Transport help for essential hospital appt

[Gherkingreen]

MIL, 80, has been given an essential hospital appt more than 30 miles from her home this week. She's been unwell for 2 years and isn't confident to drive that far at the moment.
Letter arrived late last week & none of the volunteer transport services can accommodate her as too short notice.
No family nearby and friends unavailable (we live 300+ miles away.)
We're looking at booking a private taxi, quotes around £150 return. Does anyone know if she may be able to claim some of the cost back?

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/
hopefully this link will work. Have a read of the form. If she is receipt of certain benefits then there may be help available.

I would also consider phoning the department where she has the appointment and see if they (or PALS at the hospital) can advise on any other options re transport.

Have you contacted your local hospital or the destination hospital to see if they have any patient travel service?

patient transfer
Patient transfer to Maidstone hospital

healthcare travel costs

Information on getting help with hospital travel costs.

Thanks for replying! @Mouthfulofquiz the hospital said it can only provide transport for emergencies.
@Riverlee there are a couple of patient transport services run by volunteers but all booked up unfortunately.
Will research claiming back taxi costs, she's in receipt of some benefits so looks like she may be eligible.

Quick update: spoke to hospital Patient Experience team who provided named person in transport team, who is sending a form to MIL to claim back cost of taxi through pension credit system as they can't provide transport for this essential, long awaited appt.
Don't particularly want to take £ away from an already underfunded NHS but also don't want MIL to pay £150.

Thanks for coming back and updating us, and we’ll done on the outcome.