Transport Services (P20 )

Torbay Disability Information Service

Torbay and South NHS Foundation Trust 4th Floor, Union House Union Street TQ1 3YA

Tel: 0300 456 8373

Email: [email protected]

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This is a controlled document. It should not be altered in any way without the express permission of the author or their representative. On receipt of a new version, please destroy all previous versions.

Document Information

Date of Issue: 24 February 2021 Next Review February 2022 Date: Version: 2 Last Review February 2021 Date: Author: Christine Evenden, Disability Information Service

Directorate: Operations

Important: Please ensure that you are using the latest version of this information sheet. To check this, go to our information sheets page on the Trust website at www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/disinfosheets or call the Disability Information Service on 0300 456 8373.

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Contents Subject Page About this Sheet 3 Public Transport 4 Ambulance Services 15 Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Services 17 Community and Voluntary Transport 19 Private Accessible Vehicle Hire Services 22 Transport to Hospital 24 Other Titles in this Series 25 Torbay Disability Information Service 26 Feedback Sheet 27

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About this information sheet

This is one of a series of regularly updated local information sheets that aim to meet the most common information needs of people with disabilities and carers in Torbay.

Where possible, we try to keep our information up to date. However, we cannot guarantee that all of our information is constantly up to date - details change often and there may be changes to services of which we are not aware. If you know of a change to any of the services listed please advise us of this so that we can amend the details.

The information should be used as a guide only, as it may not cover all the organisations that can help with your needs. Torbay Disability Information Service (part of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust) cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information or the quality of service provided by the organisations. No liability can be accepted for loss, damage, or injury arising out of any contract made by a private individual with any of the organisations listed.

Details change often, so please make sure you are using the current edition. Latest copies of the sheets are published on the following website page: www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/disinfosheets

If you do not have Internet access, you can ask for single copies from our office.

A full list of our other information sheet titles can be found at the end of this sheet.

Information can be made available in other formats and languages. Please let us know what your needs are.

Torbay Disability Information Service 4th Floor, Union House Union Street Torquay TQ1 3YA

Telephone: 0300 456 8373 Email: [email protected]

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Public Transport

Accessible Buses Most Stagecoach Devon buses are low floor and wheelchair accessible.

Journey Assistance Cards and Access Schemes

Standard Journey Assistance Cards are available for those who need a bit more help when using the bus. They are designed to make it easier for you to let your bus driver know what extra help you need and can be used at any time of the day, 7 days a week on any bus service. You can apply for a Card if you have: • Limited vision or hearing • Difficulty in communicating • Special educational needs or if: • English is not your first language • You need extra time or help to find a seat.

Face Covering Journey Assistance Cards, for those who are exempt from wearing face masks (possibly due to a disability or health condition) are also available from Stagecoach. For further details about these, please refer to https://www.stagecoachbus.com/help-and-contact/national/face-coverings-faqs There is also guidance and templates on the GOV.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one- and-how-to-make-your-own

To apply, or for further information, contact the Journey Assistance cards page on the Stagecoach website at www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and- offers/national/journey-assistance-cards or contact Stagecoach South West Customer Experience Team on (01392) 427711 or you can email them at: [email protected]

If you live in the area you may also be interested in the Devon Access Wallet Scheme. The access wallet is a bright orange wallet that contains information about the help that the person travelling needs to show to transport staff. The wallet can be used on Devon bus services and Great Western Railway train services. For further information visit www.traveldevon.info/accessibility/devon-access-wallet or contact Devon County Council Transport Co-ordination Service on (01392) 383509 or [email protected]

4 P20 – February 2021 Mobility Scooter Permit Scheme Some smaller mobility scooters can be taken on low-floor buses. You can take your scooter on the bus if: a/ your local bus company belongs to the bus and coach scooter permit scheme (Stagecoach does belong to this scheme) b/ your scooter is a Class 2 type and meets certain size limits: • is no more than 600mm wide and 1000mm long • has a turning radius of no more than 1200 mm • when you’re on it, does not exceed the safe working load of the ramp used to board the bus (normally 300kg). c/ the bus company has assessed you in in safely using your scooter on the bus.

Stagecoach and some other bus companies issue credit card sized permits, which can be shown to the driver to confirm that you’re allowed to travel with your scooter. To apply for a permit contact Stagecoach. Once you’ve been given a permit, you should be able to use it with any bus operator that belongs to the scheme. For further advice, contact the Stagecoach South West Customer Experience Team on (01392) 427711. You can also find out more about the Scheme by visiting www.independentliving.co.uk/advice/can-your- scooter-go-on-public-transport/

National Concessionary Bus Pass Scheme The Scheme enables people with disabilities and those who have reached the female State Pension age (whether they are a man or a woman) to travel free on any local bus services in England between the off-peak travel times of 9.30 am and 11 pm Monday to Friday and any time at weekends and during bank holidays. Senior bus passes are valid for 5 years whilst disabled passes are valid for one year at a time unless advised differently by a doctor.

Changes in age eligibility for concessionary travel As from 6 April 2010 eligibility for older persons of either sex changed to be brought in line with the state retirement age for women. This means that a woman will be eligible for an older person’s bus pass on the date that she reaches pensionable age, and a man will become eligible for a bus pass when he reaches the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day.

To check the date on which you will become eligible for a bus pass by reason of age, visit https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age/y/bus pass

For further information see: http://www.torbay.gov.uk/concessionaryfares and http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-elderly-person-bus-pass or: contact Torbay Council’s Concessionary Fares on (01803) 207766 or email [email protected] Applications should be sent to: Concessionary Fares, Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay TQ1 3DR

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Stagecoach Discount Tickets and Services Stagecoach offers a range of discounted tickets locally, including the South West Explorer and Devon Day Bus, both of which provide one day’s unlimited travel on all Stagecoach and some other operators’ buses in the zone specified; the Torbay Dayrider (for one day’s unlimited travel on all Stagecoach bus services, mainly within Torbay), and the Torbay Megarider (for one week, 4 weeks, 13 weeks or 52 weeks’ travel on Stagecoach bus services in the Torbay area). The South West Megarider is also available.

Visit the Stagecoach Bus website at www.stagecoachbus.com/tickets for further details.

Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card The Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card gives jobseekers discounts on public transport, including Stagecoach’s ‘Back on Board’ scheme, which gives cardholders 50% discount on Stagecoach single and return fares (please note that some areas do not offer return tickets and some local services may be excluded). Cardholders are also entitled to a 50% discount on selected rail tickets. Travel Discount Cards are available through Jobcentre Plus. You can apply for a card at your local Jobcentre Plus office if: • You are older than 18 • You have been unemployed between 3 months and 1 year • You claim Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Universal Credit (3-9 months for 18-24 year olds and 3-12 months for over 25s) • A Jobcentre Plus adviser is helping you to find work.

Stations Made Easy An interactive website guide within the National Rail Enquiries website that is designed to help people with disabilities to plan their railway journey. Photographs show each section of a station from every angle so that passengers can assess whether they can access the facilities they need as they plan their route, eg. toilet accessibility and whether the ticket office has low counters. The web guide can help people with a range of disabilities, including learning difficulties and visual and hearing impairments. For example, it shows where there are induction loops or visual aids inside station buildings.

To access Stations Made Easy, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk, select ‘Stations and Destinations’, then select the station that you want to know about and click on the Stations made Easy feature.

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Tourism for All www.tourismforall.co.uk and sister site: www.tourismforall.org.uk

Provides a one-stop shop for accessible tourism and travel in the UK, including a Tourism for All Travel Planner.

Traveline (0871) 200 22 33, text 84268 (calls cost 12p per minute from landlines and mobiles plus any charges your network provider makes). Website: www.traveline.info

Traveline is a public transport information service, which gives information on journey planning and timetables. Call centre staff can also help with travel for people with disabilities, lost property, complaints, fares and concessionary fares information. However, this may involve giving callers a different number to contact for further information.

7 P20 – February 2021 Concessionary Fare Schemes Scheme Address Contact Details Details of Service National Website: Torbay Council Pass giving free travel on local bus Bus www.torbay.gov.uk/ Concessionary services anywhere in England. It can roads/travel/bus- Pass pass/ Fares Team be used in Torbay during the off-peak (01803) 207766 times of 9.30 am to 11.00 pm on weekdays and at any time during Email: weekends and Bank Holidays. [email protected] .uk A pass is available to people who have reached the female state pension age (whether they are a man or a woman). A pass is also available to anyone over 5-years-old who has a disability that is permanent or long-term (likely to last for more than a year), qualifying under one or more of the following categories: • blind or partially sighted • profoundly or severely deaf • without speech • having severe walking difficulties (eg. on the higher rate of DLA mobility allowance, receiving PIP with a score of 8 or more points for ‘moving around’ activity, having a current Blue Badge that’s valid for more than 12 months or on a war pension with mobility supplement) • without arms or have lost the long term use of both arms • having a learning disability • unfit to drive For full details, please refer to: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/roads/travel/bus- pass/disabled-bus-pass/

To apply for a pass visit: www.torbay.gov.uk/roads/travel/bus- pass or contact the Concessionary Fares Team on (01803) 207766 for further details.

NB. Carers’ passes are discretionary and are no longer issued or valid for residents of Torbay.

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Scheme Address Contact Details Details of Service National Assisted Assisted Travel National Express sells Disabled Express Travel Team, Team: Coachcards and Senior National 03717 818181 Coachcards. Coachcards last for a Express, year and enable Cardholders to save a National Email: third on standard adult fares. They Express addl@nationalexpress. can be purchased for £12.50 in a com House, travel agent or travel shop, online or Mill Lane, by phone. If purchasing by phone or Digbeth, online there will be an additional cost Birmingham of £2.50 for postage. B5 6DD Disabled Coachcard For further The Disabled Coachcard is available information to anyone who is registered disabled. see: www.nationalexpress. com NB. You will need to show the driver your Coachcard when boarding and may be asked for proof that you have a disability.

Senior Coachcard The Senior Coachcard is available to anyone over 60.

NB. You will need to show the driver your Coachcard when boarding and may be asked for proof that you are over 60.

Accessible Coaches Most National Express coaches are wheelchair-accessible. For advice about wheelchair access and assistance, or to reserve a place, contact the Assisted Travel Team at least 36 hours in advance of travel on 0371 781 8181. You can also email them on [email protected]

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Scheme Address Contact Details Details of Service Rail You can find National Rail The Disabled Persons Railcard allows Travel Information Enquiries: a disabled person and an adult about rail 03457 484950 travelling with them to get a third off travel most fares. schemes at Great Western local railway Railway The 1-year Disabled Persons Railcard stations in 0345 7000 125 costs £20 and the 3-year Railcard and costs £54. Children of 5-15 years old Torquay. South Western with a disability may also qualify for Railway the Railcard – they would still need to For further 0345 6000 650 pay a child’s fare but an adult would details, see Text: be able to travel with them at a third www.disabledperso 0800 6920 792 discount. ns-railcard.co.uk You will qualify for a Disabled Persons For further Transport for Railcard if you: details about Wales • are registered as having a visual the Senior 03333 211 202 impairment Railcard, see: • are registered as deaf or use a www.senior- hearing aid railcard.co.uk Disabled • have epilepsy which prohibits Person’s you from driving or have Railcard: repeated attacks even though 0345 605 0525 you receive drug treatment Textphone: • receive Attendance Allowance, 0345 601 0132 Personal Independence Email: Payments, Disability Living railcardhelp@nati onalrail.co.uk Allowance (higher or lower rate for mobility or higher or middle rate for care) or War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement • receive Severe Disablement Allowance • Receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability • Are buying or leasing a vehicle through the Motability scheme.

If you are 60 years old or over you can apply for a Senior Railcard, which provides a discount of a third off Standard and First Class Anytime, Off- Peak and Advance rail fares throughout Britain. A 1-year Senior Railcard costs £30. A 3-year Senior Railcard costs £70 and is available to buy online only. 10 P20 – February 2021

Scheme Address Contact Details Details of Service Tolls Tamar Bridge Tamar Bridge Disabled people may not have to pay Office (01752) 361577 the full fare at some river crossings, Pemros Road bridges and tunnels. In most cases St. Budeaux Ferry you have to apply in advance to get a (01752) 812233 concession. PL5 1LP Toll Mobility Pass Smartcards are available Torpoint concessions for travellers with disabilities who use Ferry Office are also Tamar Bridge and - 2 Ferry Street available at: these entitle the holder to use the Torpoint Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry free Clifton of charge up to 100 times a year. To PL11 2AX Suspension qualify for a mobility pass you need to: Bridge Website: (0117) 973 8008 a. be in receipt of DLA with high www.tamarcro level mobility. ssings.org.uk Dartford – b. be in receipt of PIP with Thurrock enhanced mobility component. Email: 0300 300 0120 c. be in receipt of War Pension enquiries@tamarc with mobility supplement. rossings.org.uk d. be registered blind. (01482) 647161 e. have a tax exempt vehicle licence disc. Itchen Bridge (0238) 043 1040 An application form is available on the Tamar Crossings website or call them M6 Motorway to request one. (Birmingham) 0330 660 0790 For details of toll concessions in other areas, call providers direct (see Mersey Tunnel contact details in the column on the (0151) 330 1702 left) or refer to the GOV.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/toll-concessions Tyne Tunnel (0191) 262 4451 NB. Toll concessions can change – it is advisable to check before you Whitchurch travel. Bridge secretary@whitchu rchbridge.com

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Assistance Transport Address Contact Details of Service Category Details Air Travel n/a Contact Following Brexit, if you are relevant airline. disabled or have difficulty moving around you can still receive help when you fly to and from Europe. Existing passenger rights continue for air passengers flying from the UK and assistance, compensation and protection continues for passengers with reduced mobility. For further details about flying with a disability please refer to: www.gov.uk/trasnport- disabled/planes and www.equalityhumanrights.co m/en/advice-and- guidance/disability-and-air- travel

For further advice, call the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) on 0808 800 0082 or textphone 0808 800 0084.

NB. Similar passenger rights may not always exist in countries outside the UK and EU – please check on this before travelling.

NB. Whatever journey you are making, it is important to give airlines as much notice as possible (at least 48 hours before departure) if you will need help and to discuss your individual needs with them.

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Transport Address Contact Details of Service Category Details Coach Travel n/a Assisted Travel As well as giving information (National Team: and journey planning advice, Express) Website: 03717 818181 the Assisted Travel Team www.nationalexpress.com (helpline is can arrange help with travel.

Email: staffed 9 am – This should be requested at [email protected] 5 pm, Monday least 36 hours before to Sunday). travelling, and may include help with getting on and off a coach (available at certain stops only) and assistance with loading and unloading of a customer’s luggage in the coach (please note that the maximum weight is 20kg).

Accessible Coaches National Express coaches are wheelchair-accessible but toilets on the coaches are not. To enquire about wheelchair access or to reserve a place, contact the Assisted Travel Team on 03717 818181 at least 36 hours before travelling. Ferry and n/a Contact ferry or You can get help if you have Cruise Travel cruise company a disability and are travelling direct. on a ferry that’s leaving from or going to a port within the UK, a cruise ship that’s leaving from a port within the UK or on a local ferry service (e.g. a river bus). If you need to make specific arrangements for your trip or if you need any help you should advise the cruise line, ferry service, travel agent or tour operator at least 48 hours before departure. If you need to travel with a carer please advise the cruise line or ferry service of this. On a ferry, your carer might be able to travel for free.

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Transport Address Contact Details of Service Category Details Rail Travel Information on the Passenger Book assistance for any train accessibility of Assist journey via the Passenger stations and trains 0800 022 3720, Assist service, which will can be found at: text 60083 connect you to the www.nationalrail.co.uk Textphone: appropriate train operating An interactive tool 0845 60 50 600 company to make your on this website, booking request. ‘Stations Made Train Easy’, enables you companies’ Provided you give notification to plan your route contact details of your requirements at least through a station, are available on 24 hours before travelling, avoiding any the National assistance can usually be features (such as Rail website at arranged for all stages of stairs) that may be www.nationalrail.co.uk/ your journey. This applies difficult to use tocs_maps/tocs/trainop even if you travel with erators.aspx someone else to complete

NB. It is always the trip.

advisable to contact Many trains have toilets with Passenger Assist access for wheelchairs. before making your Many stations also have journey. toilets and other facilities for disabled passengers. Passenger Assist can confirm whether all the stations and trains you want to use are accessible.

Most trains can carry wheelchairs up to 70 cm wide and 120 cm long, but some old trains may only be able to carry wheelchairs up to a maximum width of 55 cm. Weight limits depend on the capability of the member of staff assisting and the stated safe working load of the ramp. Train companies will carry mobility scooters powered by sealed batteries where possible, but not every train can carry every scooter.

Check with Passenger Assist if the service you wish to use can safely accommodate your wheelchair or scooter. 14 P20 – February 2021

Ambulance Services

Please note that this section gives details of ambulance services, where ambulances are available locally. For ambulance services in other areas of Devon, visit Professional Ambulance Services: www.ambulanceservices.co.uk or Pinpoint Devon at www.pinpointdevon.co.uk

Organisation Address Contact Name Details of Service Name Tel No. Devon EMS 4 Orkney Jim Clarke CQC registered patient Ambulance and Close transport service provided by First Aid Torquay (01803) 315251 Devon Ambulance and First Aid Services TQ2 7DS or Services CIC. The service has 07779 774983 double crewed ambulance crew plus single crewed wheelchair www.devonems.org ambulance/car. All crew have

appropriate PTS training. Email: The service has a number of services@devon wheelchair accessible and ems.org stretcher carrying vehicles and offers patient transport (to hospital, GP and dental appointments, etc.) in a single crewed car (which can be wheelchair accessible) or an ambulance-based transfer service which may be local or over a longer distance.

Prices: Double-crewed ambulance: £22 per hour (minimum 3 hours) plus 50p per mile base to base. Single- crewed vehicle: 50p per mile base to base (using volunteer driver) or £11 per hour (minimum 3 hours) plus standard mileage. Additional charges may apply.

In order to consider a request a minimum of 48 hours’ notice is normally required. NB. Due to COVID, services are currently unavailable (in February 2021) - please call for latest details.

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Organisation Address Contact Name Details of Service Name Tel No. First Care Unit 16/17 Luke Bowden CQC registered ambulance Ambulance Kestrel Senior Operations service offering a range of Ltd. Business Manager services, including non- Park emergency patient transport. Kestrel Way (01392) 438522 Sowton Member of NAPAS (National https://firstcareamb Association of Private EX2 7JS ulance.net Ambulance Services) and IAA (Independent Ambulance Email: Association). Has a fleet of 60 office@firstcareamb vehicles, four of which are ulance.net dedicated wheelchair vehicles. The rest of the fleet can accommodate wheelchair and stretcher patients.

All staff have enhanced DBS checks prior to employment and renewed as per company policy.

Operates across the county (including Torbay) and nationwide and operates a 24/7 Monday to Sunday service.

Prices available at the point of enquiry.

South West Head Office: 0303 003 0106 CQC registered service Region St St John offering a range of transport John Ambulance www.sja.org.uk solutions, tailored to meet Ambulance - St. John patient needs. Costs are Patient House, 5 Email: based on mileage. Quotes Transport Broadfield [email protected] given when enquiring about

Close transport. Payment on invoice. Sheffield S8 0XN

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Wheelchair-accessible Taxi Services

Note: for assistance with travel to your G.P. surgery, please contact your surgery’s patient support group, if it has one.

Name of Address Contact Details Details of Service Service 6A Fore St. Telephone: Operates one 6-seater Taxis Ltd. Brixham (01803) 853000 wheelchair-accessible vehicle, TQ5 8DS which is able to carry electric Email: wheelchairs and scooters. It is [email protected] adapted with ramps and wide doorways.

All drivers are DBS (previously CRB) checked.

Booking service is available each day until 1 am. The wheelchair accessible taxi can be booked for local journeys. Advance booking is needed.

RTK A1 N/A Telephone: Operates 2 wheelchair- Mobility (01803) 266662 or accessible vehicles, each of Cars 07796 264925 which is able to carry 1 wheelchair and 2 passengers. Email: enquiries@rtka1mobility Taxis are able to carry electric cars.co.uk and manual wheelchairs and Website: scooters. They are adapted with www.rtka1mobilitycars hydraulic lifts, ramps, wide .co.uk doorways, wheelchair clamps and sliding equipment.

All drivers are DBS (previously CRB) checked.

Booking service is available 24/7. Wheelchair accessible taxis can be booked for any time. Taxis can be booked for short or long distances.

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Name of Address Contact Details Details of Service Service

The The Strand Nick Holtom, Operates 6 wheelchair- Wheelchair Torquay Owner accessible taxis, which are able Taxi TQ1 2AA to carry from 1 wheelchair and 2 Company (01803) 644644 passengers to 2 wheelchairs and 6 passengers. Email: [email protected] Taxis are able to carry electric

and manual wheelchairs and Website: scooters. They are adapted with www.wheelchair.taxi hydraulic lifts, ramps, wide doorways, wheelchair clamps and sliding equipment.

All drivers are DBS (previously CRB) checked.

Booking service is available from Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm. Availability outside these hours requires advance notice but cannot be guaranteed. Taxis can be booked for short or long distances.

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Community and Voluntary Transport Please note that there is no organisation offering free door to door transport in Torbay. Organisation Address Contact Name Details of Service Name Tel. No. Car Sharing Carshare Devon: Part of the national Liftshare Schemes: www.devon.liftshare. network, Carshare Devon com Carshare Devon; offers a free online service Liftshare Liftshare: that links drivers and www.liftshare.com passengers to share car journeys. Car share to work, school, the shops or leisure trips anywhere in Devon and beyond. You don’t have to own a car to take part. Fare Car Torbay N/A To apply: Fare Car Torbay, operated (previously Ring Download form by formal agreement with and Ride) Website: from Torbay Torbay Council, provides www.torbay.gov Council website door to door shopping trips .uk/roads/travel/ or contact for those who have difficulty community- Torbay Council using conventional transport transport/fare- on: due to disability, age or car/ (01803) 207683 mobility restrictions.

To book: Town centre drop off/pick up Contact points are Market Street or Independent Shopmobility in Torquay, Cars Ltd.: and Hyde Road or (01803) 644644 Shopmobility in Paignton. Also runs trips to Morrisons Call between and Sainsbury’s in Paignton 10.00 am and for Paignton and 2.00 pm (Mon- Brixham/Galmpton residents Sat) at least and trips to The Willows for one day in Torquay residents. Only advance and returns available. Please state if a space pay the driver your fare for a collapsible when you board the taxi. wheelchair or trolley is For further details, please needed. visit:www.torbay.gov.uk/road s/travel/community- transport/fare-car/ or contact Torbay Council’s Highways Team on (01803) 207683.

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Organisation Address Contact Name Details of Service Name Tel. No. Karing Voluntary 260 Torquay (01803) 524799 Charity that provides a Group Road range of services for older Preston (Monday to people and people with Paignton Friday 8.45 am disabilities in Torbay, Devon to 1.00 pm) including transport to TQ3 2EZ medical appointments. www.karing.org .uk NB. Transport is not wheelchair accessible [email protected]. uk (although a wheelchair may be carried in the car boot) and help to get in and out of the car is not available as transport is provided by volunteers. There is a charge for the service (about 40% of the price of a taxi for the same journey).

Newton Abbot Multi-storey Car (01626) 335775 Provides a range of Community Park (near Bus transport options, Transport Station) www.newtonab particularly for less mobile (includes Sherborne botcta.org people, including: Shopmobility) Road email: -Wheelchair friendly TQ12 2QY manager@newt transport to health related onabbotcta.org and similar appointments in Newton Abbot.

-Volunteer driven accessible minibuses for eligible local social groups and schools.

-Shopmobility wheelchairs, scooters and walkers for daily use around Newton Abbot and long-term hire.

Also offers daily living aid supply and advice - DCC/NHS approved.

Please contact Newton Abbot CTA for more details.

Open Monday-Friday, 9am to 4.30pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1.30pm. 20 P20 – February 2021

Organisation Address Contact Name Details of Service Name Tel. No. Patient Support Some GP Patient support Some patient support Groups surgeries in groups can be groups can provide patients Torbay have a contacted via of the surgery with transport patient support the GP to and from the surgery and group. You will surgeries that also, in some cases, need to check run them. transport to clinics, hospital whether a Some support and to visit relatives in patient support groups have a hospital. This help is group is run by separate generally only provided on a your surgery. contact number limited basis – ask at your – ask your GP surgery for details. surgery for details.

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Private Accessible Vehicle Hire Services

Self Drive Organisation Address Contact Name Details of Service Name Tel No. Adapted Vehicle Unit 508 Telephone: Provides adapted vehicles for Hire Ltd. Stone Close 0845 257 1670 disabled drivers, including road West Drayton tax and licence fees, theft Middlesex www.adaptedvehicle cover (excess may apply), hire.com UB7 8JU unlimited mileage and info@adaptedvehiclehire. breakdown cover. com

Offers options of daily hire or flexible lease (where lease is from 3 months and vehicle can be changed during lease period). Adapted vehicles from £270 per week; wheelchair accessible vehicles from £353.40 per week. Nationwide delivery: 75p per mile with a £35 minimum charge.

Brotherwood Lambert Telephone: Converted wheelchair- Automobility Ltd. House 0808 291 4937 accessible vehicles available Pillar Box (freephone) for short or long-term hire. Lane Vehicles can be collected from Beer Hackett www.brotherwood. the factory in Beer Hackett, Sherborne com Dorset or delivered at an extra Dorset cost – contact service for email: DT9 6QP details. NB. Delivery and via website collection is free when you book 30 days or more (offer on website in February 2021 – please check if this offer is still available when you book).

Hire charges from £450 per week plus insurance (available from Brotherwood from £50 for a week) and a refundable deposit of £500.

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Organisation Address Contact Name Details of Service Name Tel No. GM Coachwork Teign Valley (01626) 855057 GM Coachwork has a number Group Trusham of used wheelchair accessible Newton Abbot www.gmselect vehicles for hire (under its GM TQ13 0NX .co.uk Select brand), available from 3 days upwards.

Hire charges from £190 for 3 days, £300 per week or £1,050 per month to £280 for 3 days, £400 per week or £1,350 per month (depending on size of vehicle). Please note that you will need to provide your own insurance and rentals are for the UK only.

Hire vehicles need to be collected the Group’s offices in Exeter, although delivery is available for long-term hire periods at a cost of £2 per mile.

Hire with Driver Organisation Address Contact Name Details of Service Tel No. Torbay Minibuses N/A Darren Watts Minibus hire service for people with disabilities, (01803) 883311 providing a vehicle and driver. All drivers are DBS www.torbaymini (previously CRB) checked. buses.co.uk Offers escorted trips and email: excursions. contact@torbay minibuses.co.uk Vehicles: 3 x 16-seater vehicles (can carry up to 4 wheelchairs and some seated passengers or more seated passengers with less wheelchairs).

Service can be provided at any time, but please note that journeys need to be pre-booked.

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Transport to Hospital

NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme Under this Scheme, patients on certain benefits may be able to receive help with travel costs. In most cases you are expected to pay for your travel and claim back the costs from the hospital cashier - you will need to show your travel receipts, appointment letter and proof of benefits. Advance payments can be applied for if needed. Claims can be made up to 3 months after the appointment by using the form HC5(T), available on the NHS website at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs- scheme-htcs/ or from hospitals or Jobcentre Plus offices. You can also request a copy by calling 0300 123 0849. For help with the form call 0300 330 1343.

Help with costs is available to patients who meet the criteria, regardless of where treatment is given. Qualifying benefits: Income Support, income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance, Tax Credits, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and Universal Credit (if criteria met). Patients on very low incomes may also qualify for help via the NHS Low Income Scheme. For details, see HC1, ‘Help with Health Costs’, available on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/healthcosts or call the helpline on 0300 330 1343. Service` Address Contact Details Details of Service Patient Torbay Hospital Patient Transport For patients who are Transport Newton Road Enquiry Line: (01803) unable to use public Service – Torquay 656777 (weekdays (except transport, have no other Hospital TQ2 7AA Bank Holidays): 9.00am- transport available and Car 3.00pm. can get into and out of a Service www.torbayandsouth saloon car with the help devon.nhs.uk Call this number to: of just one person. a/ Book transport Requests need to be Costs: from £6 each received at least 48 hours way. Pay driver exact before the day of travel to fare. Weekly tickets an appointment. (more than one journey per week): from £20. b/ Book transport for Costs depend on post follow-up appointments code. when follow-up NB. You may qualify for appointment is arranged. help with transport costs c/ Check or query via the NHS Healthcare bookings. For weekly Travel Costs Scheme tickets call Hospital Cashier (please see above).

on (01803) 656555. An escort can accompany patient if there is a medical need (extra charge). 24 P20 – February 2021

Other Titles in this Series Most sheets have many pages, and details change often. If you would like copies, please request no more than 5 titles at a time (further details on p.3). For Disability Support Series Bathing and Showering P02 Computers P27 Continence Management P24 Domiciliary Care Agencies P05 Emergency Care for Pets P06 Equipment Centres P07 Equipment Hire and Loan Services (including wheelchair hire) P08 Family and Emotional Support Services P03 Finding Funding for Extra Needs P12 Gentle Exercise P22 Holiday Services (national contacts) P09 Home Maintenance Services and Building Adaptations P10 Home Visiting Services P23 Housework, Domestic Help and Laundry Services P11 Housing Options for Older People P25 Information, Advice and Advocacy Services P01 Keeping Safe and Warm at Home P13 Leisure and Day Opportunities P28 Meal Delivery Services P14 Motoring P17 Parking and Public Conveniences P15 Shop Delivery Services P16 Sitting Services P18 Sport and Outdoor Activities P34 Stairlifts and Vertical Lifts P19 Support for Adults with High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome P33 Support Groups P21 Telecare (includes community alarm systems) P04 Transport Services P20 Caring Caring for an Adult with an Alcohol or Drug Problem P31 Care Home Series Care Homes - Day Care, Torbay C09 Care Homes: Dementia (residential and nursing), Torbay C06 Care Homes: Learning Disabilities, Torbay C05 Care Homes: Mental Health, Torbay C08 Care Homes: Nursing, Torbay C03 Care Homes: Paignton and Brixham C01 Care Homes: Torquay C02

25 P20 – February 2021

Further Information and Advice

Torbay Disability Information Service Torbay Disability Information Service has been providing comprehensive information and advice to people in Torbay for over 21 years and we are a founder member of the Torbay Advice Network (TAN). Our service is open to any resident of Torbay affected by any type of disability. We also provide information to anyone working or caring for people with disabilities.

No referral is necessary. Simply call us on 0300 456 8373 or email us at [email protected]

We offer: • An enquiry desk service covering a wide range of topics related to disability support and independent living. • Advice and guidance on disability-related social security issues, including benefit checks. • Over 40 web-based information sheets covering the questions that we get asked most frequently. • Appointments for help with social security forms (PIP, ESA, etc.) for people with diagnosed mental health conditions. • An access point for the Mental Health User and Carer Involvement Worker (appointments only). Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 4.30pm; Friday, 9.00am to 1.00pm only.

Signposts for Carers Signposts for Carers is Torbay’s dedicated telephone support service providing specialist information and advice to unpaid carers in Torbay. Contact Signposts in confidence to find out about services, equipment, benefits and rights. Support is available on a short or long-term basis.

Opening hours: Mondays to Thursdays, 9.00am - 4.30pm. Fridays: 9.00am - 1.00pm.

Calls are diverted to a 24-hour staffed message taking service outside office hours. Your details and enquiry will be relayed to us and we will respond to your enquiry on the next working day.

 (01803) 666620  [email protected]

26 P20 – February 2021

Was this information sheet useful?

We are keen to ensure that this information sheet is relevant to your needs and clear. We would be grateful if you would take a moment to answer the questions below and send your response to us either by email at [email protected] or by post.

Our address is: Torbay Disability Information Service 4th Floor, Union House Union Street Torquay TQ1 3YA

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Q: How might we improve it?

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Note: Please contact us on 0300 456 8373 if you need help or have questions about the contents of this information sheet.

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Partners in Care Ref: DIS, P20 – February 2021

This document can be available in other languages and formats. For more information telephone 0300 456 8373