§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assistance is made available by each health authority to patients travelling for treatment. [75200]
Jaqui SmithWhere a patient has a medical need for transport as determined by the clinician in charge of their case, then transport should be provided free of charge, as part of National Health Service treatment. Where patients need financial assistance the hospital travel cost scheme has been established as part of the NHS low income scheme. This provides financial assistance to the patients who do not have a medical need for ambulance transport, but who nevertheless, require assistance in meeting the cost of travel to hospital for transport.