AMBULANCE services throughout Greater Manchester are to work a non-emergency service around the clock to transport patients to and from hospitals. The new system is believed to be the first in Britain. It will be provided by Greater Manchester Ambulance Service's Patient Transport Service.

Hospitals will be able to access the service simply by ringing a new PTS control centre.

Says GMAS operations director Mike Lloyd: "At present PTS vehicles are usually not available after 7pm and that means we sometimes have to use accident and emergency ambulances to transport patients from hospital to their homes.

"That is not a sensible or economic way to use emergency ambulances and the highly trained paramedic crews who man them."

The introduction of the 24-hour service is the latest element in an investment programme in GMAS's pioneering PTS operation.

The PTS fleet of 200 vehicles has recently been boosted by the arrival of 16 specially adapted Vauxhall Cavaliers.

Consultation with the public revealed that many non-emergency patients don't like being transported to hospital in a conventional ambulance and would prefer to travel in an adapted car.

Mr. Lloyd concluded: "The introduction of the Cavaliers, and the service itself, are examples of our willingness to listen, and to respond appropriately."

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