Travelling to your hospital appointment - information for people with cancer or a blood condition

Your healthcare team will tell you if it is safe for you to travel to the hospital by public transport. If you take public transport, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser or wash your hands when you get to the hospital. You may also choose to wear a facemask. 

If you’re on a low income, you can reclaim your travel costs to hospital appointments. To check if you qualify, read the Help with hospital travel costs web page.

You may be able to travel for free or at discounted prices if you live in London and you:

• Are 60 years old or over
• Have a disability
• Are a student
• Are a veteran.

Check if you qualify on the Transport for London (TfL) website.

To find out where you can park around UCLH, visit en.parkopedia.co.uk 

There’s parking for blue badge holders at and around UCLH. For more information, read the Parking for Blue Badge holders web page. There are strict criteria you must meet to get a blue badge. The criteria don’t include having a cancer diagnosis. To check if you qualify and to apply for a blue badge, visit the government website. Applications are processed in about 12 weeks. 

If you are on a low income, you can claim for your petrol costs. To check if you qualify, read the Help with hospital travel costs web page.  

You can reclaim congestion and ULEZ charges if you park at or near the hospital. There’s more information about these on our website: Reclaiming the congestion charge and Reclaiming the ULEZ charge.

The Taxicard scheme is available for partly-funded taxi travel within London. To qualify, you need to live in London and meet certain criteria related to your health and mobility. Apply through your local council. You can also request an application form by:  

• Email at taxi.card@londoncouncils.gov  
• Phone on 020 7934 9791. 

You may find cheaper taxi fares at your local taxi firms, or through phone apps such as Uber or Bolt. We can’t take responsibility for the services you receive from these companies.

Some charities offer volunteer services to get you to hospital appointments. Check the following charities to see what they provide in your area:

• Age UK – visit their website or call 0800 055 6112
• Royal Voluntary Service – visit their website or call 0330 555 0310
• Charities in the area you live.

Your local council may also provide transport support schemes. Visit their website or call them to see what they offer.

Turn2us

Turn2us is a national charity that can help you to access charitable grants.

Tel: 020 8834 9200

NHS low income scheme

You may be entitled to the NHS low income scheme if you have less that £16,000 in savings.

To find out more, visit NHS Low Income Scheme web page.

If you'd like a printed copy of any of the resources mentioned on this page:

• Visit the UCLH Macmillan Support and Information Service on the ground floor of the Cancer Centre
• Ask your CNS.