FINANCIAL constraints will result in ‘lifeline’ home-to-hospital transport services being scrapped for most Barnsley patients who currently qualify - despite more than 20,000 journeys being completed last year.
Previously, local health authorities set their own rules but patients are now only eligible to use non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) where certain criteria applies.
Future services will only be available to those attending a haemodialysis appointment, people who have to lie down for at least part of the journey or if they have a clearly recognisable disability which prevents them travelling by usual methods.
The principle of the new rules is that most people should travel to and from hospital independently by private or public transport, helped by relatives or friends if necessary, those being the changes said.
However, NHS bosses also admitted the reform has been shaped by financial constraints.
According to a report from the NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, 20 per cent of Barnsley’s 21,893 journeys were completed by those 81 and over, with the 66 to 80 age bracket also accounting for 45 per cent.
However, board members were told that ‘tens of thousands’ of those journeys are now likely to be shelved.
Dr David Crichton, chief medical officer for NHS South Yorkshire, said bosses are working closely with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority on patients’ public transport needs.
“The financial situation is difficult and we would like to invest in other avenues to support people,” he added.
“We’re looking to work with the voluntary sector and community groups to help them with resource and other means for them to be supported.
“I’m very appreciative of them and too often the balance is that we rely on them too much.
“The risk is that we overstretch them and they become overcome.
“We’ve had engagement with patients and charities over this eligibility review, which will result in radical changes.
“Basically, financial pressures dictate that we need to prioritise services for those who need it the most.”
The Chronicle can reveal that the proposals will go towards next month’s board meeting when the consultation’s responses have been analysed.
Coun Mick Stowe, who sits on the board and also represents the Hoyland Milton ward for Barnsley Council, called on leaders to simplify the process to avoid confusion.
“Everything we do is complicated - the majority of the people we’re discussing are elderly and they need to know where they stand,” he said.
“I think the scheme could be simplified - clearly I’m not ageist but the point is that the more complex it is, the more difficult it is for people to get their head around if they still qualify.
“Barnsley is well behind other areas for its levels of deprivation and if someone needs to go from the Dearne to Weston Park, it is more than an hour-and-a-half journey.
“It’s also a considerable expenditure so when we mention Barnsley’s deprivation statistics, that then comes into the equation as well - if you’re doing that journey several times a month, as we know people do, it’s a significant issue.”
