MPs call for continued diligence over NHS patient transport provision
Local MPs, Amber Rudd and Huw Merriman, have written to local NHS leaders to seek reassurances over the NHS patient transport service in Sussex. Issues around the transport contract, which was transferred last April from the Sussex East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) service to Coperforma Limited, led to a public furore after many vulnerable patients missed their hospital appointments or arrived hours late. Hospital staff were required to work extra hours to deal with the situation and local NHS Trusts were put to extra financial cost as a result. Huw and Amber had joined Sussex MPs in welcoming the increased performance levels but issues around driver retention have again put the issue under the spotlight.
Huw said “The nature of the new arrangement means that the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) do not directly contract with the companies which employ drivers. This role is provided by Coperforma and we are concerned to ensure that drivers are paid in full and on time. A failure to do so is not acceptable for the drivers and patient transport may suffer if they seek to enforce their rights. We are calling on the CCG to be directly involved to ensure that those providing the service are being resourced and compensated adequately. If this means changing the structure then this is something the CCG must consider.”
Amber said “The CCG have reassured us this week that they are working with experts from NHS England and NHS Improvements to assess all outcomes and we want to ensure they have the support to do so. Whilst the performance has improved markedly, we have always maintained that a heightened state of alert is required in order to protect patients.”