§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the entitlement is of patients to claim expenses(a) when travelling between their home and hospital and (b) when travelling between their home and the point of departure for international treatment. [47838]
§ Jacqui SmithAnyone on a low income, who needs to go to hospital for national health service treatment under the care of a consultant may claim full or partial reimbursement of travelling costs. Help is provided on an income-related basis through the hospital travel costs scheme which is part of the NHS low income scheme. If such a patient is travelling abroad for NHS treatment, they may also receive assistance with travelling costs from home to the point of international departure through the hospital travel costs scheme.
Information on the above schemes is contained in leaflet HC11 'Are you entitled to help with health costs?' available either in the Library or www.doh.uk/nhscharges/hc11.htm.