Denied ambulance to hospital appointments

Monty2022
Monty2022 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
in Neurological impairments and pain
I was diagnosed with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, Meniers Disease Syndrome, double incontinence, sciatica (as well as anxiety disorder) over 6 years ago and have ALWAYS HAD ambulances take me to hospital for all my appointments. In November 2021 UCLH hospital refused to send an ambulance to take me for my Audio-Vestibular appointment with my Consultant. PLEASE help me so that I can attend my next appointment as I had to cancel. I’ve no quality of life due to pain and am extremely depressed. Thank you very much. 

Comments

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi and welcome to the community 

    Have you tried booking it through your gp surgery rather than yourself I know they have been trying to reduce the number used for appts to support the service for covid 

    Is there any possibility you can get a taxi and then claim the cost back 
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    Bear in mind it’s not an ambulance that takes people to hospital, it’s patient transport, ambulances are for emergencies. 
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    @MarkM88 yes it is patient transport but they use ambulance or in some cases taxi and you have to book through transport service
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    edited February 2022
    Hello @Monty2022 I'm sorry to hear about what's been happening. I've a feeling all NHS services are incredibly stretched at the moment, and sadly it's likely you're not alone in this. 

    I wonder if you know about the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme? If you're referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under this scheme. 

    See if you can speak to your GP about arranging this, as you would need the referral to the hospital to be eligible.

    As mentioned by our members, you might also be able to use     non-emergency patient transport services. Talk to your GP about whether or not these are available in your area.

    You've mentioned you're extremely depressed, I'm sorry to hear how you're feeling. Can I ask what support you're getting for your mental health at the moment?

    Let us know if you feel we can help any further, please don't hesitate to ask :)

    Alex
  • mzjojo
    mzjojo Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Lots of information there!  Thank you everyone!
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    Good morning @Monty2022

    I just wanted to come back to this thread to see how you have been getting on?
  • mzjojo
    mzjojo Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    I was told by my Patient Transport agency that as I could dress myself, I could no longer use patient transport!
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    I don't understand why being able to dress yourself has anything to do with needing patient transport 

    Have you spoke to your gp to see if they can book transport for you or the clinic you are attending 
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    This is the UCLH information - https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-service/clinical-support-services/transport-services

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