Improving Access to Health and Social Care: Community Transport is a Lifeline

Frances Campbell, our Northern Ireland Research and Development Officer, shares her insights on improving access to health and social care, along with Patricia Davis' story, featured in a recent BBC article that CTA contributed to.

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Community transport is more than a service—it’s a lifeline for many, a vital thread connecting the most vulnerable in our society to the health and social care they need. For those facing mobility challenges, rural isolation, or a lack of affordable transport options, community transport is often the only way they can access medical appointments or social care services. 

Every day, this service makes a profound difference in people’s lives. It offers so much more than a journey. For those who worry about missing hospital appointments, it provides peace of mind. For those who feel trapped at home, it offers a renewed sense of independence. And for those facing mobility or accessibility challenges, its person-centred model is designed to meet their specific needs. 

I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and compassion of community transport staff. They don’t just provide transportation - they offer care, kindness, and human connection. A warm smile, a helping hand, and a listening ear often accompany each journey, making the journey not just functional, but meaningful. For many, these trips are their only social interaction all week, a vital link to feeling valued and connected. Community transport staff excel in fostering this sense of community and care. 

Feedback from users is often incredibly moving, with many describing how community transport has transformed their lives, granting them access to health services and restoring their independence. In a time where health and social care services are increasingly fragmented, community transport providers have stepped up, proactively developing solutions to ensure people can still attend hospital appointments—often working collaboratively when hospitals are outside their local area. 

While community transport is making a significant contribution to health and social care, there is a clear opportunity for enhanced support. Currently, neither the Department of Health nor the Department for Communities provides direct funding, even though 40% of users depend on community transport for health-related appointments. This reliance highlights the service’s vital role in helping individuals access essential healthcare. As the demand for health services continues to grow, community transport providers are enthusiastic about collaborating to improve service delivery, ensuring that all members of their communities remain connected and receive the care they need. 

There is a critical need not only to recognise the vital role that community transport plays in facilitating access to health and social care but also to ensure that this recognition is accompanied by adequate financial support. It’s essential for decision-makers within health and social care to understand the true value of this service—not merely as a means of transportation, but as a vital investment in people’s health, well-being, and independence. Community transport goes beyond simply moving individuals from point A to point B; it plays a crucial role in restoring their sense of agency and strengthening their connections to their communities, ultimately enabling individuals to remain healthy and well in their own homes. 

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Health trusts spend £40m on patient taxis in five years - BBC News

Patricia Davis uses community transport vehicles to get to healthcare appointments

Patricia Davis lives in a rural part of County Tyrone on the outskirts of Dungannon.

She was a nurse for almost 40 years, but had to leave due to ill health.

After developing sores on her foot because of poor circulation, she had a bypass, but eventually complications meant she had to have one of her legs amputated.

She now uses a prosthetic leg and sometimes a wheelchair.

“I was a gym fanatic and always so independent and I loved driving, but I’ve lost all of that now," she said.

“I really do miss it, especially because I have lots of hospital appointments now that I need to attend.”

Patricia regularly uses her local community transport service to take her to her appointments.

“I honestly don’t know what I would do without it, it’s my lifeline.