Our free transport scheme celebrates its 1,500th trip
This month we’re celebrating the 1,500th trip of our wonderful free transport service that helps vulnerable Southampton residents to attend essential medical appointments (December 2021).
The scheme, which we originally set-up in February with the Patient Support Hub at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, is run by us through SCA Transport.
Supporting the city’s vulnerable
Ricky Rossiter, our Director of Integrated Services, explains: “SCA Transport is part of the many services we run at SCiA as a not-for-profit enterprise. We’re extremely proud of this particular initiative, which supports some of the city’s most vulnerable people.
“Anyone out there who we don’t already assist with our free transport service, who is eligible and needs our help should get in touch with us. We’re here and ready to help and this is especially important with the now urgent need to get people’s Covid booster injections done. Please call us on 023 8022 2033 or email via dialaride@sciagroup.co.uk today.”
This essential service collects and returns those aged 50 plus who cannot use public transport and don’t have their own vehicle to take them to and from their essential medical and vaccination appointments.
This includes individuals who are clinically vulnerable, have learning disabilities, a mental health condition or are unpaid carers living in Southampton, who would otherwise struggle to attend.
Free transport to and from home
Ricky adds: “We hear it, day in and day out, from those we help through the service, how important it is to them and the impact it has on their lives. It’s tremendously rewarding to be part of this wonderful initiative.
“Without our partnership with the Patient Support Hub at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, the 1,500 trips we’ve made so far would have been way beyond our ambitions. Now the wheels are gaining momentum, we’ll keep supporting the most vulnerable individuals in our city by getting them to their medical appointments and, more importantly, taking them back to the comfort of their own homes.”
The scheme transports recipients from their homes, anywhere in the city, to Southampton General Hospital, Royal South Hants Hospital, GP surgeries and other medical centres – excluding dentists and opticians.
A friendly service
Emma Squires, Acting Head of Patient and Family Support at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, says: “Our service supports the most vulnerable in the community, often those who are isolated. It’s a wonderful achievement to be now celebrating our 1,500th journey for patients needing transport to medical and vaccination appointments.
“Our success with this positive partnership work reinforces the huge impact that aligning voluntary sector services can have to the benefit of vulnerable people in Southampton. We are so excited for the future and in making people’s lives a little bit easier wherever we can. We also provide volunteers to meet and greet patients off buses and help them, offering face to face befriending to improve their experiences, which means it’s so much more than a physical journey that we provide.”
Meeting pressures for winter
We use an accessible minibus, that can carry wheelchairs, to provide the service, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8.30am until 4.15pm.
Ricky continues: “In the winter months, people are at their most vulnerable and need our support. Add in the anticipated extra Covid pressures to come and the booster vaccinations too, and our service will be even more precious and impactful in the coming months.”
Anyone who qualifies and is able to independently transfer onto our vehicle without the need for specialist equipment can book a free journey with us via SCA Transport on 023 8022 2033, email dialaride@sciagroup.co.uk or contact the Patient Support Hub on 0800 484 0135.