Press Release

20 July  2005

Paice Pledges Support To End Travel Costs For Cancer Patients

South East Cambridgeshire MP Jim Paice has pledged his support to Macmillan Cancer Relief’s campaign to end burdensome travel costs for cancer patients and has written to the region’s top health executives to ensure that people get the financial help with hospital travel costs to which they are entitled. 

A recent report by Macmillan Cancer Relief, Free at the Point of Delivery?, highlighted the huge financial costs for cancer patients travelling to, and parking at, hospital for often life-saving treatment – such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The report revealed that only 19% of hospitals in the UK inform patients about a scheme designed to help with the costs of transport to hospital.

Jim said: "I am horrified that cancer patients – many on low incomes - are paying out hundreds of pounds to pay for hospital travel and that the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme which is meant to help is not advertised to patients or sufficiently wide reaching to help all those that need it. 

“It is unacceptable that cancer patients are suffering financial hardship because they have to attend life saving treatment. Having cancer is stressful enough without patients having to worry about the high cost of travelling to, and parking at, hospital." 

Peter Cardy, Chief Executive, Macmillan Cancer Relief, added: “We're grateful for Jim Paice’s support in ensuring a better deal for cancer patients."