Patient Transport Services in Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral

From 1 November 2025, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside – in conjunction with service provider West Midlands Ambulance Service – agreed to apply the national Non-Emergency Eligibility Criteria with regard to Patient Transport Services in Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral.

This ensures that all patients who meet the national criteria continue to have guaranteed access to patient transport. Patients are eligible for transport if:

• Their medical condition is such that they require the skills or support of Patient Transport Service staff on / after the journey and / or where it would be detrimental to their condition or recovery if they were to travel by other means.
• Their medical condition impacts on their mobility to such an extent that they would be unable to access healthcare and / or it would be detrimental to their condition or recovery to travel by other means.

For patients who do not meet the national eligibility threshold, call handlers are providing clear signposting to alternative transport options, including the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme to support safe and appropriate access to care.

Patients who believe they meet the eligibility criteria but have been assessed otherwise are able to request a senior review by calling the booking line and asking to speak to a supervisor. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is working with West Midlands Ambulance Service to ensure that this process is clearly communicated and accessible to all service users.

West Midlands Ambulance Service will remain the contracted Patient Transport Service provider in Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral until 31 March 2026. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is seeking and expecting assurance that all eligible patients – especially time-critical cohorts such as renal and oncology – continue to be transported in line with the national eligibility framework.