THE government should consider subsidising travel for patients undergoing treatment on the mainland, the Isle of Wight MP has said.

MP Bob Seely has written to health minister Steve Brine, criticising the 'unfair' system, and said the Isle of Wight is the only UK Island with no subsidised ferry travel to support local residents in accessing healthcare.

He said the lack of a subsidy would only cost the NHS more money in the long run, due to money lost from unattended appointments

The MP drew a comparison to Cornwall, where travel expenses regulations allows low-income residents on the Isles of Scilly to pay a maximum of £5 for their travel costs.

In the letter to Mr Brine, he wrote: "Such a system does not apply to the Isle of Wight.

"Although some on the Isle of Wight meet the narrow definition of being on a low income and would benefit from having such costs met, many residents have to regularly access healthcare treatment on the mainland — such as those with prostate cancer, who may need 40 trips, and face difficulty in affording the associated and often repeated costs.

"I believe it is inequitable and unfair for one set of English islands to enjoy such a benefit when others do not. It is yet another example of the Isle of Wight not being treated fairly."

Currently, individual ferry operators have subsidies for those travelling for hospital appointments.

Mr Seely said he was grateful to those operators.

He added the cash would need to come from NHS England and not from the local Clinical Commissioning Group budget otherwise the costs could lead to cuts in frontline services.

Read the letter in full here: SteveBrine10122018.pdf