The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that more needs to be done to support young cancer patients and their families with the cost of travel to receive treatment; that it is unacceptable that they are going into debt, struggling to pay their bills, and missing or delaying treatment as a result; and that the current support available is proving inadequate in covering these travel costs.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to ensure all young cancer patients are provided with a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund, which is easily and universally accessible from the point of diagnosis and throughout the duration of their cancer treatment.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Amy Callaghan, Official Report, 19 September 2023; Vol. 737, c. 1330.]
[P002852]
Observations from the Minister for Health and Secondary Care (Will Quince):
The Government recognise that the cost of travel should not be a barrier to treatment. NHS England and integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning and ensuring that the healthcare needs of local communities are met. The NHS runs schemes to provide financial assistance for travel to a hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostics tests when referred by a doctor or other primary healthcare professional.
The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides financial assistance to patients who do not have a medical need for transport but who require assistance with the costs of travelling to receive certain NHS services.
Patients can claim help with travel costs if they or their partner—including civil partner—receive any of the following benefits:
Income support
Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
Income-related employment and support allowance
Pension credit guarantee credit
You receive universal credit and meet the criteria
Patients can also claim for help with travel costs if:
They are named on, or entitled to, an NHS tax credit exemption certificate—if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice—you qualify if you get child tax credits, working tax credits with a disability element—or both, and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less;
They have a low income and are named on certificate HC2 full help, or HC3 limited help—you can apply for these certificates through the NHS low income scheme, which provides help with NHS costs. You can apply for this scheme if your savings, investments or property—not including where you live—does not exceed the capital limit of £16,000.
Help for children and dependants is also available through this scheme and, if they are eligible, can be reimbursed in part or in full for costs incurred in travelling to receive certain NHS services.
Children and dependants are eligible if they receive a qualifying benefit, or if they are included in an award of a parent or guardian receiving one of the qualifying benefits. They can also be reimbursed if their parent or guardian qualifies for the NHS low income scheme. Young people aged 16 or over can make their own claim under the low income scheme.
Patients who do not qualify for the HTCS and are on low incomes may be able to claim the costs from the Department for Work and Pensions through universal credit or personal independence payment.
Patients should discuss with their local NHS provider if they are unsure how to claim costs, or contact the NHS Business Services Authority online or by calling 0300 330 1343.