West Yorkshire Patient Transport Services (PTS) and becoming a national pathfinder region

The West Yorkshire region has been confirmed as a national pathfinder area as part of the National NHS Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) review. This followed NHS England and NHS Improvement inviting proposals for testing the implementation of  the areas outcome from the review. In preparation to bid for pathfinder area, a joint collaborative proposal was developed between West Yorkshire Commissioners and Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) covering key requirements of the programme. The NEPTS Review implementation programme has four components: eligibility criteria, signposting of patients, strengthening community transport, new contracting and procurement principles.

Meanwhile, across West Yorkshire a PTS review is also in progress which has four phases including scoping, system engagement, developing models of collaboration and recommendations and runs from July 2021 to March 2022.

A letter has now been sent to commissioners who are sharing this with local providers to introduce the review explaining aims and objectives and key asks about participating in a review group and  future workshop. The next steps include information collection, development of matrix and workshop with stakeholders.

Regular updates will continue to be shared as this work progresses.