Non-Emergency Ambulance Transport

Transcription

1 Information for patients, their relatives and carers This leaflet can be made available in other formats including large print, CD and Braille and in languages other than English, upon request. This leaflet tells you about the non-emergency ambulance service. North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust provides: a non-emergency ambulance service for patients travelling to and from hospital. Please help us to use this service properly so we can provide a good service to those who need it. an emergency care (999) service. This includes GP's arranging for patients to be brought into hospital urgently. What is non-emergency ambulance transport? There are various types available. These include: non-emergency ambulances for patients who need to be moved by a stretcher patient transport services ambulances (PTS) which are fitted with seats for walking patients and have access for patients in wheelchairs volunteer car drivers which can be used by the ambulance service (all drivers carry identification badges) taxis. Please help us by only asking for ambulance transport if you really need it. North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides: A Same Day Discharge Ambulance vehicle. This will be organised for those patients who have a clinical need for transport home. It is the responsibility of patients to organise their own transport home. This ambulance will be organised by the staff on the ward if it is appropriate. Trust Shuttle Bus / Volunteer Driver Scheme. If you have a very early or late appointment, or getting to your appointment is going to be difficult, you could: - contact the Trust s Volunteer Driver Scheme on book a seat on the shuttle bus by telephoning If you are travelling with a child please mention this when booking. Taxi. Taxi companies can be contacted at patient s own cost. Please speak to hospital reception if you require a number for a local Taxi company. Corp/139.3 (2016) Page 1 of 5 For Review Spring 2019

2 Who can use non-emergency ambulance transport? Non-emergency ambulance transport can be used if: you are recovering from a recent anaesthetic (within 6 hours) and cannot arrange other safe transport. you have major mobility (walking) problems and do not have access to other means of transport. you are frail and not able to use public transport and do not have family or friends who can help you. you need extra help or care on your way to or from hospital, for example, if you are using continuous oxygen therapy. In all other cases you will need to make your own arrangements to travel to and from hospital. Your need for ambulance transport will be reviewed every time you visit the hospital and must be authorised by a health professional. What if I need help to get to my appointment because of my health? If, because of your medical condition or mobility problems you feel you need transport to get to your appointment and you are registered with a: GP surgery within the Tees area, you will need to contact: Patient Transport Information Services telephone: Monday Friday, 9.00am 5.00pm GP surgery within the East Durham area, you will need to contact the: Travel Response Centre telephone: Monday Thursday, 8.30am 5.00pm Friday, 8.30am 4.30pm You will be asked a number of questions to see if you are eligible to have transport provided for you. You will need to apply at least 2 3 weeks before your appointment to arrange for transport. Corp/139.3 (2016) Page 2 of 5 For Review Spring 2019

3 There is also a Volunteer Driver Scheme bookable through Social Resource Centre in Ferryhill. You can contact the centre on There is a charge for this service, depending on the length of the journey. More detailed leaflets about these services are available at your GP surgery or hospital. If you are registered with a GP outside the Tees or East Durham area you will need to contact your GP to arrange transport to your appointment. If transport is arranged for you and your appointment changes or you no longer need it, please let the service know as soon as possible. Can someone travel with me? Ambulance transport is provided only for patients but sometimes if you need to have a carer with you this can be arranged, for example: if the patient is under 16 years of age. if your condition requires the constant attention of a carer during the journey. if you have severe communication or sensory difficulties, i.e. deafness, speech or language difficulties or visual impairment. Can I take luggage or bags with me on the ambulance? Normally, a patient is only allowed 1 item of luggage that can be held on their lap. This also applies if the ambulance has been arranged to take you home if you have stayed at the hospital for any length of time. This is for safety reasons, as bags can become a hazard to you and other patients. Please ask a relative, friend or carer, to take home any non-essential items for you before you are discharged from your ward. Please help us by only asking for ambulance transport if you really need it. If an emergency ambulance brings me into hospital, will it take me home again? Emergency ambulances are provided only for patients who need urgent care. You will need to arrange for a relative, friend or carer, to pick you up when your doctors decide you are well enough to go home, even if it is in the middle of the night. If someone cannot pick you up a member of staff will help to arrange a taxi to take you home. This will be at your own expense. If, following your assessment, you need to be taken home by ambulance transport; a member of staff will arrange this for you. Corp/139.3 (2016) Page 3 of 5 For Review Spring 2019

4 Can I come to hospital by ambulance if I can t afford public transport or don t have my own car? No. The hospital will not provide transport for financial or social reasons. If you receive certain benefits you can get help with your travel costs. Claim forms are available from the reception area of the ward or department you are attending. You will need to get the form signed and take it to the cashier s office with proof of your benefits entitlement and the costs will be paid back to you. A member of staff will direct you to the cashier s office. If you need further help please contact your local Social Services Department. Contact numbers If you need further advice, or have any problems, please telephone the switchboard operator on the number below and ask for the ward or department you are to attend. North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust telephone: Corp/139.3 (2016) Page 4 of 5 For Review Spring 2019

5 This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Quality Assurance Team, University Hospital of North Tees or Comments, Concerns, Compliments or Complaints We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we re doing well or if there s anything which we can improve, that s why the Patient Experience Team is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact: telephone: Monday Friday, 9.00 am 4.00 pm Messages can be left on the answering machine and will be picked up throughout the day. freephone: Mobile: (can use text): patientexperience@nth.nhs.uk Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person. telephone: hours a day, 7 days a week The Patient Experience Team is available to discuss your concerns in person Monday Friday, 1.30 pm 4.30 pm. Data Protection and use of patient information The Trust has developed a Data Protection Policy in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act All of our staff respect this policy and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information please contact the Head of Communications. telephone: or University Hospital of North Tees, Hardwick, Stockton-on-Tees. TS19 8PE University Hospital of Hartlepool, Holdforth Road, Hartlepool. TS24 9AH Telephone: Fax: Corp/139.3 (2016) Page 5 of 5 For Review Spring 2019