Concerns over patient transport services during pandemic

News - 5 May 2020

People with disabilities and those who are less mobile may be struggling to attend necessary medical appointments due to reduced transport services.

We would like to hear your feedback on any difficulties getting to appointments, please share your views on our website here.

Healthwatch suggests that this gap in provision could be met by patient transport volunteers – part of the NHS Responders scheme.

Our transport champion and board member Tim Evans has been looking at how communities can stay better-connected amid concerns that Bristol Community Transport is currently only operating a few services.

Tim has been attending regular meetings with councils, West of England Combined Authority and Bristol Transport Providers since March in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The NHS is going to encourage more people to volunteer as patient transport drivers in the NHS Responders scheme as so far only 1,000 have ticked to offer this category of help.

 

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