NSL CARE SERVICESPROVIDING NONEMERGENCY

PATIENT TRANSPORT WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

WITH THE NHS FORNORTHAMPTONSHIRE

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Patient Transport Services (PTS) areprovided for those patients whosemedical condition means they cannotget to their appointment in any otherway. PTS is a vital resource for thosewho need it and should not be seenas an alternative to a taxi or as ameans to avoid the inconvenience or cost of parking.

It is the policy of the Trusts that theDepartment of Health criteria areapplied to all requests for transport. We ensure a fair and consistent way ofconsidering requests for transport forthose who are clinically unable to getto or from our healthcare providers byusing this criteria.

We provide a range of vehicle typesand levels of care appropriate toindividual patient medical need, toensure the patient travels as safelyand as comfortably as possible totheir appointment.

Patients NOT eligible for transportare those who:

Claim mobility allowanceHave their own transport or afriend/relative that could help outCould get to hospital withoutusing PTS if their appointmenttime/date was changedCan use public transport

If I’m not eligible for PTS, what arethe alternatives?

NSL staff will have informationavailable to advise what alternativesmight be available and will be able todirect you to information about thevarious public transport options andvoluntary car organisations.

How do I book my transport?

Patients can book transport by callingNSL directly on

0843 208 6888

NSL CARE SERVICES WORKING IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRENSL Care Services provides non-emergency patient transport forNHS Northamptonshire, servicing Kettering General Hospital,Northampton General Hospital and Northamptonshire Healthcare.

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What happens if I do qualify forpatient transport?

If you qualify for patient transport,information such as your name,address, appointment time andjourney details will be collected and recorded. Before your appointment, our staff willcontact you to check:

That you are still attending yourappointmentYou still require transportConfirm the address where you willbe picked upThat the correct type of vehicle hasbeen ordered for youAn approximate time when youwill be collectedAny other queries about yourtransport

Regular transport

Regular transport bookings can bemade in certain circumstances,however, reassessments for eligibilitywill be made by NSL at pre agreedintervals. The definition of regulartransport is defined as a patient whois undertaking a course of treatmentor receiving regular on-going care,such as a course of chemotherapy. We will ensure reassessment foreligibility and that the mostappropriate vehicle is being provided.

Am I eligible for PTS?

All patients are assessed by trained NSLstaff on their suitability for PTS using ashort and simple series of questionswhen booking. If NSL staff are in anydoubt, there are systems in place forchecking eligibility of patients.

A patient’s eligibility for transport maychange during their course of treatment;therefore we welcome patients whowish to check eligibility throughout theirtreatment programme.

If, when a patient is collected, it is clearthat they do not meet the eligibilitycriteria then NSL have been asked bythe Trusts to maintain a register of thesepatients and cannot accept any future bookings unless the patient can provide evidence that theircircumstances have changed.

Eligible patients are those whofulfil some or all of the followingcriteria:

In a wheelchair and cannot transferin and out of a vehicle withoutskilled assistanceHave to travel using a stretcherThe patient attending hospital islikely to have been diagnosed withsevere physical side effectsfollowing treatmentHas a disability (physical orpsychological) which makes themmedically unfit to travel by anyother means.

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Can a friend or relative travel with me?

Although we recognise patientswould like the support of family andfriends with them on their journeyand they are welcome at the hospitalsduring the patient’s treatment, spacestaken up in vehicles means that otherpatients with a medical need cannotbe transported.

Relatives are permitted to travel with patients in the followingcircumstances when the patient:

Is under 16 years of age (it ismandatory that an escort travels)Has mental health problems thatprevent him/her travelling alone orneeds constant supervision duringthe journeyIs visually impaired or hascommunication difficulties thatprevent them from travellingalone. Guide/assistance dogs areaccepted with prior noticeThe patient’s medical condition issuch that he/she requires constantsupervision for safetyNeeds a carer to accompany themto assist him/her at theirdestination.

Normally a maximum of only oneescort will be permitted to travel,(who must themselves be fit to travelunassisted).

Escorts have to be booked as it islikely that you will be travelling withother patients (where appropriate).

For this reason, escorts wishing totravel with a patient who has notbeen assessed as being eligible, or ifthe escorts have not pre-booked, theymay be refused travel by the driver.

What happens if my travelarrangements need changing or cancelling?

If you need to change your transportbooking arrangements, for anyreason, please inform us as soon aspossible to ensure that we do notundertake a needless journey.

With the authority of the Trust, a patient who refuses travel three or more times will have their travelarrangements reviewed and maybecancelled.

Who do I talk to for further advice?You can talk to your health careprovider for advice on transportoptions, or ring us on

0843 208 6888for advice on eligibility criteria andmore information look on our websitewww.nslcareservices.co.uk

If you require this leaflet in a differentformat please contact us

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