Union hits out as taxi firm wins health contract

Non-emergency renal patients across South Yorkshire will travel for treatment in City Taxis from July.

The Sheffield company beat Yorkshire Ambulance Service’s patient transport service to the three-year contract.

The move was called “appalling” by Unison and branch secretary Bryn Webster fears there will be a negative impact on patient care.

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He said: “What it means to the patients is that instead of getting a purpose built vehicle, with fully trained staff, they will now be getting a taxi.

“As a trade union we will take some convincing that an ambulance service can be adequately provided by a taxi company.

“We have serious concerns about what may happen to a patient if they take ill whilst in transit. If they were in an ambulance then the staff would have both the equipment and the training to deal with any situation.”