A brain tumour diagnosis may affect your ability to travel, both currently or in the future. This can be due to treatments and medications, the effects of the tumour itself or the cost of travel insurance.
The following schemes may make it easier for you to travel around in the UK by road following a brain tumour diagnosis:
Find out about schemes to make it easier to travel by rail and whether you qualify for help with travel costs for medical appointments.
If you have severe mobility issues, you or your carer may be entitled to a 'Blue Badge' under the government's 'Blue Badge scheme'. This allows you, or the person who is driving you, to park near to where you need to go. Blue badges are given by your local council following a disability assessment. For more information about the scheme, visit: gov.uk/blue-badge-scheme-information-council
Please note conditions for the Blue Badge scheme differ in Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Camden and the City of London from concessions in the rest of the country
If you have a disability or severe mobility issues, you may be entitled to reduced costs when using public transport. The links below enable you to find your local council website, where you can find out who issues disabled bus and other public transport passes in your area:
Some councils have taxicard schemes, which provide reduced taxi fares for those who have mobility issues or visual impairments and who have difficulty using public transport, such as buses (or tubes). Contact your local council to see if they have this scheme.
Some voluntary organisations provide schemes that may help you with transport to medical appointments or support groups or to go shopping. Local councils keep a list of such organisations.
Patients or carers may be entitled to financial help with costs incurred for travelling to and from hospital appointments including parking charges.
Many areas also have community transport services for people who have difficulty using public transport, either through disability issues or because they live in a rural area . These include door-to-door transport and trips to shopping centres. The links below will enable you to search for these services in your area:
The following schemes may make it easier for you to travel around in the UK by rail following a brain tumour diagnosis:
If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, you may qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard. This allows you to get a third off most rail fares. Additionally, if you are travelling with another adult, they may also be entitled to a third off their rail fare. You may qualify if you have a visual impairment, a hearing impairment or epilepsy.
For more information visit: disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
If you find it difficult to stand on public transport, Transport for London (TfL) have a free badge and card to alert fellow passengers that you need a seat.
It can be used on any TfL services in London and the SouthEast - London Underground, London Overground, TfL Rail, Buses, DLR, Trams and River Services.
To find out more and apply for your badge and card, visit: tfl.gov.uk/campaign/please-offer-me-a-seat
In addition to the above, you may be entitled to financial help with costs incurred for travelling to and from hospital appointments and parking charges. This usually involves being able to claim back costs, rather than receiving up front payment. You will need to pay on each occasion and then claim back the money.
You must meet certain criteria to qualify for such assistance including:
For more information and a full list of eligibility criteria, please visit the NHS Choices website.
If you have further questions, need to clarify any of the information on this page, or want to find out more about research and clinical trials, please contact our team:
0808 800 0004 (free from landlines and mobiles)
support@thebraintumourcharity.org
Phone lines open Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00
clinicaltrials@thebraintumourcharity.org
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