ACES always want to ensure that our patients can access our Cataract Surgery service safely and on time, which is why our Leeds and Newcastle Clinics are now offering complimentary transport to those who require assistance (subject to qualifying criteria). All transport is provided by UBER Health on behalf of ACES.
The qualifying criteria to ensure that we are supporting those who need it most are detailed below:
- The patient has no alternative means of getting to their appointment or treatment, through family, friend, hospital transport, community transport or public transport.
- The patient using the transport service will be allocated off-peak appointments avoiding peak time travel at a time decided upon by ACES.
- The patient using the service will be offered transport direct to and from the clinic without any additional stops.
- The patient will be attending their initial assessment and have surgery on the same day.
- Subject to suitability, the patient may be offered bilateral surgery to reduce travelling demands.
- The patient would be expected to be ready to commence the journey at the time of the arrival.
- The patient should be able to get themselves to and from, and in and out, of the supplied vehicle without assistance, or be able to provide a carer or family member on the day of the transfer to support them getting to and from, and in and out, of the supplied vehicle.
- The patient should be flexible where possible to allow their appointment or treatment to be on a different date and/or time to match the availability of the transport service.
- The patient will be expected to be in the clinic ahead of their assessment and surgery in good time, so the service may incur a wait in clinic.
To find out more, please contact your local NHS Partnership Executive: for Leeds, Ian Smith on IanSmith@aceseyeclinic.co.uk or 07721 169 700, for Newcastle, Peter Muldowney on PeterMuldowney@aceseyeclinic.co.uk or 07350 421 930.
