Sean Le Scelleur had a heart attack while cycling in April last year and was sent to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, where he spent four weeks, following a quadruple heart bypass.
He had to pay more than £6,000 to have his family with him whilst he was away, as he didn’t meet the criteria for their travel to be covered.
He said, while the ICU and emergency department staff were amazing, it was important to have his family with him.
He said: “Decisions are taken with medical staff which… you’re not really in the best position to take all the information in and you do need someone there with you.”
He believes all patients travelling to the UK should be able to take a family member with them, and travel costs shouldn’t fall on charities.
Jersey Cancer Relief is one of those that provides financial support to patients needing care off island.
Chair, Anne Pryke, said she was surprised travel costs were being reviewed.
She said travelling to Southampton or London “especially for cancer treatment, is an emotional time”.
She said it was vital patients had someone they know with them.
