Reimbursement   of fsares   to hospital

local hospital has set a   limit on no of fares pw claimant can receive help with they are terminally ill receiving PIP + relevant   m/t benefits.  .  My strong inclination would be that as she fits the criteria   outlined in the Natiuonal Welfare Benefits Handbook /Disability Rights Handbook each journey should be   paid for not a no.specified   by the   hospital.

She   has all the requisite support but unexpected short notice appts (one   in a neighbouring city are wreacking   havoc with her finances and emotions) -she s beeing told to attend specialist clinics but lacks the funds to attend,

Thanks   in advance,

Toby

Toby Lintern Welfare Rights Officer | Derby Advice | Derby Homes Limited

Hi Toby,

I understood that the payment of fares to hospital for consultation and treatment is dealt with under the national NHS Help with Travel Costs Scheme - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

I am not aware that hospitals can make up, adjust or ignore NHS national policy to suit themselves.

If they are operating a hospital-run travel scheme or volunteer assistance scheme, as many do, that is under their control and I would consider that to be different.

I would have thought asking the hospital for an explanation of their policy and their justification for not following national NHS policy, is a reasonable first step. Then there may be something substantive to refer to e.g. a local MP, if the hospital do not acknowledge they are in error.

Best of luck

Chris

I completely agree, this isn’t a discretionary scheme that they can choose to opt into or out of.

It’s also underpinned by The National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges) Regulations 2003  if you want to get proper legal on them, as well as the guidance above.

I could   not agree more with any   of the above its what I would have expected as well.  Since original post was submitted Consutant has become involved and they have submitted complaints; thanks esp. for legal ref.. my impression is that they think that   its been done this way so will bein perpetuity