Warwickshire 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  

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) operate the non-emergency patient transport contract for Warwickshire and Coventry.   

For queries regarding eligibility and to request transport, contact 01926 310312. 

Further information regarding booking can be found on the WMAS 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.    

Warwickshire County Council provide a list of various community transport schemes and voluntary community car schemes across Warwickshire, which can be browsed via the Warwickshire County Council website. 

Selected community car schemes 

Beeline (North Warwickshire)

www.beelinect.org.uk

Door-to-door transport is provided by volunteer drivers using their own cars. Trips can be used for clinics, hospitals and appointments including the doctor and dentist.

Contact: 01827 717074 or beelinect@gmail.com

Medicar (Nuneaton and Bedworth)

volunteerfriends.org.uk

Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles for medical-related journeys.

Contact: 024 7664 0088 or info@volunteerfriends.org.uk

Southam Town Council

southamcouncil-warks.gov.uk

This volunteer driver scheme is for people who need transport to medical appointments. Residents in Southam and Napton with a genuine need for transport, and who have a bus pass or are over the age of 65, can access the service for free. 

Contact: 01926 815817

VASA

www.vasa.org.uk

Volunteer drivers are available for health and medical appointments, as well as social clubs and day centres. Services cover Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Southam, Alcester, Studley, Wellesbourne, Shipston-on-Stour and the Rugby district.

Contact: 01789 262889 or transport@vasa.org.uk

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