If you or a relative cannot travel by car, taxi or public transport, there are two main routes: NHS non-emergency patient transport and a private ambulance or patient transport service. They are different services, and knowing which fits your situation saves time and worry.
NHS non-emergency patient transport
- It is for people whose medical condition means they cannot safely travel any other way.
- It is normally booked through your GP, hospital or clinic, and is free for eligible patients.
- It is used mainly for NHS appointments, treatment and some discharges, and the times are set by the transport provider.
- Social or financial reasons on their own do not usually qualify. NHS.UK and your hospital transport team can explain the local rules.
A private ambulance or patient transport service
- You book it directly and pay for it yourself, or it is paid for by an insurer, care home or organisation.
- You choose the date and time, which helps when an NHS journey cannot be arranged at short notice.
- It suits journeys the NHS does not provide, such as a private hospital, a family event, a care home move, a long-distance transfer or repatriation.
- You can ask for the right vehicle: a wheelchair accessible vehicle, an ambulance with a stretcher, or bariatric transport by arrangement.
Side by side
- Cost: free if eligible (NHS) or paid by the customer (private).
- Booking: through a healthcare professional (NHS) or directly by you (private).
- Timing: set by the service (NHS) or agreed with you (private).
- Coverage: usually local NHS areas (NHS) or the whole UK (private, with Westron Care).
Which should you choose?
If you may qualify for NHS transport, ask your GP or the hospital first. If you do not qualify, need a time the NHS cannot offer, or are travelling somewhere the NHS service does not cover, a private service is the practical option. Always check that a private provider is registered with the CQC. Our guide on choosing a CQC-registered patient transport company explains how.
Westron Care is a private service. We are not NHS transport and do not provide free journeys, but we can often help at short notice and across the whole UK.
