Hospital transport

uk71

I suffer from severe Agoraphobia, which I have had for 45 years. Normally when I go to hospitals within my borough, transport is arranged to get me there and back. But I am now having to go through cancer treatment in a hospital in another borough. I cannot get to that hospital by myself because of my Agoraphobia, without being severely debilitated and immobilised by my Agoraphobia. But the hospital is refusing to recognise how debilitating and immobilising my Agoraphobia is and is refusing to accept me for their patient transport service. Their assessment only recognises physical immobility. They are refusing to recognise that if you psychologically become distressed because of having to go to the place or because of the uncertainty of transport to bring me back then this will cause me to have a panic attack which would render me physically unable to function and mobilise myself to take transport to get me home.

I would like to take action to address the issue and challenge their decision. It is important, obviously, that I receive the cancer treatment and that things are not held up because of the transport situation. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kimmy87

I would recommend talking to PALS at the cancer hospital

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/

uk71

Thank you. That is what I have been trying to do today. I phoned them, couldn't speak to anybody and left them a message. If they don't respond soon then I shall email them instead.