Which hospitals are covered?
If you are registered with a GP in Coventry or Warwickshire, and are eligible for PTS, we will provide transport to hospitals and treatment centres locally, 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.
Main sites include:
University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire
St Cross Hospital, Rugby
George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton
Warwick Hospital
Stratford Hospital
Ellen Badger Hospital, Shipston-on-Stour
Leamington Spa Hospital (CERU)
Myton Hospice sites
and other sites including dialysis units
We do not provide transport to treatment centres on behalf of Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership Trust for patients with mental ill-health, and to Tissue Viability clinics in the city for Coventry patients. Some services are provided by St John’s Ambulance.
This can be a little confusing! If you are not sure, please call the General Enquiry line on 01926 310312
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?
Occasionally, patients need to travel outside the local area. WMAS provides transport for many parts of the West Midlands including:
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
Heartlands Hospital
Good Hope Hospital
Solihull Hospital
Walsall Manor
Worcester Royal Infirmary
Alexandra Hospital, Redditch
Kidderminster Hospital
New Cross, Wolverhampton
Russell’s Hall, Dudley
as well as some treatment centres for mental ill-health in the Black Country
A number of hospitals in the West Midlands have their own arrangements. These include City and Sandwell General Hospitals and Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre. These have their own transport. Dudley & Walsall Mental Health Partnership is not covered by WMAS.
We do not take patients to private appointments, nor to routine GP appointments.
How do I request transport?
To request transport, please call 01926 310312 [Option 1]. The office is open from 08:30 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, although you can call from 08:00 to 20:00 every day of the week.
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).
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 hand you over to a member of staff.
When your treatment has finished, hospital staff will inform us you are ready to return. In larger hospitals, you may be able to do this with one of our Liaison Assistants.
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 : 01926 310312
Email : ptsenquiries@wmas.nhs.uk
Post : Patient Experience Team, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Waterfront Way, Brierley Hill. DY5 1LX