Patient transport

Ambulance transport

If you are having trouble getting to your appointment you may be entitled to use the hospital transport service provided by EMED Group. They provide transport for some people who are unable to use public transport due to their medical condition.

Who can use the service?

The non-emergency patient transport service (NEPTS) is only available to eligible patients. You are considered eligible if:

Your medical condition means you cannot use other forms of transport without damaging your health.
Your mobility means that you would be unable to use any other means of transport – for example, stretcher patients.
You need the skills and support of specialist patient transport staff – for example, to administer oxygen during the journey.

You are not eligible if:

You are attending a primary care service, such as a routine GP or health centre appointment
You are not an NHS patient
You require transport outside England, Scotland and Wales

Please find out more information about eligibility here.

How do patients in Sussex access the Patient Transport Service?

You can make a booking or enquire by calling: 0300 777 4444.

If you are not eligible, there are also a number of subsidised community car and minibus schemes available that can give you a lift. A number of these make a small charge for their service so please ask when you book.

Local community transport providers

Community Transport Sussex

CT Sussex is a community partnership that provides you with door-to-door independence, if you have restricted mobility, through their volunteer car scheme, charged at 50p per mile.

Visit the CT Sussex websites, Community Transport in East Sussex and Community Transport in East Sussex or email [email protected] to find out what is available near where you live. Please contact the team as soon as you have your appointment letter.

Other transport providers

Other providers include:

Sammy Community Transport 01243 827821
Arun Coordinated Community Transport 01903 723584
Guild Care Worthing 01903 528600
Billingshurst Community Transport 01403 787696
Crawley Community Transport 01293 523764
Contact mediWAY 01323 635269

For a full list of community transport options see the Community Transport Association website.

Help with travel costs

If you’re on a low income or benefits you may be entitled to reclaim your travel costs to and from hospital. You’ll need to provide proof that you are receiving one of the following:

Income Support
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
Income Based Employment & Support Allowance
Working Tax Credit (only if income is less than £15050.00)
Disabled Persons Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit (only if income is less than £15050.00)
Guaranteed Pension Credit
HC2 – Full Help Certificate
HC3 – Partial Help Certificate

Where children under the age of 16 are travelling for treatment, escort costs may be paid for one parent or one guardian attending the appointment with the child. The parent or guardian must bring relevant benefit proof. Children over the age of 16 but under 20 can claim using the parent or guardian’s benefit proof but no escort will be paid.

You’ll also need proof of travel if you have come by public transport and the certificate of attendance claim form, which must be completed by the department you have attended.

Car travel mileage rate is paid at 14p per mile for a round trip and no fuel receipts are necessary.

If you are not on any of the benefits listed you may be able to claim help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Please contact the Cashiers Office for a HC1 Low Income Claim Form.

We unfortunately do not refund taxi fares unless your travel is impossible by any other means and the certificate of attendance is authorised by a consultant or medic.