Need help getting to your medical appointment?
For many residents in our rural community getting to a medical appointment can be a challenge. Public transport is limited, friends and family may not be available, and navigating hospitals too difficult. The Bishops Waltham Care Group have a small team of volunteers who may be able to help*.
*Please note that our drivers are unpaid volunteers who give up their own time and use their own cars, so on rare occasions it may not be possible to find one that is available for a particular journey.
Who is it for?
- The provision is mainly for residents of Bishops Waltham, but patients at the Bishops Waltham surgery who live in Waltham Chase and Lower Upham are included.
- If a patient requires a wheelchair, they must be able to get into and out of the chair unaided as drivers are not insured to lift patients.
- See below for other service providers.
Where are the journeys?
- Journeys are to any type of medical appointment including hospitals, GP surgeries, dentists, opticians, chiropodists, physiotherapists etc.
- Journeys are undertaken across Hampshire, including the hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester.
What does is cost?
- The service is provided by unpaid volunteers. However, drivers are reimbursed mileage costs to cover travel expenses, in accordance with HMRC guidance.
- Users of the service are asked to make a donation to cover the expenses of running the service (e.g. telephones, insurance, stationery) and reimbursing the drivers’ mileage costs.
Contact details
Contact our friendly co-ordinators on 07706 167 011 who will do their best to find a driver.
Other service providers
Some patients may be eligible for transport services from other providers:
- Patients with special mobility or medical needs may be eligible for the NHS Patient Transfer Service.
- Patients may be eligible for the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (e.g. if receiving Income Support or Pension Credit). Reimbursement must be agreed in advance and clients will be required to complete a form HC5. Clients can contact Citizens Advice (T: 08082 278 862) for help filling out the NHS HC5 form.