Healthcare appointments and treatments can be stressful, especially when you or the person you care for has mobility issues or health conditions like dementia that make regular travel difficult. This is where the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) steps in to help.
For many, travelling to and from medical appointments is not just a minor inconvenience—it can be a barrier to receiving vital care. NEPTS is designed to provide safe, reliable, and comfortable transport for patients who need assistance getting to and from hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. While it doesn’t handle emergency situations, this service is crucial for patients who are unable to travel on their own due to medical reasons.
Who Can Use NEPTS?
The service is available to those who meet specific medical criteria and cannot use public or private transportation due to:
- Mobility issues: If you use a wheelchair or need specialised equipment to travel.
- Chronic conditions: For people undergoing dialysis, chemotherapy, or other regular treatments.
- Age-related conditions: Elderly individuals who may have difficulty getting to medical appointments.
- Cognitive conditions: Patients with dementia or other cognitive impairments who need supervised transportation.
- Safety concerns: If your health condition makes public transport unsafe or difficult, NEPTS can ensure a smoother, safer journey.
What Does the Service Offer?
NEPTS offers more than just a ride to the hospital. It ensures that every journey is managed by trained professionals who are equipped to handle your specific medical needs. Here's what you can expect:
- Door-to-door transport: Whether you're going to a hospital, outpatient clinic, or back home after treatment, NEPTS provides direct, door-to-door service to ensure you reach your destination safely.
- Specialist vehicles: Their fleet is equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, stretchers, and other medical devices to ensure patient comfort and safety.
- Trained staff: NEPTS drivers and support staff are trained in patient care and safety, ensuring you’re in good hands for the entire journey.
- Flexible service: NEPTS operates seven days a week and can accommodate regular, recurring appointments, making it easy for patients who need frequent treatments like dialysis or radiotherapy.
How to Access NEPTS
Booking the service is simple, but the service has eligibility criteria that need to be met in order to qualify. Your first journey can be booked by a medical professional or you can call 0300 123 9841 (open 7am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm Sundays and bank holidays). Once your eligibility is confirmed, they will help arrange your transport through NEPTS. In some cases, patients or their carers may also directly contact the NEPTS booking line to arrange transport for upcoming medical appointments.
For further details about the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service and how it can support you or your loved ones, visit the official SCAS website
What our members say
“We normally book transport 14 days before the appointment. They ask questions like, NHS number, date of birth and is there anyone else who could take you, family members or neighbours etc. They ask why you need this service and if you can go by bus or train. If you need a carer to go with you they ask why. They ask if you need any help to get in or out of the vehicle”
Comments