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Transport Eligibility Criteria

Transport Eligibility Criteria

Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services, sometimes shortened to PTS, is a specialist service provided by the NHS to transport patients in and out of NHS healthcare settings such as hospitals.

It is a limited resource made available for free to those that meet specific medical mobility needs. These can include the need to travel by stretcher, wheelchair or for regular visits to renal dialysis centres.

PTS is an essential cog in the healthcare system and transports millions of patients each year.

ERS Private Non-Emergency, Medical Patient Transport Ambulance Services Supporting NHS services across the UK

To ensure these limited specialist resources are used by those most in need, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and NHS Hospital Trusts apply an ‘NHS national eligibility criteria’ to determine who can use the local PTS service. Sometimes, NHS Trusts can also apply regional variances to the criteria depending on the geographical and demographic needs.

ERS Medical and all PTS providers are bound by this eligibility criteria and apply them to anyone who wishes to make a booking. This ensures only those that have a genuine reason to travel on an ambulance are allowed to do so. It also ensures the limited specialist resources are used by those most in need.

ERS Private Non-Emergency, Medical Patient Transport Ambulance Services Supporting NHS services across the UK

Who is eligible?

Patient transport is available for those who require assistance in getting to their appointments or place of care, because:

– Their condition means they need additional medical support during their journey such as requiring assistance

– They have limited mobility (e.g. needing a wheelchair or stretcher)

– Parents or guardians of children who are being transported

You can find out more at this NHS website: How to organise transport to and from hospital

Financial hardship doesn’t qualify people for free patient transport. But there are other avenues if you are unable to afford to travel to your appointment.

If you are referred for specialist NHS treatment or tests, some people can claim for hospital transport costs through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

Signposting to other local travel resources

If you are not eligible for PTS, our friendly call centre operators can signpost you to other available resources in the area such as community transport, volunteer drivers and the HTCS.

If you require further information or are unclear on how to make a booking please speak with your GP, healthcare professional or local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).

Let’s all work together to make patient transport an easy to access service used by those who need it most.

ERS Private Non-Emergency, Medical Patient Transport Ambulance Services Supporting NHS services across the UK