Did you know that in Scotland if you are the parent, primary carer or sibling (aged under 18) of a young inpatient under the age of 18 receiving hospital care, you can claim for the costs of travel and food ?
It is a really important payment when a child requires hospital treatment and you have travel costs etc.
242 families in Orkney were able to be supported by the payment – the Young Patients Family Fund. You can even make a claim within 3 months of the young person being discharged from hospital.
Speaking about the Young Patients Family Fund, Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Emma Roddick said:
“It is really fantastic to see the Young Patients Family Fund making such a difference to families in Orkney.
“When a child is in hospital, the last thing parents and carers should have to worry about is how they will afford to be by their side.
“I’ve heard directly from families about the huge challenges and costs involved in travelling for medical appointments, and this fund is a compassionate and practical way to ease that pressure.
“The fact that 242 families in Orkney were supported by this fund shows just how essential it is. It’s a great example of the Scottish Government’s commitment to building a fairer Scotland and ensuring that geography is never a barrier to accessing the care you need.
“Representing communities like those in Orkney, I will continue to work hard to ensure that we have the right support in place for families across the Highlands and Islands.”
Click on this link for more information and how to make a claim: Young Patients Family Fund.
You can make a claim more than once, weekly if you want, or once they have been discharged.
Download an information leaflet here:
Here is a list for funding support to all of Scotland’s Health Boards
| Health Board | Funding £ | No. of Families Supported. |
| NHS Ayrshire & Arran | 54,101 | 383 |
| NHS Borders | 19,807 | 74 |
| NHS Dumfries & Galloway | 23,921 | 248 |
| NHS Fife | 58,486 | 743 |
| NHS Forth Valley | 62,225 | 324 |
| NHS Grampian | 146,189 | 1,000 |
| NHS GGC | 1,625,357 | 7,356 |
| NHS Highland | 59,883 | 395 |
| NHS Lanarkshire | 85,177 | 374 |
| NHS Lothian | 589,710 | 2,382 |
| NHS Orkney | 83,644 | 242 |
| NHS Shetland | 121,660 | 343 |
| NHS Tayside | 181,793 | 857 |
| NHS Western Isles | N/A | N/A |
Fiona Grahame
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