Children with cancer to have travel costs paid under new £10 million scheme
Travel costs for families with children with cancer will be covered under a new £10 million government scheme.
The National Cancer Plan, which will be unveiled in full on Wednesday, details how children and young people up to the age of 24 and their families can travel to appointments regardless of their income.
While the cost ceiling per family remains unclear, the Ministry of Health stated that this issue will be addressed during plan design.
The funding is part of a wider package to transform young people’s cancer care, promising better diagnostics, expanded genomic testing for clinical trials and increased psychological support.
Young hospitalized cancer patients can also expect a better variety of food that suits their tastes and is available outside meal times.
Charities welcomed the move and Rachel Kirby-Rider, CEO of Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “Young Lives vs Cancer has been campaigning for a travel fund for young cancer patients for almost a decade.
“Today’s announcement of special travel costs support is a huge step forward in transforming the lives of children and young people with cancer and their families.
“Until now young people and families were falling into debt and even missing out on treatment just because they were being paid an extra £250 each month to go to hospital. We are ready to work with the Government to make this a success.”
Jules Worrall, interim chief executive of the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Cancer kills more young people in the UK than any other disease.
“By providing a special focus on young people with cancer, the UK National Cancer Plan has the potential to reduce the impact of this devastating disease.
“We are pleased that the plan aims to improve access to clinical trials, which is a key issue for young people with cancer.
“Removing barriers that prevent them from accessing innovative new treatments could be a potential lifeline for some.
“Our hope is that these new commitments will also lead to faster diagnoses for young people with cancer, which we know are crucial to improving health outcomes, and catalyze greater access to vital psychosocial support.”
According to the Ministry of Health, more than a third of families whose children have cancer travel more than an hour to reach the hospital to make an appointment.
There are 13 specialist centers across the UK that care for children with cancer.
Health and Social Care Minister Wes Streeting said: “When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their family’s sole focus should be on helping them recover and getting them well, not on whether they can afford the petrol or bus fare to get to their next appointment.
“This small change will make a world of difference for parents.
“Our plan will leave no family out of pocket while their child develops cancer.
“It doesn’t matter what you earn; if your child needs treatment, we will help you get them there.
“While a child is fighting cancer, his family should not be fighting the system.”
Emma Wilding’s son Theo was diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia in October 2024 at the age of five months.
Alder Hey children’s hospital is 45 minutes from the family home in West Lancashire.
She said: “As we had to be with Theo while he was receiving treatment, we had no choice but to pay for fuel and parking at the hospital.
“But it was a financial struggle at a time when our household income was decreasing.
“As I sat on the ward, I met many families struggling with these costs, many traveling from further afield to the hospital.
“I know this news will mean a lot to young people and families of children with cancer, so they won’t have to worry so much about how to get to the hospital.”
As part of wider plans, there will also be greater focus on play opportunities provided to children in the hospital, and mental health support during diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up will be standardized for all young cancer patients.
The plan is also expected to include further detail on supporting the 830,000 working-age cancer patients in England to remain in employment during and after treatment.
