Support with patient transport

Most people are expected to arrange their own transport to NHS appointments, but support is available if a medical or mobility need means you cannot travel independently.

Other public, community and voluntary transport options may be available locally, along with help with travel costs.

If you are unable to find a suitable option, you can contact the Lincolnshire Transport Helpline for further advice on 0345 456 4474. Opening times: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm, Saturday 9.30am to 4.00pm.

a young male helping a person on a wheelchair on a bus

Travelling to hospital and clinic sites

If you are attending an in-person appointment at a United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals Trust site in Lincoln, Boston, Grantham or Louth, information is available on travelling by car, bus, train, patient transport and voluntary services:

Getting to your in-person appointment and outpatient parking

Accessibility information to help you navigate hospital sites is available via AccessAble:

AccessAble – Your Accessibility Guide

For Lincolnshire Community Health Services sites, including community hospitals (Gainsborough, Spalding and Skegness) and diagnostic centres (Skegness and Lincoln):

AccessAble – Your Accessibility Guide

Public transport

Connect2Support lists public, community and voluntary transport options across Lincolnshire, including journey planning tools: Public and Community Transport | Connect to Support Lincolnshire

For local bus services, community transport and Call Connect, visit LincsBus:
https://lincsbus.com/

The Citymapper app can help you plan your journey:
https://citymapper.com/lincolnshire

Community transport and voluntary car schemes

If you cannot easily use public transport because of mobility issues, disability or distance, local community car schemes may be able to help. These are mainly used for medical appointments and usually charge a small mileage fee.

Find a local scheme:
https://lincscvp.org.uk/community-transport/

Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS)

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) provides the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) for Lincolnshire.

NHS-funded transport is only provided where it is clinically necessary to support patient safety. This may apply if you need medical support during travel, cannot walk from transport to the clinic, or would be unsafe to travel alone.

You may be eligible if:

  • You have been referred for NHS tests or treatment and cannot travel safely because of your medical condition or mobility.
  • You are being discharged from hospital and need support to get home safely.

Bookings are assessed at the point of request based on clinical need.

To book, call 0300 300 3434. A relative or carer can book on your behalf if needed.

More information:
https://www.emas.nhs.uk/your-service/patient-transport-service/lincolnshire

Help with travel costs

If you are not eligible for NHS-funded transport, you may still be able to claim help with travel costs through the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme.

More information:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/