The findings – based on evidence captured from hundreds of older people throughout Wales and key stakeholders – highlight the significant barriers and difficulties older people may face when travelling to health services, often as a result of the limited transport options available, and issues relating to quality, accessibility and reliability.

As it was not possible to publish the report as planned in March 2020 due to the pandemic, I worked with a number of key stakeholders to ensure that action and change would be implemented to address the issues I identified, and the attached briefing includes details of the progress that has been made to date.

As we move forward, I will continue to engage with transport providers and public bodies to ensure that we can build upon this progress, and that further action is taken to ensure that older people can access the health services they need. 

Furthermore, the issues identified within my report – particularly those related to planning and engagement with older people – have wider resonance given the significant amount of discussion and debate that is currently underway about how the delivery of a wide range of services will be delivered in the future.

It is crucial that the issues that older people may face when using transport services are properly understood, and that older people’s voices are heard as changes are being considered to ensure that no-one is left behind.