Strong team work ensures successful launch of Shropshire and North Powys non-emergency patient transport service.

E-zec Medical Transport Services (E-zec), England’s largest independent provider of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS), is pleased to announce that its NEPTS contract, serving Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and North Powys went live, as scheduled on 1 October. The mobilisation team were working to extremely tight deadlines, with only eight weeks to prepare for the service, rather than the usual 26 so cooperation from the previous provider, Falck and the support of both commissioners proved invaluable.

The success of the mobilisation and the smooth running of the contract since launch is testament to the huge amount of work that has been delivered by all involved. In eight weeks E-zec sourced a base on Knights Way, Shrewsbury and fitted it with the technology and equipment required to run its operations, fleet and advice centre; transitioned and trained 75 new colleagues from Falck and recruited a further 20 locally; worked with Falck to migrate all bookings and with the commissioners to ensure that patients, carers and clinicians were fully briefed on changes to the service. This would have been a major achievement with the usual timeframe but is all the more remarkable due to the compressed timetable and demonstrates the considerable commitment and team work shown by everybody involved.

Wayne Spedding, E-zec Medical’s Operations Director, explained, “I am immensely proud of what has been achieved to ensure that the contract for Shropshire and Powys launched successfully. The team’s focus and delivery have surpassed expectations and demonstrate our determination and resolve to deliver the best service we can to all our stakeholders. We have been fortunate in the support and assistance that we have received from both commissioners, which made a hard target much more achievable.”

On behalf of both commissioners, Claire Parker, Director of Partnerships for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG said, “We are grateful to E-zec for the speed and determination they displayed in mobilising our contract. This is an excellent start to our working relationship and inspires real confidence in the quality of  the service that E-zec will provide over the coming months.”

E-zec will provide 100,000 patient journeys each year across Shropshire and Powys. In addition to standard patient transport services, E-zec will support the commissioners by providing a dedicated renal manager to provide enhanced support for dialysis patients across the region.

Full details on accessing the service and the eligibility criteria that applies can be found on:

Shropshire residents: www.shropshiretelfordandwrekinccg.nhs.uk/your-health/local-services/non-emergency-patient-transport/

Powys residents: www.pthb.nhs.wales/find/nepts

Service website: www.shropshirepatienttransport.co.uk.