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Elderly parents
Original poster

What support with transport?

38 replies

Truetoself · 21/08/2025 16:22

My elderly 86 year old frail relative (spinster) lives with my equally frail 80 year old mum. My mum is is the only one that drives but I am unsure how much longer she will be able to drive for.
Are there any funded transport options for them to get to appointments with the GP? Taxis are unfortunately too costly for them and I live too far away for short notice appointments that they usually have with the GP.

OP posts:
Flossflower · 21/08/2025 16:42

DiscoBob · 21/08/2025 16:31

You can't use patient transport for GPs appointments sadly.

Could the GP do a home visit? I know district nurses do.

I know there's a discounted taxi scheme in London for elderly people, but that's probably no help. It's extremely unreliable anyway tbh.

GPs will only do home visits for house bound people.

Flossflower · 21/08/2025 16:41

If they are currently running a car, surely when they get rid of it they can afford many taxis. They will not be paying for insurance, petrol, car service, mot and repairs. Will they get some money for the car they are giving up that they can spend on taxis?

Nookfoot · 21/08/2025 16:39

Are taxis too expensive? If you consider the cost of running a car, they might even be cheaper. That's what my parents are finding. They love Uber.

unicornsarereal72 · 21/08/2025 16:34

Most areas have a good neighbours scheme which uses volunteers and will charge fuel only. Have a Google for your area. My mum uses them for appointments that I can’t get her too

DiscoBob · 21/08/2025 16:31

You can't use patient transport for GPs appointments sadly.

Could the GP do a home visit? I know district nurses do.

I know there's a discounted taxi scheme in London for elderly people, but that's probably no help. It's extremely unreliable anyway tbh.

PamIsAVolleyballChamp · 21/08/2025 16:29

Are they both getting attendance allowance?

Original poster
Truetoself · 21/08/2025 16:29

Yes I am aware of hospital transport - hopefully it is reliable. I know on the way back from hospital you need to wait until they collect everyone but if you need to get to a specific appointment i am unsure how reliable it is

OP posts:
Mustbethat · 21/08/2025 16:28

Do they get attendance allowance? It’s about £200 a month iirc and is intended for exactly this stuff- taxis, cleaners etc when they can’t manage any more.

callfromthemountain · 21/08/2025 16:28

The town where DF lives has a volunteer group that does this - they even take people to the nearest city (an hour away) for hospital appointements. It might be worth asking on a local FB group, or at the GP practice if they know of anything.

Original poster
Truetoself · 21/08/2025 16:27

Yeah I don’t mind contributing or even paying a reasonable amount. Normal taxis are just extortionate

OP posts:
CCLCECSC · 21/08/2025 16:27

Not sure on the GP front, but hospital appointments you can prearrange transport for.

bizzey · 21/08/2025 16:26

I would imagine you would still have to contribute/pay for petrol and stuff .

bizzey · 21/08/2025 16:25

Maybe something like AGEUK might have a buddy system , where they have volunteers for this sort of thing ?

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