Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.
two women talking outside a hospital

Most people drive, use public transport, or rely on the kindness of family and friends to get to the doctor, pharmacist, or hospital on time. But, if you don’t have good access to transport, it can mean that you’re late or end up missing your appointment. It can be even harder if you need to attend regular appointments at a hospital for long-term conditions, such as chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

There are lots of reasons why you might not be able to get to NHS services easily for non-emergency issues. For example, we often hear from people who are physically unable to travel, can’t afford transport, or live in a rural area.

Here, we provide some  information about the support available to help make this easier for you.

What support is available?

If you need help getting to appointments, find out whether you’re eligible for NHS-funded support.

If you can’t travel because of your medical condition

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust's Patient Transport Service provide free transport to and from hospital for:

  • People whose condition means they need additional medical support during their journey
  • People who find it difficult to walk
  • Parents or carers of children who are being transported

Contact East of England Ambulance Service for further details and to book transport.

Or call them on 0345 6038117

    Help getting to a Covid-19 vaccination appointment

    There are a number of community transport schemes and taxi firms available to help with transport to vaccination appointments.

    And Caring Together is providing free support for carers to attend their COVID-19 vaccination.

    If you’re travelling on public transport

    If you do not receive benefits, but you are having to make frequent trips by public transport, there may be weekly or monthly season tickets that can reduce costs, or options such as booking tickets online, which may work out cheaper than the full cost of one ticket.

    For students, people with disabilities and those over 60 there are often options for reduced or free travel passes.

    • In some areas, people can apply for a bus pass that allows you to travel free of charge if you're above pensionable age (depending on the area). 
    • National Rail offers a range of discounts and concessions for children, people over 60, and people with disabilities.
    • Local Authority websites will have details on how to apply for disabled bus travel passes. These can sometimes be also to include a companion traveller, depending on disability and mental capacity for independent travel.
    • Details of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's free bus pass scheme

    If you’re visiting hospital regularly

    • If you’re visiting hospital regularly, there may be options for you to get discounted cost on parking. 

    Could you get a refund for your hospital transport costs?

    If you’re not eligible for Patient Transport Services, you could claim a refund for the cost of your travel or taking a child to hospital through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.

    You may be able to benefit from the service if:

    • You can’t afford the cost of travelling to hospital
    • You can’t get a friend or relative to take you

    Find out more

    Voluntary organisations

    Depending on your situation, and where you live, you can also find voluntary organisations that can help you get to hospital. 

    Look at the local directory of community transport to see what other options you may have.  Some GP practices also have volunteer care schemes to help patients.

    Need help finding support in your area?

    To see what help is available where you live, get in touch with us to point you in the right direction.

    Contact us

    Page checked 25 Nov 2022