A WOMAN who has just finished six weeks of radiotherapy for a brain tumour had to pay £430 just to get to and from Poole Hospital for her treatment.

Retired businesswoman Jacqueline Simons, of Westbourne, Bournemouth, is not allowed to drive and has difficulty walking, so inquired about hospital transport to her outpatient appointments.

The hospital has a contract with a taxi company and Mrs Simons sometimes shared her £7 each way journey with other patients.

“I don’t think people realise that there aren’t volunteers to take you there and it’s not free. For somebody who has to have treatment five days a week for six weeks and is a pensioner, £430 is a lot of money,” she said.

“Treatment to cure somebody or keep them alive isn’t a choice. I’m lucky I can afford it, but a lot of people don’t know how to claim help. The hospital has been very nice, but the transport has driven me crazy.”

A Poole Hospital spokeswoman said: “We have a contract with a local taxi firm. If someone books their transport through us, they get a discount.

“Patients can claim back some of the costs of the travel if they are on certain benefits, but it varies in individual cases. Here at Poole it is possible for patients to talk to a Macmillan welfare counsellor.

“If people medically need transport, we provide it through a contract with a private ambulance company. Mrs Simons should contact the trust’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service if she has any concerns.”