Travel Help Announced for Families of Children With Cancer
The UK government has announced a major new support fund to alleviate the financial strain on families of children with cancer. A dedicated £10 million-a-year fund will help cover travel expenses for families in England who must make long, frequent journeys to access specialist cancer care for their children.
This initiative addresses a critical burden, as families often travel over an hour to reach one of only 13 specialist pediatric cancer centers in the country. The costs for petrol, train fares, and lost earnings can add hundreds of pounds to monthly expenses, with some families reporting they have had to choose between travel and essentials like heating or food.
Key Details of the New Funds
The travel fund is designed to be comprehensive and accessible:
-Universal Access: It will be open to all children and young people with cancer and their families, regardless of household income, and will not be means-tested.
-Broad Coverage: The fund will support patients up to the age of 24.
-Part of a Larger Plan: This is a key component of the NHS National Cancer Plan for children and young people, which also focuses on earlier diagnosis, access to clinical trials, and improved psychosocial support.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting stated the fund’s goal is to ensure “no family [is] out of pocket,” allowing focus to remain on care and recovery rather than travel logistics.
Addressing a Long-Standing Crisis
Campaigners have welcomed the move as a response to a persistent crisis. Rachel Kirby-Rider, CEO of Young Lives vs Cancer, highlighted that their research found 71% of families struggled with travel costs, and 1 in 10 had missed or delayed treatment because they couldn’t afford to get to the hospital.
The new package also includes support to improve child-friendly food in hospitals and expand mental health, educational, and emotional services for young patients undergoing long-term treatment.
