Referrals

The Referral Process Sometimes it may be necessary for you to travel for treatment that is not available on your island. This simple guide to off island treatment has been produced by the Health and Social Services Department, the Social Security Department and the Medical Specialist Group. N.B. The 'Going off island for treatment' leaflet is available from HIG offices. . This explains the process for going off island for treatment in 4 simple steps. Contact Travel Solutions to arrange your travel. Tel: 711743. email [email protected] A HEALTH INFORMATION TRAVEL PACK WHICH WILL INCLUDE LOTS OF INVALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TRAVEL/HOSPITAL AND ACCOMMODATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY COMPLETING THE FORM AND RETURNING IN THE FREEPOST ENVELOPE PROVIDED BY SOCIAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT FOR THIS PURPOSE.

Please Note the following:- Important Information For Private Patients from Off Island Services June 2015 If you are a private patient and need to go off island for treatment, SSD will pay for travel costs if the treatment is unavailable in Guernsey. Accommodation will NOT be paid for ANY privately referred treatments and you may need to check with your insurance company to see if they will cover these costs. This policy is currently under review.

Travel Solutions (formerly Uniglobe Travel)
The Albany
South Esplanade
St Peter Port
GY1 1AG

Tel No: 01481 737898
Fax No: 01481 711743
Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected] > <>

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 at short notice or emergency travel only the office will be open between 10.00am - 4.0pm on a Saturday.  The medical travel desk is situated on the ground  floor. 

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.  Handycabs Taxis who pick up at Southampton Airport do not provide child seats/boosters so if necessary you must take your own.  Please advise the travel agent if you will be taking your own child seat so they are able to inform Handycabs in advance.  Classic 500 Taxis, Gatwick Airport London provide child seats/boosters free of charge but they must be ordered at the time of booking.

Travel Itinerary details will 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 taxi will take you from the airport to the hospital and back. You will need to make arrangements with the taxi driver for your return journey.  A voucher for this part of your travel will be issued by Travel Solutions and this must be handed to the taxi driver upon arrival.

Information as to where to meet the taxi driver will be on the voucher given to you by Travel Solutions.  If you are travelling with hold luggage then please advise the travel agent to pass this information on to the taxi company.  All seats in the taxi may be allocated so if there is anyone travelling with you please ensure the travel agent has been made aware so that your accompanying party can be added to the taxi voucher.

Should your flight be delayed, cancelled or you are not going to travel, please telephone the taxi company to rearrange or cancel your taxi transfers. 

Tel 023 80 615 222

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 Travel Grant Section of the Social Security Department Tel 732510 or www.gov.gg/ssdhealthcare 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