Patient transport
The way non-emergency patient transport is provided has changed across the NHS, meaning that many patients are now expected to make their own transport arrangements to and from appointments.
This is to make sure that transport is available for those who really need it, according to their clinical need.
At St George’s, these new national guidelines are now being followed. This means that some patients who used to qualify for transport may no longer be eligible.
To be eligible for non-emergency patient transport, one or more of the following must apply:
- Patients who are bedbound and need a stretcher to travel
- Patients who require medical gases and are unable to self-administer during transit
- Some patients who are wheelchair users
- Patients who need to be carried up to/down from their residence
- Patients with a cognitive or sensory impairment who cannot travel safely without oversight from patient transport staff
- Patients who cannot walk without continual physical support (not including the use of aids such as walking sticks or Zimmer frames).
If you feel you are eligible for non-emergency patient transport, please contact The Transport Assessment and Bookings Team on 020 8725 0808. They can book transport for the following areas: St. George’s Hospital, Queen Mary’s Hospital, St. John’s Therapy Centre & The Nelson Health Centre.
The Transport Assessment and Bookings Team and hospital staff are responsible for assessing patients’ eligibility under the national criteria. The assessment consists of a set of questions and can take up to 5-10 minutes to complete. The assessment is confidential and will be recorded in your medical record.
A friend, relative or carer can call on your behalf if you need help with the assessment.
If you have suffered from diarrhoea and vomiting within the last 48 hours or have COVID or flu-like symptoms, please ensure you have informed the department that you are attending, prior to booking transport. You may be advised to reschedule your appointment.
If you believe you are entitled to non-emergency patient transport but have been assessed as not meeting the national eligibility criteria, you will need to contact your GP and ask them to appeal by emailing tabteam@stgeorges.nhs.uk. This will outline what part of the national eligibility criteria you meet as they will need to provide supporting evidence as part of this appeal. This does not guarantee that you will subsequently be provided transport, but your situation will be reviewed.
If you reside outside of our transport catchment area, the Transport Assessment and Bookings Team will provide you with the contact details for your local transport provider.
How far in advance should I call to be assessed?
To help us plan our transport services efficiently we need three working days’ notice (excluding weekends and public Bank Holidays) and a maximum of two weeks before your appointment.
If you are unable to call three days in advance, we will make every effort to accommodate these short notice requests, if possible.
Can I have an escort?
We will assess whether an escort is needed following the NHS England national criteria.
What happens when I am ready to go home?
We will try our best to get you home as soon as we can. We do try to collect most of our patients within 90 minutes, but on very busy days, you may have to wait up to 3 hours to be collected.
Please note, that journeys are planned to make the most effective use of our vehicles. This means that other patients may share the same vehicle with you.
Appointment cancellations
If your appointment has been cancelled, rescheduled or no longer needed, please call us to let us know on 020 8725 0808, as soon as possible so we can cancel your transport.
Alternative Travel Options
Public Transport
Transport for London Journey Planner
www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner
NHS Travel Cost Scheme (HTCS)
Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) – NHS
Patients receiving benefits such as Income Support, Job Seekers’ Allowance, or Pension Credit may be eligible for travel cost reimbursement.
How to claim: Visit this website to access a claim form: HC5(T) form (PDF)
Car Parking
Parking at St George’s Hospital is limited due to the high demand from patients, visitors, staff, and the need for emergency vehicle access.
Visitors can use the pay-on-exit car park, accessible from Blackshaw Road.
Parking charges are displayed at the entrance.
Car Park Pay Stations
You can pay contactless or cash at Security Control (Ground floor, Grosvenor Wing, near Marks and Spencers) or at the Pay on Exit Pay Stations by the main public car park exit. The car park is not run as a commercial operation. All money goes directly to support the work of the hospital. Charging for use of the car park is also necessary to reduce the growth in traffic onto the site, and the Trust fully supports the Government’s aim of reducing traffic pollution across the country. The car park is patrolled by parking attendants.
Parking restrictions: Only staff and blue badge holders are permitted to park along the hospital’s perimeter road.
Who is exempt from car parking charges?
- Police and Prison Service
- Volunteer Ambulance Car Drivers
- Disabled blue badge holders
- Volunteers
- Renal patients attending for dialysis
- Bereaved relatives
- Interpreters
Disabled parking is available free of charge to drivers displaying a blue badge in:
- any of the reserved disabled spaces available near the entrances of each of the hospital wings.
- any white-painted bay on the perimeter road around the hospital. These bays are designated for staff and blue badge holders.
If parked in the barrier controlled car park the blue badge holder must take the ticket and blue badge for validation to the security desk in Grosvenor wing or AMW reception before they leave the hospital.
If you need assistance on arrival, e.g. a porter, please call our portering helpdesk on 020 8725 2134
Car parking at Queen Mary’s Hospital
Car parking at Queen Mary’s is charged by the hour. Collect a ticket at the gate when you enter the car park and pay before you exit.