Agenda item - Patient Transport Services (PTS) Healthwatch Report

Healthwatch Brighton & Hove will present their report on performance of the new Sussex PTS provider, Southern Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) (copy attached)

41.1    This item was introduced by David Liley, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Brighton & Hove.

41.2    Mr Liley told members that there has been increased user satisfaction with patient transport services (PTS) under the new provider, South Central Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS). Satisfaction levels are now much higher than under Coperforma, and somewhat higher than under the previous contractors, South East Coast Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb).

41.3    However, despite the significant improvements under SCAS, some problems with services have persisted. These include:

·         The reliability of services at the weekend (particularly Saturdays)

·         Meeting the mobility needs of patients

·         Inconsistent drop-off and pick-up arrangements

·         Slippage on some KPIs

·         Unacceptable failures to provide services to some exceptionally vulnerable patients.         

41.4    In response to a question from Cllr Morris, Mr Liley explained that Healthwatch had conducted three pieces of work on PTS: an initial survey of renal patients at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) involving around 60 patients; a further CCG commissioned joint survey with Healthwatch East Sussex and Healthwatch West Sussex involving more than 200 patients across the county; and a follow-up to the joint survey, again engaging with more than 200 patients. Local focus in the latter survey was on renal and cancer patients.

41.5    The Chair thanked Mr Liley for attending the meeting and commended the work that Healthwatch have been doing on patient transport services.

41.6    RESOLVED – that the report be noted.