Patient Transport Services

The Patient Transport Service is a non-emergency ambulance service for Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. The service is for patients who meet the eligibility criteria below. This service is funded by the Trust with limited resources that are used in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

As of 1 April 2020 West Midlands Ambulance Service is the new provider for Patient Transport. We now have discharge co-ordinators, liaison assistants and WMAS porters operating on site.

Hospital transport will only be made available if you have a medical need which satisfies any of the following specific criteria:
  • You need to travel lying down due to your medical condition
  • You require continuous oxygen or other medical gases

You will also be considered if you have no other means of private or public transport available and you also satisfy any of the following criteria:

  • You are confined to a wheelchair and you do not have a wheelchair adapted vehicle
  • Have a psychiatric or learning difficulty which prevents you from using public transport
  • Have a medical condition that would compromise your dignity or cause public concern if public transport was used
  • You cannot walk without the continual support of another person or walking aid, such as a zimmer frame or similar
  • You experience side-effects as a result of your medical treatment which prevents you from using private or public transport.

If you do not meet the requirements and there are no other special circumstances, you will need to make your own travel arrangements to and from the hospital.

How do I apply? / Who do I contact?

If you think you meet the eligibility criteria you can advance book patient transport via the bookings line on 0121 307 9114.

To book a journey on the day, for example for an urgent appointment, please call 0121 728 9876. To help guarantee availability of transport for you at that time please contact the bookings line above in advance.

To enquire about any bookings on the day (inward or outward) please call our hospital based liaison assistants.

Sandwell Liaison Assistant: 01785 559 391
City Liaison Assistant: 01785 559 392

If you move clinic locations or need to use a different contact number please call and update the Hospital Based Liaison Assistants when possible this helps ensure a smoother journey for all patients.

If your application is accepted

Patient transport will aim to take you back home within a reasonable time, however you may experience delays due to unforeseen circumstances or pressures on the service.

The staff from Patient Transport who collect you will always be in uniform and wearing the Trust ID badge. In some cases journeys may be allocated to the hospital contracted taxi service or an external service and they will each have their own form of ID.

We request that you:

  • wear appropriate outdoor clothing when travelling by hospital transport.
  • are ready for collection at least 2 hours before your appointment time. For afternoon appointments please be ready for collection from 12pm.

If you are requesting transport to Sandwell Hospital, Rowley Regis Hospital or one of their outreach clinics there are designated time slots for arrivals at the hospital, being 9.30am, 11am and 2pm. You will be expected to be ready for collection 2 hours before these times.

If you are requesting transport for any department on the City hospital site you will need to be ready 2 hours before your appointment time. The last journey into City hospital is at 2pm.

Can a relative or carer also use the service?

Transport staff will escort you to and from the hospital. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet you at your point of destination, although they will be unable to accompany you on your journey unless you satisfy one of the following criteria:

  • You are under 16 years of age.
  • You have a psychiatric or learning difficulty, which prevents you travelling alone.
  • You are blind or hard of hearing and require assistance (guide dogs are accepted with prior notice).
  • Your medical condition is such that you require assistance at all times.
After your appointment

Once your appointment has finished please make the clinic aware that you are an ambulance patient and will require transport home, they will notify the ambulance desk that you are ready to travel. Please tell the clinic where you intend to wait for your transport.

To cancel transport

If your condition changes and you no longer need patient transport please call Patient Transport Services at least 48 hours before your transport to avoid unnecessary journeys. Please also inform us of any change of address. If your appointment is cancelled or changed you must contact us as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary use of resources.

Help with travel costs

If you make your own way to hospital and receive certain benefits you may be able to claim back some or all of your travel costs. Please take proof of your benefits and proof of your appointment to one of the following places:

  • City Hospital: Cashier’s office, off the main hospital corridor between the cashpoint machine and the entrance to MAU.
  • Sandwell General Hospital: General office (main reception), by the main entrance to all wards and departments.
  • Rowley Regis Hospital: Main reception

For more information about help with health and travel costs, please contact the NHS Business Services Authority on 0845 850 1166