Joint statement from Wessex Cancer Support, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
Due to the withdrawal of external funding, the NHS and Wessex Cancer Support have confirmed that the Daisy Bus service to University Hospital Southampton will come to an end on Wednesday 20 August 2025.
The Southampton Daisy Bus, delivered by University Hospital Southampton (UHS) in partnership with Wessex Cancer Support 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. This service has provided valued support to many patients but is not an NHS-funded service. This will also impact patients from the Isle of Wight who are staying in mainland hotels who use the service for travelling between UHS and their hotel.
We want to reassure patients that support remains available through NHS schemes for those who meet eligibility criteria. This includes:
– Help with travel costs through the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)
– Access to Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) for eligible patients
The Daisy Bus service between Portsmouth ferry terminal and Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth will continue at this time.
All partners are working closely to communicate with affected patients and to ensure they know what support is available through the NHS.
We thank Wessex Cancer Support for their long-standing and continued contribution to supporting people affected by cancer through their diverse range of emotional and wellbeing services for Isle of Wight patients.
Alternative arrangements have been made and more information about the Patient Transport Services can be found on the Isle of Wight NHS Trust website.
Wessex Cancer Support provides free and local emotional support to anyone affected by cancer in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.  Clients may have cancer themselves, be adjusting to life after cancer, supporting someone with cancer, or be bereaved.  We are a charity which relies on donations to provide this support.  Â
Through its four cancer support centres in Chandler’s Ford, Bournemouth, Waterside (Hythe) and Newport (Isle of Wight), the charity offers a drop-in service, professional counselling, complementary therapies, activities, support groups and courses. We also provide services online so people can access support from the comfort of their own home.    Â
We run services in the heart of the community, including our popular Sing for Life choirs and MENtalk.
Visit www.wessexcancer.org.uk for more information. Â