What’s changed with non-emergency patient transport — and what it means for you

The way people qualify for non-emergency patient transport services in England has changed. These services provide journeys to and from hospital or clinic appointments for people who cannot safely travel on their own.

The new rules are being applied by Yorkshire Ambulance Service locally and other NHS providers across the country. They are based on a national eligibility framework introduced by NHS England to create consistency everywhere.

Why the rules have changed

NHS England carried out a national review of non-emergency patient transport. It found that services were being used differently in different parts of the country, with no single set of criteria to decide who qualified.

The new national framework aims to:

• Make eligibility fairer and more consistent across England
• Focus resources on patients with the greatest medical need
• Encourage use of other transport options (like community transport or the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme) where patient transport is not essential

What the new rules say

Under the national eligibility criteria, patients are only able to use non-emergency patient transport if:

• Their medical condition means they cannot safely travel by other means (for example, travelling by bus, taxi, or car would be harmful or unsafe), or
• They have significant mobility problems that prevent them from using ordinary transport, or
• They have a cognitive or sensory impairment that means they need assistance or supervision during the journey.

In addition:

• Some patients are automatically eligible, such as people receiving in-centre haemodialysis (regular kidney treatment), because their travel needs are frequent, essential, and missing treatment can be dangerous.
• Eligibility is assessed at every booking. When you request patient transport, you will be asked a series of questions to check whether you meet the criteria.
• If you do not qualify, you will be signposted to alternatives such as:
  • Local community transport services
  • Lifts from friends, relatives, or carers
  • The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme, which reimburses certain travel expenses if you are eligible for help with NHS costs

What this means for people in York and North Yorkshire

For many people, these changes mean they may no longer qualify for patient transport, even if they have used it in the past.

This could lead to:

• Increased costs, as people turn to taxis or private hire vehicles
• Greater reliance on family, friends, and neighbours for lifts
• Difficulties in rural areas, where buses and other public transport are limited or unavailable
• Missed or delayed treatment, if people cannot arrange alternative travel

Where to find out more

Here are some trusted sources where you can check the new rules, explore support schemes, and learn more about your transport options.

• Check if you qualify for transport under the new rules:
  Yorkshire Ambulance Service: Am I eligible?
• Learn more about the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme:
  NHS: Help with health costs
• Read the national review:
  NHS England: Non-Emergency Patient Transport Review (final report)