Hospital Transport

Waterlily24

Not sure if this is the right place to put this but I wondered if anyone can help please.

My hubby has got to go into hospital for day surgery on his eye (Macular Hole) he won't be allowed to drive afterwards. I don't drive and there is nobody else we can ask to drive us there. The journey by public transport would be very hard as we live in a rural area and there are only three or four buses a day which don't go directly to the hospital (I think it would be at least three buses to get us there). The hospital is quite a long way (our local hospital doesn't do this op).. Hubby has got to lay on his face for 7 - 10 days after the op so public transport is a definite no no, on the way back anyway. It seems strange to me that if he's got to lay down like that afterwards transport home isn't provided automatically.:eek:

We can't afford a taxi:o, does anyone know if we could get hospital transport please? I thought I read somewhere that our Doctor would have to arrange it but hubby went to the Doctor this morning and he said it wasn't up to him. He's a very nice Doctor so I don't think he was being awkward lol.

Hubby wasn't actually referred to the hospital by the Doctor, the optician referred him.

He'll have to cancel the op if we can't get transport..

Thanks for any help in advance.

MrsManda

You need to speak to the department where your husband is having his treatment. They will be able to discuss the options with you and arrange transport if required.
Normally patient transport is only provided if there is a medical need and it is requested by the health professional who referred the patient to hospital or the consultant/specialist who ordered the treatment.

If your husband is not eligible for patient transport he may be able to claim travel expenses (including a taxi) if your household qualifies under the NHS low income scheme.
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Travelcosts.aspx

[Deleted User]

surely if he needs to lie on his face after the op then an ambulance should be arranged?speak to the hospital dept doing the op

McKneff

This is an aside to the transport but also ask the hospital if they have something to help with the position of your husbands head during the day. My OH had this done and he had to stay 10 days with his head down, its to do with keeping a bubble or something in the eye
on a level until it eventually gets smaller and smaller and disappears, anyway i dirgres. This is like a round piece of kit which can be sat on a table, there isa whole in it for his face. It will be very boring for him so try to be prepared to read to him, and try to make it less boring.

Also buy a big box of straws for when he needs to drink.

Not a very nice time but it will pass.

Where abouts are you in the country or may I ask which hospital is he having his op in.

lilac_lady

Perhaps the hospital would be able to put you in touch with a volunteer driver.

Waterlily24

Thank you for the replies everyone, my hubby is 70 years old and has other problems too including arthritis and a bladder problem. We only have a state pension and a very, very small private pension (due to the recession).

My hubby doesn't like asking for help.

I'm a bit squeamish about eyes and wouldn't have the op done if it was me.

I've also got eye problems, I'm a long term (over 50 years) type 1 diabetic and the problems are due to this. I have to go to Hinchinbrooke Hospital which is even further in a different direction.

Hi McKneff

The hospital is the Queen Elizabeth in King's Lynn and we live about 8 miles the other side of Wisbech so it's quite a long way.

tanith

Definately speak to the department that is arranging your husbands surgery and explain the situation.. or speak to his surgeons secretary who should be able to authorise the transport,...

krisskross

My husband is eligible for patient transport for his many hospital appointments. Excellent service it is too.

i believe I got the number to call from our GP receptionist. Had to answer a few questions about his medical problems and why he needed transport. He was accepted with no problems.

They did ask me about whether he received DLA though. He would not have been accepted if he received this as it is considered he has the cash or car so can arrange it himself.

McKneff

Waterlily24 wrote: »

Thank you for the replies everyone, my hubby is 70 years old and has other problems too including arthritis and a bladder problem. We only have a state pension and a very, very small private pension (due to the recession).

My hubby doesn't like asking for help.

I'm a bit squeamish about eyes and wouldn't have the op done if it was me.

I've also got eye problems, I'm a long term (over 50 years) type 1 diabetic and the problems are due to this. I have to go to Hinchinbrooke Hospital which is even further in a different direction.

Hi McKneff

The hospital is the Queen Elizabeth in King's Lynn and we live about 8 miles the other side of Wisbech so it's quite a long way.

Its a shame its so far away, I'd have taken you myself. My husband over the years has had 13 ops on his eyes, all his problems have been hereditary, so I know exactly the pressures you are both under, there is enough worry about eyes without worrying about transport.

If you need any moral support, please feel free to PM me.

Waterlily24

McKneff wrote: »

Its a shame its so far away, I'd have taken you myself. My husband over the years has had 13 ops on his eyes, all his problems have been hereditary, so I know exactly the pressures you are both under, there is enough worry about eyes without worrying about transport.

If you need any moral support, please feel free to PM me.

Thank you McKneff what a lovely thought.

I'm so sorry that your hubby has had so many problems, eye things really scare me.

Anyway, we are sorted out for transport via a number given to us by the hospital.

Hubby's got to phone them again on Monday to make sure that they realise that we need transport back too. I didn't hear him mention it was day surgery so thought he'd better check.

We've got to be ready two hours before eek, the journey takes just under an hour.

tanith

Waterlily24 your driver may well have to pick up others on the way (its more cost effective if the vehicle is as full as poss) this is why they always ask you to be ready so early.. they will almost certainly have your return journey booked too .

EDIT: I just reread your post and it sounds like you intending on going with him on the day, if so you must ask for an escort to travel with him (some hospitals don't allow this ) otherwise they may fill the vehicle with patients leaving no space for you to travel.