NHS patients are set to get a better transport service under a new deal that will save taxpayers more than £620,000-a-year.

As part of a joint procurement, NHS Surrey and Surrey County Council have awarded a new three-year contract to South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (Secamb) to provide transport to patients.

The non-emergency service would provide out of area and out of hours journeys.

Councillor Michael Gosling said: “Value for money is at the heart of everything the council does and this new contract gives patients a better service while also managing to save taxpayers more than £620,000 a year.

“By finding ways of doing things more efficiently and through working as one team with other organisations, we’re ensuring taxpayers’ money goes further while continuing to provide excellent services to the people of Surrey.”

The new service is set to launch on October 1.