“At the centre of everything we do is a simple belief: Every Journey Matters.” The HATS Group was founded in 1995 with the aim of delivering safe and dignified transport that supports people through their unique health and wellbeing journeys. The company provides a range of transportation services that support vulnerable individuals, including patients, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and those requiring care-sensitive transport. The team at HATS are equipped to provide support for patients experiencing medical, physical, behavioural, and mental health conditions. Its services span patient transport, home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities, private hire transport, and repatriation services for those who fall ill or are injured abroad. “We saw an opportunity to make a real difference,” Karl told us. “By combining transport with care, we can support people at important moments of their lives. This could be a patient attending treatment or a child travelling to school. The work is meaningful because it directly impacts people who rely on these services.” In a saturated market, HATS is leading the way in innovation. The company introduced the UK’s first fully electric patient transport ambulance and later delivered the UK’s first net zero patient transport service. Since its inception, the team has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving both environmental impact and the patient experience. One of HATS’ key services is non-emergency patient transport, which has been transformed through its move to electric vehicles and sustainable infrastructure. Its new electric fleet removes emissions and reduces running costs, in addition to requiring no upfront investment from its partners. Clients benefit from a service that is reliable and efficient while also supporting their environmental goals. Patients also see distinct benefits; journeys with this fleet are significantly quieter and smoother, which helps to reduce stress when on the road. This feature is especially beneficial for elderly patients and those with sensory needs, with feedback highlighting that many patients prefer these vehicles. This is a shining example of HATS’ approach to sustainability and technology, ensuring that advancements never compromise patient care. Offering more than mere transportation, the company focuses on the full experience and the level of care provided. Its team is trained to understand the unique needs of the people they support, which includes maintaining an awareness of SEND, dementia care, and safeguarding. With this dual-engine approach, balancing innovation and care, HATS has earned the trust of more than 80 organisations, delivering over one million passenger journeys each year. It works in close collaboration with NHS trusts, local authorities, and education providers to deliver services that truly meet people’s needs, leveraging a network of expertise to develop solutions that are practical, scalable, and impactful. Over the next five years, HATS Group plans to continue leading innovation in sustainable and inclusive transport. The team is currently exploring opportunities to expand its net zero transport model to other NHS trusts across the UK, building on the achievements of previous projects. Following the success of its work with Hillingdon Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust, HATS has seen strong interest from other organisations looking to adopt similar solutions. To support this growth, the team also looks to develop its electric vehicle fleet and charging infrastructure. This includes improving energy management systems to ensure that its services remain efficient and reliable. Concurrently, HATS will continue to invest in technology that improves efficiency and service quality, such as digital systems that better support communication, planning, and real-time service delivery. “These projects reflect our focus on growth, innovation, and delivering long-term value for our partners,” Karl concluded. “Our overall goal is to keep improving how transport supports health and wellbeing. We want to set new standards in the industry while staying true to our peoplecentred approach.” For its significant contributions to the healthcare and transport sectors – championing sustainability and innovation whilst always placing the patient at the heart of its operations – we at SME News are delighted to recognise the HATS Group as the UK’s Best Patient and SEND Transport Services Provider 2026. Contact: Karl Bailey Company: HATS Group Limited Web Address: www.hatsgroup.com Transport is not only about getting from one place to another; for many people, it is a key part of their care and wellbeing. Every aspect of life is impacted when there are barriers in place to accessing transport, leading to missed appointments, opportunities, and increased isolation. The HATS Group is the UK’s leading provider of transport services for medical patients and individuals with special educational needs and disabilities, offering vital support when they need it the most. We spoke with Transport Manager Karl Bailey below, following the HATS Group’s recent recognition in the Business Elite Awards 2026. Supporting Health and Wellbeing, One Trip at a Time
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