Where do I start?
Your GP or consultant will make a referral for you to see a doctor on the mainland or at the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway.
Once your appointment has been scheduled, you will receive an appointment card or letter stating with whom, where, and when you have an appointment. You should then contact your local Patient Travel Office by phone or email, and they will book your travel.
Patient travel offices are open Monday to Friday. Offices remain closed to the public and patients should book their travel via telephone or email (details below).
Travel warrants are emailed or posted to the patient in time for their appointment. Out with Patient Travel Office hours, patients should contact the Western Isles Hospital on 01851 704704 for assistance.
Your local Patient Travel Office can be found at:
| Lewis & Harris Office | Uist Office | Barra Office |
|---|---|---|
| NHS Western Isles 37 South Beach Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2BB | Uist & Barra Hospital Balivanich Benbecula HS7 5LA | Council Offices Castlebay Isle of Barra HS9 5XD |
| Open: Monday-Friday 09.00-13.00 14.00-16.30 | Open: Monday-Friday 09.00-13.00 14.00-16.30 | Open: Monday-Friday 09.00-17.00 |
| Tel. 01851 708021 | Tel. 01870 603606 | Tel. 01871 810431 |
| Email: wi.patienttravelwihb@nhs.scot | Email: wi.patienttraveluist@nhs.scot | Email: patient.travel@cne-siar.gov.uk |
The Travel Officer will give you a copy of the NHS Western Isles Patient Travel Information Booklet which contains detailed guidelines to help you through the system. This booklet is intended to supplement the Patient Travel Information and Claims Form.
Are you having difficulty getting to a hospital appointment?
The Scottish Ambulance Service (S.A.S) offers a patient transport service which assists patients get to and from their hospital appointments.
Patients who require this service are asked to contact the S.A.S. Booking Line tel. 0300 123 1236 or visit: www.scottishambulance.com
In the event that a patient requires ambulance transport to take them to/from an airport for a flight to a hospital appointment, they must
- contact their local Patient Travel Office to book the flight, and
- contact S.A.S to arrange ambulance transport.
Local Patient Travel Offices
Information, help, and advice are available at your local Patient Travel Office. You can pick up a copy of the Patient Travel Information and Claims Form there.
The Travel Officers are there to help you. In hardship situations, they can also give you a payment in advance of your trip to cover the cost of accommodation and for taxis when necessary. Usually a week’s notice is required to approve an advance.
Click here to view/download the NHS Western Isles’ Patient Travel Policy.
Macmillan Patient Grant
A Macmillan Patient Grant may be available to help you, so why not discuss your needs with your Macmillan Nurse?
These grants cover a variety of financial needs for expenses incurred because of your illness. The Macmillan nurse will apply for you. Anyone with cancer is eligible to apply, provided you do not have savings in excess of £6,000 if single or £8,000 if a couple.
Macmillan nurses are there to offer practical advice and emotional support to you and your family from the moment of diagnosis, and you can contact them directly yourself on the phone numbers listed below.
Lewis & Harris – tel. 01851 704704
Uists & Barra – tel. 01870 603010
Macmillan Nursing Team – tel. 01851 704704
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
CAB offices in the Western Isles can provide a wealth of advice about money and benefits.
Lewis: tel. 01851 705727
Harris: tel. 01859 502431
Uist: tel. 01870 602421
Barra: tel. 01871 810608
While you are away, you can also contact mainland CAB offices for advice at:
Inverness CAB Office – tel. 01463 706014
Macmillan CAB Office – tel. 01463 706014
Do you need someone to go with you?
Travelling with an escort
You may be eligible for an escort, but you must discuss this with your local travel office to discuss eligibility.
Hospital visitors
If you are visiting a relative in hospital, Loganair offers a Hospital Visitors Scheme with reduced airfare rates and flexibility on the return leg of the ticket. To make an enquiry please contact Loganair directly by telephoning 0344 800 2855.
The Patient Travel Office does not book visitor travel.
Do you need a wheelchair at your mainland appointment?
If you require a wheelchair whilst on the mainland, or if you do not have your own, the Red Cross can offer short-term loans of medical equipment. Visit their website by clicking here.
Do you plan on taking your own wheelchair to your appointment?
If you are taking your own wheelchair to a mainland appointment, then your Patient Travel Office will need the wheelchair details (make, model and weight) as these details are required by the airline.
If your wheelchair is electric, then the dimension sizes will also be required.
Do you need assistance at the airport?
There may be times when you might need help getting through the airport – just think of those long corridors.
Your airline can help you. They are there to help. There is a free service where they will help you with your bags and guide you through the system. Loganair offers a “Meet and Assist” service, as well as a wheelchair service, which can be arranged through their customer services department.
The Patient Travel Office can arrange to make arrangements for an ambulift or wheelchair at the airport on your behalf.
Do you know how to get to the hospital?
Information booklets for specific hospitals are sent by the hospital along with the letter confirming your appointment. Maps will also be available from the hospital.
The Patient Travel Office does not provide this information.
Do you need overnight accommodation?
Many patients will need to stay overnight either before or after their appointment.
Although the Patient Travel Office will make your travel booking, you are responsible for arranging your own accommodation.
The Patient Travel Officer may be able to offer suggestions for accommodation. Also, addresses of suitable accommodation may be obtained from the Scottish Tourist Board, and sometimes from the hospital itself. Some hospitals even offer reasonable accommodation within their hospital grounds.
Click here to view/download the NHS Western Isles’ Patient Travel Policy which provides information on overnight accommodation subsistence you may be eligible for.
In the event that your flight or ferry has been cancelled, or that you have missed your flight or travel connections, your travel company should be able to assist you and arrange alternative travel arrangements. Contact details will be on your travel documents.
However, if you have any difficulties, please contact your Patient Travel Office as soon as possible during normal working hours.
- NEXT PAGE: Patient Travel - At your appointment
- LAST REVIEWED ON: October 24, 2023