Volunteer drivers support North Tees and Hartlepool NHS patients

Volunteer driver service reaches 8,000-journey milestone

Listen to this article2 min · Best available voice selected automatically

Volunteer drivers supporting the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have completed over 8,000 patient journeys, with grateful patients donating nearly £8,500 to the charity fund.

By The Tees Editorial Desk · 2 October 2020

Volunteer driver assisting a patient Image: Image: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation TrustOriginal source

Need something explained?Tap a highlighted word, phrase or concept, or select any part of the article and choose Explain this.

A team of 23 volunteer drivers has completed more than 8,000 journeys to support patients at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. The volunteer-led service, which helps transport patients home and delivers essential medication, has received nearly £8,500 in donations from residents as a gesture of appreciation.

The service, which typically operates Monday to Friday from 11am to 7pm and Saturday mornings, was originally established in 2013 to assist with outpatient appointments. By transporting patients home, the drivers have helped reduce delays in hospital discharge processes.

During the pandemic, the team adapted their role to continue assisting the Trust. Drivers began picking up patients from their homes for essential appointments, including chemotherapy, haematology, and cardiology . The volunteers also took part in a food donation campaign to support local food banks.

All volunteers are tested for the virus and provided with personal protective equipment to ensure patient safety. They currently use their own private vehicles to carry out these duties.

Archive : This story is based on reporting originally published by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on 2020-10-02. The original source image has been and credited.