Patient Transport travel Desk

Following discussions, Wiltshire PCT and Swindon PCT are now working in partnership with Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust to provide a Health Transport Travel Desk to arrange the requests for non emergency Patient Transport Services (PTS). This service will provide a Patient Transport Travel Desk situated within the ambulance PTS Control room and have direct access to the ambulance booking system. The service is available for an initial pilot period of 6 months.

How Do I Book Transport?

As a result of the above changes, patients are now required to book their own transport, using the following guidelines.

• If it's your first outpatient appointment at a particular department then please call the patient transport team on 01249 813604 (Great Western Ambulance Service Trust)
• If it is a follow-up appointment, or you are being admitted then contact the relevant department at the hospital / treatment centre.

Please note that at least 48 hours notice is needed to book transport, therefore you should phone as soon as you get your appointment.

The service will be available between 08.00 and 17.00 Monday to Fridays and transport will be provided free of charge however it relies on:

• Your medical condition
• It would make your condition worse to travel by other means
• Your medical condition affects your mobility
• You are the parent or guardian of a child who meets any of the rules

The Link

This registered charity, staffed by volunteers, offers support to compliment local community health and social services. If you need help to attend an appointment at Westbury Group Practice, hospital, dental and optician appointments, or to collect a prescription – and other services.

Although there is no fare, they do ask for a donation.

Depending upon where you live please call the relevant Link branch:

The Four Villages (Bratton, Edington, Coulston, Erlstoke)01380 830924 any time of day.

Westbury & District Link 01373 859669 lines are normally open Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm

Ideally they would like as much notice as possible, ideally 7 to 14 days yet in an emergency please contact.

Visit their website for more information www.wiltslink.org.uk

Wiltshire Hopper

For travel to and from the Royal United Hospital, Bath. Runs Monday to Fridays. There is a charge for the service, prices range from £6.00 to £12.50 return depending on when you live. Holders of Wiltshire and Swindon concessionary passes travel at £5.00 return from anywhere in the RUH Hopper area.

• the first bus arrives at the RUH at 8.30am
• the last bus leaves from the RUH at 5.30pm

To book you must telephone by 5.30pm at least two working days before travel. Please arrange by telephoning 01985 212 213 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm