§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have a uniform approach to entitlement to free hospital transport for those discharged from hospital in England; and, if so, what it is. [HL4541]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathPatient transport for those discharged from hospital is available free where the clinician in charge of the patient determines that there is a need for the hospital to provide transport. Where there is no clinically defined need but the patient is in receipt of benefits such as income support, then he or she is able to receive help under the "Hospital Travel Cost Scheme" which was set up in 1988 as part of the NHS Low Income Scheme to provide financial assistance.
A guide entitled "Help with Health Costs" (HC11), copies of which are available in the Library, describes what help is available with necessary travel costs to and from hospital for National Health Service treatment.