Concerns over patient transport services during pandemic

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Healthwatch suggests that this gap in provision could be met by patient transport volunteers – part of the NHS Responders scheme. Healthwatch is now putting people in touch with volunteer drivers as well as people who can do your shopping collect medicine or provide a friendly chat.

Our transport champion and board member, Tim Evans, has been looking at how communities can stay better-connected amid concerns that Bristol Community Transport is currently only operating a few services.

Tim has been attending regular meetings with councils, the West of England Combined Authority and Bristol Transport Providers since March in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The NHS is encouraging more people to volunteer as patient transport drivers in the NHS Responders scheme as so far only 1,000 have agreed to offer this category of help.