Hospital Transport

formaldehyde_perfume

babymoo wrote: »

Get in touch with your local volunteer centre, they should be able to help you with transport.

www.do-it.org.uk - go to this link and search for your nearest one. I volunteer at my local centre and have a lot to do with the transport department, they help with people over 60 or those who are too poorly to use public transport, they do however have a small mileage charge but this may vary from centre to centre.

Wow! I've been wanting to volunteer for a while but when I enquired at a couple of places locally things just didn't turn out. Anyway, I popped my postcode in and found loads of listings I didn't know were available, 2 or 3 look promising so I'm really pleased you posted about that. Thanks! :T :rotfl:

tanith

Waterlily I'm sorry you're so upset but as the others have said if they took escorts for 2 patients in one car that would mean only 2 patients can travel instead of four.. I know it does't seem fair but transport really is for the patients only nowadays they just can't afford to put on extra cars just so escorts can travel.. but saying that I have known drivers , if they have the space will take an escort but will ask you to keep quiet and cannot guarantee you a ride back again its a chance you take I'm afraid.. I hope OH's app goes well..

Waterlily24

Yes, I'm sorry I understand that but I was upset because I know what my hubby is like. He'll sit there worrying about it all but won't say anything to anyone, I know he won't speak to anyone to maybe take his mind off it. I'm just so worried about him being on his own.

Thank you for the good wishes. I've calmed down a bit now. lol

Savvy_Sue

sangiar wrote: »

Look at it another way, if you were a patient that needed transport but was told - sorry can't pick you up we're full already. Why?, oh it's because for every patient that comes with us, Aunt Maud, Uncle Johnny and not forgetting cousin Tom want to come along as well!

Exactly, I can understand why you're upset by this, but there are reasons.

I'm going to make a couple of suggestions: none may be practical but perhaps worth thinking about.

First is to check HOW he is due to be coming back - by ambulance, or on his own in a car because of the nature of the op, or what. That's something to clarify first with the eye dept, I'd say. If they're unsure, check that they are happy with the parameters of the patient transport, it sounds as if you're a way out from the hospital, so is it OK for him to be one of the last to be dropped off, for example?

Also perhaps worth seeing if he could be booked in overnight, if that would make the transport less hazardous post-op. They may not like it, and there are lots of reasons for avoiding hospital stays, but sometimes that's easier than the alternative.

Also investigate that volunteer car service in your area, as already suggested. You're likely to have follow-up appointments, and that will be cheaper than a taxi, and you'll have the same problem only more so with patient transport if he's not having surgery.

And think laterally: if your DH can 'manage' some time at the hospital without you but you want to be there, then consider whether you can get there under your own steam, either by public transport, or a volunteer car service, or a mixture, or public transport mixed with taxis. For example, if no car service in your area, or they won't go that far, would a car service from the hospital area meet you at a train station or other town centre?

And another thought, could you run to a taxi in one direction? Or even a cheap Travelodge offer for the night before, close to the hospital?

Please don't shoot me down in flames if none of this is practical: my Dad was due to have some eye surgery and transport was a difficulty, actually Mum didn't want to have to go with him but that's a whole other story, but Mum didn't respond too well to some of the suggestions she was given because none of us knew what was and wasn't possible for them, and somehow that was our fault ...

But finally, PLEASE apply for Attendance Allowance, for both you and him. I don't know when this surgery is planned, but I know it didn't take long for Mum and Dad to hear that they'd got theirs, once they applied. They did have some help with the forms, and Mum was quite surprised she was 'entitled'. Neither of them actually HAD any help, apart from each other, and Mum still doesn't like suggestions that the AA could be used for taxis when necessary, but it really can help.

sangiar

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

But finally, PLEASE apply for Attendance Allowance, for both you and him. I don't know when this surgery is planned, but I know it didn't take long for Mum and Dad to hear that they'd got theirs, once they applied. They did have some help with the forms, and Mum was quite surprised she was 'entitled'. Neither of them actually HAD any help, apart from each other, and Mum still doesn't like suggestions that the AA could be used for taxis when necessary, but it really can help.

What you have to remember is that Attendance Allowance is very similar to DLA.

The diagnosis, treatment, hospital visits, prognosis actually mean nothing.

You have to provide medical evidence that you have the care needs as specified in the claim from. Simply saying that you have ********* and ********, and don't drive, does not prove that they have care needs.

I would be getting some evidence together to prove that the needs actually exist, how they exist, and what is needed to help solve them.

My wife has difficulties with Arthritis, large Liver cyst and water retention. She applied for AA, but was turned down twice because she could not produce evidence to back up her stated needs claim.

Savvy_Sue

sangiar wrote: »

What you have to remember is that Attendance Allowance is very similar to DLA.

The diagnosis, treatment, hospital visits, prognosis actually mean nothing.

You have to provide medical evidence that you have the care needs as specified in the claim from. Simply saying that you have ********* and ********, and don't drive, does not prove that they have care needs.

I would be getting some evidence together to prove that the needs actually exist, how they exist, and what is needed to help solve them.

My wife has difficulties with Arthritis, large Liver cyst and water retention. She applied for AA, but was turned down twice because she could not produce evidence to back up her stated needs claim.

I agree that you can't just say "I have X and Y", but all I know is that both my parents were successful in getting it, and I don't think either would have met the criteria for DLA!

Safetyone

If you travel by car to The Walton center and claim traveling expenses you will be paid 12 pence per mile ......But if you are an MP you can claim 45 pence per mile ...............Kick the sick again were it hurts in the pocket