- FoI Number
- 2023-622
- Subject
- Patient Transport
- Date Received
- 17/01/2024
- Request and Response
-
1. How many patients were transported to hospital via a patient transport service in 2023 (inclusive of journeys provided by both the Scottish Ambulance Service and by any other providers)?
Please note that NHS Shetland does not hold the information regarding the number of patients that the Scottish Ambulance Service patient transport service carried in Shetland during 2023.
Scottish Ambulance Service patient transport service is financed directly from the Scottish Government allocations to that Board. NHS Shetland does not know the cost to Scottish Ambulance Service of delivering the patient transport service in Shetland.
To obtain this information please contact the Scottish Ambulance Service FOI contact direct.
https://www.scottishambulance.com/contact-us/freedom-of-information/making-an-foi-request/
NHS Shetland contracts Falcon Coach Hire to transport patients from Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) Campus and return. The fixed fee is set at £77,021 for the year and covers the journeys both ways.
No other provider for patient transport service is commissioned to provide this service in Shetland.
Broken down by service provider and per month
ABZ-ARI Campus
Jan-23
65
Feb-23
53
Mar-23
68
Apr-23
62
May-23
64
Jun-23
74
Jul-23
58
Aug-23
87
Sep-23
63
Oct-23
60
Nov-23
73
Dec-23
50
Falcon Overall Total
777
2. How many patients were transported from hospital via a patient transport service in 2023
(inclusive of journeys provided by both the Scottish Ambulance Service and by any other providers)?
a. Broken down by service provider and per month:
ARI Campus to ABZ
Jan-23
67
Feb-23
66
Mar-23
79
Apr-23
75
May-23
77
Jun-23
89
Jul-23
62
Aug-23
114
Sep-23
88
Oct-23
77
Nov-23
83
Dec-23
62
Total Falcon Transport
939
3. How many patients were transported to hospital via a taxi service (paid for by either the NHS Board or the local Health and Social Care Partnership) in 2023?
a. Broken down by service provider.
In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.
b. Broken down by month
In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.
4. How many patients were transported from hospital via a taxi service (paid for by either the NHS Board or the local Health and Social Care Partnership) in 2023?
a. Broken down by service provider.
In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.
b. Broken down by month
In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.
5. In 2023, broken down by month, how much did the Board spend on:
a. Ambulance Transport from the Private sector
£77,021 see question 1 above for reference
b. Third sector ambulance transport provision
£0. (Zero)
6. How much did the Board spend on taxis (for transporting patients) in 2023?
2023 Patient Taxi Expenditure
Total
Allied Taxis Shetland Ltd
6,373.21
HITS
4,206.87
R G Jamieson And Son
18,995.68
Sinclair S Taxis Limited
7,538.22
Overall Sum Total:
37,113.98
- Broken down by month
Patient Taxi Transport Costs By Month
January-2023
£1,130.14
February-2023
£1,838.46
March-2023
£1,158.92
April-2023
£4,343.37
May-2023
£6,440.14
June-2023
£1,014.33
July-2023
£3,175.38
August-2023
£1,547.92
September-2023
£4,922.94
October-2023
£3,383.33
November-2023
£4,137.64
December-2023
£4,021.41
Overall Total
£37,113.98
7. Does the Board make use of an Assisted Discharge Service or services (an assisted discharge service is a service that incorporates transport home and a short period of practical and emotional support provided to settle the person at home and address any immediate needs)
No
a. If yes, who provides this service?
N/A
b. If yes, how many people were supported in 2023, broken down by month?
N/A
8. Does the Board operate an internal transport service (i.e. not externally commissioned) to transport patients either between or from hospitals?
a. If yes, at which hospitals does this operate?
No
b. If yes, how many patients were transported in 2023 (broken down by month, hospital and destination category?
Not applicable
