Newmedica Eye Clinic - Ipswich

If you're having trouble getting to your appointment or surgery, we can help. We offer free transport for NHS cataract patients who need it.

We'll send a private hire vehicle to collect you from your home - early enough to make sure you arrive on time - and then take you back after. It's free of charge to you and to the NHS.

To book, you'll first need to check the eligibility criteria below, and then ask for the service when you book your appointment with us.

To be eligible for the free transfer service you must:

1. Be attending Newmedica Bury St Edmunds or Newmedica Ipswich for an appointment, or to receive treatment, for cataract surgery as an NHS patient

2. Have no alternative means of getting to your appointment or treatment, through family, friend, hospital transport, community transport or public transport

3. Live within 30 miles of Newmedica Bury St Edmunds or Newmedica Ipswich

4. Be able to get yourself to and from, and in and out, of the supplied vehicle without assistance, or you're able to provide a carer or family member on the day of the transfer to support you getting to and from, and in and out, of the supplied vehicle

We'll not be able to provide you with transport if any of the following apply:

1. You need to be transported to a location (including other hospitals) other than Newmedica Bury St Edmunds or Newmedica Ipswich or your home

2. You require specialised equipment during the journey

3. You need to be closely monitored during the journey

4. You have a medical condition or have undergone major surgery (such as an organ transplant) where the potential side effects are likely to require assistance or monitoring during your journey

5. You have a medical condition or disability that could compromise your dignity or cause public concern in a private hire vehicle

6. You have a communicable disease with which travel on public transport or in a private hire vehicle is not advised

7. You have been clinically determined as at risk from using public transport due to being immunocompromised

8. You have cognitive/sensory impairment (such as dementia or some mental health illnesses)

9. You have significant motility/mobility impairment requiring specialised or adapted vehicles

10. You have safeguarding concerns in relation to travelling alone

11. You are unable to access existing free community transport options

12. The private hire company is unable to provide a vehicle due to a lack of available/suitable vehicles