ICS Travel2Care Scheme
 Travel2Care is a transportation assistance fund which has been made available by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) to patients travelling to the eight designated cancer care centres or approved satellite centre and is administered by the Irish Cancer Society.
The National Cancer Strategy – A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland – published in 2006, recommended that all major cancer treatment be delivered in eight designated specialist cancer centres which are:
- Beaumont Hospital
- Cork University Hospital
- Galway University Hospital
- Mater Misericordiae Hospital
- Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick
- St James’s Hospital
- St Vincent’s University Hospital
- Waterford Regional Hospital
- Approved satellite centre: Letterkenny General Hospital.
The HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has responsibility for the implementation of the Strategy and this will involve overseeing the transfer of all major cancer diagnostic and treatments to the designated centres or approved satellite centre. The NCCP has identified the transfer of symptomatic breast cancer services as the first service to be transferred.
The Travel2Care scheme is being implemented on a phased basis consistent with the transfer of cancer services to the designated cancer centres and approved satellite centre. Currently, individuals diagnosed with breast cancer are entitled to claim financial support for travel costs related to diagnosis and treatment.
However, the following will now also be accepted as eligible recipients under the provisions of the Travel2Care scheme:
- Patients travelling to the Rapid Access Diagnostic Clinics for prostate cancer currently in operation in St. James’s Hospital, St. Vincent’s University Hospital and Galway University Hospital. The NCCP plans to roll out the service in each of the eight national centres of excellence over the coming months.
- Patients travelling to the Rapid Access Diagnostic Clinics for lung cancer currently in operation in St. James’s Hospital, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Beaumont Hospital and Waterford Regional. The NCCP plans to roll out the service in each of the eight national centres of excellence over the coming months.
- Patients diagnosed with breast cancer through BreastCheck and receiving treatment in one of the designated centres or satellite clinic are eligible to apply.
The aim of the Travel2Care scheme is to help patients with their travel costs if they have genuine financial hardship or need due to travelling to a designated cancer centre or approved satellite centre. Travel2Care will provide some financial help towards the costs of public transport such as trains or buses, private transport costs; or petrol and parking.
In light of the expansion of the Travel2Care scheme the application forms to be submitted have been redesigned and a generic form will exist going forward in respect of all cancers. This will also apply once the scheme undergoes further expansion.
Form A: Assessment and Investigations - Covers assessment and investigations only in the designated cancer centre or approved satellite centre (Letterkenny) and is filled out by the patient. |
 Travel2Care Form A
(PDF, 588KB)
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Form B: Ongoing Treatment - Covers ongoing treatment for symptomatic breast cancer services in the eight designated Cancer Care Centres or approved satellite centre (Letterkenny), including follow-on treatment in a regional hospital and may be filled out by a healthcare professional at the hospital. The patient will also be asked to sign this form.
Accommodation Assistance - If patients need to stay near the designated cancer centre before or after their appointment, due to their medical condition, they may be eligible for some assistance from Travel2Care. This is based on a limit of €50 per person per night. Their reason for accommodation must be confirmed by a healthcare professional. |
Travel2Care Form B
(PDF, 580KB)
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Patients who have been given an appointment for assessment / investigations in one of the eight designated cancer care centres or approved satellite centre are sent an information pack which contains information on Travel2Care. They may obtain application forms directly from:
Eimear Considine,
Travel2Care,
Irish Cancer Society.
Tel. 01-2316619 or e-mail travel2care@irishcancer.ie
With regard to ongoing treatment, healthcare professionals will be the main point of contact for patients who require support from Travel2Care. Applications should be sent to the Irish Cancer Society where they will be assessed and dealt with in a timely and efficient manner. This NCCP funded transport system will operate in parallel with the non-transport funded grants already allocated by the Irish Cancer Society as part of the Society’s existing Financial Aid scheme.
The NCCP and the Irish Cancer Society are committed to seeing this scheme provide the much needed assistance to those affected by cancer and encountering serious issues in terms of transportation.
We welcome feedback and any concerns or issues that you may wish to share in relation to the Travel2Care scheme or the area of transportation itself.
Further information
Please contact:
Eimear Considine,
Travel2Care,
Irish Cancer Society.
Tel. 01-2316619 or e-mail travel2care@irishcancer.ie
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