RVS report a drop in demand in recent months for volunteers to support people who are self-isolating and have decided to suspend the volunteer activity which directly supports individuals, such as shopping, picking up prescriptions, help getting to medical appointments or a friendly listening ear.
This change will happen over a period of four weeks allowing you to assist anyone you have referred to the programme who still needs help to find appropriate local support. The table below shows the key dates for you to be aware of.
- Last date for repeat referrals (see additional information) – Thursday 11 April
- Last date for requesting patient transport shifts – Thursday 11 April
- Last date for one off referrals, including patient transport tasks – Friday 6 May
- Last date on which support will be delivered – Friday 13 May
For further information and guidance on how these changes affect your patients, please call the NHS Volunteer Responders Support Team on 0808 196 3646.
The Support Team line will remain open to you and your patients until 6pm on Friday 20 May, from which point it will no longer be in use.