Survey seeks feedback from elderly on travelling to healthcare appointments in Wales

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales wants to hear from older people across Wales about their experiences of travelling to hospital and GP appointments to help her to identify how transport to these services could be improved, as well as good practice that is making a positive difference to older people’s lives.

The experiences of older people, and their ideas about how transport to health services could be improved, will form the basis of a report due to be published at the end of the year.

Many of the older people that the Commissioner and her team have met and spoken with throughout Wales have highlighted the challenges they often face when travelling to GP or hospital appointments, and how these challenges can impact upon their health and well-being.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, said: “It is vital that older people in Wales can easily access transport to their GP and hospital appointments, which play a key role in helping them to remain health and independent.

“However, I know from speaking with many older people throughout Wales that access to transport for essential medical appointments is becoming a matter of growing worry and concern.

“That is why I want to hear directly from older people about their experiences of transport to health services, so I can identify where improvements are needed, alongside promoting good practice being delivered that is making a positive difference and could be rolled out more widely across Wales.”

Older people can complete the survey online by visiting the Commissioner’s website – www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/Reviews/TransportToHealth.aspx – or can request a hard copy by contacting the Commissioner’s office on 03442 640 670.