Talking Health
We are the NHS North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group and our job is to plan and buy your local healthcare services. We work closely with GP Practices, pharmacies and other healthcare professionals to give you the best possible service.
Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service in the North Hampshire Area
A key topic in both our towns and rural areas is how patients travel to their treatments. The Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service is undergoing some changes from 1st March this year. Below is some significant information which describes the new service and who is entitled to use it.
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has been providing this service for patients in most of Hampshire since October 2014. The service delivers transport for eligible patients who have a medical reason that means they are not able to travel for treatment by another method
During 2016 the Ambulance Service will become the provider for journeys from treatment centres managed by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT). This covers North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and the Andover War Memorial Hospital.
These include the following journeys:
- To a planned outpatient appointment
- To hospital for a planned admission
- Home from hospital following patient discharge
- To and from renal dialysis appointments
- Home to Hampshire from hospitals in other areas of the country
- Home to the Isle of Wight from hospitals or healthcare/treatment centres on the mainland
What’s Changing In 2016?
The Ambulance Service will be transporting patients from treatment centres managed by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The transfer of services to the Ambulance Service will happen on the following dates:
- March 1 2016 for the North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke
- August 1 2016 for the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and the Andover War Memorial Hospital.
Who Can Use This Service?
As resources are limited and are focussed on the patients with the most need, there are eligibility criteria that must be met in order to access the service. You are considered eligible if:
- your medical condition is such that you require the skills and support of Ambulance Service staff during or after your journey, and/or it would be detrimental to your condition or recovery to travel by other means.
Or:
- Your medical condition affects your mobility to such an extent that you would be unable to access healthcare and/or it would be detrimental to your condition or recovery to travel by other means.
Carers may also travel if you are the recognised parent or guardian of a child being transported by the Ambulance Service.
You are not eligible if:
- You are attending a routine GP or health centre appointment.
- You are not an NHS patient.
- You require transport outside England, Scotland and Wales.
The healthcare professional booking an Ambulance Service journey will check that the patient is eligible at the time of booking. In the first instance, call your GP Practice or clinic.
Where to Find More Information
If you have any questions regarding the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service for Hampshire, you can contact them by via email at PTSHantsQ&A@scas.nhs.uk
