Ambulance transport for patients

First visit: Your GP will be able to advise you how to book via your central referral booking centre. You will be asked a list of questions to ensure you are eligible to travel via patient transport.

Other visits: You can visit the transport department (42) which is located in the main outpatient area at The Christie or phone 0161 446 8114 or 0161 446 8143. The staff will be able to advise you about eligibility for ambulance transport and arrange subsequent bookings for you.

You may bring one other person with you if you meet the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) criteria for escorts. Please remember that if you have to stay in hospital, your relative or friend will not be able to use ambulance transport to travel home and they will need sufficient money to pay for their return transport as the hospital cannot provide this.

At the time of booking your transport you will be given a booking reference. This is confirmation that your transport has been booked. There is no need to ring and confirm as the details will automatically be sent to NWAS who provide the service.

If you are unable to keep your appointment and you have booked patient transport services, it is very important that you cancel your transport. Telephone the transport clerk on 0161 446 8114 or 0161 446 8143 as soon as you can - it's helpful to have at least 48 hours' notice. This is so that we can use the booking for someone else.

NWAS ask that you are ready at least two hours before your appointment. The ambulance service will do their best to be with you on time.

You can contact the Transport Department on 0161 446 8114 or 8143 who will liaise with NWAS control centre where possible to obtain an estimated time of arrival. The Christie is not responsible for the service, ambulance vehicles or crews. Remember - if you take a taxi you will not be reimbursed.

You should report back to the transport department. The staff will notify the ambulance service you are ready. NWAS have 90 minutes to allocate a vehicle so there will be a wait for your transport.

For some patients - Staff will ask you to wait in the department where you had your test or treatment.

Please do not leave the area unless you tell a member of hospital staff where you will be, otherwise you may miss your transport home.

Please arrange with a relative or friend to come and collect you. If you need a stretcher ambulance, the ward staff will arrange this for you but NWAS needs as much notice as possible.

You may be eligible for help with travel costs if you or your partner receives an income-related benefit. For more information on eligibility, please visit the NHS website.

NH5 claim forms can be found outside the cashiers office (department 15/16) or you can print a HC1 claim form.

For more information, please ask at the department you are attending or email margaret.radcliffe@nhs.net.

This is a list of some of community transport providers for people who have difficulty using public transport. Please phone to check the cost.

• Altrincham, Sale & Bowden - Telephone: 0161 929 6994
• Crewe and Nantwich Community Vehicle Scheme -Telephone: 01270 211545
• Glossopdale & High Peak Community Transport -Telephone: 01457 861635
• Glossopdale & High Peak Volunteer Car Scheme -Telephone: 01457 890904
• Hattersley & Limited Tameside area - Point 2 Point -Telephone:0161 367 8014
• Holmes Chapel Christian community care -Telephone:0845 688 3989
• Ring and Ride (Greater Manchester area) - Please phone to register telephone: 0161 877 5424. When you are registered and need transport - telephone 0161 876 5766.
• Stockport & surrounding areas - Easy Go Community Transport -Telephone:0161 419 3580
• Stockport voluntary car schemes -Telephone:0161 276 2812
• Tameside Miles of Smiles Volunteer Car Scheme -Telephone:0161 339 2345

Traveline: For details about local bus and rail services, telephone the Traveline on:0871 200 2233(calls cost up to 10p per minute for BT customers) or visit www.traveline.info

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport: Telephone: 0161 244 1000

Community transport Manchesterfor Manchester, Salford and Oldham 0845 077 2246.