Non-emergency patient transport is an important service for people who need medical support to attend an appointment at a hospital, outpatient or community clinic or get home after a hospital admission.
All other patients are normally expected to make their own way, using their own transport, getting a lift, or using local public, community, or voluntary transport.
We use nationally defined eligibility criteria to make sure that patients with a defined medical need have access to patient transport.
The ICB will pay for non-emergency patient transport if you are registered with a GP in Hertfordshire and west Essex and you meet the eligibility criteria.
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) provide non-urgent patient transport services for patients in Hertfordshire and west Essex.
Who can use patient transport services?
You are eligible for non-emergency patient transport if:
- you need the skills or support of trained staff and / or medical equipment during your journey and using other transport would be detrimental to your health
- you have a health condition that impacts on your mobility to the extent that you can’t safely access healthcare by any other means than NHS transport
You can’t use the NHS-funded patient transport service if
- you can travel in a car or on public transport without this harming your health;
- you are travelling for private treatment which you have paid for;
- you have a social need for transport, for example because you don’t have a car;
- you need transport to primary care services, such as a GP or dentist;
- you need an urgent or 999 response;
- you are visiting someone in hospital.
How do I find out if I am eligible for patient transport?
To find out if you or a family member is eligible for patient transport, please call your local booking office.
- If you live in Hertfordshire call 0345 605 1208
- If you live in West Essex (Harlow, Uttlesford and Epping Forest) call 0300 123 22 95.
An advisor will take you through the criteria to establish whether you are eligible. If you are eligible they will make your booking. Please answer all questions as accurately as possible as this will help to assess your eligibility.
What information will I need to provide when booking patient transport?
When you make a booking you will need to provide your NHS number, which is often on your appointment letter.
You will also need to give the details of your GP surgery, the address from where you will be picked up (or dropped off) and the address of the hospital or clinic your treatment is in.
Make sure to tell EEAST when you book if you have any specific requirements so that they can provide the most suitable form of transport.
When EEAST confirm your booking, they will give you a booking reference number. Keep a note of this number in case you need to get in contact about your journey again.
If your appointment is cancelled, changed or you no longer need transport please contact your booking office to let them know as soon as possible.
I’m not eligible for the patient transport service on medical grounds. Can I claim help with my travel costs?
If you receive income-related benefits or if you have a low income, and have a referral to be seen by a medical specialist or a hospital you may be able to get help with all or some of your travel costs under the healthcare travel costs scheme.
The healthcare travel costs page on the NHS website has more information on who can claim for help with travel costs. You can also call the national health costs advice line on 0845 850 1166 or 0300 330 1343 for information.
Community transport services
There are community transport services in Hertfordshire and west Essex.
The Community Transport Hertfordshire website has information about car schemes, door-to-door minibuses, and community buses. You can find the nearest options for your postcode.
Find out about community transport in west Essex on the Essex County Council website.