£60K Patient Transport Cash Across Solent Set to Stay
The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed it will keep pumping £60,000 a year into ferry travel for locals needing medical treatment on the mainland. But there’s a big twist — the cash will now go straight to the NHS trust, not the council, giving doctors more wiggle room to help more patients.
Old Scheme Out, New One With More Scope In
The current patient transport scheme, running for 13 years, only covers ferry fares for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and kidney dialysis. No means test applies, but the tight rules have left many patients out in the cold.
Medical breakthroughs have thrown a spanner in the works. New treatments like radioactive iodine and immunotherapy aren’t covered, meaning some people struggle to get their travel costs back.
Council Passes the Buck to NHS for Better Coverage
Under the new plan, the NHS trust will take control of the £60,000 pot — using it more flexibly to support a wider range of medical journeys. The council hopes this move will help create a fairer transport plan for all patients.
“The consultation told us loud and clear that this funding was very much needed and we have listened to patients’ views and taken this decision to continue with it,” said Councillor Clare Mosdell, cabinet member for adult social care.
She admitted the old scheme had flaws: “It’s not really meeting the needs of many who apply for it due to its limited scope, but we think it is right to offer continuing financial help.”
Unique Support, But Not the Only Help Out There
The Isle of Wight Council is the only local authority in the UK funding patient transport like this. But it’s not obliged to do so and ran a public consultation before making the call to continue.
Councillor Mosdell added: “There are other forms of help available such as NHS schemes and ferry discounts for those travelling for medical treatment.”
This smart handover gives the NHS more freedom to meet modern patients’ needs — a welcome boost for islanders battling illness and logistically tricky journeys across the Solent.
