Travel Solutions (formerly Uniglobe Travel)
1 The Albany
South Esplanade
St Peter Port
GY1 1AG
Tel No: 01481 737898
Fax No: 01481 711743
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.travelsolutions.uk.com
Travel Solutions is contracted by SSD to arrange your medical travel. Once you have received your letter from SSD confirming your travel referral and you know your appointment or admission date, please phone, email or call into their office to make your arrangements.
Bookings can be made between 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday. N.B. For travel within 72 hours or emergency travel only the office will be open between 10.00am - 4.00pm on a Saturday.
Please inform the travel agent if you require assistance at the airport as this can be arranged for you when booking your travel but may be more difficult to secure if it is not booked before your departure. Handicabs Taxis who pick up at Southampton Airport do not provide child seats/Please advise the travel agent if you will be taking your own child seat so they are able to inform Handicabs in advance. Classic 500 Taxis at Gatwick airport provide child seats/boosters free of charge but these must be ordered at the time of booking.
Travel Itinerary details will be emailed to you-please provide an email address at the time of booking. If rail tickets are required, they will need to be collected from Travelsolutions prior to travel. The travel agent will only book travel specified by SSD, however travel can be booked for anyone travelling with you but a fee will apply.normally be issued one week before travel. The travel agent will only book travel specified by SSD, however travel can be booked for anyone travelling with you but a fee will apply.
Transport from the Airport
Taxis
If your doctor confirms that due to medical reasons you are unable to use the rail, underground or bus then funding of a taxi will be considered.
Southampton
If you are travelling to a hospital in Southampton a shuttle transfer will take you from the airport and back again. You will need to call the transfer company (Handicabs) to confirm your return journey. No vouchers are required to utilise the transfer service and the contact information for the company is provided on your travel itinerary should you need to amend or cancel your transfers.
Patients are permitted one complimentary companion on the transfer service but Travelsolutions must be notified at the time of booking. Should your flight be delayed or cancelled, or you are not going to travel, please telephone the transfer company to re arrange or cancel your transfers
London
Rail tickets will be provided from Gatwick or Stanstead to a mainline station or underground station close to the hospital you are attending. If you are unable to walk to the hospital from the nearest underground station you should take a taxi and ask for a receipt. A refund can be claimed from SSD on your return to Guernsey but only if you are able to provide them with receipts.
Jersey
Bus fares will be refunded on submission of receipts or used tickets to SSD.
Other Destinations
Either rail or taxi will be arranged depending on your destination. If rail is not available and Travel Solutions do not have a contract with a local taxi firm you may have to pay for a taxi then claim a refund upon your return with submission of receipts to SSD.
If you require any further information regarding your travel please contact the Social Security Travel Allowance Grant Edward T Wheadon House,St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 >Social Security Department Tel 732510 or e.mail [email protected] or contact Health Information Guernsey, on 707470 where we will be pleased to help you.
Photographic Identification
Photographic identity is required at airport check-in desks including inter-island flights. The name on your travel confirmation and on your identification must be exactly the same. If you do not have photographic identification, application forms for the Guernsey Identification Card are available from the Social Security Department, the Police Station or Sarnia Mutual, Church Square. Sarnia Mutual will produce the cards and can be contacted on 01481 723501.
Important Information concerning change to the Reciprocal Health Agreement
From 1 April 2009 the Reciprocal Health Agreement with the UK ended. You, the patient will be covered for any unexpected medical treatment you may require in addition to the reason for your referral, however you are only covered for the time it takes to complete the appointment/hospital stay. If you choose to travel early or stay on after your appointment the States of Guernsey will not be responsible for the cost of any medical treatment you may require during the extended period.
Please be aware that no cover is provided by either the Health & Social Services Department (HSSD) or the Social Security Department (SSD) for anyone travelling with you. All local residents travelling to the UK can access emergency treatment from a GP, A&E Department or Walk in Centre but all further care will incur a charge. You are therefore advised to ensure that anyone travelling with you is aware of this and that they obtain appropriate insurance.
For any support or enquiry relating to UK or Jersey Hospitals please contact the Off Island Acute Care Manager at :
Health and Social Services Department
Corporate Headquarters
Tel No: 725241 Ext 4711