When the PCT changed the supplier they let them offer a 0845 number to book transport.

See: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Stranded-hours-hospital/story-16493462-detail/story.html

Arriva the new supplier have recently been awarded a number of NHS contracts to deliver non-emergency patient transport (NEPTS).

See:http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/business_activities/transport_solutions/atsl_ambuline/

I wonder how many other trusts have agreed to 0845 use.

Less than one week after the previous report linked to by bigjohn, there was another one:

Health chiefs respond to outcry over 0845 calls

NSL Care Services provides patient transport in some areas.

From 1^st January 2012 NSL provides the transport for patients of NHS South Staffordshire for which the contact number is 0333 240 0265.

However, from 1^st July NSL become the provider for most services in Derbyshire and patients must now pay a Service Charge of around 5 pence per minute on bookings because a 0843 g6 number is the point of contact: 0843 357 1553


This press release (PDF) says:


Quote:

New contracts will apply to all cities and counties in the East Midlands. Today’s announcement identified the two preferred bidders for the contracts. Arriva Passenger Services Ltd is the preferred bidder for Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire including the NHS Bassetlaw area, as well as Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, while NSL Ltd is the preferred bidder for Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derby and Derbyshire.