Do you need help travelling to NHS services?
What support is available?
If you need help getting to appointments, find out whether you're eligible for NHS-funded support.
Can't travel to hospital because of your medical condition?
Patient transport services provide free transport to and from a 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
Yorkshire Ambulance Patient Transport Service (PTS) provides NHS-funded transport for eligible people who are unable to travel to their healthcare appointments by other means due to their medical condition.
When you request transport, you will be asked a series of questions that will be used to establish whether you meet the eligibility criteria set by the Department of Health and Social Care. The questions will also help Yorkshire Ambulance Patient Transport Service to assess the level of support that you will need to get you to your destination safely and comfortably.
These questions will be asked every time you book transport to ensure Yorkshire Ambulance Patient Transport Service have an up-to-date understanding of your circumstances, including your condition and your mobility.
If you are registered with a call Yorkshire Ambulance Patient Transport Service on 0330 678 4000 between 07:00 and 19:00 on Monday to Friday and between 08:00 and 18:00 on weekends to make a transport booking. You can find out more about the service below.
If you're travelling on public transport
If you do not receive benefits but have 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 total cost of one ticket.
For students, people with disabilities and those over 66, there are often options for reduced or free travel passes.
Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)
If you're referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).
To claim, take your travel receipts, appointment letter or card, plus proof that you're receiving one of the qualifying benefits, to a nominated cashiers' office in the hospital/clinic- ask a member of staff for directions.
You get full help with transport costs if you are on many income based benefits.
Pensioners, students, and those in employment can also apply for NHS LIS support, including the HTCS, if they do not have savings, investments or property (not including where they live) of over £16,000 . People living in care homes may also be eligible, but their limit is £23,250
Find out more about the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme below or call the NHS Help with Healthcosts Helpline: 0300 330 1343
Weston Park Hospital free transport service
If you are having cancer treatment and live in the Meadowhall area, Chesterfield, Barnsley, Rotherham Weston Park transport service could provide you free, safe travel to any of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals sites for cancer treatment.
Disability Sheffield Travel Support Service
Sheffield Travel Support (STS) is a paid for service that provides travel support to hundreds of people with learning disabilities each week. Typically, customers are driven to their destination but we can also support and accompany people on public transport journeys. Please note: at present STS is unfortunately unable to take on any new customers as their Support Workers are already working at full capacity. As part of their plans to grow the service they will be looking to recruit additional Travel Support Workers as soon as possible.
Sheffield Community Transport
Sheffield Community Transport is a paid for service that provides assistance for people who find it very difficult or impossible to use public transport. Their drivers provide assistance from your doorstep to the vehicle to support you to travel securely and safely.
