Vol. 566 No. 1
490 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if all health boards reimburse cancer patients who are attending St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin their expenses towards taxi expenses from the hospital to the train stations each weekend as they leave the hospital to travel home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12041/03]
My Department has consulted with all regional health boards in relation to this matter. There are a number of different arrangements in place at health board level to support patients attending at St. Luke's Hospital, including ambulance, contracted transport – taxi, minibus, train and air transport, as appropriate. My Department has been advised that transport to St. Luke's Hospital for cancer treatment is either provided by the board or travelling costs incurred by or on behalf of the patient are reimbursed upon application. The boards' reimburse travel costs following a needs assessment on an individual patient basis.
