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Patient transport

Most people should arrange their own transport to hospital appointments, but NHS Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) is available for those with a medical or mobility need that prevents them from travelling independently. We have also listed other public or voluntary transport options and help with travel costs.

Travelling to in-person hospital appointments

If you’re travelling to an in-person appointment at one of the United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals Trust sites (Lincoln, Boston, Grantham or Louth), you can find directions, parking information and travel advice on their website: Getting to your in-person appointment and outpatient parking – United Lincolnshire Hospitals.

Connect2Support – Public transport

Connect2Support lists transport options across Lincolnshire, including buses, trains, voluntary car schemes and park-and-ride. It also links to the Citymapper app, which helps you plan your journey using all available transport routes. Public and Community Transport | Connect to Support Lincolnshire.

Community transport and voluntary car schemes

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

Find your nearest scheme here: Community Transport | LCVP.

Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS)

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) is responsible for delivering Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) for Lincolnshire. Most people should travel to and from hospital independently by private or public transport, with the help of relatives or friends if necessary. NHS-funded patient transportation is reserved for when it is considered essential to ensuring an individual’s safety, safe mobilisation, condition management or recovery.  

Only patients who meet one of the below reasons for an appointment will be considered for eligibility for NEPTS:

  • The patient has been referred by a doctor, dentist or ophthalmic practitioner for non-primary care NHS-funded healthcare services – that is, diagnostics or treatment.
  • The patient is being discharged from NHS-funded treatment.

To determine if you are eligible for NHS funded transport then full information can be found on the EMAS website and in the patient leaflet.

Website: Lincolnshire :: East Midlands Ambulance Service.

Information Link: EMAS_NEPTS_leaflet_Aug_2023_version.pdf

To make a booking please call the booking line: 0300 300 3434. Your relative or carer may also book this for you if needed. Your call will be assessed to see whether you are eligible to use the service by asking you a few simple questions about your medical condition and mobility needs.

Help with travel costs

If you are not eligible for NHS-funded transport, you may qualify for help with travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme – full details available via the NHS UK website: Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) – NHS.

Further support

For general information regarding public transport in Lincolnshire call the Transport Helpline on 0345 456 4474 or visit the website: LincsBus – Your one stop for Lincolnshire Transport.

Monday – Friday: 9.00am – 6.00pm, Saturday: 9:30am – 4pm.

The Lincsbus website contains details of Community and volunteer transport schemes and the on-demand bus service ‘Call Connect’.

Lincolnshire ‘EACH’ – patient referrals to community services and hospitals.