Millions go on patients' private taxi journeys
May 15 2011
Ambulance bosses in the North are spending millions of pounds on private taxi firms to transport patients to and from hospital, the Sunday Sun can reveal.
In the last three years the North East Ambulance Service has spent nearly £3m on 15 different cab companies.
The service has been forced to use private hire taxis to cope with rising numbers of patient appointments and an increased demand on their in-house shuttle-buses.
But the alarming amounts of cash spent have peaked at almost £1.2m of taxpayers’ money throughout 2008-09 - with two businesses receiving more than £800,000 each.
Our data, uncovered following a Freedom of Information Act request, has sparked calls for hospital resources to be better co-ordinated.
Emma Boon, campaign director at the Tax Payers’ Alliance pressure group, said: “It’s promising that the ambulance service has managed to cut its taxi bill significantly since last year. But it is worrying that such huge sums are still being spent on cabs.
“Of course ambulances should not be tied up making journeys that could be undertaken by taxi, but better co-ordination of resources and planning could reduce this bill yet further.”
The data also specifies parts of the contractual agreements taxi companies enter into when they agree to provide their service to the trust.
The document states that drivers must be of good character, in sound general health and have a valid CRB certificate.
It stipulates their driving must be smooth at all times, that they must ensure the patient has their medication and appointment card and they must not smoke or eat.
Other firms on the list received amounts of £450,000, £200,000 and £135,000.
The amount the service pays is also totally based on trust that the drivers will take the quickest route. The contract states that the quickest route should be taken but in reality it seems impossible for this to be checked.
There is also cause for concern over patient confidentiality as in some hospital trusts there have been cases of data protection being compromised by notes being left in taxis.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Our vehicles make 1.1 million journeys each year collecting outpatients and this ensures outpatients arrive in time for their appointment.
“To enable NEAS to maximise the service, there are times when third party transport providers are necessary.
“We are constantly working to make the best use of resources, and is currently on target to make a 70% saving in this area. It is important to stress that NEAS does not use third-party transport providers for accidents and emergencies.”
Source; http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-e ... -28694929/
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