The two hospital trusts in Suffolk each spent more than £1million on taxis in the last six years, NHS data has revealed. Data obtained via the Freedom of Information Act has shown West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSNFT), which runs West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, spent a total of £1,061,834.42 between 2018 and 2024 so far on taxi journeys.
Of this, the highest amount was spent in 2018 (April to December) at £269,956.24, while the lowest was recorded in 2020 at £106,291.37.
In 2024 up to March, £54,008.88 was spent on taxi journeys. West Suffolk Hospital (Image: Newsquest) From April 2018 to March 2024, 13,770 journeys were paid for by WSNFT.
WSNFT revealed that some of the reasons behind taxi usage included staff transfers, equipment or medicine transfers, movement of patient records or when there was 'no other means' available. Other reasons included the transfer of pathology/blood samples, patient belongings and medications. Meanwhile, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs both Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, spent £1,262,885.
23 on taxis between 2018/19 and 2023/24. The most expensive year for taxi journeys at ESNEFT since 2018 was 2023/24, where £289,454.91 was forked out.
From the start of October 2018 to the end of May 2024, a total of 20,387 taxi journeys were paid for by ESNEFT. Mike Meers, director of digital and logistics at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The decision for our services to.