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Hospital Travel Cost Scheme

To plan a journey to hospital using public transport, try the Connect Tees Valley journey planner.

You will need to know:

  • the postcode of the place you are starting from (for example, your house).  Type this in the 'from' box on the journey planner.
  • the postcode of the hospital (or other place) you are travelling to.  You will need to type this into the 'to' box on the journey planner.

When you have entered the 'from' and 'to' postcodes, click the 'begin my journey' button.  You will then be given a choice of routes, each with detailed instructions of which bus or train to take, and at which stops you should get on or off.

We have given you the addresses and postcodes of:

  • the University Hospital of Hartlepool,
  • the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, and;
  • the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough

further down this page.  If you need to know how to get to a different hospital, you can search for its address on the NHS Choices website.

Plan your journey by telephone

If you would prefer to plan your journey by telephone, contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.  The Traveline phone lines are open between 7.00 am and 9.00 pm every day of the week.  Calls to Traveline cost 10p per minute from BT landlines. Call costs from mobile phones may vary.

University Hospital of North Tees

The University Hospital of North Tees is on Hardwick Road in Stockton, approximately 12 miles south west of Hartlepool town centre.

  • Download official maps and travel information

This page will help you to plan your journey to the University Hospital of North Tees. 

Travelling to North Tees by car

For those using a satellite navigation system, the hospital's postcode is TS19 8PE.

Travelling to North Tees using public transport

Bus and train services link Hartlepool to the University Hospital of North Tees.

To plan your journey to and from the hospital, try theConnect Tees Valley Journey Planner https://connectteesvalley.com/  Simply enter your start and end postcodes and the date(s) and time(s) you would like to travel and the planner will create a customised journey plan for you.  The hospital's postcode is TS19 8PE.

The Connect Tees Valley website is free to use.  Alternatively, telephone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.  This is not a freephone number.  Visit the Traveline website for up-to-date call charges.

University Hospital of North Tees shuttle bus service

The University Hospital of North Tees runs an 8-seater shuttle bus service between Hartlepool and the hospital site.  This service is primarily for hospital staff, though there are a small number of seats available for members of the public.

This service is free of charge but depends on availability.  To reserve a place on the shuttle bus you must contact the hospital the day before you wish to travel. 

To contact the University Hospital of North Tees telephone: 01642 617617

For alternative contact details please visit the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust website.

Patient transport service

The Patient Transport Service is an important operational service of the North East Ambulance NHS Trust.  Doctors, dentists and midwives are able to book non-emergency transport for patients, though this is often done by doctors' receptionists and hospital staff.

For further information please visit theNorth East Ambulance Trust website.

Hospital addresses:

Univeristy Hospital of Hartlepool

The University Hospital of Hartlepool is on Holdforth Road, between Winterbottom Avenue and Easington Road.  The postcode is TS24 9AH.  Type this into the 'to' box on the Connect Tees Valley website to work out how to get there using public transport.

 
University Hospital of North Tees (Stockton)

The University Hospital of North Tees is on Hardwick Road in Stockton.  The postcode is TS19 8PE.  Type this into the 'to' box on the Connect Tees Valley journey planner https://connectteesvalley.com/to work out how to get there using public transport.

The James Cook University Hospital (Middlesbrough)

The James Cook University Hospital is on Marton Road in Middlesbrough.  The postcode is TS4 3BW.  Type this into the 'to' box on the Connect Tees Valley journey planner https://connectteesvalley.com/ to work out how to get there using public transport.

Hospital travel costs scheme

Under the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) you may be refunded the cost of travelling to and from a hospital or clinic to receive NHS treatment.

You may also be able to claim back the travel costs of a second person if the hospital agrees that you need someone to travel with you for medical reasons.

You will be expected to use the cheapest form of transport available to you.

Who can claim a refund?

Fares can be refunded in full if you are automatically entitled to health benefits or have exemption certificate HC2.

If you have exemption certificate HC3 you may get some help towards the cost of your fares. The amount you have to pay will depend on the maximum amount stated on your certificate.  For example, if your HC3 certificate shows you should pay £10 and your journey costs you £15, the hospital will refund you £5.

Claiming your refund 

If you are entitled to help with the cost of your journey to hospital, payment is made at the hospital when you visit. You can claim for petrol costs if you travel by car, public transport fares, or contributions towards a voluntary transport scheme. Parking expenses may also be included.

Taxi fares will only be paid if there is no other way you can travel for all or part of the journey.  If a taxi seems to be the only form of transport you could use, be sure to discuss this with the hospital before you travel.

At the hospital, ask the receptionist for the cost of your travel to be repaid to you.  You will need to show evidence of your travel costs such as a bus ticket or receipt.  Always take your HC2 or HC3 certificate or your benefit award letter with you to prove that you are entitled to claim your travel costs back.

For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/healthcare-travel-cost-scheme