What is your experience of Hospital Transport?

Rachel_Scope

After reading about someone's long battle trying to get hospital transport, I wondered what experiences other people have had.

Let us know if you've had a positive or negative experience and why.

66Mustang

Negative experience

Before my granny was bedbound she could only manage 2 hours sitting up, meaning the 4 hour window they gave you for a wheelchair taxi made it unfeasible

You had to really protest and justify getting a stretcher transport, and they have very limited slots meaning having to arrange a time where the consultant and the transport were available on the same time and day

In other words it was metaphorically like waiting for 2 planets to align

Some staff were really kind and helpful, but others made you feel like things were your fault. If the hospital cancelled or changed your appointment, you have to tell the transport yourself. We found if you had to cancel at short notice - because of the hospital cancelling the appointment, not you - you could be chastised and given a lecture about wasting the slot and how they've not got time to give the slot to someone else

My mum is ashamed but because of the barrage she got for cancelling at short notice, she once had a consultant appointment cancelled, and was not in a place (understandable, managing with a very sick relative) to receive a volley so just didn't tell them. Her phone rang several times when the vehicle presumably arrived and afterwards to tell her off, and she let it go to answerphone.

andrewkuk

Positive experience

I have been extremely lucky with hospital transport to and from hospitals in London for various appointments and scans. Very friendly crew and they always say hi when I bump into them at the hospital. I know it can differ from area to area but I need a stretcher and they always look after me with excellent care. I wish everyone had the same experience.

Rachel_Scope

Thanks both 😊

That sounds like a difficult situation @66Mustang. It would be better if the transport was cancelled on your behalf so there wasn't the stress of getting 'chastised'. Your mum shouldn't have had to go through that. I can imagine the stress from them calling her.

Good to hear a positive experience @andrewkuk. I agree that it will differ between areas, which shouldn't be the case. Do you mind me asking if you've had to organise the transport yourself? Have you had an appointment cancelled and had to cancel the transport yourself?

andrewkuk

Positive experience

Hi Rachel - I had to book the transport myself. I did have one appointment changed but they were very helpful and made the changes quickly.
I have been in clinic quite a lot a seen people wait hours for transport but I think I can be a bit hit and miss sometimes. As I have trouble sitting up have the option of the stretcher is the only way to get to some of the appointments.

Rachel_Scope

Thanks for that @andrewkuk. I'm glad you've such a positive experience - hopefully that can spread to more people!

JW77

Variable to diabolical -
Generally I avoid it if I can.

Most recently - you have a long 'wait window' so if its an early appointment you have to be ready up to 2 to 4 hours before.. Just hanging around with no indication of WHEN transport turns up.

I've used it due to the minicab taxi costing @£25 quid for a half hour journey, so that's 50 there a back. Sometimes on time, sometimes doesn't go in the system, sometimes doesn't turn up, and the 'transport ambulances, seem to have zero suspension, rock hard seats, etc.

Also had the vehicle break down, so we had to wait for a replacement to turn up!.

Sometimes my hospital will pay for a cab or use the Red Cross..

At uni I've been left waiting till early in the morning due to contracted minicabs focusing on fares from clubs & pubs..


This is a story from 2003 that's still relevant.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/3056257.stm

I think it partly depends on WHO supplies the transport, is it contract, or 'in house' as some trusts have started doing.

Martinp

Negative experience

consultant was rude and superior, didn’t answer my questions. X-ray department lost my card so spent an hour waiting for an X-ray before I complained, got the usual excuses then sat waiting another hour while everybody arriving after me gets seen. I got up and left.

Rachel_Scope

@JW77 thanks for your feedback. I wasn't aware of wait windows - it must be incredibly difficult if your appointment is early in the morning. It would be helpful to have a smaller window and updates on when the transport will arrive.

That's awful of the minicabs, if they're contracted to provide hospital transport they should provide it. Sorry you had to go through that.

@Martinp sorry you had a negative experience. This poll is for those who used hospital transport. Did you use this for your appointment?

JW77

Yes the wait windows are distressing..
I had some regular visits to a hospital about 20 miles away. Morning visits at 8am. Transport wanted you ready between 2-4 hours in advance..
This would have meant getting up at 4 AM to have breakfast/shower, be ready, and hang about waiting for transport.. We ended up spending a LOT of money on taxis..

Rachel_Scope

@JW77 I can't believe they expected you to be ready so early, it's just not realistic. I can imagine how much taxis cost!

Wibbles

Negative experience

There is none - they expect patients to make their own way to my hospital 100% of the time. Even those who cannot walk a single step - you HAVE to get there under your own steam.

Rachel_Scope

@Wibbles have you attempted to get hospital transport before? They should offer something and it shouldn't be so difficult to get. It's sad that every hospital differs.

Wibbles

Negative experience

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1071399#Comment_1071399

Yes and my Father has also tried - he's 93 years old and couldn't get any help - eventually he had to get a taxi to and from the hospital (he was released at 4 am on one occasion)

Rachel_Scope

I'm so sorry your father had to go through that @Wibbles, it's not right.

Wibbles

Negative experience

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1071578#Comment_1071578

That was after bowel surgery - with a stoma fitted !

He returned to hospital in an ambulance within 2 hours - he had a "leak"

durhamjaide2001

I am lucky that I don't have to use the hospital transport yet. As I'm fortunate enough to have my mum or my PA to take me to my hospital appointments so I don't need to use the hospital transport.

Rachel_Scope

That's good @durhamjaide2001. I hope that if you ever need to use it you have a positive experience.