Renal dialysis patients in a remote part of Wales are concerned about any possible change in the provision of the ambulance transport service which takes them to hospital for weekly treatment.
We conducted the research by surveying patients of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Local Health Board, who currently use the Medical Services UK patient transport service, based in Swansea. Of the 65 who responded:
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80.3% said they would be very unhappy if the service was replaced by an alternative provider
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98.4% felt a change would cause a deterioration in the service
When asked to name the most important requirements of a patient transport service, the respondents replied:
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Home pick up punctuality (90.8%)
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Waiting ambulance at end of treatment (80.0%)
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Journey time (87.7%)
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Travelling with other patients (87.8%)
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Safety (93.8%)
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Comfort (64.6%)
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Helpful caring crew (93.8%)
96.7% rated the Medical Service's transport service for renal patients as excellent to good.
David Ellis, Medical Services' Director of Organisational Development, said that the survey's conclusions confirmed patients' regular informal feedback about the transport service. "What is particularly gratifying is that we can deliver such a high level of punctuality in some of the remotest parts of the country."