Transport for Sick Children – taking children with no other means of transport to hospital and clinic appointments
Transport for Sick Children is a charity that has been based in Greater Manchester for over 40 years. Their volunteer drivers use their own cars to take accompanied children with no other means of transport to hospital and clinic appointments. They cover all of Greater Manchester and are a vital service for families struggling to attend appointments for their children. Their aim is to reduce any barriers that any children living in Greater Manchester may have, to ensure they have equal access to healthcare.
Their volunteer drivers provide a reliable and friendly service and will take the family to the appointment, wait for them to finish and then return them home. All of the trips are arranged and supported by a small, dedicated team in the office.
“I would like to thank the programme for supporting us with transport, I have no words strong enough to express my gratitude really. The volunteer drivers are very humble, respectful and trustworthy. I’d like to express my appreciation to them and let them know how they are contributing massively to the life and wellbeing of somebody.” A parent/carer
“The transport is a fantastic service that makes what can be a stressful time getting your child to a hospital appointment a significantly easier process, we really appreciate the service, the drivers are always friendly, polite and professional and it has been a life saver for us as we don’t drive and would really struggle otherwise. We think it’s an amazing service and are so grateful that this is available”. A parent/carer
Referrals come to them from health visitors, social workers, nurses and many other health professionals throughout Greater Manchester.
“The service provided to the families we support is commendable, to have a door to door service to take our most complex and vulnerable children to and from appointments reduces the worries and anxieties for families that they can already be facing when their children are the most complex and poorly, and they have numerous appointments to attend to gain the best support from professionals and multiagency teams. To be picked up from home ensures a reliable service for families without the worry of having to use public transport often with equipment which is difficult to take on the transport of larger buggies, portable oxygen or pumps to feed the child and completely takes away the worries of getting to and from appointments on time” Helen Rothwell, Designated Key Worker Salford
‘As a regular referrer to Transport for Sick Children I have found the team and drivers to be so accommodating and supportive. There are so many of our families here at the Children’s Hospital to whom the charity makes such a difference and who benefit greatly from this much needed transport service in order for them to be seen by their medical specialist’ Janette Watson, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
All of their referrals need to come from health professionals, if you have any queries please visit their website www.transportforsickchildren.org or email [email protected]