Hospital transport firm criticised after patients face up to four hour wait

Research by Healthwatch Nottinghamshire found 90 per cent of renal patients criticised their experience with the patient transport service provided by Arriva Transport Solutions.

Arriva Transport Solutions said it was working hard to make improvements.

Patients across the county were affected both physically and emotionally by the patient transport service which was often late and not co-ordinated efficiently.

This has led to some patients not getting their full amount of treatment and reports that some have chosen to miss complete dialysis sessions rather than face the potential delays they had previously experienced.

Renal patient Malcolm Allen, 74 of Hucknall, said: “Most of us have problems with transport - it wasn’t very good when EMAS did it but it is a disaster now. They promised everything when they took over the contract but they haven’t delivered.”

Asiya Jelani of Arriva Transport Solutions Ltd said: “We fully understand the impact that transport can have on the lives and treatment of renal patients and a number of measures have already been put in place.”