Patients and escorts
DEFINITIONS
PATIENT: An individual referred and/or admitted as a non-emergency to a hospital or clinic by a responsible clinician.
ESCORT: In the context of planned care, a person accompanying a patient to a hospital or clinic, and who is regarded as being appropriate, necessary, and responsible for supporting the patient’s physical and mental wellbeing during the period of transport and/or accommodation, and/or during treatment.
Patients can be escorted to attend hospital appointments in line with identified criteria.
Patients and escorts are responsible for their own expenses incurred during their travel and need to be aware of limitations to entitlements.
Patients will not receive payments for NHS transport or expenses outside of the Patient Travel Policy and defined eligibility criteria.
Patients must inform the health board of any mobility problems as soon as possible to ensure that the appropriate assistance can be arranged.
Patients should pay their own accommodation at the time of the stay if applicable, then reclaim (if permissible under the Patient Travel Policy) from the health board. Under exceptional circumstances, the health board may pay accommodation expenses directly.
Patients should only claim for expenses incurred to attend their appointment (direct route to and from the agreed location).
Patients should only claim reimbursement for actual journeys made and attendances. Receipts will be required for this.
If patients are unable to attend their appointments at short notice e.g. due to illness, they should notify the services as appropriate as soon as possible. This will include the transport provider and the hospital on the number provided on their confirmation letter.
Health boards
All health boards should have a current Patient Travel Policy, including escalation procedures, which is communicated to staff.
All health boards should ensure that commissioning arrangement with independent providers to deliver services on their behalf include robust patient-centred travel plans.
All health boards should have in place processes to ensure clear, consistent communication with patients regarding travel arrangements, particularly in cases of short-notice cancellations or changes.
All health boards should ensure they have in place robust processes for the monitoring of compliance with the Patient Travel Policy.
NHS Staff
All staff involved in the booking, arranging and delivery of patient appointments should ensure they are aware of the Patient Travel Policy and their roles and responsibilities in its implementation.
All staff should be made aware of all standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with the health board’s Patient Travel Policy.
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
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