New website to help plan travel for hospital visits

A new project helping people to plan their journeys to hospital has been rolled out across NHS Tayside’s area as part of a pilot project to improve travel.
Mark Dowie
By Mark Dowie
Published 14th Apr 2022, 09:48 BST
Hazel Barnett from NHS Tayside (left) and Merry Smith from Tactran.Hazel Barnett from NHS Tayside (left) and Merry Smith from Tactran.
Hazel Barnett from NHS Tayside (left) and Merry Smith from Tactran.

Regional transport partnership Tactran, alongside NHS Tayside, has developed the Go NHS Tayside website, which aims to assist those attending appointments or visiting hospitals sites in the health authority area.

The pilot initially focused on helping those attending appointments at the Urology Department at Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI), with almost 400 people accessing the website to help plan their journey during the pilot phase.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The website – www.gonhstayside.co.uk – allows patients to plan their journeys online and find out which types of transport they can use to attend their appointments.

Most Popular

The site aims to help patients to access health facilities and services more easily, whilst raising awareness and use of more sustainable modes of transport.

Hazel Barnett, NHS Tayside’s director of performance and activity said: “The initial phase of the pilot at PRI has shown that it has helped make travel easier for patients.

“The website means people can see all the potential travel options available in one place allowing them to make an informed choice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We know travelling to hospital can cause some worry for people so this website will hopefully help improve patients’ experiences of visiting hospital.”

Merry Smith, strategy officer at Tactran, added that the organisation is delighted to be working with the health authority.

He added: “By expanding, this will now enable patients, visitors and staff to plan sustainable journeys to all NHS Tayside sites.”

The Go NHS Tayside website has been developed with Scottish Government funding through MaaS (Mobility as a Service) Scotland, which helps organisations to pilot their own innovative online journey planning tools.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tactran are working with key partners across Tayside and Central Scotland to develop these online journey planning tools as part of their ENABLE Programme.

Tactran is also working with Dundee and Angus College and Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park to develop online journey tools.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Related topics:NHS TaysideCentral ScotlandScottish Government