From the 1st of October 2014 the patient transport booking service will change.

• GP Practices will no longer book patient transport services.
• ERS Medical will take on the role of booking a Patient Transport Service for patients requiring non-emergency transport.
• To make a transport booking, patients, their family members or their carers will need to dial 0191 3017 687, where they will be taken through the national eligibility criteria by an ERS call handler to ensure there is a medical need for transport.
• Once eligibility is confirmed, ERS will book your transport for your journey.

This service will be available for use between the hours of 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Your local patient transport service is only for those with a medical need.

Frequently asked questions

Local travel information for Gateshead

Information on local public transport is available from your local bus, rail and metro stations.

Gateshead Council’s website, at https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Transport%20and%20Streets/public/home.aspx provides more detail on travel by bus in Gateshead.

Traveline

Travel information is also available by telephone and online from the Traveline service, funded by local councils in the North East and Cumbria.

Call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.  Traveline provides information on routes and times of buses, coaches, trains, and metro, in the North East and Cumbria.  The service also provides information about fares on bus, metro in North East England.

The Traveline call centre is available between 7.00 am and 9 pm, 7 days a week (except Christmas Day).  A ‘reduced hours’ service is provided on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

All calls are charged at 10p per minute plus any charges your network provider makes.  You can also find out about journeys online:  http://jplanner.travelinenortheast.info/

The Red Cross

The British Red Cross can offer a drive with a vehicle providing door to door support and can provide an escort, if necessary, who can stay with you throughout your journey to your hospital appointment.  They normally ask for a contribution to their costs, and mileage used.

The local office number for the Gateshead area is 0191 273 7961

Transport requests can also be made over the internet at http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care/Independent-living/Transport-support