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Hospital Travel Cost Scheme

Help with Travel Costs to Hospital

If you need to go to hospital for treatment, you might be able to get money back for your travel.

How to Plan Your Journey

You can use a website called Connect Tees Valley to plan your trip by bus or train.

You’ll need:

  • Your home postcode (where you’re starting from)

  • The hospital postcode (where you’re going)

Type these into the website and click “Begin My Journey”. It will show you which bus or train to take and where to get on and off.

If you prefer to talk to someone, call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 (open 7am–9pm every day). Calls from landlane and mobile cost about 12p per minute.

Hospital Addresses

Here are the postcodes for local hospitals:

  • Hartlepool Hospital: TS24 9AH

  • North Tees Hospital (Stockton): TS19 8PE

  • James Cook Hospital (Middlesbrough): TS4 3BW

Use these postcodes on the journey planner to find your route.

Shuttle Bus

North Tees Hospital has a small bus that goes between Hartlepool and the hospital. It’s free, but you must book a seat the day before. Call 01642 617617 to book.

For further information please visit the North East Ambulance Trust website.

Patient Transport Service

If you can’t use public transport because of your health, your doctor or hospital can book a special NHS transport for you.

For further information please visit the North East Ambulance Trust website.

Getting Money Back for Travel

You might be able to get money back for your travel if:

  • You get certain benefits

  • You have an HC2 certificate (you don’t pay anything)

  • You have an HC3 certificate (you pay part of the cost)

What You Can Claim

You can ask for money back for:

  • Bus or train tickets

  • Petrol if you drive

  • Volunteer driver costs

  • Parking fees

  • Taxi fares (only if there’s no other way to travel — ask the hospital first)

What You Need to Bring

To get your money back, bring:

  • Your HC2 certificate, HC3 certificate or benefit letter

  • Your travel tickets or receipts

Please ask at the hospital reception when you arrive.