Commissioning

Concern raised as CCG cuts transport for non-emergency patients

Experts have today criticised a CCG for a change to its patient transport arrangements which will force some people needing regular treatment to make their own way into hospital.

NHS Kernow CCG has decided that from the end of October, non-emergency patients regularly needing treatments such as dialysis will not be provided with transport into hospital.

However, after the change, some patients will be offered transport into hospital, although this will be assessed against medical of financial criteria.

This is something which Kidney Care UK argued is “deeply concerning” and could lead to some missing out on vital treatments.

“We are deeply concerned about proposed changes to funded transport services for kidney patients being put in place by NHS Kernow,” said Fiona Loud, policy director at the charity.

“People on dialysis are the most frequent users of NHS transport yet despite this, as far as we are aware none of the patients who this will affect were involved in any of the consultations on these changes. 

“We believe that access to dialysis – a life-saving treatment – should not be assessed on a person’s ability to pay,” she continued.

“We have already heard from people who would have to forgo food to be able to pay for transport under these changes and we are extremely worried that some vulnerable patients, may simply not attend dialysis which will result in death.”

NHE has contacted the CCG for comment.

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