Watchdog expresses concern over patient taxi changes

Wed, 08 Mar 2017

A travel watchdog says it's extremely concerned by the proposed changes to the patient transfer taxi service.

TravelWatch Isle of Man has received feedback praising the current service provided by Bridgewater Cars in Liverpool, who take Manx patients from the airport to hospital appointments in Merseyside.

The company lost out in a bidding process to continue as the provider, resulting in TravelWatch calling for assurances that the new company will be just as capable.

The organisation wants Health Minister Kate Beecroft to explain what benefits the new contractor will bring, and when the new service will begin.

The Department of Health and Social Care insists it has taken cost and quality into account during the tender process.