The Welsh Ambulance Service in conjuction with the Welsh Kidney Patients Association, launched the questionnaire back in March 2008 to try and improve the non-emergency transport service for patients and particularly for patients requiring renal dialysis.

The chart below shows the average satisfaction score for the three areas ie. Central & West Wales, North Wales & South East Wales. 0 being the worst 10 the best.

Source - Welsh Ambulance Service

Patient Forum Events – Ambulance Vehicle Dates

In addition to your patient forum events, we have invited the fleet and logistics department to attend your units on the following dates with the short list of vehicles that they are considering for the new dedicated renal transport service. There are six vehicles in total ranging from small car vehicles suitable for walking patients, to larger cars adapted for wheelchair use. The purpose of bringing the vehicles to the units is to allow as many patients as possible to view and score the vehicles using score sheets that will be provided on the day. The scores will be based on questions around comfort, access, leg room, space etc. We are not able to transport the vehicles to every unit and therefore it is important that we receive as many comments as possible, because the vehicles will not be available at any other units. Two units in North Wales have been visited already and patients have been very helpful in the scoring process. This will be an important part of patient engagement as the scores that the patients allocate the vehicles will contribute to the decision on which ones to purchase/lease for the new service. I would appreciate it if you could make your patients aware that these vehicles will be available on the below dates and encourage them to take part in the scoring process. In the units in North Wales patients viewed vehicles either before or after their treatment, vehicles were available from 11am until 2pm. The ambulance service will be made aware of these events in order that they can be supportive with the transport provided on the day, to reassure patients that they will be given adequate time to participate in the scoring should they wish.

Cardiff North Dialysis Unit                   2nd and 3rd December

St Woolos Dialysis Unit                         7th and 8th December

Merthyr Dialysis Unit                             9th and 10th December

We would be grateful if you could some space at the unit for the vehicles to be parked near to the entrance

The following information has been received from Kate May, Ambulance Trust. Look out for the posters in your unit and, if you wish to take part in the forums on this important issue, let the staff at your unit know
“As discussed previously patient forum events are taking place across Wales at every renal unit in order to allow patients to comment and contribute to the development of the new dedicated renal transport service. One two occasions (a M/W/F and a T/TH/S) your unit will be visited by either myself or one of the renal network managers, Dave Heyburn and Nick Wilson. Patients and staff will be encouraged to share their views and experiences of the current renal transport service and offer comments or questions about the development of the new service.
Posters will be sent out shortly to each unit for you to advertise the patient forum events and inform the patients of the dates and times that the forum will be visiting your unit.
 

Please see below for the  forum dates to allow you to fill in the date on your posters:
 

Bronglais Haemodialysis Unit, Aberystwyth – 30th November & 1st December
 Cardiff North Dialysis Unit, Cardiff – 2nd & 3rd December
 Gladstone Centre, Wrexham Maelor Hospital – 25th & 26th November
 Llantrisant Renal Unit, Llantrisant – 2nd & 3rd December
 Main Dialysis Unit, Morriston Hospital, Swansea – 20th November & 1st December
 Main Dialysis Unit, UHW, Cardiff – 14th & 15th December
 Prince Charles Renal Unit, Merthyr – 9th & 10th December
 St Woolos Renal Unit, Newport – 11th & 12th November
 West Wales Haemodialysis Unit, Carmarthen – 6th November & 15th December
 West Wing Dialysis Unit, Cardiff – Wed. 16th & Sat. 19th December
 Withybush Renal Unit, Haverfordwest – 2nd & 3rd November
 Ysbyty Glan Clywd Renal Unit – 30th November & 1st December
 Ysbyty Gwynedd Renal Unit, Bangor – 23rd & 24th November

Newsletters will also soon be delivered to your unit and I would appreciate it if you could ensure that every patient receiving dialysis at your unit is given a copy of one. This will help communicate to the patients and staff at your unit, the plans and developments of the project and new service and allow this information to be discussed at the forum events.”
Many Thanks, Kate May