Hospital transport - patients and relatives

This transport service is for the benefit of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust patients and relatives and is organised through the Voluntary Services Department.

Guidelines for the use of the Hospital Transport Service

This transport is available for those patients who:

• do not need the specialist services of an ambulance
• find public transport difficult or impossible
• have no access to a private car

A limited service can also be offered to relatives wishing to visit patients at Airedale General Hospital who fulfil the above criteria.

 The following points should be noted

• the vehicles have been provided by the Friends of Airedale and all the drivers are registered volunteers
• the service is free, however donations to the Friends of Airedale are welcome 
• drivers are paid out-of-pocket expenses by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
• at present we have one 12-seater minibus, and four cars. We also have drivers who are prepared to use their own cars
• the drivers are not trained to physically assist any passenger - anyone needing assistance must provide an escort
• we cannot guarantee to be able to provide transport on every occasion but the more notice we have the more likely we are to be able to help you
• we will confirm transport as soon as we are able
• referrals for transport will not be accepted direct from inpatients. This must be booked by staff.

Anyone requiring information or wishing to use this service can contact Bob Broughton on 01535 294626 between 9.30am and 12 noon, Monday to Friday. Messages can be left on our answer machine outside these hours.

When booking this service we need to know:

• the person's name, full postal address and telephone number
• an appointment time and which hospital and department the person is attending
• a return home time
• why they are unable to use public transport