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Scottish Government submission dated 21st October 2021

PE1886/D: Establish a specialist paediatric liver centre in Scotland

Following the Committee’s consideration of the above petition, I write in response to your letter of 24th September, in which you asked the Scottish Government to consider what action could be taken to reimburse costs claimed under the patient travel reimbursement scheme more quickly and to help, where necessary, with upfront costs.

The Scottish Government provides the overall guidance to NHS Boards on reimbursement of patient travel costs. Individual Boards are responsible for developing and applying their own policies, taking account of local circumstances, and for ensuring those policies are patient-centred and support equity of access.

Where a patient is eligible for assistance with travel costs, claims will normally be ratified and reimbursed within 1 to 2 weeks, allowing time for the claim and supporting documentation to be reviewed.

In the event that assistance is required with upfront costs, Health Boards can make bookings on behalf of eligible patients and this should be discussed with the relevant Health Board as part of the overall treatment arrangements. Health Boards are expected to work with patients where there’s a need for travel and to assist them in identifying and accessing available assistance.

Further to this, the Scottish Government plans to take forward a comprehensive review of the arrangements in place for provision of financial support for patient travel. I am grateful to the Committee for raising these matters, which will certainly be considered as part of this review.