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Patients: Transport

Volume 501: debated on Tuesday 24 November 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of (a) the number of volunteers using their own vehicle to transport patients on behalf of the NHS and (b) the mileage covered by these volunteers in the latest period for which figures are available; (300472)

(2) how many volunteers who used their own vehicle to transport patients on behalf of the NHS were reimbursed in 2008; and what his most recent estimate is of the equivalent figure in 2009 to date.

No assessment has been made by the Department of the use of voluntary drivers. Any assessment of voluntary car schemes would be for the local national health service to make.

We are aware of the huge contribution that volunteer drivers make to health and well being by offering transport free of charge to many vulnerable and potentially isolated patients and service users. The Department is currently working to develop a strategic vision for volunteering in health and social care which will acknowledge this contribution and highlight the importance of volunteer expenses being reimbursed.