Edzell GP Practice Patient Transport

Edzell Community Health Transport (ECHT) provides the residents of Edzell, and all patients registered with Edzell Health Centre with transport from their home to medical appointments in the Tayside or Grampian region.

Patients who are unable to use other forms of transport due to health problems or public transport issues can get transport to dental, podiatry, optical, hospital and other medical appointments from local volunteer drivers. Drivers are provided with full training and 45p per mile from funding and donations.

The impact so far

With cutbacks to the ambulance service in the area, ECHT provides an integral service for residents.

The service helps prevent cancellation of medical appointments and patients not turning up due to transport problems. The service also provides a formal support system for patients, as opposed to relying on friends and neighbours.

Advice for others

For other organisations or groups thinking of doing something similar, try to arrange a parking agreement with companies who operate in hospitals and other medical centres so drivers have somewhere they can wait whilst patients attend their appointments. Encouraging patients to get a blue badge and bring it with them can also help the project run smoother.

At Edzell, patients get in touch with the health centre and the Daily Coordinator sorts out all the details, for bigger projects a separate phone line or way to register may be necessary.

To find out more

To find out more about the project and to read the charity’s previous minutes click here.

Or you can contact them at edzellhealthcentre.tayside@nhs.scot or on 01356 648209