Minister launches regional transport services consultation

Health Minister Angela Smith today outlined new proposals for the future of transport services for people who require non-emergency transport to and from hospital and other HPSS facilities.

Welcoming the publication of the consultation document, ‘Access to Health and Social Services’, the Minister said the document had been published with the aim of improving “the availability of transport services for those who currently face difficulty in accessing the health and personal social services they require”.

“People who may already be concerned about their health and well-being should not have the additional concern about whether they can get to their doctor, local hospital, health centre, day centre or other facility,” the Minister said. “The provision of non-emergency transport will ensure that patients are able to attend appointments in comfort and on time and will minimise the number of appointments missed due to a lack of available means of transport.”

A Steering Group, comprising representatives from Health & Social Services Boards and Trusts, Disability Action, the Community Transport Association, and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, was established in April 2003 to develop a comprehensive regional management framework for the provision of transport services to meet the needs of non-emergency health service patients and social services clients.

Comments are being sought on a total of 18 proposals which should be forwarded to: Public Safety Unit, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Annexe 4, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SQ and sent by Monday 6 June.

(MB/SP)