Project Summary

UrbanTide created a new “uMove Rural” module to integrate NHS appointment data, public transport information and demographic datasets to analyse healthcare accessibility. Virtual trials in Fife assessed how aligning appointment schedules with available transport or using demand‑responsive transport (DRT) could reduce travel times and improve access for rural residents. The tool provides visualisations for planners and NHS staff to model alternative travel arrangements and test scenarios without requiring operational changes.

Project Achievements

The project engaged 700–800 rural residents and gathered 104 survey responses. Modelling showed DRT could reduce travel times by 45–50%. Social value was estimated at £1.60 per £1 spent. Key learnings included major data‑access barriers within NHS systems and the lack of a defined “problem owner” accountable for implementing transport innovation across health services.

Conclusions

The trial demonstrated that integrating transport and healthcare data can provide valuable insights into rural access to health services. The uMove Rural prototype enabled stakeholders to visualise service gaps and test alternatives such as demand‑responsive transport. While data access constraints limited full implementation, engagement with NHS bodies and transport partners confirmed the tool’s relevance and potential to support better coordination between services.

Next Steps

UrbanTide will continue developing uMove Rural based on stakeholder feedback and pursue further engagement with NHS boards, regional transport partnerships and local authorities. The company plans to seek procurement through NHS frameworks, apply for additional funding, and enhance product features for wider deployment. Ongoing discussions aim to address adoption barriers and support scaling across other rural healthcare contexts.