Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme Awareness

Healthwatch Bucks wanted to find out what local people knew about the NHS Healthcare travel costs scheme. This aims to help people who have no medical need for ambulance transport, but who might find it hard to afford travel to healthcare appointments. They heard from 154 people. All responses were collected between 24 July and 4 September 2025.

Nearly nine in ten survey respondents (and all of the discussion group participants) had not heard of the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). 

Three quarters of those aware of the scheme, told us they did not know about the NHS online tool which helps to work out who can claim. 

Only four respondents said they had used the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). Two of these said the process needed to be simpler and more details about the scheme should be publicised. 

Not all respondents were aware of how, when and who can claim. For example,  78 believed you could claim online, but this is not an option yet. Only 59 thought carer’s travel costs might be included. 

32 respondents said they were in receipt of a low income benefit, but only the four who had already used the HTCS scheme had heard of it. 

31 people said they were unable to afford to go to their hospital referral with three of these (all on low income benefits) missing their appointment as a result. 

38 respondents told Healthwatch more about the cost of travel and parking being difficult to afford. Some told us this increased their anxiety and has limited their access to healthcare. Others mentioned accessibility issues travel to hospital created.

Almost half of the respondents were unaware of any of the voluntary/subsidised transport schemes in Bucks Healthwatch listed.