How to apply for 'hospital transportation'?

[MustangLady]

A friend of mine cares for her mother who suffers mental disorder, her mum was in the mental care unit at hospital for 7 months, she is now home but needs to attend regular Doctor and hospital appointments. Her mum & dad live together, within walking distance of her. My friend does not drive and has to use taxi to transport her mum anywhere, which is costing her a small fortune. Her mum and dad are both elderly, her dad not disabled in any way, but being elderly and not completely capable, is unable handle her mum without my friend's daily help. My friend works part-time and receives small housing benefits as she is on a low-wage. My question .... is there anything I can suggest to my friend what helps might be available to her. She doesn't want to claim for 'carers allowance' as she's afraid it would affect her parents pensions or indeed her own housing benefits. In addition, is there anywhere she can go to find out how to get help with transportation to/from her mother's Doctor or Hospital appointments. She doesn't know where to start looking or asking as never before claimed for anything like this. I want to help her and thought I would start on here for any suggestions .. thank you.

[albaqwerty]

I'd suggest by starting to ask at the hospital reception desk, then maybe WRVS

[daffy654]

Google the hospital website and see if they have a link on there for transport booking. Failing that speak to the GP or consultant.

[carrot99]

In London we have this Taxicard or another scheme called Dial-a-Ride which I think is free depending on which benefits you get. Taxicard is subsidised but I don't know how cheap that makes it. So get in touch with your local council.

The London Taxicard Scheme is funded by the participating London boroughs and the mayor of London. London Councils Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) manages the London Taxicard Scheme on their behalf.

Taxicard is a method of providing subsidised door-to-door transport for people who have serious mobility impairment and difficulty in using public transport. Taxicard holders make journeys in licensed London taxis and the subsidy applies directly to each trip. Your Taxicard can be used anytime, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, subject to taxi availability.

[albaqwerty]

carrot we used to have dial-a-ride but they changed it to dial-a-bus

can't think why :D

[brenda]

Tell heer to go to the CAB, she should be able to claim carers allowance , there is no way this will affect her parents pensions or indeed her housing benefit.

[annie0000]

She needs to book hospital transportation through her GP. In addition there are sometimes organisations that can provide transport cheap or free to people in your friends parents situation. We have something called Dial-a-journey which is more or less a taxi by ambulance service partly funded by the council and supported by charity - you may have something similar in your area.

[Mr Veritas]

This:~
http://www.nhs.uk/NHS...ages/Travelcosts.aspx
is the Help with Health Costs (Travel) webpage of the NHS Website.
I haven't looked right through it,but hopefully you will find something to help you there.

[MustangLady]

Thank you all so much. I will pass on this information and hopefully she will be able to get some help...

[albaqwerty]

please let us know how she gets on. x