Y o u a n d t h e R A F
Visiting Service Relatives in Hospital T
Many family members ask if there are allowances for visiting service relatives in hospital. Here Angela Hanson, from Operational Welfare attempts to answer your questions.
hese allowances are catered for under the Dangerously Ill Forwarding of Relatives
(DILFOR) scheme. DILFOR is intended primarily for the benefit of the patient; it enables eligible family members to visit when the patient has been hospitalised. Te benefit must be authorised in advance, but then allows for travel, accommodation and subsistence to be claimed by all visitors, subject to some limits. Tere are 3 circumstances where DILFOR might apply:
• Hospitalised in the UK. Where the Service person or eligible patient, has been unexpectedly hospitalised within the UK for more than 72 hours, irrespective of whether they were on or off duty. DILFOR may be claimed for a visit of up to 3 nights, repeated every 2 weeks.
• DILFOR (UK) Where the Service person, or eligible patient, is hospitalised within the UK
and is medically classified as Very Seriously Ill (VSI), Seriously Ill (SI) or III or has received a medical recommendation for a family visit, DILFOR may be claimed for a visit of up to 7 nights, repeated every 2 weeks. Additionally, 2 eligible family or friends may claim travel expenses to visit the patient’s family at their home address to provide support.
• DILFOR (Overseas). As for DILFOR (UK) but in addition, it must receive overseas Command approval.
Who authorises DILFOR? The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) must authorise DILFOR in advance and will only do so on assurance that the visit is in the best interest of the patient.
Who is eligible to visit? Up to 3 members of the patient’s immediate family may visit under the scheme. In extreme circumstances other friends/family may be authorised up to a total of 5 visitors.
How long does a visit last? Initially JCCC will authorise a defined number of days. Extension may be applied for but will only be granted on medical recommendation.
How do I get to the Hospital? In all instances travel and accommodation will be booked by the Service person’s Unit. Travel should normally be by the most economical means. Where granted, motor mileage will be reimbursed at the prevailing rate, plus passenger allowance, as appropriate.
Can I stay longer? A visitor who wishes to remain after the authorised period of DILFOR may do so but subsequent accommodation and subsistence costs become a personal liability. The costs of the return journey may still be arranged at public expense.
Further guidance can be found in; JSP 751 Tri-Service Casualty and Compassionate Policy and Procedures, available on units.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Spring 2010
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