New NHS transport project to be trialled at Perth Royal Infirmary

NHS Tayside is trialling a new transport project at its urology outpatient service at Perth Royal Infirmary, which aims to make travelling to healthcare sites easier for patients, staff and visitors.

The health board is working with transport body Tactran after receiving funding from Transport Scotland’s Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Investment Fund.

MaaS provides on-demand travel options giving users access to real-time journey information.

Users stipulate their journey and travel preferences and are presented with journey choices, making use of both public and private transport.

Tracey Williams, associate director of improvement with NHS Tayside, said: “We are really excited by the potential opportunity the MaaS programme offers.

“We know from speaking to our patients, carers and staff that transport and access is an issue for many people in Tayside.”

She added: “Having a more sustainable approach to transport will help reduce patient stress and missed appointments and will allow us to deliver a more cost-effective service.”

The Scottish Government has committed a £2 million three-year investment fund to support the testing of the MaaS concept.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “We want to help Scotland to become an international leader in smart mobility.

“These initial awards from the first year of the MaaS Investment Fund are an important step towards unlocking this potential for innovation.”