PATIENTS in Devon (excluding Plymouth and South Devon) who use non-emergency transport to get to NHS appointments will soon have a new telephone number to ring to access the service.

From May 29, all bookings for non-emergency transport in Devon will be taken by a new central booking service – the Patient Transport Advice Service (PTAS) on 0345 155 1009.

PTAS will take bookings from patients and NHS staff between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). The service will be provided by Devon County Council.

Patients are still encouraged to make their own way to NHS appointments wherever possible. However, if they are too unwell to travel by car, taxi, public transport, or community transport, they can contact the Devon Patient Transport Advice Service to see if they are eligible for non-emergency patient transport.

Those who normally use the service and have already been assessed should also use this number. Eligibility is based on clinical need, not affordability.

Non-emergency patient transport is funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group for patients with a medical need for non-urgent, planned transportation to and from secondary healthcare services such as hospital appointments (not primary care services, such as GP appointments).

Patients who are not eligible for non-emergency transport will continue to receive support and information about local community transport services, which are there to assist local people to get to health and social care services.

Community transport services provide support for patients who need less assistance to travel to appointments.

Information leaflets for patients with the new contact details will be available locally in GP practices, hospitals, pharmacies and other health care settings.

If patients have any queries or concerns about the new service they should contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0300 123 1672 or by email: [email protected] .