Uber taxis could soon be used to transfer non-emergency patients with illnesses ranging from cancer to dementia back and forth from NHS hospitals in a deal that could play a part in “cracking down” on bedblocking, according to the social care company behind it. The agreement with Barts health NHS trust in London will allow patients to use Uber for journeys including hospital appointments, the care service startup Cera said. Patients will be looked after by Ceracarers under the London scheme, which uses a smartphone app to coordinate care, book drivers, and keep relatives informed. The Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis, said: “Social care and the NHS are in such a state of crisis that any initiative to ease the pressure will be welcomed by patients and staff. “But the funding chasm between what is needed and the pitiful amount councils currently have to commission care is too deep.

Source: The Guardian March 06, 2017 09:00 UTC