Patients requiring non-emergency transport will benefit from a new service which is being launched in June 2016.
The new-look service will be provided by West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) who were awarded a five-year contract valued at £24.6m.
A new text-ahead service telling patients when their transport is due to arrive will be one of the features of an enhanced Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) for Cheshire, Wirral and Warrington.
Other improvements include Quality improvements include "streamlined quality standards, particularly around the journey arrival and collection times" and "revised process for applying the eligibility criteria to ensure equitable access to the service".
NEPTS is available to eligible patients with medical needs which prevent them using public or private transport and it would be detrimental for their condition or recovery if they were not able to travel with the support of ambulance personnel. It is separate from emergency 'blue light' ambulances, which will continue to be provided by NWAS.
WMAS was appointed by the lead ambulance commissioner for the North West, NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), following a competitive tendering process and evaluation of potential providers.
WMAS will now work with NHS Blackpool CCG and NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG to ensure it is ready for the contract start and a smooth transition takes place with the current transport provider, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).
Jerry Hawker, chief officer of NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG and chief executive lead for Cheshire, Wirral and Warrington, said: "I'm very pleased with the outcome of the procurement process and am looking forward to working with WMAS.
"I hope that our local population will continue to experience a really high quality patient transport service and benefit from a number of quality improvements which have been incorporated in the contract, following engagement with hospitals, patients and commissioners."
Photo: Jerry Hawker, chief officer of NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG.
