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 benefits information: Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Macmillan Cancer Support: Benefits and financial support | Macmillan Cancer Support
Self-employment and cancer | Understanding your choices | Macmillan Cancer Support
Work and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service in Northumberland and North Tyneside: Patients can self-refer by phone on 01670 641903 or by email to macmillan
Maggie’s, Newcastle: Maggie's Newcastle | Maggie's (maggies.org)
Getting advice from a Macmillan benefits adviser
Managing your housing costs
British Gas
British Gas Energy Support Fund may help you with increased energy costs. For British Gas customers only.
British Gas Energy Support Fund
Healthwatch
Healthwatch Northumberland and North Tyneside both have pages providing information on help and support available with the cost of living.
This includes warm hubs/spaces, energy, clothing, foodbanks, travel, IT help, and mental health support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Help with the cost of living and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Managing energy and heating costs | Macmillan Cancer Support
Northumberland County Council
Information on the household support fund, cost of living payments, energy bills, support for families and transport costs - Cost of living support | Northumberland County Council
North Tyneside Council
Information on the household support fund, cost of living payments, energy bills, support for families and transport costs - 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 prescriptions charges and travel.
For general information on help with health costs, visit Help with health costs - NHS.
For information on the low-income scheme, visit NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) - NHS.
If you have cancer or are having cancer treatment, you are eligible for free NHS prescriptions.
To claim free prescriptions, you will need to apply for a medical exemption certificate. This lasts for five years. You can renew it if you are still eligible.
Ask your cancer team or GP about how to apply for free prescriptions.
Click here for more on help with prescription costs and the NHS low income scheme.
Patients who have hair loss because of their treatment can be referred for a wig or a hair piece. We have several suppliers locally.
Please speak to your nurse specialist or Oncology Day Unit team for more information.
Parking at our hospitals
We offer free parking to patients or their visitors in certain circumstances. Patients who attend for treatment at one of our Oncology Day Units or who attend outpatient clinics or Medical Day Units on a regular basis my be eligible. Please speak to your nursing or Oncology Day Unit team for more information.
Driving and cancer
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Transport
If you need help to get to your appointments, click on the links below for more.
Information on help with travel costs.
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
Transport for relatives
If you live in Berwick and have a close relative who is an inpatient at North Tyneside, Northumbria hospital (NSECH) or Wansbeck, and you do not have access to transport to be able to visit them, contact Berwick porters who will be able organise transport on your behalf. Please note pick-up and drop-off will be from Berwick Infirmary.
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.
Using public transport
Patients with a concessionary pass who have a hospital appointment can travel on public transport before 9.30am as long as you have information about the appointment. This could be an appointment letter, email or text message.
Travelling in the UK and abroad
Having cancer can make travelling more complicated. This may mean that you need to take extra care and plan.
Things to consider if you are planning to travel:
- Planning ahead
- Travel insurance
- Taking medicine abroad
- Looking after yourself, when you are away
For general information about travel and cancer, visit:
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Travel insurance
The insurance directory created by MoneyHelper can be used to search for FCA-approved travel insurers, who may offer cover to people with pre-existing medical conditions - www.
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Sun safety
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