NAO<\/a> warns that the current arrangements for NEPTS could be wasting money by sending too many people on expensive ambulances when cheaper alternatives would suffice (such as booking a taxi service). It estimates that around 2 million trips are made via NEPTS in England each year, with taxis carrying 37% of these journeys while ambulances make up 63%.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAll NHS Trusts must provide transport for patients who cannot make their own way to medical appointments. This presents a need to get the safest, most cost-effective route to care booked for many patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The solution to this issue is not just about finding a balance between clinical need and cost, it\u2019s about finding a balance between clinical need, patient experience, safety and efficiency. Whilst also ensuring that the quality of care remains high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cost of providing this service varies tremendously across England, with Trusts spending up to \u00a3195 per patient journey. This is partly because there are different types of transport used, from ambulances to community transport vehicles (CTVs) and private hire taxis; but also because some hospitals have a more complex patient base than others and so they require more resources in terms of staff time, training and equipment. This complexity may also increase costs if it means that more trained staff are required to make sure patients are transported safely, or if specialist equipment has been purchased by hospitals to facilitate safe care provision during non-emergency transfers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using our Transport Marketplace platform, we are able to provide access to a range of transport providers, including ambulances and taxis. Our dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure the highest standard of care is provided by the transport services that we work with, guaranteeing that your patient receives the best possible care while they are being transported. We are able to provide a cost-effective solution that is tailored to your patient\u2019s needs. Our service is flexible and can be adapted to meet any NEPTS requirements (including Mental Health journeys), meaning we can help you to provide an effective service with minimal delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re passionate about helping patients get to and from places of care safely, and we know that NEPTS is a vital part of making sure this happens. That\u2019s why we want to work with NHS Trusts to help them make the most of their budgets, saving valuable time and resources. We provide this service and access to our Digital Transport Marketplace free of charge to Healthcare organisations. Keeping the NHS moving is more important than ever as Trusts face the biggest crisis they have ever seen. We\u2019re ready to help as soon as you need us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n