Help with transport and parking costs

Parking concessions

Parking charges and concessions

Non-emergency patient transport

Patients who fall into one of the following categories may be entitled to use the patient transport service provided by South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to get to and from hospital:

• patients who require continuous oxygen
• patients who are unable to stand or walk more than a few steps and who cannot use public transport or, for example, a family car
• patients who require a stretcher
• patients with a disability or problem that prevents them travelling by private or public transport.

Hospital transport is provided by the ambulance service serving the patient's GP's area.

To request ambulance transport to attend hospital:

Tel: 0300 100 0015
Monday to Friday 8.00am - 6.00pm

Patient Transport Service | South Central Ambulance Service

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme

Under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS), financial help is available for patients who do not have a medical need for ambulance transport but need help with travel costs when attending hospital for treatment as an inpatient, or for outpatient appointments.

This applies to patients in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Guarantee Pension Credit
• Job Seekers Allowance (income based)
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• HC2 Certificate (full help) to cover dates attending hospital
• HC3 Certificate (partial help) to cover dates attending hospital
• Working Tax Credit with valid NHS Tax Exemption Certificate
• Child Tax Credit with valid NHS Tax Exemption Certificate

Travel to A&E or breast screening appointments is covered only if in relation to ongoing treatment under a consultant.

How to claim

Please bring the following documents to the Cashiers Office when you come to hospital – we cannot make any payments without them.

• Your relevant award letter or certificate.
• Completed Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme claim form, signed by clinic/department/ward staff.
• Receipts for public transport and/or parking.

Out of hours patient travel claims can be posted through the cashiers' letterboxes or sent in the post, and a cheque will be posted (cheques may take up to a month to be processed).

You must claim within three months of the date of your appointment.

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme: instructions and guidance for the NHS (2010)

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme - quick guide for patients (pdf)

What we will pay

You may claim for the travel costs of one helper to come with you, if this is considered medically necessary. The relevant section of the HTCS claim form must be completed by a member of medical staff.

Public transport

The cheapest form of public transport available, including concessionary and promotional fares.

Private car

A locally agreed mileage rate of 17p per mile to and from your home address (determined by Google Maps) plus parking charges. You may not claim for any penalty notices.

Voluntary Car Service (VCS)

Patient travel only (not any additional charge made by the operator) with a receipt from the volunteer driver.

Taxi

As a rule taxis fares are not refunded but are paid at private car rates (as above). Patients are assessed on an individual basis.

Community transport

If you cannot access other transport, community transport may help.

Community Transport Association

Oxfordshire County Council also has information about local transport at:

Public transport - OxfordshireCountyCouncil