What is the Miles of Smiles project?
Miles of Smiles is a community transport scheme that takes patients to medical appointments, who would otherwise be unable to make the journey on public transport. Many people find it difficult to get to medical appointments (hospitals, dentist's surgeries, chiropodists, health centres, or even their GP's surgeries) on time as they cannot use public transport, but do not qualify for an ambulance. In partnership with Tameside NHS Primary Care Trust and POPPS, we have developed this community transport scheme to ensure that patients receive the medical attention they need.
Who can use the scheme?
The scheme involves volunteers using their own vehicles, or our specially adapted people carrier, to take patients to and from various health related appointments. Passengers have to meet certain criteria to be able to use the service. The service is only be open to patients who due to illness, age or disability are unable to use public transport, would struggle to use taxis, or would find using public transport too stressful due to mental ill-health. Patients going to hospital for a medical procedure which would leave them unable to travel home alone.
Further information
For more information complete the form below or contact Samantha on 0161 339 2345.
Brighter Futures