Focus Group A: Healthcare Travel Information

1)What are your thoughts on travel information that is currently available?

-GP surgeries

  • There is lots of information on many different topics available in surgeries, usually in the form of noticeboards and leaflet racks
  • This can lead to information overload as one cannot necessarily see the information they need, or doesn’t know the information is there as it’s hidden

-Community transport directory is available on Dorsetforyou website

  • This is only available online – hard copies used to be available but not anymore

-Wayfinders are an excellent source of information for those they support

  • It is recognised that the information they can give is only as good as the information they possess

2)What might help or hinder people from accessing travel information?

-Lack of internet access or digital capability as a barrier

-Introduction of a phone service as a facilitator – good practice example from My Life My Care so people without internet can access the directory

-Help with travel costs scheme should help people to access services, but it was noted this service is not publicised – a barrier to accessing the information required –this is perceived to be due to resistance to making payments via the scheme from those who run it

-Lack of user-friendliness of online resources as a barrier – e.g. it was noted that the community transport directory is not necessarily intuitive to use unless you know which scheme you are looking for

-Immediacy of need impacts on people’s ability to access the information required – it is easier to gather the information in advance than for urgent appointments etc

-Lack of hard copies of bus timetables as a barrier - it seems there is inconsistency in their availability across the county

-Acute hospitals fail to make people aware of free passes and help with transport available

3)How could the accessibility of healthcare travel information be maximised?

-GP surgeries as a resource

  • Information sorted into topics somehow e.g. folders?
  • Person dedicated to supporting travel planning [BL(C1]when making appointments / pro-active admin staff / GPs themselves to give info or signpost
  • How can we tap into resources already deployed in surgeries e.g. visits from CAB advisors?

-Other places to hold information: churches / faith groups, libraries, parish councils, village halls, local magazines, post offices, housing associations, shops / supermarkets, banks, clinics

-Utilise Wayfinders & other local voluntary groups

-A single website bringing all the information together – simple & accessible by Wayfinders / other support staff – currently info is available from disparate sources

-Community hubs may bring more opportunities for information provision

-GP referrals to be completed on the day [BL(C2]– gives the chance for travel info to be given at time of booking – joint working required to provide links between appointment booking and transport – to include community transport schemes and taxi services

-Local radio to be utilised

Focus Group B: Healthcare Travel and Transport

1)What are your thoughts about existing options to travel to healthcare locations?

-Voluntary services:

  • Neighbour car – rural – 1:1 - payment for petrol only
  • Communicare – 1:1 - payment for petrol only
  • Help & Car – driver escort client own car
  • SEDCAT
  • NORDCAT
  • Christchurch neighbourhood car
  • Other voluntary car schemes

-Public transport:

  • Bus
  • Train

-PTS (E-Zec)

-Others:

  • LA Fleet
  • Dial-a-ride

2)What might help or hinder someone in getting to & from healthcare locations?

-Awareness (or lack of) – digital capability

-Disability / mobility / additional needs

-Many vehicles can only take one wheelchair

-Timing – some people are restricted my medication needs etc – long wait / travel times can ensue if multiple people picked up by same vehicle from different locations

-Availability / capacity

-Customer experience

-Escort / support – some voluntary schemes will not take a carer / relative

-Parking issues for drivers

-Lack of flexibility – with both transport services and appointments (e.g. inability to change early morning appointment that is not possible to get to via public transport)

-Cost barrier

-Blue badge / other forms of support as a facilitator – need to be aware of eligibility – lack of knowledge of this as a potential barrier

3)How could healthcare transport be improved?

-Link up health appointments with transport provision

-Car park passes for volunteer drivers

-Key organisations to have knowledge of services available

-Volunteers – use LA fleet

-Link volunteers to people e.g. buddy system – e.g. through walking for health groups[BL(C3]

-Taxis – group discounts

-Bus[BL(C4] passes – extend to others e.g. those receiving benefits, young people

-Taxi token scheme – e.g. for those with enhanced needs

-[BL(C1] Accessibility Champions?

- I mentioned ‘transport as everyone’s responsibility’ concept, which was well-received by the group

[BL(C2]Paper Switch Off for GP referrals should support this – need to find out how travel info could be fed into the directory of services used for e-referrals – Susan / Chloe may be good contacts

[BL(C3]Link here with Travel Planning, how can we tap into walking & cycling for health groups to promote active travel?

[BL(C4]BTN can sometimes obtain discount deals on ad-hoc basis, they also hope to get Easit into Dorset who can get bigger discounts