VASA joins new transport partnership

Added on Wed 10th Feb 2010 by Trevor (Marketing and Communications Manager)

VASA is one of the members of a new partnership set up to coordinate the efforts of volunteers across the county who ensure people have access to health services are now coordinated in their efforts.

Warwickshire Voluntary Transport is formed by all five of Warwickshire’s voluntary car schemes to give them a new, common platform. Its main purpose is to work at improving relations and negotiations with health partners and to increase recognition for all the valuable work done. It fits well alongside Warwickshire County Council’s joint working efforts with the PCT on an Improving Patient Access to Health project.

In addition to VASA, the members are Beeline Community Transport in North Warwickshire, Medi-Car Transport Service - Nuneaton & Bedworth, WCAVA Volunteer Centre Rugby’s Hospital Car Scheme and the Health Travel Service serving the Older People of Warwick District.

There has been additional support from Warwickshire County Council and the Older Persons Forums. This partnership will ensure that standards and procedures can be rolled out across the county and provide support to each other to overcome operational and financial problems.

The new partnership will also mean that all new volunteer drivers will have to have a good driving record and at least three years’ experience, together with a CRB check: they will also have use of the Warwickshire Voluntary Transport Logo while on duty, as well as access to a commonly agreed support and training procedure, all of which is designed for the benefit of both client and volunteer.

Cllr Heather Timms, portfolio holder for Customers, Workforce and Partnership with Warwickshire County Council said: “This scheme will help everybody involved in voluntary transport, from drivers to service users, and will improve what has already been a resounding success.

“The added support from the county council and the older people’s forums will help to avert any financial problems and the pooling of the resources will ensure that operational problems – such as a shortage of vehicles – will become less likely. I’m delighted to see so many different agencies come together to deliver an even stronger service for the community.”