Patient transport services

Summary

The requester asked why Bus Vannin was selected over the Red Cross for patient transport services and whether the Red Cross offered free services. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that the Red Cross bid exceeded the budget, leading to a cancelled tender and an agreement with Bus Vannin, while confirming the Red Cross did not provide free transport services.

Key Facts

• The Red Cross bid for patient transport services was considerably higher than the department's budget.
• The tender process was cancelled due to the Red Cross bid exceeding the budget.
• An agreement was made between the DHSC and Department of Infrastructure for Bus Vannin to deliver the service.
• The Red Cross did not provide any free transport services to the Department of Health and Social Care.
• There is no partnership arrangement between the DHSC and the Red Cross.

Data Disclosed

• 2018-08-28
• 2018-09-07
• 572536
• 2 pages
• 1 document

Original Request

Please explain why Bus Vannin were chosen over the Red Cross per the patient transfer services tender? Please confirm if the Red Cross offered services at no cost to the Department of Health and Social Care?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Executive: Malcolm Couch Freedom of Information Team DHSC Digital Cronk Coar Strang IM4 4RJ

(01624) 642621 dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc

Our ref: 572536 7th September 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 28 August 2018, which states:

Question 01) Please explain why Bus Vannin were chosen over the Red Cross per the patient transfer services tender? Question 02) Please confirm if the Red Cross offered services at no cost to the Department of Health and Social Care? We are pleased to be able to provide a response to your request with answers to your questions: Question 01) Following a full tender process to seek a provider for the DHSC’s patient transport service, a bid was received from Red Cross which was considerably more than the department’s budget for this service. Therefore, the tender process was cancelled, and an agreement was made between the DHSC and Department of Infrastructure for Bus Vannin to deliver the Patient Transport service. Question 02) In relation to transport services, the Red Cross did not provide the Department of Health and Social Care any free services. They do offer an alternative method of access to wheelchairs and some basic equipment for those patients who are not engaged in the health service. We do not hold a partnership arrangement with Red Cross. Please quote the reference number 572536 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely