MEMBERS of a cancer support group are demanding action after discovering patients could be missing out on vital treatment because they cannot get to hospital.

The Dorset Cancer Network found out that an agricultural worker living in a rural part of the county was considering rejecting radiotherapy because they could not afford hospital transport.

Despite being on a very low income, the patient did not qualify for free transport and was advised against driving themselves due to the side-effects of the treatment.

Once the problem was discovered, help was made available, but network members are concerned others are missing out on life-saving care.

In some cases, transport to hospital is costing the elderly more than they receive in state pension.

Poole Hospital, which looks after cancer patients from across the county, provides hospital transport at a cost of £10 per return journey up to 10 miles, £15 per return journey between 10 and 20 miles and £18 per return journey of 30 miles plus. Out-of-county journeys cost £35.

The £100,000-a-year service, at subsidised rates compared with using private taxis, is one the hospital is not obliged to provide.

Patients admitted they were grateful for the scheme, but said it was time for government help.

One member of the network's Partnership Panel User Involvement Group said: "I heard of a patient that's coming from Bere Regis every day and it's costing him £90 a week. The basic state pension is about £70 a week.

"It hasn't happened yet that people have refused treatment, but people are thinking about it and that's really worrying.

"At the moment the government doesn't provide the money. We need to write to MPs and get them to lobby the government to see if there's some money to provide this service."

Help is available to some struggling patients, but many do not realise they qualify.

Another network member said: "People need to be more pro-active in asking, or commenting that it's going to be a problem."

A Poole Hospital spokeswoman said: "Any patient who is entitled to claim benefit such as Income Support will be exempt and receive hospital transport free of charge for a period of six months, with an option to extend if the patient requires further treatment."

First published: May 21