Orkney Dental Patients to Pay for Travel Expenses as Funding is Pulled
Orkney dental patients have been informed that they will no longer be able to claim travel expenses for routine treatment in Kirkwall and Stromness. NHS Orkney has confirmed that funding for a travel scheme has been pulled, as there is not enough money available to continue the programme.
The scheme will be stopped on March 31st and patients will have to cover their own travel costs. NHS Orkney said that there is no more funding available for the scheme and in line with other health boards in Scotland, there is no other option to pull the programme.
There will be certain exceptions and patients who are currently undergoing treatment as part of the Hospital Travel Scheme will be able to claim back their travel expenses. Treatments covered by this scheme include treatments carried out under sedation or general anaesthetic, oral surgery, appointments with consultants and treatments provided by consultants, which would normally be undertaken in other hospitals, such as facial surgery.
For anyone is experiencing financial hardship, it may be possible to claim a one-off emergency payment from Orkney Islands Council. This option is only available for patients who are undergoing planned treatment.
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