Hospital Transport

The requirement for non-emergency hospital transport (including Elective Surgery) should be pre-planned wherever possible as it can only be guaranteed if planned booking is made in advance.

The default is that all patients should make their own arrangements for getting to and from the hospital by private or public transport, unless there is a clearly defined medical need for transport to be provided.

Eligibility for Hospital transport

Ambulance/Patient Transport is not an automatic right for patients attending the hospital; rather, it is the patient’s responsibility to make their own way to and from hospital.

Eligibility for transport is based on medical need and NOT social care need. Assessments for eligibility should be carried out by a Registered Nurse or Doctor or Therapist

Eligible patients include those
  • Whose medical condition is such that they require the skills or support of patient transport services staff on/after the journey and/or where it would be detrimental to the patient’s condition or recovery if they were to travel by other means.
  • Whose medical condition impacts on their mobility to such an extent that they would be unable to access healthcare and/or it would be detrimental to the patient’s condition or recovery to travel by other means.
  • Who are recognised as a parent or guardian where children require hospital transport
A patient is eligible for non-emergency patient transport if they
  • Need a stretcher for the journey
  • Need oxygen or other medical gases during the journey
  • Are permanently in a wheelchair
  • Have a mental health problem, learning disability, speech, sight, or hearing impairment that prevents the patient from using public transport
  • Have a medical condition that would compromise theirs or others safety using public transport
  • Cannot walk without relying on another person or a walking aid (i.e. Zimmer frame)

Cost of Travelling

The cost of travelling to and from hospital is NOT a reason for granting ambulance/patient transport.

Some patients can find it difficult to meet the cost of travelling to and from hospital or other healthcare premises for treatments or diagnostic tests. The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) is part of the NHS Low Income Scheme and can provide financial assistance to those patients who do not have a medical need for hospital transport, but require assistance with their travel costs. For details, please click here.

The Trust does not pay for taxi reimbursements unless a letter is received from a consultant or GP stating that the patient requires this form of transport for medical reasons.