§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of conveying an out-patient by ambulance from Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Royal Victoria infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne; and what is the approximate income level at which a man with two young children not receiving supplementary benefit would qualify for financial assistance if he was able to make the same journey by train.
§ Sir George YoungThe estimated cost of each return journey is £39—the usual practice being for a number of patients to be carried at the same time. Ambulance journeys for patients are normally only provided when medically authorised and when the journey cannot be made by other means. Patients able to travel by public transport, but unable to afford travelling expenses may apply for reimbursement under the National Health Service (Expenses in Attending Hospital) Regulations. A married man with two children paying rent and rates of £11 a week, would qualify for assistance with the cost of public transport from Berwick to Newcastle if his net weekly income did not exceed £53.