Travel information

Hospital Site Shuttle Bus

A hospital site shuttle bus is now operational. Find out more and view the bus timetable at this link. 

Travelling by bus

For information about public transport (including buses and trains) please call Traveline Scotland on 0871 200 22 33 (www.travelinescotland.com), or use the following embedded search tool.

Please verify routes before travelling. NHS Grampian is not responsible for the content or accuracy of these services.

Travelling by car

If travelling by car, you should enter the site by the main entrance off Eday Road. There are limited car parking facilities on site and due to the pressure on these, patients are requested not to leave cars on site during their stay in hospital. 

Transport Direct is a website that can help you plan your car journey.  Begin planning your journey by using the embedded search tool below.

Get directions by public transport and car with Transport Direct. Enter your postcode

Please verify routes before travelling. NHS Grampian is not responsible for the content or accuracy of these services.

You are advised that NHS Grampian cannot accept responsibility for vehicles or belongings left on hospital grounds.

If you do not feel fit enough to come to hospital by private car or public transport, please contact your family doctor who may be able to arrange suitable transport.

Car parking

Please see the map which highlights the short stay parking areas that have been reserved for use by visitors and patients using Woodend Hospital.

Also highlighted are the areas for disabled parking within the site. Disabled drivers must not park on double yellow lines within the hospital site. This is to allow continual access for emergency vehicles, including fire engines.

Disabled badges should only be used when the driver is disabled or carrying the disabled person in the vehicle. If this is not the case, badges should be removed from the dashboard and you should not park in a disabled parking space.

Walking to Woodend Hospital

If you are planning to walk to Woodend Hospital (from within Aberdeen City), you might find the following resource useful to plan your journey.  Start by entering the postcode for where you are departing from:

Driving and medical fitness - reminder to patients

If you hold a driving licence, remember you are required by law to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) as soon as you become aware that you are suffering from any condition which is, or which may become, likely to affect your ability to drive.  If you are in any doubt about whether you should notify the DVLA, consult your doctor.

If you hold a paper licence or a photocard licence you should tell the Drivers' Medical Group, DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1TU.  You can also contact them on 0300 790 6806 or email eftd@dvla.gsi.gov.uk

Notifying the DVLA does not necessarily mean the licence will be withdrawn but simply that the Agency can review the situation.

Travel costs

If you receive Income Support, Working Tax Credit (with Child Tax Credit or with a disability element), Job Seeker's Allowance (income based) or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, you may be entitled to help with hospital travel costs. If you are named on an HC2 or HC3 certificate or complete an HC5 form, you may also be entitled to help with travel costs. You must bring details of your benefits and appointment card when you attend the hospital.  Please keep any tickets and receipts as proof of your travel costs. Please note that reimbursement will only be at the cheapest public transport rate.

Reimbursement and queries are dealt with by:

Woodend Hospital - General Office
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary - General Office, Administration Department
Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital - General Office (ground floor near WRVS shop, open from 9:00am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday)
Woolmanhill Hospital - Main Office, Medical Block, Mount Stephen Pavilion

Those receiving the above named benefits, travelling with children under 16 are entitled to claim expenses for one escort. If on medical grounds, your child needs two escorts you will receive reimbursement for both.

If you are not receiving these benefits and require help to pay your travelling expenses, a form HC1 can be obtained from the General Office. You should return the completed form in the pre-paid envelope provided.

Travel costs - Highlands and Islands

The arrangements under the title travel costs do not apply to patients who live in the former counties of Shetland, Orkney, Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness, Argyll, Arran, Bute, Cromdale or Nairn.

Such patients from the Highlands and Islands catchment area who have to travel more than 30 miles (or more than 5 miles by water) to hospital can claim repayment of travel expenses without test of means less the first £10.00 (for each appointment).  Those who receive Income Support, Working Tax Credit (with Child Tax Credit or with a disability element), Job Seeker's Allowance (income based) or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or who are named on an HC2 or HC3 certificate or who complete an HC5 form will not have to pay the first £10.00 of any expenses claimed as long as proof of entitlement can be given.

The expenses of an escort may also be paid if medical staff consider that an escort is medically necessary.  Expenses will be paid on the basis of travel by public transport, although in special cases a private hire may be essential, and an assessment will be made as to which level of reimbursement will be paid which may be a petrol allowance.  If you use your own car a mileage allowance may be payable.  Claims forms are available from the hospital General Office or any ward.  Please keep any tickets and receipts as proof of your travel costs.

The hospital General Office will be happy to assist with any enquiries made by telephone.

Woodend Hospital: (01224) 556312
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary: (01224) 552237 or 554150 
Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital: (01224) 552679 
Woolmanhill Hospital: (01224) 555433

Patients from Shetland

Please contact the Patient Travel Officer at NHS Shetland as soon as possible so that your travel arrangements can be organised in good time.

Write to:
Patient Travel Office
Gilbert Bain Hospital
Lerwick
ZE1 0TB
Telephone: (01595) 743305

Patients from Orkney

The tickets are issued under the Highlands & Islands travel scheme and are booked through your GP. Please ask your GP for a travel pack which will contain all the information you will need.

Accommodation for relatives

This accommodation is available in an emergency to allow relatives or carers to remain on site. Please ask the nurse in charge of the ward for further information if you wish to make use of this facility.