Refund for booking made in MH crisis

made_a_mistake11

Hello, I booked a £200 hotel room whilst a sectioned patient in hospital & now, though still in hospital, with a bit more clarity I would like to claim it back. It was with Travelodge & a friend has contacted customer service for me but they take days to respond to each message. (I have filled out the form to give permission for her to deal with them directly). The hospital say I don’t have a chance & won’t help.

Thought someone here might have some advice!

Brie

Have you already paid? if so I think you're doing the right thing getting your friend to help get it cancelled.

You could also ask the hospital to complete a debt and mental health evidence form. these are used to show companies/creditors that you have issues that mean you sometimes don't act rationally with your finances. having this and providing it to Travelodge will support your case for them to deal responsibly with your booking.

link to the form is here. note that, if in England, no charge can be made by a medical professional for completing the form. Go to point 9.

DFW Sticky-Provit/Statute Barred Letters, Defaults, Mental Health Help and Guidance, all here. — MoneySavingExpert Forum

elsien

Being under a sectionN does not mean that you didn’t know what you were doing at the time. How far off was the booking for? The difference between next week when clearly you weren’t going anywhere, or next year when it’s entirely possible that you will be out and able to continue with the booking

The RC could give a supporting letter - you maybe need to query why they are not willing to do. That should be a mental health advocate on your ward who might be able to support with challenging the ward refusal, depending on their reasons for not helping.

made_a_mistake11

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82072705#Comment_82072705

Hi so being under section can indeed mean you didn’t know what you were doing - there are patients here who sadly don’t even know their own name or have any concept of finances or that they are in hospital.

Also, you can still leave the ward if a consultant has agreed to it - this can be escorted by a nurse or unescorted (which mine was going to be, for the first time in 10 weeks) and for different lengths of time. So I believed I would use this booking. But I was in a state of crisis & had the very worst intentions for what I would use the room for (forgive me if I can’t say that, I’ve tried not to be explicit).

made_a_mistake11

so helpful thank you! @Brie

la531983

Surely with a non-refundable Travelodge booking you are relying on goodwill only? You have no remedy with your bank either for what is a "change of mind".

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82072747#Comment_82072747

I agree it would be goodwill. Perhaps if there is an option to take a credit note that might be a good result?

elsien

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82072727#Comment_82072727

It can mean that people have no clue where they are or what they are doing..

There are also people on wards under section who are perfectly capable of still managing their own finances.

It is not one size fits all. This is why I was querying on what grounds the ward have said they can’t help and whether it is possible to challenge that, as you stand more chance with their backing.

made_a_mistake11

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82072875#Comment_82072875

it was because they said even the nhs don’t get refunds (they sometimes discharge patients there if they’re waiting on housing) so didn’t think I stood a chance. Not that they thought I was well.

elsien

In that case, I would go back to them and request evidence that you weren’t well. It’s a very different situation to putting people there on discharge, and they shouldn’t be refusing to try and help just because they don’t think you stand a chance.