We know that many patients worry about the financial impact of cancer.
More information on the help and support available is below:
You may be eligible for a blue badge. You can contact your local council directly, or speak to your nurse specialist or Oncology Day Unit team for more information
Northumberland County Council:
Northumberland County Council - Disabled parking and blue badges
North Tyneside County Council:
Benefits Guide: Useful Numbers - UK Benefits Guide
Department for Work and Pensions: Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Macmillan Cancer Support: Benefits and financial support | Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service in Northumberland and North Tyneside: Patients can self-refer by phone on
Maggie’s, Newcastle: Maggie's Newcastle | Maggie's (maggies.org)
Getting advice from a Macmillan benefits adviser
Managing your mortgage costs
Managing your housing costs
British Gas
British Gas Energy Support Fund may help you with increased energy costs. You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply.
British Gas Energy Support Fund
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan has information on help with energy costs here - MAC11290 Managing your energy costs E05 (macmillan.org.uk)
North Tyneside Council
Information on the household support fund, cost of living payments, energy bills, support for families and transport costs is available here - Cost of living support | North Tyneside Council
Northern Powergrid - priority service register
Northern Powergrid has a priority services register. This is a free service to help the network look after those who need it most, during an interruption to their energy (gas and electric) supply.
The service can include:
- Support during gas and/or electricity interruptions
- Advanced notice of planned power cuts
- Provision of heating, cooking and water facilities
People with cancer may be eligible for this service. You can also register through your own energy supplier or online at https://
Northumberland County Council
Information on household support fund, cost of living payments, energy bills, support for families and transport costs is available here - Cost of living support - Northumberland County Council
Some patients may be eligible for help with prescription charges and travel.
Prescriptions are free in England for people with cancer or living with the effects of cancer or its treatment.
Ask your hospital team or GP for a FP92A form to apply for a medical exemption from prescription charges. They will sign and complete the form and you will receive a medical exemption certificate.
This certificate lasts for 5 years and covers all NHS prescription charges (including medication for non-cancer conditions). You will need to renew it after 5 years, if you are still eligible.
You will need this certificate to get free prescriptions from a pharmacy.
Patients who have hair loss as a result of chemotherapy treatments can be referred for a wig.
There are a number of suppliers locally. Please speak to your nurse specialist or Oncology Day Unit team.
We offer free car parking under certain circumstances for patients or their visitors. This includes those patients attending regularly over a long period, visitors of long-stay patients and those who are staying in the hospital with patients.
There may be other situations. Exemptions are issued by the ward or department manager. Please speak to them if you think you may qualify.
The Berwick & District Cancer Support Group (‘Berwick Cancer Cars’)
You can access The Berwick & District Cancer Support Group by clicking here
Transport booking line: 07780 795244
Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care
You can access Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care page by clicking here
If you need chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Daft as a Brush may be able to help with transport. Please speak to your health care team about accessing this service.
Patient Transport Service
You can access Patient Transport Service from the North East Ambulance Service by clicking here
Telephone: 0191 215 1515 (Open Monday to Friday 08.00 am – 18.00pm)
Tynedale Hospice
You can access Tynedale Hospice information page by clicking here
The hospice help with transport if you live in the Wylam, Ponteland and West Northumberland areas.