Welsh NHS: Rise in community transport journeys to hospital

John and Joan Barrington Powell need to go often to Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, from home in Llandysul, Ceredigion, with each journey lasting more than an hour.

“Since the bus services got worse, we have to use them [Dolen Teifi],” he said. “It’s either that or a private taxi which would be more expensive.”

A Dolen Teifi driver collects the couple, takes them to Llanelli and waits until the appointment is finished before returning them home.

Both said they could not manage without the service.

“At one time we used the ambulances, but we couldn’t rely on them and Joan has to come with me and she couldn’t go on the ambulances,” he said.

While ambulances are available to take patients to health appointments, only the patient can travel.

“I can’t use my hands to feed myself or do things,” said John. “Joan has to do that, so she has to come with me.”