TRANSPORT giant Arriva has lost a contract to ferry thousands of patients between medical appointments.

The contract, worth an estimated £80m over 10 years according to NHS tendering documents, has been given to E-zec Medical Transport Services.

The family-run firm will be responsible for providing non-emergency patient transport services in Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and north east Somerset from June 1, 2019.

It follows complaints from some patients about Arriva ambulances arriving late.

Last year, Great Western Hospital hired its own minibus to ferry patients between the main hospital site and a rehabilitation centre 200 yards down the road, saying waiting for an Arriva van to turn up was causing delays for nurses.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Arriva Transport Solutions spokesman defended the company’s record: “We have provided high-quality and caring transport for thousands of patients across the south west and helped to bring a modernised and innovative approach to patient transport at a time of increased pressures across the healthcare service."

“We are proud of the progress we have made and hope the legacy of this work will continue to benefit both patients and healthcare commissioners.”

Wiltshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group would not say whether complaints from patients had played a part in Arriva losing the contract.

A spokeswoman said NHS organisations had followed a robust and comprehensive commissioning process. “As part of the process, providers who wish to be considered to run the service are required to submit a bid outlining their proposals. The most successful bidder will be awarded the contract.”