Being a CQC registered provider of non-emergency patient transport services, we work with unpaid carers every day (and a lot of us are carers). This year, the focus of Carers Week is ‘Caring About Equality’, raising awareness of the inequalities faced by unpaid carers. Carers are at greater risk of poverty, social isolation and poor mental and physical health.

Caring takes many forms and many carers do not even recognise themselves as carers. Our Non Emergency Patient Transport Services drivers and couriers meet carers of all kinds – from those caring 24/7 for a loved-one they live with, to those providing care on a temporary basis to a friend or neighbour. Care can be practical and personal or it can be more subtle, such as needing to communicate and advocate for somebody. Unpaid carers alleviate a huge amount of pressure from social services so it is essential that they are looked after.

Caring for someone in any capacity can be highly stressful and we know that takes its toll too. We want carers to know that the people they care for are in safe hands when they are with us so that it is one less thing for them to worry about. As the preferred supplier to NHS trusts and the private healthcare sector, our Driver Care Assist training which exceeds industry standards is, in the main, the reason for our exemplary care levels. To be CQC registered, the qualifying criteria is stringent covering the safety of patients, the effectiveness and management of our service and how caring and responsive we are.

From helping our passengers (and their carers) feel comfortable and respected, to helping them put their shoes on, to making sure they get back into their homes safely (even if that means writing to the council to ask them to reopen roads), our drivers can be counted on to care.

If you are looking into new non-emergency patient transportation supplier procurement options, consider using GLH, leading car and courier services in London. Call 020 7940 4222 or email us at enquiries@glh.co.uk.