Evaluation of the non-emergency patient transport pilots

This was achieved by examining the degree to which the individual projects have met their pilot specific objectives; and identifying, where appropriate, to what extent the pilots have addressed the issues highlighted by the Griffiths’ Review.

Notable progress has been made by the pilots so far in delivering improved services, particularly in terms of process improvements and collaboration in and across the pilot areas. The National Programme Board has also played a significant role in the coordination and monitoring of the pilots, as well as functioning as a vital forum to enable the sharing of best practice and the dissemination of learning.

Given that the pilots are still in their preliminary stages, this interim evaluation is not yet able to assess the extent to which changes to non-emergency patient transport have resulted - or will result in - an improved patient experience. The current evidence base is not yet developed enough to draw reliable conclusions about pilot outcomes. Moving forward, the continued development and monitoring of relevant performance indicators, and a summative evaluation of the pilot outcomes, will be important in establishing the pilots’ impacts.