Sussex health volunteers angry at proposed service changes (From The Argus)

Sussex health volunteers angry at proposed service changes

7:20pm Friday 5th August 2011 in News By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter

Volunteers who help ferry patients to and from hospitals across Sussex are facing uncertainty over the future of their service.

Scores of drivers, who use their own cars, have already given up on the scheme because they cannot afford the rising cost of petrol.

Now they have been told NHS Sussex has put the county's non-emergency transport service out to tender.

Drivers believe patients will be the ones to suffer if the scheme goes to another organisation.

The volunteers are used by South East Coast Ambulance Service to take patients to hospitals in Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne and East Grinstead.

Patients include people with kidney failure, who have to get to hospital first thing in the morning to start dialysis.

The ambulance trust says it intends to bid for the tender but there is no guarantee it will be successful.

An ambulance service spokesman said the trust had every intention of tendering for the contract.

He said: “If successful, our team of volunteer car drivers will clearly have an important role to play in continuing to deliver a valued service to patients.”

Are you a volunteer who is unhappy with the changes? If so call health reporter Siobhan Ryan on 01273 544543 or email siobhan.ryan@theargus.co.uk