Ardgowan Hospice is situated in an area of high poverty and deprivation on the west coast of Scotland. Patients and carers are not always able to afford the cost of a taxi to their hospital appointments, and travelling via public transport isn’t always feasible for people who are unwell.
Although the Scottish Ambulance Service runs a Patient Transport Service, it can be extremely difficult for patients with palliative care needs to access. The ambulances pick up several patients per trip, which can be a long and uncomfortable journey for someone who has just had chemotherapy, for example.
The hospice has developed a transport service to make sure patients and carers can attend all of their appointments in a private vehicle, picked up from and returned to their own homes.
Outcomes
Ardgowan’s transport service is administered by two permanent members of staff, with 26 volunteer drivers at the time of writing.
The service supports an average of 36 people per month, to attend over 130 appointments with an annual mileage of over 60 thousand miles.
The service is available for anyone receiving treatment for a life-limiting illness in the local area who do not have access to transport from family and friends. This includes people from neighbouring islands who have to make their way to their local ferry and be collected from the mainland ferry port by the volunteer drivers. People need to be able to travel unaided and without oxygen.
Volunteer drivers are reimbursed for fuel using the HMRC rate of 45p per mile. They are provided with hospice branded uniforms to make sure they are easily identifiable to passengers, along with photographic identity badges.
Challenges and solutions
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It can be challenging to recruit volunteer drivers as their days are long and require a significant commitment. The hospice would like to have enough volunteer drivers to allow for them to undertake one way trips instead, of waiting for someone’s treatment to finish.
The service is expensive to run, but the hospice has secured funding for 40% of the costs from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (STP). STP recognises the importance of providing transport to enable people with palliative care needs to attend appointments.
The majority of the service is funded through donations from the local community. Some families who have used the service will donate to show how grateful they are for the support. The service has received lots of positive feedback from grateful patients/carers.
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“There is no way to improve the standards of your service. I am unbelievably blessed to have your service available, otherwise I wouldn't be able to attend the Beatson [West of Scotland Cancer Centre] for my consultations.
Your drivers give up so much time and they are amazing and your staff are friendly and helpful.”
Service user
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“The transport service has been a life saver for me over the last 3 and a half years. From the drivers to the co-coordinators, everyone has been so supportive. Sometimes [they were] the only person I had spoken to between treatments.”
Service user
Future development
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Ardgowan Hospice is hoping to streamline their administrative system using digital technology to help match drivers to passengers. They are also looking to secure funding for a SUV vehicle that will accommodate multiple passengers.
