Figures show just how bad the situation was

This week’s claims seriously ill people are being let down by unreliable patient transport will cause many readers to experience a feeling of deja vu.

Under-fire G4S took charge of the Kent and Medway Transport Service contract in July 2016, with many users no doubt telling themselves things couldn’t possibly be any worse than they were under troubled NSL.

But now, less than a year on, patients are once again experiencing problems.

The fact 90 complaints in one month is considered an improvement only demonstrates just how bad the situation was when NSL were in charge and should not be held up as a victory by G4S. While it is true the new provider has set itself stricter targets, which potentially makes them more vulnerable to complaints, is this not just another flaw in the current system?

During a competitive bidding process, private companies would have been scrambling to get their hands on the £90 million contract.

It is perhaps unsurprising therefore that prospective providers may promise a little more than they can realistically deliver in order to win the work.

The fact two companies have now fallen short suggests their claims were not scrutinised with enough vigour in the first place.

Whatever you think of the creeping privatisation of the NHS, if it still provided its own patient transportation the competitiveness of bidding would not be an issue.

Then again, perhaps we should give G4S a little more time to get its act together. At least there’s no suggestion they’ve been subcontracting to taxi firms, yet.

Maybe, given the current financial difficulties the NHS is experiencing, we should count our blessings there’s any patient transport at all.