Other useful contact information Transport for Greater Manchester (GMPTE): Tel: 0161 244 1000 Ring & Ride: Tel: 0845 688 4933 Easy Go Community Transport Tel: 0161 419 3580 Email: info@easygoct.org.uk Website: www.easygoct.org.uk Stockport Care Schemes provide:

Voluntary transport service

Assistance with shopping and essential errands

Carers support

Befrienders Email: stockportcareschemes.org.uk Telephone: 0161 476 2812 Age UK Tel: 0161 480 1211 Website: www.ageukstockport.org.uk Stockport MBC Adult Social Care: My Care My Choice Tel: 0161 217 6029 Email: www.mycaremychoice.org FLAG (For Local Advice and Guidance) Website: www.stockportflag.org.uk Telephone: 0161 474 1042 Stockport CCG Website: http://stockportccg.org ARRIVA Complaints: patientcustomerservices@arriva.co.uk.

Leaflet produced March 2013

Patient Transport Services Booking NHS transport to get to your

appointment from 1st April 2013

Patient Transport Services

Patient Transport Services (PTS) are provided for those patients whose medical condition means they cannot get to their appointment any other way. The service provides a range of vehicle types and levels of care appropriate for the patient’s medical need to ensure the patient travels as safely and as comfortably as possible to their appointment. PTS is a vital resource for those who need it and recently revised criteria, based on national guidance, is applied to all new requests.

Am I eligible for PTS? All patients will be assessed on their suitability for PTS using a short and simple series of questions when booking.

How do I book my transport? Following confirmation of your healthcare appointment please contact the

Manchester Integrated Care Gateway Call Centre on: 0800 092 4020 Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (excludes Bank Holidays) When calling please have the following information to hand:

Your NHS Number

Name of your GP Practice and postcode

Your Appointment details e.g. date, time and location

Can a friend or relative travel with me? Only parents and carers of patients who have been assessed as vulnerable can travel on NHS transport. Although we recognise other patients would like the support of family and friends with them on their journey, places taken up in this way mean that other patients with a medical need cannot be transported.

If I’m not eligible for PTS, what are the alternatives? There are a number of community transport services available in

Stockport for local residents including Ring & Ride and Easy Go Community Transport.

Stockport Council may be able to help find an alternative transport method.

Greater Manchester Transport Services may also be able to give you advice on local public transport services and costs.

Contact details for all of the above services are on the back of this leaflet. NHS Travel Cost Scheme You can claim help with the costs of travel if you are on low income. You will need to complete a claim form C5(T) and you will need to show proof of your benefit or pension credit letter and your appointment card. Please note: there is no reimbursement for private taxis. Further refund details can be found in the leaflet "Help with Health Costs" HC11 available from any Jobcentre Plus office or the cashier’s office in an NHS Hospital. For further information you can contact your local PALS office.

I've previously used PTS but now I’m being told I can’t. My circumstances haven’t changed, so why is this?

The PTS eligibility criteria has been revised nationally by the Department of Health. ARRIVA, who provides our service locally, has worked with NHS organisations across the North West to provide an improved and efficient service for those who really need it.

There are a range of alternative transport options for patients who do not meet the eligibility criteria, as outlined above.

PTS is a vital resource for those who need it and should not be seen as an alternative to a taxi or as a means to avoid the inconvenience or cost of parking.