Isle of Wight cancer patients travelling to Southampton for treatment are being urged to ask their GP or hospital consultant for a referral to the NHS Non-Emergency Patient Transport Scheme, as the future of the Daisy Bus service hangs in the balance.
The Daisy Bus, which has provided free travel between the ferry terminal, local hotels and University Hospital Southampton for cancer patients since 2001, will cease operations on Wednesday (20th August) due to the withdrawal of external funding. It means Islanders requiring life-saving treatment could now face added costs and stress without additional support.
Richard Quigley, Isle of Wight West MP, has said:
“Travel to Southampton Hospital is both expensive and time-consuming. We need the Daisy Bus – and urgent efforts are being made to save it – but in the meantime, patients must let the ICB know what they need.
“Ask your GP or consultant to refer you for Non-Emergency Patient Transport. I am asking the Integrated Care Board to look sympathetically on such requests, and would like to hear if they are refused – so that I can look into it.”
The NHS scheme is designed for patients who cannot travel independently due to medical or mobility issues. Those with serious conditions that prevent them from using public or private transport, or who require specialist support during journeys, may be eligible. The service also covers travel to NHS-funded outpatient appointments, though a formal referral from a GP or hospital consultant is required.
Michele Newton, Chair of the Save the Daisy Bus Appeal, has said:
“This is about making sure no one misses treatment because they can’t get there. We need to make the case clearly and collectively – and that starts with patients asking for what they need. We are working to develop both short and long-term plans to ensure the Daisy Bus Service continues – but the ICB needs to know what the needs of Island patients are.”
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A spokesperson for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care board (ICB) has said:
“Due to the withdrawal of external funding, the NHS and Wessex Cancer Support (WCS) have confirmed that the Daisy Bus service to University Hospital Southampton (UHS) will come to an end on 20 August 2025.
“The Southampton Daisy Bus, delivered by UHS in partnership with WCS and funded by the States of Jersey, has provided vital transport for cancer patients from Jersey, and some patients from the Isle of Wight, travelling to UHS for cancer treatment.
“While the service is unable to continue between the mainland ferry terminal, local hotels and University Hospital Southampton, all partners are working closely to ensure affected patients are supported and informed of the help available through the NHS.
“The Daisy Bus service between the Isle of Wight and Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth is not affected by this decision.
“We are grateful to Wessex Cancer Support for their long-standing support for people with cancer through their Isle of Wight Cancer Support Centre.
“NHS-funded patient transportation is there to support residents when it is considered essential to ensuring an individual’s safety, safe mobilisation, condition management or recovery. Patients registered with an Isle of Wight GP practice may be eligible for NHS-funded Non-emergency Patient Transport.”
Further information about the Isle of Wight’s non-emergency patient transport service can be found at www.hantsiow.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/patient-choice/patient-transport/isle-wight-patient-transport-service.
Patients are advised to speak to their GP or hospital team as soon as possible if they believe they may be eligible for support.
It’s absolutely disgusting and appalling. My husband is due a major operation for cancer of the liver and is due to be called in the next week. We were totally depending on this service , it’s added additional stress we didn’t need and also hoping no issues with the boat cancer is devastating enough without having to worry about transport
I feel for you. I cannot believe because the island
hospital carries out hardly any procedures on the
island, therefore the NHS / Council should lay on
free transport etc for all patients and their partners.
This should include free ferry crossings and transport to
mainland hospitals.
Unsurprisingly no comment from the islands conservative MP who is far too busy prostrating himself to his leadership in the hope they make him tea boy
The 2 MPs should both be speaking up for the island.
Why should Islanders have to suffer a 3rd class service.
Islanders pay into the NHS just like persons who live
on the mainland, mainland persons do not have to
pay ferry fares etc.
Come on Quigley and Robertson look after your
constituents.