Help with travel costs if you have a terminal illness

You may be able to get help with the costs of getting around if you have a terminal illness. This could include travel to hospital, discounts on public transport and getting a Blue Badge. You could also get help with travel costs if you care for someone with a terminal illness.

In general, people are expected to make their own way to and from hospital. You might be able to get additional support if you're eligible.

You could get free transport to and from hospital with patient transport services (PTS). It's for people who need additional medical support during their journey, find it difficult to walk, or are a parent or guardian of children being transported.

PTS might not be available in all areas. Speak to your GP or other healthcare professional to see if PTS is available in your area, whether you're eligible and how to access it.

If you live in England, Wales or Scotland: You might be able to claim a refund for the cost of transport to hospital under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). You must get certain benefits or be on a low income. Visit the NHS website to find out more about the HTCS, including who is eligible and how to claim.

If you live in Northern Ireland: You might be able to get help with travel costs if you're on a low income or claim certain benefits. Visit nidrect to find out who is eligible for help with travel costs and how to claim.

Hospital parking can be expensive and limited, so you may want to see if anyone can take you, or check for other parking nearby.

In England, hospital parking is free if you have a Blue Badge (see Blue Badges and driving below), or attend regular appointments for a long-term condition. Hospital parking is free at certain times of day for parents of children who need to stay in hospital overnight. Some hospitals have free or discounted parking for people with cancer – check with your hospital about what free and discounted parking they may offer. Search for your local hospital on the NHS website to check its parking facilities.

In Scotland and Wales, hospital parking is free for everyone.

In Northern Ireland, hospital parking is free for people that have specific conditions or certain treatment. This includes cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Your hospital might offer free parking for other situations too – check on their website or speak to your ward for more information.

If you have a disability or health condition that makes it difficult to get around, you may be able to get a Blue Badge. Having a Blue Badge means you can park your car nearer to where you're visiting.

Find out more information about the Blue Badge Scheme, including the cost (it's free in Wales) and how to apply:

If you have a terminal illness, your local council or the Blue Badge Unit if you live in Northern Ireland, will usually fast-track your application. There might be a box to tick on the application form to confirm you have a terminal illness. And you'll need to send proof of your terminal illness, such as the SR1 medical report form, or a letter from your GP or Macmillan.

If you have questions about how to apply for a Blue Badge when you have a terminal illness, it's best to contact your local council, or the Blue Badge Unit if you live in Northern Ireland.

The Motability Scheme helps people with disabilities to lease a car (including adapted vehicles) powered wheelchairs, or mobility scooters. To qualify you need to be getting certain disability benefits. Visit Motability to find out more about the Motability Scheme.

You may not have to pay vehicle tax if you're a driver with a disability and are receiving certain benefits. Visit GOV.UK to find out more about free vehicle tax.

You could get free or discounted public transport if you're disabled or over a certain age.

In England, Wales and Scotland, you could get a third off most UK train journeys with a railcard. The Disabled Person's Railcard is for people with a disability that meet the eligibility criteria. If you're 60 or over, you can get a Senior Railcard.

You could get free or discounted bus and rail travel if you're aged 60 or over, or have a certain disability. Visit nidirect for more information about free and half fare travel passes. Disability Action runs a transport service for people who have problems using public transport. It's free to join and you're charged a fee for each trip. Visit Disability Action to find out more about the Disability Action Transport Scheme.

Many travel passes are not valid in other nations. So it's important to check this before travelling between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.