Transport for medical appointments and social purposes

The Gamlingay and Hatleys Car Scheme has been in operation for over 35 years. All drivers are DBS checked (Disclosure and Barring Service).

Mick Marshall with client. Photo: Peter Mann.

Priority is given for medical appointments – but it is not a taxi service.

It can be used to take you to your Covid-19 and flu vaccine appointments and other engagements – they are listed below.

Pictured is Mick Marshall – for many years now, Mick has been taking the scheme’s clients to appointments.

Transport, by approved volunteer drivers, is organised for anyone who can’t provide their own transport and where public transport is unsuitable or non-existent to:

• Hospitals – for appointments, admissions or visiting friends at Addenbrooke’s, Hinchingbrooke, Bedford (North and South), Stevenage, Biggleswade and Ely.
• Covid vaccine centres.
• Chiropodists.
• Day centres / special needs clubs.
• Doctors – the surgeries in Gamlingay and Potton
• Dentists.
• Opticians.
• Physiotherapy, etc.
• Friends and shopping.

Using the scheme

If you would like to use the scheme, please ring 07519 493 701 and give as much notice as possible (certainly a minimum of at least three working days, unless it’s an emergency when we will always try to help) – even if you have an appointment in a month or two.

If the phone is unmanned, a recorded message will ask you to leave your name and phone number(s) – the booking co-ordinator will ring you back as soon as possible.

A journey is not booked until confirmed by the co-ordinator.

You are welcome to be accompanied by a carer or friend.

If you are wheelchair bound, most cars can take a folding wheelchair – drivers are not supposed to operate wheelchairs or be a ‘carer’, so please take a carer or friend with you.

In addition Hatley St George, East Hatley and Gamlingay, the scheme also covers Croydon, Little Gransden, Great Gransden, Longstowe and Tadlow.

• Information for passengers from Care Network Cambridgeshire.

Cost

The cost of a journey is based on 55p / mile (calculated from the driver’s home and back) for each journey – although a fixed fee for each journey has already been calculated: typically, a trip to Addenbrooke’s or to Stevenage costs £14.00 (which you pay to the driver). Best to ask the cost when you make an appointment. There is a minimum charge of £2.00 / return journey of up to four miles.

• Passengers pay the driver at the end of the journey – please put your payment in an envelope.
• There is no extra charge for more than one passenger on any journey.
• If appointments are for more than 2½ to 3 hours, two separate trips will be required and charged for.
• If cost is an issue, Hatley Parish Council can help – please contact Kim Wilde, the parish clerk, on 07591 346 835 or email her parishclerk@hatley.info to discuss this further.

Drivers required!

The scheme is in urgent need of more volunteer drivers. If you have a clean driving licence and are able to spare the odd couple of hours (with your car), the organisers would be very pleased to hear from you. No firm commitment is required – you can always say ‘no’.

On the day, passengers pay the driver 55p / mile from the driver’s home and back for each journey.

The scheme is supported by Cambridgeshire County Council – each quarter the Council pays a milage sum to the Scheme’s co-ordinator who passes it on to the driver, so drivers get 55p / mile total, but in two instalments. There are some income tax benefits to this arrangement.

• You will, of course, need a car which can be accessed easily by those with impaired mobility – you must also be willing to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check by the County Council.
• Information for volunteer drivers from Care Network Cambridgeshire.

To join, please ring Jan Bremner, the Scheme’s local co-ordinator, on the Car Scheme mobile: 07519 493 701.

Other information

For 40 years, Care Network Cambridgeshire has supported people through difficult times when people need it, providing practical and emotional support that helps people regain confidence, stay independent and feel connected to their communities.

The Cambridgeshire Combined Authority website page Community transport details transport options ‘for people who have difficulty using ordinary public transport’.

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s website page Community transport details other useful information.

_{Page checked / updated 28th October 2022, with minor changes 11th October 2026.}