Queen Mary’s is committed to making sure hospital transport is available to those whose medical condition makes it impossible for them to travel to and from hospital by any other means.
Who qualifies for patient transport?
Queen Mary’s follows the Department of Health guidelines for determining who is eligible for the patient transport service. Patients do have to be eligible for non-emergency patient transport before it can be arranged for them.
Eligibility is determined by a qualified healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse, midwife or senior therapist working in the NHS. If they decide that you do qualify for patient transport, then your GP will need to specify this when you are first referred to the hospital. Then, Queen Mary’s transport is arranged when your follow-up appointment is booked.
Can someone come with me?
If your physical or emotional care cannot be provided by the ambulance crew, someone else may come with you. This could be if you are blind, cannot communicate or need constant attention.
Children under the age of 16 and anyone sectioned by the 1983 Mental Health Act are required to have someone accompanying them at all times.
Can the cost be reimbursed?
Patients who receive certain benefits or allowances can request to have transport costs reimbursed. These include Income Support, Income-based Job Seekers’ Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, Child’s Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit with Child’s Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit with a disability element, or the NHS Low Income Scheme.
If one or more of these applies to you, you will need to complete a travel expense claim form which is available from all clinics and departments, and which needs to be signed by the clinic. You then need to take the signed form to the Cashier, who will countersign it and provide you with petty cash to cover the costs.