From 1 May 2017, WMAS provides Patient Transport Services (PTS) covering much of Birmingham and the Black Country. This includes patients registered with GPs in Birmingham and Solihull eligible for transport through the region and the rest of the UK.
The service also covers patients in most other parts of the West Midlands travelling into Birmingham and Black Country for treatment.
Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent CCGs have their own provider – ERS. They can be contacted on 0800 035 6511.
Information on this page is broken down into sections as follows:
Which hospitals are covered?
Are there any hospitals that are not covered?
How do I request transport?
What happens next?
What happens on the day of the appointment?
How can I contact you?
A Patient Charter has been produced to help patients understand what to expect from the service and ensure the same level of service across Birmingham and Solihull
To see the charter (.pdf file 103kb) please click on the link below:
Which hospitals are covered?
If you are registered with a GP in Birmingham, Sandwell or Solihull, and are eligible for PTS, we will provide transport to hospitals and treatment centres throughout the West Midlands and the rest of the country. This includes regular journeys for dialysis for example, and specialist centres elsewhere in the UK.
If you are registered with a GP in most other parts of the West Midlands [not Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent], we will transport you to most hospitals in Birmingham and the surrounding areas including:
- Birmingham Chest Clinic
- Birmingham Women’s Hospital
- Good Hope Hospital
- Heartlands Hospital
- Solihull Hospital
- Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
- Alexandra Hospital, Redditch ###
- Kidderminster Hospital ###
- Worcester Royal ###
- West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre
- Moor Green Hospital
- Moseley Hall Hospital and other Mental Health treatment centres
- and other sites including dialysis units
Note: Hospitals with a ### suffix are for residents of Birmingham, Sandwell & Solihull only. We understand that this can be a little confusing. If you are not sure, please call the General Enquiry line on 0121 307 9118
If you are travelling into any of the hospitals listed from outside the West Midlands, you will need to call your home provider.
Are there any hospitals that are not covered?
A number of hospitals in the area have separate arrangements. These include Russells Hall, New Cross, Walsall Manor, City, Sandwell General and Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre. These have a separate contract with WMAS. Click here for more information.
We do not take patients to private appointments, nor to routine GP appointments.
How do I request transport?
Please call the booking request line on 0800 035 6511. This office is open from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, but you can call at any time. You will be asked a number of questions to determine your eligibility for PTS, and to ensure we send the appropriate staff and vehicle.
When calling please ensure you have your appointment details to hand, as well as your GP practice and NHS number. All calls are recorded.
What happens next?
If you are accepted for transport you will be given a reference number when the booking is made. Please keep this safe, in case you need to refer to it before you travel (e.g. to change your appointment or cancel transport).
Can I get a reminder on the day?
If you sign up to our message service you will get confirmation by text. We will also send a message on the day to tell you the vehicle is on the way to collect you.
What happens on the day of the appointment?
We advise patients to be ready at least 90 minutes before appointment time. Make sure you have your appointment letter with you, any medication, and food if necessary.
You will get a text message to say the vehicle is on the way, if you have signed up to our message service.
Our staff will collect you from your home address, and will ensure your property is secure. You will be escorted to the vehicle and seated comfortably. Some patients will need to travel in their own wheelchair or on a stretcher. Do not bring too many unnecessary belongings with you as the crew may not be able to store them.
In most cases, you will be with other patients on the vehicle.
We will take you to your appointment and transfer you to a member of staff at the destination.
When your treatment has finished, hospital staff will inform us you are ready to return. In larger hospitals, you will be able to do this yourself via an on-site screen.
Our staff will take you home and make sure you are safe and sound before leaving.
How can I contact you?
If you need to alter or cancel your transport or wish to give us feedback on your journey you can contact us:
Tel : 0121 307 9118
Email : ptsenquiries@wmas.nhs.uk
Post : Patient Experience Team, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Waterfront Way, Brierley Hill. DY5 1LX
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