Introduction:
Delivering exceptional patient care extends outside of hospitals and clinics; supported by a transformative travel management system, healthcare providers can streamline the movement of patients, employees and medical supplies seamlessly.
In this blog we discuss how a holistic, well managed travel management programme benefits all individuals utilising healthcare facilities, by providing peace of mind through preferred modes of transport.
For Patients - Prevention of late or missed appointments:
Recent statistics suggest on average, over 15 million healthcare appointments are missed annually, severely straining the resources and funding leveraged, costing healthcare providers, such as The NHS England, approximately £216 million per year. This magnitude amount of investment lost adversely affects various healthcare departments, devaluing the performance of fatigued healthcare providers and negatively impacting on the quality of care delivered to patients.
Regarding appointments, timing and punctuality are two prominent components that are essential to maintaining stability throughout the healthcare industry, as time wasted can ultimately result in lives lost. However, it is important to recognise that not all appointments missed are due to complacency of patients, instead many do not have access to the transportation facilities needed to be present at appointments due to insufficient availability of appropriate vehicles or limited access to public transport for those living in rural areas.
Patients attending routine appointments may require transport that accommodates their needs relating to disabilities, parallel to other patients undergoing treatment whose condition may fluctuate from one appointment to the next. Without the correct means of transport, patients are likely to feel anxious and underconfident leading up to attending their appointments in conjunction with the added notion of being on time, these emotions are another contributing factor to missed appointments and treatment delays.
Healthcare providers executing an efficient travel management scheme address the concerns patients have regarding utilising the use of accessible vehicles by providing compliance accredited modes of transport, safeguarding passengers. Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV’s) have been designed by mobility experts to transport wheelchair users comfortably, by utilising lift systems and lowered floors to assist with entry and exit of the passenger, whilst also featuring appropriate restraint configurations to ensure safe passenger transit.
Facilitating a travel management programme alleviates any stress or anxiety experienced by a patient, through organising transport for pre-planned or emergency appointments with assistance from accredited accessible vehicles. Simultaneously, as patients attend their appointments on time, this relieves pressure on healthcare providers and resources allowing them to use their time productively, ensuring a high standard of care to patients.
For Employees – Addressing commuting concerns:
Primarily, healthcare professionals are required to have a physical presence to steadfast an immediate response to reactive, on-site situations. However, the demand required to be on-site means healthcare employees must make the tiresome commute to and from work, generating its own set of challenges. Endeavouring, pro-longed hours and erratic shift patterns in a high-pressure work environment takes a toll on the body, resulting in fatigue and sleep deprivation. Under these circumstances, cognitive function and reactions times are impaired, unintentionally putting themselves and others at risk. Research conducted by Science Direct found that 79% of night nurses in their study experienced drowsy driving, compounded by the demanding nature of their roles.
Given these concerns, strategic travel management schemes are implemented across various healthcare trusts through means of employee shuttle transport or a range of multi-purpose vehicles (MPV’s), to mitigate the risk of accidents for healthcare commuters. Convenient means of commuting via the channel of a flexible travel management programme which operates around the clock caters to the irregular shift patterns healthcare professionals, provides an opportunity to wind down from a stressful day. Prioritising the safety of healthcare professionals, in turn positively reflects through the care provided to patients, ensuring sharp reactive times to emergencies and maintains productivity when providing quality care.
For the Healthcare Provider – Medical supply chain support:
Time critical delivery of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and other necessary supplies to healthcare facilities is paramount when it involves saving lives. Even more so when transporting perishable items such as blood and organs, as it is imperative they maintain viability.
Requiring equipment and medication at their fingertips, robust travel management schemes mandate a vast network of various vehicles to accommodate for any type of transport operation. Ranging from vaccines, personal protective equipment (PPE) and lifesaving medication, a well organised travel management system provides a solid foundation for supporting healthcare provisions by facilitating quick, reliable transport, preventing treatment delays and administrating quality care to patients.
How can CMAC help you?
Leading the industry with almost two decades of experience, CMAC distinctly recognise the immense pressure and the on-going challenges healthcare providers contend with daily.
We provide tailored transport solutions to The NHS and trusts, assisted via our extensive, diversified network of suppliers, adhering to all CSQ regulations with vehicle procurement and approved by the Crown Commercial Services (CCS), ensuring safe and compliant patient transfer.
CMAC overcomes the geographical barriers by bridging the gap between rural areas and healthcare facilities, enabling patients to attend appointments and to receive lifesaving medication and supplies promptly.
Our dedicated team of experts work round the clock, 24 hours a day – 7 days a week, promoting a collaborative and compassionate approach when creating a bespoke plan for all your patients and employee's logistical needs.
Reach out for further insights at hello@cmacgroup.com and discover the fundamental necessity of our innovative aggregated transport solutions!