Health Matters: Volunteer patient transport group face increasing demand from residents

by Guest writer Tom Hendrick (of Leighton Buzzard Volunteer Patient Transport and Leighton Linslade Health Provision Group)

Leighton Buzzard Volunteer Patient Transport (LBVPT) have been extremely busy during 2026, having already taken more 2,000+ bookings. More than in all of 2025.

Now in our 9th year, we have seen huge growth in demand for taking vulnerable local residents to their NHS hospital or Health facilities across 40 venues in Beds and Bucks.

Our new website https://lbvpt.co.uk is now up and running and extra information is regularly added. On our website is an appointment booking form for those who prefer to book online.

LBVPT has over 50 volunteers both drivers and call-handlers, and NO-ONE gets paid. We request a voluntary contribution from clients for their round trip door to door starting at £15 for local two-way trips e.g. L&D and MK Hospital and up to a maximum of £30 for the longer trips e.g. Wycombe. A return taxi fare to L&D including waiting time is over £70 and to Wycombe Hospital - it is virtually a King’s ransom.

With fuel prices now over £2 a litre for diesel we manage to keep the donations artificially low by many of our volunteers not claiming their full mileage allowance, the generosity of those who can afford paying a bit more and donations from local organisations and individuals. We receive no funding or grants from central government Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) or the NHS and we are a totally independent non-profit making entity.
In an effort to keep up with demand we have radically updated our database which is live from November 1st, 2026. The new system should improve the service we provide to our local community that deserve at least a Health Hub in Leighton Buzzard.

Our local public transport system has deteriorated to such an extent as there are no direct buses to our two closest hospitals (L&D or Milton Keynes Hospital). Both involve at least two buses. Vulnerable residents having to travel to destinations like Wrest Park, Bedford, Wycombe or Amersham are facing huge amounts of travel time.

The NHS non-essential transport often has many weeks lead in time which means often they cannot deal with appointments at short notice which makes the service impractical. Excluding district councils there are 164 local authorities in England and only a handful have no hospital. Top of the list is CBC with the largest population and geographical area.

Leighton Buzzard is the largest town in CBC and has a tiny clinic with no parking in Bassett Road. Sadly, there are no plans for either a hospital or a heath/diagnostic hub in the near future and voluntary organisations will have to fill the void. Our local surgeries are very busy having to try and cope with an ever-increasing workload. New housing and an aging population cause much greater demand.

Sadly CBC are not helping by refusing the re-issue LBVPT organisational Blue Badge which will sadly affect some of the most vulnerable people with serious mobility issues who need assistance to their NHS departments. We will of course do our utmost to serve as many residents as possible despite the growing demand and the hindrance of CBC.

If you or any of your vulnerable relatives, friends or neighbours require hospital transport pleas contact us by email or phone - [email protected] or 07873497633. We are always after volunteers and if you are interested in joining a great bunch of community minded volunteers, please contact as above or for detailed info phone the chair of LBVPT on 07970479007.