2012-10-15 14:48:16 - Staffordshire LINk is asking patients to comment on non-urgent transport services.

Health and social services watchdog Staffordshire LINk is asking for patients who use non-urgent transport services to come forward.

Transport is provided for eligible people attending non-emergency medical appointments at hospital departments including outpatients, physiotherapy and renal care.

Private company NSL Care Services has been running non-urgent transport at Stafford, Cannock and Burton hospitals since January.

Now Staffordshire LINk, which monitors the views of patients across the county, is asking users to complete a brief survey covering issues such as punctuality, customer care and vehicle comfort.

Staffordshire LINk manager Jackie Owen said: “Patient feedback is an absolutely vital part of monitoring and improving services.

“A lot of people who don’t have friends or family to help out or who can’t use public

transport rely on patient transfer services like these. We want to find out where providers are excelling and where improvements could be made – and that’s exactly what we’re doing in this case.”

Questions can be answered over the phone by calling Staffordshire LINk on 01785 887990 or online by visiting www.staffordshirelink.org.uk/activities/surveys/

NSL Care Services was previously known as Patient First.

Staffordshire LINk was set up to investigate the views of patients and adult social care users across the county and to make recommendations aimed at improving services. It has statutory powers to enter providers’ premises and view how services are delivered.

For more information about Staffordshire LINk, visit www.staffordshirelink.org.uk. To get in touch, call 01785 887990 or email enquiries@staffordshirelink.staffs.com


ENDS

Press release issued by David Johnson at Shepherd PR. Experts from Staffordshire LINk are happy to be interviewed. For more information, or to arrange an interview, please call 01335 368020.

Notes to Editors

Staffordshire LINk actively pursues health and adult social care service user feedback.

The information is used to help shape service delivery – making the LINk a vital catalyst for positive change in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire LINk is funded through, but is independent of, Staffordshire County Council. It is part of Engaging Communities Staffordshire.

It covers services provided across the county council area. Stoke-on-Trent is covered by a separate LINk.

Staffordshire LINk is based at Staffordshire Technology Park in Stafford and it is run by volunteers and employees who are specially-trained or who have experience in health and social care provision.

Experts from Staffordshire LINk are available to comment on health and social care issues affecting Staffordshire residents.