What assistance is available to cancer patients and their carers living in the Highlands and Islands and other remote areas for the costs o…

There are currently two statutoryschemes which allow full or partial reimbursement of travelling expenses of patients,and where medically necessary, their escorts, which are necessarily incurred whenattending a hospital for the purpose of patients availing themselves of servicesprovided under the care of a hospital consultant, namely:
(a) a means tested scheme coveringthe whole of the country, and
(b) the Highlands andIslands Scheme which provides for the reimbursement of travelling expenses in excessof £8 without test of means. To qualify the patient must be resident or work inthe former Highlands and Islands Development Board area. The distance travelledfrom the patient’s home must be 30 miles or more or involve a journey by sea ofmore than five miles.