Ways to get to your hospital appointment
If you don't have good access to transport, it can mean missing out on health check-ups, routine screenings, and regular appointments for long-term conditions, such as chemotherapy.
Most people drive, use public transport, or rely on the kindness of family and friends to get to the doctor, pharmacist, or hospital on time.
If you don't have good access to transport, it can mean you're late or miss your appointment. It can be even harder if you need to attend regular appointments at a hospital for long-term conditions, such as chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Here, we provide some information about the support available to help make this easier for you.
What support is available?
If you need help getting to appointments, find out whether you're eligible for NHS-funded support.
Can't travel because of your medical condition?
Patient Transport Services
Ask your GP or the person who referred you to the hospital whether Patient Transport Services run in your area.
These organisations may be able to help with transport to and from hospital appointments. These services provide free transport to and from a hospital.
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NEAS provides non‑emergency patient transport for those needing assistance, with access based on eligibility and usually requiring a healthcare referral. Sunderland patients can book via 0191 215 1515. This line is open Monday - Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.
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Daft as a Brush provides free transport to the Freeman and RVI Hospitals for outpatients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, covering areas across the North East. The service cannot be accessed directly—eligibility and availability are discussed during treatment planning with a nurse or consultant. If suitable, the hospital arranges the referral, and Daft as a Brush then contacts the patient to confirm transport details.
Community Transport & Volunteer Driver Services
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Age UK Sunderland offers a volunteer driver service, with bookings available by calling 0191 514 8339 or emailing dialadriver@ageuksunderland.org.uk. More information is available on the Age UK Sunderland website.
- XL Health offers a pre-planned 'dial a ride' service. There is a charge for this service. To make a booking, call 0333 339 4620 (option 1). For more information, visit XL Health.
Find out more about how to organise transport
Public Transport
To find out where you can park and ride at Metro stations, visit Park & Ride
Car Parking
South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust operate a pay on exit system across its Trust sites using number plate recognition technology. Car parking spaces are limited. They would recommend that you leave yourself plenty of time to find a parking space, especially on its hospital sites.
They have dedicated parking areas for patients and visitors. You are welcome to park in any spaces that are not signposted as permit holder or staff only. They also have drop-off/pick-up areas where you can park for up to 20 minutes free of charge.
For more information, if you're driving to the hospital, you can check its
parking facilities before you go.
Concessionary Travel Schemes
If you're travelling on public transport
If you do not receive benefits but have to make frequent trips by public transport, there may be weekly or monthly season tickets that can reduce costs, or options such as booking tickets online, which may work out cheaper than the total cost of one ticket.
The following are concessionary travel schemes across Tyne & Wear and North East England.
- Concessionary Travel Pass - to find out more, visit:
Older Adults
Disabled Adults
Disabled Children - Concessionary Travel Scheme for Tyne & Wear residents aged over 66.
For further information, FAQs and how to apply for a Concessionary Travel Pass, visit NEXUS - Concessionary Travel Scheme for Tyne & Wear residents who are disabled.
For further information, FAQs and how to apply for a Concessionary Travel Pass, visit NEXUS - Concessionary Travel Scheme for Tyne & Wear residents aged under 16.
For further information, FAQs and how to apply for an Under 16 pop card, visit NEXUS - Metro Gold Card
For more information on the Metro Gold Card, visit NEXUS - Companion Card
For further information on the eligibility criteria and how to apply for a companion card, visit NEXUS - Taxi Card
For more information on the scheme and eligibility criteria, please visit NEXUS. Or call the customer relations team on 0191 20 20 747, 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. - Bridge Card
You do not have to register or apply for this scheme, just carry a card with you. For further information on the bridge card scheme and how to get a card, visit NEXUS
Could you get a refund for your hospital transport costs?
If you’re not eligible for Patient Transport Services, you could claim a refund for the cost of your travel or taking a child to hospital through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.
You may be able to benefit from the service if:
- You can’t afford the cost of travelling to hospital
- You can’t get a friend or relative to take you
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