Dr Julie Davies, Director of Strategy and Service Redesign, Shropshire CCG, will present a report on plans for work and proposed timescale for the implementation of a consistent approach to assessment for access to the non-emergency patient transport service.  Report attached marked:  7

Dr Julie Davies, Director of Strategy and Service Redesign, Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, introduced a report (copy attached to signed minutes) setting out plans for communication and engagement work and timescales for the implementation of a consistent approach to assessment for eligibility to access the non-emergency patient transport service. 

In response to questions she explained the reasons for change and the phased approach agreed with the service provider.  The communication and engagement work planned included Healthwatch, key Patient Groups including regular users, GP surgeries, Shropdoc, the voluntary sector, residential and nursing home staff, CCG staff and all local NHS trusts including West Midlands Ambulance Service.  She confirmed that she felt confident that all main stakeholders would have been targeted by the middle of February. 

The Committee noted that non-emergency passenger transport was not provided for social or financial reasons and that the expectation was that wherever possible patients should make their own transport arrangements.  They asked if it was intended to monitor attendance at appointments following the implementation of the new approach.  Dr Davies confirmed that this would be the case. Patients receiving certain benefits had always been able to reclaim the cost of a journey but Committee members felt that many people were not aware of this.    They asked that more emphasis be given to publicising this, particularly in the light of implementation of the new approach. 

A Member referred to those in the C1 transport category who were currently users of voluntary bus and car schemes to access healthcare appointments.  She asked about the appropriate course of action if a person’s condition deteriorated and they were no longer able to be transported in a private vehicle.   Dr Davies confirmed that enquiries about Non-Emergency Patient Transport could be made by contacting Medical Services, as set out in the publicity material attached to the report. 

Members commented that the process for a patient who had failed the first assessment and wished to question the outcome sounded a bit onerous, involving further assessments by supervisors and then by a trained clinician.  Dr Davies said that this was the process agreed with the provider currently and it would be kept under review.  If it was felt that it was unwieldy or added too much time then it would be looked at again. 

A Member of the Committee raised some issues in relation to long waits for passenger transport and said he understood that this was partly because transport was not arranged until a patient had concluded their appointment and also because there were problems with radio contact between Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the transport service.  The Director said she was not aware of any radio contact issues and agreed to look into this.  She confirmed that transport would not be arranged until a patient had concluded an appointment, in case of any delays.

The Healthwatch representative reported that Healthwatch Shropshire had not received any comments related to NEPT to date and would work with the Committee on any significant concerns raised.      

The Committee thanked Dr Davies for keeping them informed and for attending the meeting.  It was agreed that if any significant concerns arose following implementation that she would be asked to attend a meeting to discuss and address these.