The NHS Transport for the Havens service, funded by the High Weald Lewes Havens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has now ended. The service improved access to health-care for anyone who may otherwise have struggled to reach local health services. This is only one service that CTLA provides and the other services, although now under more pressure, are continuing.
CTLA Community Transport is the last accessible transport charity of its kind, covering the Lewes District, and would welcome donations to help those affected by these cuts to still reach local health practitioners on their other services. You can make one-off donations or a monthly gift by visiting: https://localgiving.org/charity/commtrans/
The partnership pilot scheme was started in February 2015 and has run successfully for three and a half years transporting patients to practices and clinics in Newhaven, Peacehaven and Telscombe and to the Lewes Victoria Hospital. Within its first two months of operation, the pilot scheme signed up over 400 members and had grown to over 1500 registered potential beneficiaries delivering nearly 7,000 passenger journeys per annum.
In one of the final journeys on the bus, an older lady in her late eighties unexpectedly walked into the CTLA Hillcrest Centre office asking for transport to the Lewes Victoria Hospital, having been told to walk up from her Doctor’s appointment. She had a suspected fractured wrist and had no money or food with her for, potentially, a long wait in the emergency room. Our driver was able to find room in his schedule to take her and as the service was free, she did not have to pay for her journey. Knowing she would be there for some time, our driver purchased a sandwich and drink for her wait, for which she was extremely grateful, as she had had nothing to eat that morning. Once again, our volunteers and staff show how they go the extra mile and are part of a vital front-line service for the District.
