AMBULANCE chiefs have issued an SOS to recruit volunteer drivers for transporting non-emergency patients to hospital appointments.

Volunteer car drivers form a vital part of Greater Manchester's Patient Transport Service to take patients who need assistance to and from hospital because of their medical condition.

An appeal has now been launched to attract more helpers to the service.

Delwyn Wray, general manager of the service, said: "Volunteer car drivers have a significant contribution to make to the smooth, efficient running of the ambulance service.

"They can make all the difference to those patients who perhaps would not normally need an ambulance but are unable to use public transport."

Keith Lear (58) started as a volunteer more than three years ago when his mother and brother began using the service. He said: "My brother-in-law has been a volunteer for nine years and although I've always known about what he does, it wasn't until both my mother and brother started using the service for various hospital appointments that I decided to volunteer as well."

He added: "Sometimes patients will want to talk about their illness, but other times they will want to talk about anything but their illness. If I can help reassure or distract them from a difficult appointment, then I feel as though I have helped in some small way."

Volunteers, who are reimbursed for their mileage, need to be under the age of 65, have a current, full driving licence and have the use of a four-door family-size car, no more than seven years old. Anyone interested can call 796 1562 or 796 1056.