A helping hand with health costs - don’t miss out on support

Worrying about the cost of prescriptions or getting to medical appointments should never get in the way of your wellbeing. The good news is that there’s support out there for many people to help with things like getting to hospital appointments, paying for prescriptions, and even covering the cost of glasses or dental care.

Here are a few ways the NHS in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can help:

If you have a medical condition that makes it hard to travel to appointments, there are local patient transport schemes that could help and you may be eligible for NHS funded transport.

Patient transport schemes:

NHS-funded patient transport is available for patients meeting the medical and financial conditions for support.

You can get advice and more information through the centralised booking service (01872 252211) and online . You can also call the national NHS helpline on 0300 330 1343

The cost of prescriptions can add up quickly, especially if you need medication regularly. But there are ways to make it more affordable:

* If you need lots of prescriptions, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) could save you money by letting you pay a set amount for three or 12 months.

Some people get help to pay for:

You may get help because of your age, the health conditions you have, if you are a veteran, are pregnant or have recently had a baby or if you get some benefits.

You can check whether you can claim help and apply online. , or you can fill in an HC1 form which are available at Jobcentres, NHS hospitals, or by calling 0300 123 0849),

The key thing to remember is: you don’t have to struggle alone. There’s help available, and it’s worth checking what you might be entitled to.