Greater Manchester other schemes

Patient Transport Services   

The Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) is for patients who:   

• Need to travel to and from an appointment at a hospital or clinic   
• Are discharged from hospital (and meet the eligibility criteria), or   
• Need to transfer between centres, and because of their medical condition cannot make their own way.   

Meeting the eligibility criteria for transport   

The criteria that determine whether or not you are eligible for NEPTS have been set by the Department of Health and are based upon whether your medical condition prevents you from travelling by any other means.   

All operators of patient transport are now required to apply these rules, so whilst you may have previously been able to use patient transport this may no longer be the case if you are not deemed eligible.   

Making a booking  

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) operate the non-emergency patient transport contract within Greater Manchester.   

Further information regarding booking can be found on the NWAS website. 

Voluntary community cars   

Managed by a mixture of volunteers and charities, community cars can help people to stay independent, participate in their communities and access vital public services and employment. They can help you go shopping, get to medical appointments, visit friends and family or enjoy a day out.   

Most need to be booked in advance and may have eligibility criteria you need to meet.     

Practical things to think about and questions to ask when looking for a community transport provider include:   

• What type of journey are you making? Some schemes are specific and can only help in certain situations, for example, medical appointments.   
• Are you eligible to use the scheme?   
• Does the scheme cover your area? There are many good neighbour volunteer schemes in rural parts of the country which are for people who live in those villages.   
• How much notice is required to book a trip?    
• Is there a cost involved?   
• How to book?   
• Does it meet any accessibility requirements you have? For example, wheelchairs and scooters or getting in and out of the car.    

Selected community car schemes 

Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale Circle (HMR Circle)

hmrcircle.org.uk/aboutvds

A transport service operating across Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and the Pennine villages, for adults (aged 50+  or vulnerable adults) who are unable, or find it difficult, to use public transport.

Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to provide a door-to-door, flexible transport service.

Contact: 0800 112 3440

Stockport Car Scheme

www.stockportcarscheme.org.uk

Provide journeys for adults in Stockport who struggle to use public transport. Trips include social groups, care homes, hairdressers, shopping and medical.

Contact: 0161 476 2812

The Bureau

the-bureau.org.uk/transport

To enable members of the community to access medical and social appointments. Volunteer drivers will take clients to their appointment, wait for up to 2 hours and then return them home again. Covering locations in Tameside, Greater Manchester and Derbyshire.

Contact: 01457 865722

Royal Voluntary Service

www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-services

Royal Voluntary Service volunteers provide Patient Transport for essential appointments, such as hospital, GP and medical appointment, where confidence or mobility issues can make it difficult or impossible to attend by using public transport or if you live in rural areas with limited transport. Volunteers can help you check in and wait with you before returning home. 

Contact: 0300 555 0310

Being There

beingthere.org.uk/hospital-transport

A Greater Manchester charity providing support for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, families and carers. Transport volunteers use their own cars to transport service users to hospital appointments and twice monthly support & social groups.

Contact: 0845 123 23 29

Companion driving services  

Paid companion driver services should be registered with the local authority in the same way as regular taxis.   

Helping Hands  

Helping Hands focus on tasks such as running errands, grocery shopping and support with social activities.  

Contact: 0333 060 4041  

Driving Miss Daisy 

Driving Miss Daisy is a national organisation who have franchises across the region.   

Contact: 0333 014 6211