Going into hospital

When you're planning for a stay in hospital, you may need support with getting there and looking after things at home whilst you're away.
 

Getting to the hospital

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has information on getting to hospitals in West Berkshire. This includes directions, parking and facilities. They have maps of some of the Berkshire hospitals so you can find your way. 

You can also find information about visiting Hampshire hospitals and directions for Great Western Hospital in Swindon online.

You can read the NHS guide on organising transport to and from hospital. If you're referred to hospital (or other NHS premises) for specialist NHS treatment or tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

Community transport

If your GP hasn't arranged your transport to hospital, volunteer schemes may be able to help. The West Berkshire Volunteer Car Scheme covers Newbury and Thatcham. Check the Volunteer Centre website for other car schemes and Handybus services outside of Newbury and Thatcham.

Get in touch with your nearest service to arrange for transport (you will need to book in advance).

Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service

EMED group operates the non-emergency Patient Transport Service (PTS) in Berkshire.

This service is for people who are unable to use other transport due to their medical condition. There are specific eligibility criteria for the service. You can find full details on eligibility for the non-emergency patient transport service on their website.
 

Help caring for someone whilst you are away

If you care for someone and they will need support whilst you are away, our support for carers page explains the support you can get. This includes local carers support services and having a carers assessment.
 

Help looking after your pets

You may have a pet that needs to be looked after while you're away. You may also need a bit of support whilst you recover after your hospital stay.

Our directory lists pet care organisations that can help whilst you are in hospital, or when you get home.
 

Your benefits

Going into hospital may affect any benefits you currently receive.

For most benefits (such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance and Employment Support Allowance (Incapacity Benefit)) you will need to contact the relevant agency to tell them about your change in circumstances. The government has guidance on who to tell about different benefits on GOV.UK if you're going into hospital.

If you get Housing Benefit, please let our benefits team know about your stay in hospital.

Carers Allowance

If you have someone caring for you that gets Carer's Allowance, this may also be affected if you go into hospital. They will need to report changes affecting Carer's Allowance online or contact the Carer's Allowance Unit.

NHS guides

The NHS have some useful guidance on going into hospital their website:

• Going into hospital as a patient (nhs.uk)
• Staying in hospital as an inpatient (nhs.uk)
• Outpatients and day patients (nhs.uk)

Do you still need help? Get in touch with us and tell us what you're looking for.