Patient transport service launches in parts of Lithuania
From 1 August, a new service - patient transport - will be available in some Lithuanian municipalities. The first phase of the shuttle service will be for patients who need hemodialysis or transplantation. Later, in the autumn, the service will be extended to elderly patients and disabled patients who are unable to travel independently to/from medical institutions and are socially vulnerable.
Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys says that long-term illnesses are often accompanied by social consequences, so it is important to take care of the patient throughout the whole treatment journey, not just in the doctor's office. The new transport service will make a major contribution to this.
"Until now, treatment services ended as soon as you left the doctor's surgery. Now, following the best practices of the most advanced countries, patient care will be extended significantly - from the door of the patient's home to the doctor's surgery. This increased focus should also lead to better clinical outcomes, which is a win-win for the patient and for healthcare as a whole," said the Minister.
In the first phase, starting from 1 August, the shuttle service will be available for transplantation and hemodialysis in Kaišiadorys, Prienai, Birštonas, Raseiniai, Raseiniai, Kėdainiai, Jonava, Jurbarkas, Lazdijai, Šakiai, Vilkaviskis, Alytus districts and the town of Alytus. In the municipality of Pagėgiai, Tauragė and Šilalė districts - only for hemodialysis. In Kaunas, Marijampolė, Kazlų Ruda and Kalvarija municipalities, only for transplantation. These services were established after consultations with the municipalities. The regions where the service is being launched have been selected based on the level of activity of these municipalities to provide the new service, as well as on the basis of geography.
Jurbarkas is one of the districts where the service is provided. Skirmantas Mockevičius, Mayor of Jurbarkas, says that it is very important for municipalities to try out the service during the pilot period to assess the demand for the service in different municipalities and to prepare for the nationwide roll-out.
The transport service is provided at two levels - to/from district health facilities and to/from national health facilities. Patients will be transported by two types of transport, according to their health condition: regular transport and specialized transport adapted to persons with special needs.
The service is coordinated by the new Ambulance Service. There are also service coordinators in the districts where the service is provided, who will advise both patients and doctors on transport.
How do I order the service?
There are two ways to book a ride - through your doctor and directly. The doctor notes in the patient's EHR the medical reasons why the patient needs to be provided with a ride. The operator of the escort service checks whether the patient is eligible for the service and, if so, a vehicle with a driver is allocated to meet his/her needs.
When the patient or a relative request the service, they must do so by calling the short number 1808. The operator of the transport service shall verify from the personal data whether the patient is eligible for the service and, if so, shall assign a driver and a vehicle.
The service is available for both going to and coming home from medical facilities. Transportation is provided both to district health facilities and to republican health facilities.
Three stages of development
The shuttle service will be expanded in three phases. The phased implementation of the service has been planned to consider the volume of the service as well as the need to adjust the service process according to the data received on the intensity of use of the service.
In the first phase, the shuttle service started on 1 August. It will be available to patients requiring hemodialysis and transplant services. The service is available in 20 municipalities.
The second phase of the service starts on 1 October. It will be available to residents of 20 municipalities who are over 75 years of age and socially vulnerable. The third phase starts on 1 November and includes people with disabilities.
The pilot project will run until 1 July next year. The aggregated data will be used to decide on the expansion of the service nationwide.
The service is financed by the state and municipal budgets. Around €7 million will be available for the pilot period.
Last updated: 04-01-2024
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