hear from you.

It only takes five minutes and your feedback can help NHS and social care services understand the steps they can take to improve care for you and your loved ones.

Tell us your experience

Could you get a refund for your hospital transport costs?

If you’re not eligible for Patient Transport Services, you could claim a refund for the cost of your travel or taking a child to hospital through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.

You may be able to benefit from the service if:

  • You can’t afford the cost of travelling to hospital
  • You can’t get a friend or relative to take you

Find out how to claim travel costs from Barts Health (scroll down page).

Voluntary organisations

The Royal Voluntary Service puts older people who struggle to get to hospital in touch with local volunteer drivers. 

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