Anyone any advice on any funding/benefits I can get for hospital transport.

[Postdog]

Most on here know I have a brain tumour. I live near Northampton but am getting treated at the John Radcliffe in Oxford, and it costs me £50 each trip.

I'm not working and not on direct benefits. I did claim ESA at one point but this was cancelled by them because they deemed I was fit to work (yeah, as if - I just fell over at the ATOS assessment cos I felt like it!).

Anyway, long story short. (A) as it is a tumour and I don't know if I shall live to pensionable age, I collected a lump sump from my pension, together with a monthly sum (not large) and (B) on checking at an advice centre I am getting what I was getting on ESA via another means. That said, it is just the basic amount and and I'm not entitled to extras like free prescriptions, which would be handy.

I've now got to undergo a series of other tests, all in Oxford, and at different places.

Now OK, I'm not skint, I have my pension lump sum remainder in the bank (below the benefit threshold) but if I didn't have that, the bottom line is I couldn't even attempt to do these necessary trips.

Surely there must be some form of assistance open to people in these situations?

[secsee1]

This any help?

http://www.direct.gov...orinjured/DG_10018959

[VHG]

This?

http://www.direct.gov...orinjured/DG_10018959

[VHG]

Interesting that both secsee1 and I posted the same link at about the same time.

I guess they did the same as me and just searched Google with a phrase like "NHS travel costs" or similar.

Just shows how often almost any question can be answered by a quick search with Google.

[mosesg]

You should try contacting the macmillan charity as most cancer charities give advice on getting finacial support. I know my sister had a lot of help from them, unfortunately she never lived long enough to receive the help. It is also worth contacting your local MP as they can petition on your behalf to try and get your benefits.

[rockyracoon]

Also try here postdog

http://www.nvconline....p/projects/car-scheme

[woofgang]

have you asked at the hospital? the oncology department know about these things

[dzug2]

You don't say how you get to Oxford but I wonder if alternative routes/means of transport might reduce the cost? Presumably you are not eligible for a bus pass?

[Postdog]

Ta all, will look at all suggestions later when I have more time - important things to do cos I am concerned at the lack of co ordination between all the people I am meant to see and need to double check things. I don't want to go to one appopintment only to find I get screwed cos I didn't see someone else first.

Regarding the last answer, there is no direct means from where I am to Oxford anyway, and I am not fit enough to go by public transport (it would take up to four hours one way anyway) so I am using community transport, which is a lot cheaper than the cabs I used to start with but still dear when you are on a basic income and need that for ordinary living expenses.

[Postdog]

Just spotted the post by VHG about google - I say the same thing about many who post on here, especially when it is a simple question, but often you can be misdirected if you don't ask the right question or ask somewhere else first. I did this months ago when I first realised I had to travel so far, and that link never appeared then.

[ummmm]

Also....google tends to throw too many results at you. Here you stand a chance of someone knowing the actual answer because they've been through it.

[Headbanger]

Hi postdog. You say in your post "I'm not entitled to extras like free prescriptions." As from 1st April 2009 all cancer patients are entitled to free prescriptions. See link:

http://www.macmillan....charges_campaign.aspx
Hope this helps you.

[tamborine]

Hospital accounts dept refund cost on notes from GP. See your GP.

[Postdog]

It's not cancer. It's a benign tumour gowing in my head and in the process slowly affecting normal things. My main problem is that it affects the signals to my legs, and though walking isn't painful, it is a conscious thing and becomes tiring. And when I get tired the other aspects kick in, like blurred vision, deadfness and headaches.

There are others far worse off than me (at the moment anyway) but unless something can be done it will get worse.

[rockyracoon]

Postdog, my aunt used to be a volunteer driver in Northampton, she lives nr Market Deeping, I'll try to give her a ring later to see if she can advise.

[Postdog]

Ta anyway but I contacted them long ago and they put me in touch with the community service in my town. I've been using them but as said, it still costs and the more I have to go, the more it mounts.