oh no, taxicard!

Indie_Kid

hobbledehoy. wrote: »

Why a taxi? What is wrong with public transport or the voluntary pickup scheme that hospitals operate?

Public transport isn't always accessible. Some of the buses in Plymouth, still have steps on them. And then there's the fact that because they're doing roadworks, getting buses are impossible.

hobbledehoy.

lynzpower wrote: »

The taxi card scheme was set up as the HS simply couldn't do all the running around. Plus it is cheaper to pay a taxi than pay staff.

Besides if the private sector can do something that the public did, then the public sector is cut and the private sector used. thats the UK for you!

Taxicard is a good scheme there was no alternative when I used to support my clients in getting them.

Hello

But what about the voluntary drivers scheme where they will pick you up and take you home?

And as I have said, if you are on a low income, you recover your travel costs anyhow.

And why is there no public transport available?

I have to travel to my hospital every 6/8 weeks which is a 660 mile round trip. They either pay the mileage, or the public transport cost.
Some that I know travel by National Express from Devon to the hospital and back again the same day! 14 hours on a coach round trip - and they are undergoing chemo at the hospital because it is only 1 of 2 hospitals in the UK that deals with that particular condition! They do this because it is the cheapest option.

qwertyuiop12345

lynzpower wrote: »

Im wondering why this is , is this because your journeys are longer- 30-40 quid in a cab is a fair old way, I take it you are not attending your local hospital?

Do you receive any direct payments for care?

It is just a few miles a think, but that is the ridiculous London traffic for you (I live in Lambeth and most of my treatment is at The Royal London in Whitechapel). The full fair is about £25 each way (so a £50 round trip) as long as nothing goes wrong and there is always a bit on the meter when the taxi arrives, but I can't really argue with that as if they decide they don't want to take me then I'll miss my appointment.

No, I don't get direct payments (social care is very limited in my area), thankfully I am getting DLA at the moment, but if I lose that I'm really going to struggle to pay these transport costs.:(

I know it probably seems to some people reading this that they don't see why I should get any subsidy just because I'm ill and have difficulties with my transport, but it is frustrating because as it is locally funded I always felt like this was my one way of getting a little bit of value back from all that council tax I pay. It doesn't make me feel great that the council seems to feel they can afford hugely expensive firework displays and things like the olympics and yet they have to cut things like disabled transport and care services. I suppose it just shows where their priorities lie.

Indie_Kid

hobbledehoy. wrote: »

Roadworks? Can't get a bus?

Don't be silly. Of course you can.

I actually know Plymouth quite well, as my parents live in Woodbury, near Exeter and I have friends that live in Tavistock.

I visit the area regularly and I have never had a problem with accessing buses with my severely disabled mother aged 91!
Where there is a will, there is a way - can't means won't!

Sorry; but you haven't the faintest what you're talking about! Currently where I live in Plymouth, the closest bus service is around half a mile away due to the roadworks.

The places you mentioned are nowhere near where I live.

I understand you are patially sighted, but surely having some steps on a bus does not mean that you can't use them!

Actually it does:
I have severe depth perception and balance problems.

lynzpower

qwertyuiop12345 wrote: »

It is just a few miles a think, but that is the ridiculous London traffic for you (I live in Lambeth and most of my treatment is at The Royal London in Whitechapel). The full fair is about £25 each way (so a £50 round trip) as long as nothing goes wrong and there is always a bit on the meter when the taxi arrives, but I can't really argue with that as if they decide they don't want to take me then I'll miss my appointment.

No, I don't get direct payments (social care is very limited in my area), thankfully I am getting DLA at the moment, but if I lose that I'm really going to struggle to pay these transport costs.:(

I know it probably seems to some people reading this that they don't see why I should get any subsidy just because I'm ill and have difficulties with my transport, but it is frustrating because as it is locally funded I always felt like this was my one way of getting a little bit of value back from all that council tax I pay. It doesn't make me feel great that the council seems to feel they can afford hugely expensive firework displays and things like the olympics and yet they have to cut things like disabled transport and care services. I suppose it just shows where their priorities lie.

I know the royal london well. Is there are reason why you dont attend eg Guy/ st toms or even St georges in tooting? Im supposing there is I cant see why you would do that journey otherwise. Having been a patient at both RL and guys I would say my guys experience was a lot better.

Im wondering whether you could contact the socail work team at the royal london. i used to work in another london hospital and if we had patients who eg couldnt afford to get home from appointments then the money could be requested from their home LA. I made this request dozens of times and they were always successful, this is a couple of years ago now tho and im not sure whether that facility exists now? We also used to link with charities, and request money from charities for patients to receive fare money.

Do you have a specific illness or disability? Is there a pressure group or charity for your condition? I recommend calling and seeing if there is anything they might be able to do to help you out with the cost of those fares.

I know what you mean, it isnt actually that far, but its a fair old journey in a cab and whichever way you go, you never beat the traffic and do it quickly!

tehone

qwertyuiop12345 wrote: »

and there is always a bit on the meter when the taxi arrives, but I can't really argue with that as if they decide they don't want to take me then I'll miss my appointment.

Don't use metered taxis! Book a minicab instead - fixed fares, might be cheaper than using the taxicard discount?

sunnyone

tehone wrote: »

Don't use metered taxis! Book a minicab instead - fixed fares, might be cheaper than using the taxicard discount?

Use a wheelchair do you?

They claim the ramps dont work or that they arnt trained to use them etc.

Trialia

qwertyuiop12345 wrote: »

There is something called Dial a Ride in London but the website says it can't be used for hospital appointments.

That's because their punctuality generally sucks. We have that service here in Manchester, but I only ever use it if I have no other choice - last time I arranged for them to take me to chapel, I fixed it so that the due arrival time would be well in advance because I know they are usually late, they said they'd pick me up at 9:30 and by 10:35, ten minutes before start of service and twenty after the arrival time I'd asked for, for a fifteen-minute journey, they had not turned up at all. I was lucky my friend was getting a taxi from mine to town right then, or I'd never have made it before service was more than half over. I'm fairly sure they never turned up, like the time before - and I know they never called me to say they wouldn't be coming.

So, yeah, that is why they say don't book for hospital appointments.

Indie_Kid

tehone wrote: »

Don't use metered taxis! Book a minicab instead - fixed fares, might be cheaper than using the taxicard discount?

I've found minicabs to be more expensive. It cost me £5.80 to get home on evening. The same journey cost me £4.50 by taxi.

qwertyuiop12345

lynzpower wrote: »

I know the royal london well. Is there are reason why you dont attend eg Guy/ st toms or even St georges in tooting? Im supposing there is I cant see why you would do that journey otherwise. Having been a patient at both RL and guys I would say my guys experience was a lot better.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to look into all possibilities. Unfortunately, past experience has led me to believe they will direct me back to the useless Lambeth accessible transport unit and they'll just tell me that the answer is taxicard. :doh:

I think the problem I may have is that there is an enormous gulf between being poor enough to receive income support and all the additional means tested benefits and being sufficiently wealthy to cover costs like a £50 round trip to hospital. It always seems like as soon as you have one penny too much for income support you get hit with additional bills which are literally in the thousands when all put together. Maybe the planned universal credit taper might put an end to some of this problem?

Unfortunately I have to go to the Royal London regularly to see certain specialists. Sadly, I know St Toms rather too well as it is my A&E, hence also where I end up after becoming an inpatient through that route.

I can get to Toms for under £15, which with the old rules and using a double swipe only cost me £3 which was great! I'm guessing with the new rules it will be about £6 or £7ish each way, which isn't too bad. (I'll find out tomorrow as I've got an appointment there unusually - a follow up from a recent inpatient stay).