In October new guidance was published clarifying the roles and responsibility of NHS organisations in administrating and publicising the HTCS to patients and the public.
We are pleased that:
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For the first time a senior manager or board level director will need to take responsibility for reviewing and monitoring the HTCS in their hospital
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For the first time facilities will need to be in place to make refunds immediately and in cash on the day of travel at any time of the day. Cashiers office and alternative payment locations will also need to be clearly signposted and physically accessible to all patients
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There is a strengthening of the rules around 'advance payments' to make it easier for patients to claim their expenses before they travel
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The guidance makes clear that patients can claim back road tolls and charges and their hospital car parking
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There is also a strengthening of the rules to ensure front line staff are aware of the scheme and how it is administered within the hospital.
You can read the new guidance at www.dh.gov.uk
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the government's consultation and our own response to the consultation. We had a fantastic response from people affected by cancer and health professionals which meant we could make a really good case to government about why the scheme needed to be improved.
We are now working with the Department of Health to see how we can ensure hospitals to implement the guidance. We are also talking about how the scheme can be widened so that patients travelling to non-hospital settings can also get their travel expenses paid.
Find out more about the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme Consultation >>
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