Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

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.

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

If you can’t travel because of your medical condition

Are you eligible for Patient Transport Services? These services provide free transport to and from hospital for:

• People whose condition means they need additional medical support during their journey
• People who find it difficult to walk
• 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.

• People can apply for a bus pass that allows you to travel free of charge if you qualify for a state pension.
• National Rail offers a range of discounts and concessions for children, people over 60, and people with disabilities.
• For details on how to apply for disabled bus travel passes see the Transport for Greater Manchester website.

If you are not able to use public transport, you may be eligible for Ring and Ride services.

If you’re visiting hospital regularly

• If you’re visiting hospital regularly, you may find that there are options for you to receive discounted cost on parking. For example, some NHS Acute Trusts give out seven day passes for visitors/patients, for example during a maternity stay, where one vehicle that might be responsible for collecting the mother and new baby can have a free or reduced cost pass. This is not, however, offered everywhere.

In other areas, frequent visitors, for example patients with cancer or receiving dialysis or other long-term conditions may be given a hospital pass or free parking.

• If you’re driving to hospital, you can check its parking facilities before you go.

Voluntary organisations

Depending on your situation, and where you live, you can also find voluntary organisations that can help you get to hospital. For example:

• Miles of Smiles in Tameside
• Volunteer Car Scheme in Glossop
• Transport for Sick Children in Greater Manchester