Which hospitals are covered?
If you are registered with a GP in Cheshire, Warrington or The Wirral, and are eligible for PTS, we will provide transport to hospitals and treatment centres locally, including Manchester and Merseyside, and the rest of the country. This includes regular journeys for dialysis for example, and specialist centres elsewhere in the UK.
If you are not sure your appointment is covered, please call the General Enquiry line on 0345 425 0050 [Option 2], the team will be able to advise you.
If you are travelling into Cheshire, Warrington or The Wirral from outside the area, you will need to call your home provider.
Are there any hospitals that are not covered?
All NHS hospitals in the area are covered, as are specialist centres elsewhere. However, we do not take patients to private appointments, nor to routine GP appointments.
How do I request transport?
Please call 0345 425 0050. Option 1 allows you to make a new booking or amend an existing booking. Option 2 is for general enquiries. This office is open from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.
You will be asked a number of questions to determine your eligibility for PTS, and to ensure we send the appropriate staff and vehicle.
When calling please ensure you have your appointment details to hand, as well as your GP practice and NHS number. All calls are recorded.
What happens next?
If you are accepted for transport you will be given a reference number when the booking is made. Please keep this safe, in case you need to refer to it before you travel (e.g. to change your appointment or cancel transport).
If you sign up to our message service you will get confirmation by text. We will also send a message on the day to tell you the vehicle is on the way to collect you.
What happens on the day of the appointment?
We advise patients to be ready at least 90 minutes before appointment time. Make sure you have your appointment letter with you, any medication, and food if necessary.
You will get a text message to say the vehicle is on the way, if you have signed up to our message service.
Our staff will collect you from your home address, and will ensure your property is secure. You will be escorted to the vehicle and seated comfortably. Some patients will need to travel in their own wheelchair or on a stretcher. Do not bring too many unnecessary belongings with you as the crew may not be able to store them.
In most cases, you will be with other patients on the vehicle.
We will take you to your appointment and hand you over to a member of staff.
When your treatment has finished, hospital staff will inform us you are ready to return. In larger hospitals, you will be able to do this yourself via an on-site screen.
Our staff will take you home, and make sure you are safe and sound before leaving.
How can I contact you?
If you need to alter or cancel your transport or wish to give us feedback on your journey you can contact the team in the following ways:-
Tel : 0345 425 0050
Email : ptsenquiries@wmas.nhs.uk
Post : Patient Experience Team, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Waterfront Way, Brierley Hill. DY5 1LX