Immumotherapy

Oh Coojee. Really sorry to hear of your transport problems again. I really hope you find a way to get to your treatment. Best wishes.

Can only echo rily's sympathy Coojee. Would the neighbour or the taxi at least get you to the station and later back again? Not such a huge ask then as all the way. Short notice is a real pain.

Denby

Can you not get one taxi there and then get a 2nd taxi home?

Thanks, the neighbour is working on Tuesday. Taxi is a possible, but what about Taxi from the Train to the hospital. I'm on Universdal credit & therefore living off credit cards. I need cash for taxi & simply don't have the £80 in cash that 4 taxi trips would cost. Yes - £20 for 3 miles is correct!

I'm on Universal credit, I live off credit cards. Taxi would be about £110 each way.They want cash, which I simply do not have.

It is worth asking the hospital if you can be paid transport costs. I used to get them when taking my husband to a hospital 20 miles away for one thing and later 50 miles away. And for taking daughter to Gt Ormond St. Obviously keep any receipts which taxis will give if you insist, train ticket receipt parts, and mileage notes if/when you drive, and have UC proof eg letter on you. Some taxi firm will take credit card which would allow time to get a repayment. The transport payment offices tend to be in out of the way parts of the building. 

Just thought- Ask MacMillan for a sub!!! they are always advertising on the radio that they give these for getting to treatment!

Also, I know it's a lot to be dealing with, but have you considered applying for PIP? If you do, look at the benefitsandwork.co.uk website. There is a free self test on there, be brutally honest in what you tick. If it shows a probability of an award take out a sub, it is the best £20 a year you will spend giving access to the Guides on PIP etc. There's also advice on dealing with issues like disability premiums that you might get, carer's allowance for your wife and so on.

Best wishes, 

Denby

Thanks Denby

I am already getting PIP. I am very used to the hospital expenses claims system & have constant arguments with them. It's extremly stressful. To claim taxis, it must be pre-authorised & signed off by a consultant/GP/Nurse. They generally can't be bothered. I'm still arguing for the RC op taxi which was £347 when the amulance left me in the lurch. I got pre-authorisation for Chemo, now I'm trying to get it for the immunotherapy, but I can't get a consultant to move with only 2 days notice. I joined benefits at work, but found it a waste of money & very complicated, Macmillan were far more helpful & did the form for me. My wife also has PIP. She can't get carers allowance. About a Macmillan sub, I'm not sure what that means, is it give or lend money? I've already had £400 from Macmillan from when I was first starting treatment. Unfortunately the only local taxi that will go to Raigmore only takes cash. I expect that if I toook a different taxi coming back, then they may take credit cards.

Hi Coojee,I’m so sorry you are having such a nightmare with transport and lack of money.Do you have any local community pages where you could ask for help on line or local radio stations ? I have heard of people being successful in this way.There are plenty of decent people who I’m sure would be happy to help.My aunt used to be a volunteer driver to hospitals in her area.Best wishes Jane

Dear Coojee, I am very glad you have got PIP already. I meant a gift from MacMillan as you certainly need it, whether or not you have already had some.

As regards the benefitsandwork website, so sorry you didn't find it helpful. However just a day or two back they launched a completely new website so if you have not looked for a week or two, you might have a look in hopes you find the revamp easier to navigate. I would be interested to hear your thoughts - I don't have any special connection with it but have recommended it often, as I have not found a better resource for my needs supporting disabled daughter.

Macmillan might say yes, must be worth a call. Also tell your hospital's PALS/Scottish version I believe a bit different [via CAB??] about the difficulties with the hospital transport funding, this is so wrong.

Denby

Hi Coojee,I was just wondering how you are and if you made it to your treatment ? Best wishes Jane