As this is a very limited service, 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 without transport you will be unable to keep your hospital appointment 

Please telephone TAP (Transport Access Patients) on 08450 539100
Between 9.00am and 4.00pm weekdays (excluding bank holidays)

Booking requests need to be received at least 48 hours before your appointment
but no more than 14 days in advance

Please note:
• Vehicles will be shared with other patients, meaning journeys will take longer
• Please give a minimum 24 hours notice of cancellation or change to journey details
• If transport is not cancelled you will be charged for the journey
• Please ensure you are ready at least 1 hour before the appointment. More time should be allowed the greater the distance from the hospital
• Drivers are not trained paramedics, although they MAY hold a first aid certificate

How much will it cost?
TAP will endeavour to book the cheapest, most appropriate transport for your needs (subject to availability).  TAP charge 41p per mile for this service.

Frequent User Pass
A frequent users pass can be purchased from the Cashiers office to subsidise your travel to the Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust sites.  The pass can only be purchased if you have to attend the hospital three or more times a week, and is valid for a period of four weeks.  The current cost of these passes are £48.00 per four weeks.

Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme
You may qualify for help with transport costs, through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme, if you travel by the cheapest means of transport which is reasonable for you to use, and if you are in receipt of:
• Income support
• Income based job seekers allowance
• Working Tax Credit with Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax credit with a disability or severe disability element
• Child Tax Credit (if the award letter confirms income is below the relevant threshold)
• Pension Guaranteed Credit

To claim reimbursement, proof of the qualifying benefit and transport receipts should be presented to the Cashiers Office at the hospital. Current refund rates are shown below: 

Transport	Refund Rate
Public transport	Cheapest fare reimbursed
Patients own transport	13 pence per mile (to a maximum of the cheapest fare above
Bridge toll, hospital car parking charges	At cost
TAP supported transport - voluntary car, MPV, wheelchair accessible	41p per mile
Wheelchair accessible taxi NOT booked via TAP	at cost
WRVS / Cornwall voluntary car	at cost
Other voluntary car	at cost

To make a claim on the day of your attendance at Derriford Hospital please go to the Cashiers Office, Level 07.

1. Download our patient information leaflet "Help with Travel Costs"
2. Download our patient information leaflet "NHS Funded Patient Transport"

Patient Transport Service
The Patient Transport Service is for patients who are considered medically unfit to travel by other means. Please telephone the Transport Office on 01752 763511 who will assess your needs against agreed medical criteria. Transport will not be provided for those patients whose medical condition does not prevent them from travelling by other means to non healthcare appointments. 

For further information on the HealthCare Travel Costs Scheme and Patient Transport Service policies, please use the links below: 

1. Health Care Travel Costs Scheme
2. Patient Transport Service

In the event of unforeseen circumstances or miscommunication Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust cannot guarantee transport and accepts no responsibility for events and costs as a result of no transport being available