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Getting here - Supported transport
Advice on Supported Travel is available from your local SPoC (Single Point of Contact) of which contact details can be found below. As this service is limited, priority is given to vulnerable people in isolated and rural areas. You may qualify if you:
- Do not have or are unable for medical reasons to travel in your own transport and
- Cannot be driven to your healthcare appointment with friends, neighbours or relatives and
- Are medically unable to use public transport, or this is not practical due to your isolated/rural
address and - It would be detrimental to your immediate health if you were not to attend your appointment on the day in question
- You have 3 or more appointments in any consecutive 4 week period and do not have access to alternative means of travel due to any of the above *(VACS)
Note: If a community voluntary car is provided, a nominal mileage charge is made towards this service. Please check this with your SPoC prior to traveling.
If you qualify under the guidelines above please contact your nearest SPoC below:
East Devon and Exeter |
TRIP Honiton |
Mid and West Devon |
Tiverton & District Crediton & District Okehampton & District Holsworthy & District TASS (Tavistock area Support Service) |
North Devon |
Go North Devon |
South Devon |
Teignbridge |
Cornwall Patients |
TAP (Transport Access People) |
Somerset |
RMC (Referral Management Centre) (for patients requiring hospital provided transport, they will ask a series of questions to determine eligibility) Somerset Direct (For Patients requiring non-medical assistance with getting to appointments, you will pay a mileage charge for this service) |
SPoC is run by Community Transport Associations in partnership with NHS Trusts and Devon County Council. Their role and responsibility to you is outlined below:
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To provide a ‘Single Point of Contact’ for patients, enquiring about travel options to get to and from health appointments in Devon
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To provide a signposting and information service to all patients, travelling to health related appointments, according to their needs
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To provide advice and information on the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) for those patients on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits
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To book Community Voluntary Cars, for patients who require non-medical assistance to get to health appointments. (A mileage charge applies)
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To book Ambulance Transport for those patients who meet the medical eligibility criteria, in line with Department of Health Guidance
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To book a Voluntary Ambulance Car (VACS) for those patients who meet the eligibility criteria above*
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Vehicles will be shared with other patients en route, which means journeys may take longer
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Journeys which are not cancelled may still be charged
Please Note:
If you are travelling to Torbay Hospital you should ring:
01803 65402/ 04/ 05 (South Devon Health Care Transport)
If you are travelling to Plymouth Hospitals you should ring:
0845 0529100 (TAP – Transport Access People)
If you are travelling to a hospital outside of Devon, you should contact the hospital you are travelling to for advice.
Help with Transport costs
You may qualify for help with transport costs if you travel by the cheapest means of transport which is reasonable for you to use, and if you are in receipt of:
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Income Support
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Income based job seekers allowance
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Low income HC2/HC3 certificate
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Working Tax Family Credit
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Pension Guaranteed Credit
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War Pension
To claim reimbursement, you will need to show proof of benefit entitlement and any valid transport receipts, which should be presented to the cashier at the time of claiming. Without this evidence, reimbursement cannot be made. There are two sites at which you may claim travel costs in person:
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General Office – situated in the main entrance on the Wonford Site, and
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Exeter Mobility Centre – at the main reception desk.
If you are unable to claim your transport costs in person, you may send an application to the Prescription Pricing Authority, using form HC5 available from the above cashier’s offices or you can request one to be sent to you here. Claims must be made within 3 months of the travel date.
If you do not receive any of the above benefits, but you are on a low income and wish to be considered for reimbursement, you should apply to the Prescription Pricing Authority using form HC1 available from the cashier’s offices or request one to be sent to you here. If you have already incurred transport costs, please include claim form HC5 with your application.
Getting Here
