Patients' experiences of transport to cancer appointments

Healthwatch Barnet conducted a survey gathering the views of 68 people about their experience of cancer transport services, in 2017. The report was in response to feedback from local residents about issues they had faced when travelling to cancer appointments.

The report found that more than half of respondents did not feel they were given enough information about transport at the right time. Nearly half (46%) said that they received information from the hospital staff. Some patients drive themselves to appointments or travel independently at the start of their treatment, however, as their condition progresses, they tend to feel weaker and therefore would be in need of travel support. Most patients did not receive financial support towards their travel expenses, with some transport cost amounting to £20 per day for using public transport and up to £50 for private taxi. Around 57% of respondents travel to 2 hospital sites or more to attend appointments, which is often very stressful and make them feel weak or unwell. Some patients also travelled for more than one hour to get to appointments, while some patients travelled for up to 8 hours when using hospital transport due to many pick-ups during the journey.

The report made the following recommendations:

1) To consider working with public transport services and Transport for London to ensure that information is being disseminated in health and social care settings to offer patients the use of badge ‘please offer me a seat’, and to encourage passengers to give up their seat for badge holders, either through the display of posters or support of TfL staff.

2) To consider commissioning travel buddy schemes, including reimbursing family and friends, working with the voluntary sector, to assist patients in their travelling specially those who use public transport and long journeys.

3) To explore ways to make appointments available close to a patient’s home or place of work, whenever possible.

4) To ensure sufficient guidance and information is provided to enable patients feel prepared for travelling long distances, for example, on how to travel, what to expect while travelling, how to prepare for travelling as treatment progresses, and to provide a named contact to give information at the right time when needed.

5) To ensure that staff/volunteers are trained, and prepared to assist a cancer patient with their travelling, providing care and understanding, without having the patient to explain their condition.

6) To ensure that sufficient parking spaces are available for cancer patients, when attending all of their appointments including treatment and consultations.

7) To discuss palliative care with patients to manage pain while travelling.

8) To ensure and to discuss assistive equipment or tools with patients to manage their mobility, for example, providing zimmer frame.