Leicestershire 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  

TASL (Thames Ambulance Service Ltd) operate the non-emergency patient transport contract within Leicestershire.   

You can find out more about Patient Transport, or how to make a booking, through your GP, Healthcare Provider or by calling TASL on 0345 241 3012.

Further information can be found on the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust 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.    

The Choose How You Move website provides a list of various community transport schemes and voluntary community car schemes across Leicestershire. 

Selected community car schemes 

Blaby, Oadby & Wigston Community Action Partnership 

For people living in Blaby District and Oadby & Wigston who have difficulty using or have no access to public transport. This service is supported by Leicestershire County Council. Registration is required which can be completed online or by calling for a paper application. 

Volunteer drivers use their own cars to transport people to and from lunch clubs, social visits, health appointments and more. A charge applies, based on distance travelled.

Contact: 0116 288 7482 or community@communityap.org.uk

Lutterworth Community Transport Social Car Scheme

Services for people who are vulnerable, disabled or elderly, and for those who are rurally isolated because ofthe lack of public transport. Volunteers use their own vehicles for trips including shopping, medical visits and social trips, in the area around Lutterworth and Broughton Astley. Bookings of a week in advance are recommended. Service charges apply.

Contact: 01455 555571 

Hinckley and Bosworth Dial-a-Ride Social Car Scheme

Dial-a-ride, door-to-door social car scheme. For residents in the Hinckley and Bosworth area without access to a car, or who have difficulty using public transport. Services include hairdressers, medical appointments, shopping and social visits. Booking in advance and pre-registration is required.

Contact: 01455 259 462 

Castle Donington Volunteer Centre – Medical Car Scheme

For patients registered with Castle Donington Surgery. A free service with volunteer drivers using their own cars to transport you to medical appointments, including GP Surgeries, hospitals, clinics. Donations are welcomed to cover costs.

Contact: 01332 850526 

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

The VASL car scheme provides transport for elderly, disabled or rurally isolated people who cannot use, or have no access to public transport. Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles. 

To use the car scheme, you will need to register by filling out a registration form online. Or contact 01858 468 499 or transport@vasl.org.uk

Melton Community Transport – Volunteer Car Scheme

A social car service providing transport for people who live within the Melton Borough and have difficulty accessing public transport. Volunteers use their own cars to take people to local appointments, activities and other places. 

Contact: 01664 482903

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.  

Shopping Services for the Elderly – Errands for Seniors | Helping Hands (helpinghandshomecare.co.uk)  

Contact: 0333 060 4041  

Driving Miss Daisy 

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

Contact: 0333 014 6211