23/06/11…..Changes to non-emergency patient transport services

NHS Oxfordshire is asking for your views on the future of patient transport services. You may have used these services yourself, know someone who uses them or feel that any changes to this service may affect local people.

Patients travel from all over Oxfordshire for appointments at hospitals and other health providers. Many of these patients use non-emergency transport services – these are not emergency ambulances and may be single driver vehicles or vehicles designed for wheelchair or stretcher access.

If you would like to find out more about the changes, take part in the consultation or answer the questionnaire you can take a look at what is happening online as follows http://bitly.com/Patienttransport or contact NHS Oxfordshire on 01865 334641

Further information for editors
In Oxfordshire the current criteria for patients to be eligible for this service are:

? you require continuous oxygen.
? you require a stretcher.
? you have a disability that prevents you from travelling by private or public transport.
? you have a medical condition that may deteriorate if you were to travel by private or public transport.
? you are having certain types of on going treatment i.e. chemotherapy, radiology or renal dialysis. These are called ?essential? journeys.

In addition if you meet any of the above criteria, you may be able to travel with an escort, if one or more of the following apply:

? you are under 16 years of age
? you have significant communication difficulties, including learning difficulties, impaired sight or are hard of hearing
? you have a mental health problem that prevents you from travelling alone
? you have a medical condition that requires constant supervision for your own safety
? you require a carer at your destination.

None of this will change, what will change is that:
In addition to patients who meet these criteria we have continued to agree transport for patients who do not meet the criteria but believe they need the transport to get to their appointments.

In future we plan to ask a set of questions before a booking is made and the patient?s needs will be given a score. Patients who do not meet the score will not be able to access this service and will be asked to make their own way to their appointments.

The patient eligibility for the service will be assessed by either ambulance staff via a patient booking line or healthcare staff in treatment centres / GP surgeries / secondary care. In addition some of the questions asked will also allow the ambulance service to identify what kind of vehicle is needed ? e.g.
patient can walk on to the vehicle, patient needs a vehicle suitable for a wheelchair, patient needs stretcher transport.

For further information please contact Judy McCulloch
01865 334363 [email protected]