Community transport public meeting

The meeting was in relation to getting to medical appointments community transport. The meeting was held at For All Healthy Living Centre, Weston super Mare. Consideration was given to the time and location of the event, and there is an understanding that any chosen time or location would exclude part of the population. To ensure Healthwatch meetings are widely accessible it seeks to ensure public meetings vary in terms of time, weekday and venue.

The meeting was attended by approximately 30 members of the public who were each given an information pack which included feedback forms and information about Healthwatch North Somerset.

Recommendations following the discussions included providing patients with an indication of the time the appointment / treatment is likely to take would help the public when booking or making arrangements for transport to hospitals. Inform patients that they may be eligible to claim transport costs back. Hospital appointment makers should consider the distance people have to travel to an appointment as people will cancel appointments if they are unable to get there. Providing information leaflets on community transport schemes with appointment letters would ensure all patients are aware they are available. Information and posters about local Community Transport schemes and reclaiming transport costs displayed in GP surgeries would be of benefit for patients.