PATIENT TRANSFERS
Introduction
The National Health Service Act 2001 governs the provisions of medical, nursing and dental treatment to Isle of Man residents. Under this Act, the DHSS must provide these services either locally or, if necessary, at hospitals within the UK. It may, therefore be necessary for some patients to travel to the UK or specialist treatment presently not available in the Isle of Man.
With the development of new, specialised techniques in the treatment of cancer, burns, transplants and many other fields, the number of NHS patients being referred to off-Island hospitals has grown considerably in recent years. During 1991/1992, 1,600 patient journeys were undertaken. By 2006/2007, the number had risen to 6,600.
Referral Arrangements
Your Consultant, after discussing your treatment with you, may decide to refer you to a UK hospital for specialist NHS treatment. The Consultant will then contact the preferred hospital and the hospital will, in due course, contact you with an appointment time or date of admission. At the same time, your Consultant will send a TRANSPORT CERTIFICATE to the Health Services Division (the Division). The Certificate will contain details of your referral, including any special arrangements required, such as the need for an escort. You will require a tear-off page from the Certificate, which will advise you of the relevant contact details within the Division.
Travel Arrangements
When you have received notification of your appointment time or date of admission, you should contact the PATIENT TRANSFERS SECTION of the Division. The staff there will make all the necessary travel arrangements for you and provide advice if you encounter any problems with your visit.
Assistance
Normally, the cost of travelling to and from a UK hospital is met by the Division - this includes air fares, boat fares, and travel to and from UK airports and hospitals.
1. This assistance covers the travel costs of you (the patient) and any escort that is authorised by the Consultant. Assistance is also available for someone to visit you, if you are an in-patient, every two weeks. If you (or your escort or visitor) incurs any reasonable expenditure in travelling to and from the hospital in the UK which is not booked by the Patient Transfer Section, please keep the receipts and send them, with a completed Expenses Claim Form, to the address below.
2. Financial assistance is also provided towards the cost of any accommodation that may be required for you, your escort or visitor. Outside of London, the Division may contribute up to £28 per person per night and within London, up to £41.50 per person per night. Claims are normally made retrospectively and should always be accompanied by all relevant receipts and/or invoices.
If you decide to make and pay for your own arrangements, you will be able to submit a claim for reimbursement of your costs to the Patient Transfers Section upon your return to the Island. All relevant receipts should be included with your claim. The Section will then consider what expenses are permitted and you will be reimbursed accordingly.
No financial or other assistance can be provided for patients travelling for private treatment.
If you have any queries regarding travel arrangements, accommodation, the provision of escorts, etc., advice should be sought from the Patient Transfers Section.
Patient Transfers Section, Health Services Division, Crookall House, Demesne Road, Douglas, Isle of Man. IM1 3QA.
Telephone (01624) 642673
Fax: (01624) 642617
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