Travel
If your reason for going to hospital isn't an emergency, you'll normally be expected to make your own way there.
However, some people are eligible for help getting here. You'll find more information on patient transport options below.
Non-emergency patient transport services
The NHS funds transport for eligible people who are unable to travel to their healthcare appointments by other means due to their medical condition. NHS-funded transport may be provided:
- to and from hospital outpatient clinics
- to and from community-based care
- for admission to, or discharge from, hospital wards
- for regular lifesaving treatments such as renal dialysis or chemotherapy
In our area, this service is provided by Yorkshire Ambulance Service. To see further information on this service and find out if you're eligible, visit the Patient Transport Service website.
There are several community transport alternatives available to our patients. These services are backed by York City Council, North Yorkshire Council, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
A small fee is charged and is payable by the patient at the time of transportation.
Book with one of the following community transport providers.
Medibus
For the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Call 03456 445959 or email PassengerBookings@eastriding.gov.uk.
Scarborough Dial-a-Ride
For Scarborough and District.
Call 01723 354434.
York Wheels
For York.
Call 01904 630080.
North Yorkshire community transport
Visit the Go Local website for information on services available.
Refunds of hospital transport costs
You may be able to claim a refund for the cost of your transport to hospital through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).
To qualify for help with travel costs under the HTCS, you must meet three conditions:
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At the time of your appointment, you or your partner (including civil partners) must receive one of the qualifying benefits or allowances listed on this page, or meet the eligibility criteria for the NHS low income scheme.
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You must have a referral from a healthcare professional to a specialist or a hospital for further NHS treatment or tests (often referred to as secondary care).
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Your appointment must be on a separate visit to when the referral was made. This applies whether your treatment is provided at a different location (hospital or clinic) or on the same premises as where your GP or another health professional issued the referral.
Visit the HTCS website for more information on who is eligible, what the conditions are, and how you can access the scheme.
