Chief Executive Bulletin 25 - 31 May 2001 Issue 68

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Hard copy versions of these publications can be ordered from the NHS Responseline 08701 555 455. Contents: NHS interest 1. Funding of Transplant and Procurement Activity in 2001/02 and Cessation of the Donor Hospital Reimbursement Scheme 2. Reimbursement of a Living Organ Donor's Expenses by the NHS NHS / Social Care interest 3. The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme NHS interest 1. Funding of Transplant and Procurement Activity in 2001/02 and Cessation of the Donor Hospital Reimbursement Scheme At the Organ and Tissue Donation Summit held on 27th February 2001, the Secretary of State announced that £3 million, centrally managed, funding would be available in the coming year to promote organ and tissue transplantation. In addition, there have been large increases in Health Authority allocations for 2001/02 to support the development of the most cost effective local organ procurement arrangements. In April 2001 the donor hospital reimbursement scheme, whereby the hospital received £1,000 central funding per heart beating donor from UK Transplant, ceased and the total budget (£600,000) has been included in Health Authorities' recurrent funding. It is now the responsibility of the whole NHS to improve donation rates, and Health Authorities and NHS Trusts should use every possible means to maximise local organ procurement. Details Back to Top 2. Reimbursement of a Living Organ Donor's Expenses by the NHS If the live transplant is permitted under the Human Organ Transplants Act 1989, NHS Trusts, Health Authorities and PCTS are permitted to pay reasonable expenses to an organ donor for travel and accommodation and any loss of earnings incurred if directly attributable to his/her donation of an organ. Whether the NHS Trust, the Health Authority or the PCT actually refunds the donor is a matter for those commissioning arrangements but should be agreed beforehand and the method of making a claim and receiving payment explained to all concerned. The final decision as to whether expenses will be paid rests with the commissioners following consultation with the NHS Trust. Full Document Back to Top NHS / Social Care interest 3. The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme A website is now available which includes departmental policy guidance on the financial help which is available to patients under the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). The guidance is primarily concerned with patients who do not have a medical need for ambulance transport and who cannot meet the cost of travel to hospital. The guidance and website can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/hospitaltravelcosts and includes a mailbox facility which enables queries to be directed to the Department of Health. Back to Top The documents in this bulletin are Crown copyright but may be reproduced by NHS and Local Authority staff without formal permission or charge for personal or in-house use - ©2001 Back to Chief Executive's Bulletin Home Page

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© Crown Copyright 2001
This page last updated 31 May 2001