Hi,
Not strictly a benefits query but I'm scratching my head at the moment. I have a client who has just given birth to a premature baby (23 weeks). The baby was born at the Leicester General but then transferred to Birmingham where the nearest specialist bed was available. She is on Matenity Leave and in receipt of CTC and CB, her partner is self employed but effectively on a nil income. They are struggling financially with the cost of travelling back and forth, can't access the Social Fund and have been told by the Hospitals in Leicester and Birmingham that they can't help as such assistance is the responsibility of the other hospital!
I'm considering approaching charitable organisations such as the neo natal trust but if there's statutory help available this should be the first resort.
Has anyone encountered this sort of problem? and what help if any should be provided by the NHS? What other sources of assistance are available?
Matt Finch Welfare Rights Officer Leicester City Council
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