§ Baroness Barkerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What organisations they have met to discuss non-emergency patient transport for older people and others; and what was the outcome of those discussions. [HL2721]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ms Blears) has discussed patient transport services in London with Age Concern. This was following the publication of Age Concern's reportA helicopter would he nice: transport to health services for older Londoners (a copy of which is in the Library). The outcome of the discussions is that the national guidance, on patient transport services, produced in 1991 is being reviewed. The Department of Health is involved in cross-government work which is examining the nature of transport barriers to accessing work, learning, healthcare and other key activities and services and, where appropriate, policies will be developed to remove those barriers.
§ Baroness Barkerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to work with other government departments to promote the integration of transport for health and social care services with public and accessible transport services. [HL2722]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathGovernment departments are currently working together on a project led by the Social Exclusion Unit to examine the links between transport and social exclusion. As part of this project the Department of Health, along 'with other government departments, is considering how best to maximise the provision of mainstream transport and that provided through other agencies such as health, social services and education. A report will be published later on this year.