A PARTNERSHIP between a rural doctors' surgery, transport group and health leaders has launched a scheme to provide free transport for housebound patients.

The project at Reeth Medical Centre, supported by Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (HRWCCG), Reeth and District Community Transport and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, will allow patients to attend the practice for route checks such as monitoring heart conditions, blood tests and flu injections.

GP Partner at Reeth Medical Centre, Dr Mike Brookes said: “It is difficult to provide a gold-standard of care at home for many conditions because of lack of access to equipment and visits often perpetuate social isolation.

“We reviewed our home visits for the last 12 months and realised that a great number of the calls were generated because people did not have access to transport services.

"There were very few calls where the health condition of the patient meant that they were unable to travel.”

The practice discussed the community transport project proposals with affected patients and HRW CCG and found the responses overwhelmingly positive.

Dr Brookes said: “Instead of arranging a nursing visit, now we are able to arrange free transport for that person to be brought to a dedicated clinic at the practice which is staffed by practice and community nurses.

"They are also able to use the transport to call in at the Post Office or luncheon clubs on the way home as well.

“The transport service will also reduce the number of hours spent by the community nursing team on home visits, and we are working with them to use these hours for other new services, such as providing intravenous antibiotic therapy at the practice, which we have already successfully carried out.

"Bringing the care closer to home reduces travelling and inconvenience for our patients and also increases the skills of our nurses - so everyone benefits.”

Debbie Newton, chief operating and finance officer for HRW CCG, said: “Reeth Medical Centre is a beacon for outstanding medical practice in our area.

“Not only are the practice forward-thinking in their care, they continue to go above and beyond for patients and the community transport project is another example of this.

"As a CCG, we are extremely proud to be working with Dr Brookes and his team on this particular initiative and look forward to receiving feedback from service users.”