Financial assistance with patient travel
On this page
Arrange travel to and from hospital with your local Patient Travel department.
Contact Patient Travel
NHS Highland can book air, ferry, and rail travel. All your specific travel needs should be discussed with NHS Highland’s Patient Travel department.
It would be appreciated if you could make your travel needs known to us in advance, as transport provider staff cannot anticipate or deal with problems if they have not been informed.
NHS Highland covers the Council areas of Argyll and Bute, and Highland. To book transport or for further information on your travel requirements, please contact your local Patient Travel department:
Entitlement to financial assistance
The Patient Travel Schemes are not designed to fully reimburse patients for the full cost of travelling to attend an appointment but to provide a contribution towards the cost.
NHS Scotland Patient Travel Scheme
All NHS Scotland patients are entitled to help with travel costs if they are in receipt of certain income-based benefits. This assistance is not dependent on distance travelled.
Highlands and Islands Patient Travel Scheme
This scheme recognises that patients who are resident in the Highlands and Islands may be required to travel significant distances to attend hospital appointments given the geography of the area.
Under this scheme all patients from the former Highlands and Islands Development Board areas are entitled to financial assistance with their travel costs if they live more than 30 miles from the hospital they are attending. Patients not on a qualifying benefit are required to pay the first £10 of any claim.
Claim form and policy
Printed claim forms are also available from hospital wards, clinics and cash offices. The form should be completed by the patient or escort, and signed and certified as detailed - including certification of attendance on the dates shown on the form.
Please use the current contact details on this page for patient travel offices rather than the details on the Policy document.
Travel and transport
For particular hospital travel arrangements - location, directions and parking - see information for each hospital.