Going the Extra Mile, a new research report from the Transport Resource Unit, explores the role that community transport plays as a point of entry into a range of care pathways, in addition to its direct impact on people’s health. The report also considers access issues in relation to third sector health and social care services, asserting that services which are designed without an understanding of transport are unconsciously rationed to those who are easily able to reach services, rather than those in most need.

The research study found that community transport offers other benefits than simply transporting people from door to door. The ‘added value’ is comprised of many different facets, from the accessibility and responsiveness of the service, to its potential to enable greater independence and social interaction for the service users.

However both community transport operators and third sector providers alike often struggle to demonstrate this ‘added value’ and, therefore, funding for such provision is rarely successfully obtained from health sources.

The study also demonstrated that transport and health are inextricably linked; that poor quality of, or access to, transport can damage a person’s health, while good transport can serve as a vital stepping-stone in the recovery process. When delivery agencies plan services without taking into account transport needs, these issues are brought to the fore.

The full report, Going the Extra Mile: Community transport services and their impact on the health of their users, can be downloaded as a pdf or Word document below. Alternatively, please contact beth.sharratt@gmcvo.org.uk  for a printed copy.