Press Release, 10th June, 2013

 

Progress needed on Community Transport

 

Scotland’s public spending watchdog – Audit Scotland – has raised concerns that little progress has been made to improve community transport since it published a report on the issue a full two and a half years ago.

 

The report said that users of health and care services were losing out, and that millions were being wasted because of a lack of joined up thinking between various transport agencies.

 

As a result of the slow progress, the Scottish Parliament has now taken up the issue.

 

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil, who heads the parliament’s health committee, highlighted the problems faced by his constituents in accessing health and social care services during a recent evidence session.

 

Duncan McNeil said:

 

“This is a big issue for the elderly, vulnerable people and those on low incomes without a car. My casework will confirm that the lack of co-ordination between the transport agencies is resulting in missed appointments with the GP, longer journeys, longer waits to be discharged from hospital to home, and financial hardship for families visiting loved ones at hospitals in Paisley and Glasgow”.

 

I am keen to get a local forum together to see how best we can improve the situation. I recently met with Inverclyde’s council transport agency and I will be meeting with senior officials at SPT in August”