Oxfordshire 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 

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) operate the non-emergency patient transport contract within Oxfordshire.  

Transport for patients of the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) will be booked by clinical staff – patients should talk to staff at their clinic or treatment centre.

Further information regarding booking can be found on the SCAS 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.   

Oxfordshire County Council provide a list of various community transport schemes and voluntary community car schemes across Oxfordshire.

Selected community car schemes

Abingdon & District Volunteer Centre Car Scheme

A voluntary car scheme in Abingdon and local villages for people who find using public transport or taxis difficult. Suitable for hospital visits and local doctors’ surgeries. The service is accessible to wheelchair users. 

Contact: 01235 522438

Banbury RVS Good Neighbour Scheme

Volunteer drivers can transport you from your home to essential appointments in the Banbury area, and return home. You will need to book in advance. Charges apply.

Contact: 01295 264214

Bartons Good Neighbour Scheme

Volunteer drivers providing support for the community including befriending, small tasks, prescription collecting, transport to medical appointments.

Contact: 07486 886971

Vale Community Impact 

A volunteer transport scheme from Monday to Friday, covering Wantage area, Faringdon, Watchfield, Shrivenham and outlying villages. Journeys include day centres, surgeries, hospitals, shops, social visits.

Contact: 01235 765 348

Cholsey Volunteers Community Car Service

A car scheme for Cholsey residents, over 60 years of age, to doctors, dentist, optician and hospital appointments/visits. Also, shopping and occasional planned outings.

Contact: 01491 714050

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