Urgent help neede please re Bournemouth

jonnyjackov

Hi, was just looking for some advise please.

My best mate has suffered a severe brain Haemmorhage whilst in Spain, (poor lad is only 36), and after 6 weeks in intensive care has regained conciousness, but is unable to move his arms or legs, or speak. I have flown to Spain to help him, (he has no family), and the hospital in Spain say he needs to get back to the uk now, for immediate help with speech therapy etc, and they are in contact with hospitals in Bournemouth to arrange ambulances for the airport (both sides) etc. It may be possible that I have to get a private ambulance at the UK side, does anyone have any info on private ambulances?

He had another operation on Saturday, and so will not be allowed to fly home until Saturday 31st May earliest. ( Will get the go ahead from the doctors at the hospital this morning to book the flights etc) I will be accompanying him on the plane etc. My questions are these.

Does anyone know of any cheap hotels in Bournemouth, or surrounding area, (which hospital has not been confirmed yet, I don't know the area, but it will be Bournemouth Hospital, Poole Hospital, or a hospital in Christchurch). I just need to find myself a single room, and though it sounds a terrible thing to say, I'm on a very tight budget, I can't really be at all fussy about the quality of the hotel or location, as I don't know how long I will be staying. Not bothered about food etc.

Finally, flights. The cheapest flights I can find for us are Ryanair, unfortunatley, its fallen at the end of the bank holiday week, so flights are quite expensive, but that can't be helped. I have flown ryanair lots, and am very happy with them, but have never been in a situation like this. Will ryanair help him on and off the plane etc, as I would be obviosly be unable to do this on my own. Also does anyone know any other companies that fly this route, (Alicante to Bournemouth). I'm from Liverpool, and have never been to Bournemouth, so know nothing about the area.

Have been searching around the net, but everything is a bit of a blur at the moment, and aren't really thinking straight. Thank you very much in advance for any advice anyone can give me.

John

SHEILA54

Hi

Here is a cheap hotel for 5 days in Bournemouth

http://www.laterooms.com/en/p1109/pvTACR123/hotel-reservations/148044_the-fairmount-hotel-bournemouth.aspx

Bournemouth is an upmarket seaside resort with a sandy beach. It also has many shops, restaurants and a good transport system. It is situated between Poole and Christchurch and it is easy to reach both places by public transport. The fares are quite pricey but, until you know which hospital, I cannot help you further.
Macdonalds, Burger King etc around but there are loads of places to eat / buy food which don't have to cost a fortune.

These seem to be based in Christchurch and may be able to help you
http://www.ambucare-ambulance.co.uk/

I do not live in Bournemouth but travel there quite often. Maybe someone local could helP/

Voyager2002

Did he have insurance? If so, surely that would cover an ambulance flight, and probably your accommodation as well.

If he is going to need an ambulance to take him between airport and hospital, then I doubt very much whether Ryanair would accept him as a passenger. Nor do I think that someone in that condition could cope with flying on an ordinary aeroplane.

Woby_Tide

there is an Innkeepers lodge hotel right next to Bournemouth hospital, that is normally about £60 a night, the thing to bear in mind is that whilst there will be cheaper B&B's around by the time you have paid for taxi/buses around area it may start adding up. Until you know which hospital he will be in it's hard to work out where is best. Bournemouth hospital is quite 'out of town', apart from the Innkeepers the other nearest is a Village hotel which will be quite pricy, there are a few B&B's in Christchurch Road not far away that may be OK. Chriostchurch Hospital is more a respite/recovery hospital so is in a fairly quiet area also, there a re a few B&B's in reasonable walking distance, there is also a Premier travel Inn(Christchurch West not East is what you want). Poole hospital is fairly central in Poole, again there are a few B&B's localish to it along with a Holiday Inn Express. The tourist information office in each town should be able to help out.

For flights Ryanair is only one into Bournemouth from Alicante, from Southampton there is also Flybe

jonnyjackov

Thank you all for your help.

He has annual travel insurance for normal holidays, but unfortunately he was actually working in Spain as an entertainer, (he does 3 month contracts), so we knew the travel insurance would not cover him. Whilst working here he paid the relevant spanish taxes and social security so was entitled, and indeed recieved excellent treatment at the Spanish hospitals. As far as the hospitals are concerned, there is no more they can do for him, and he is ready to be discharged. Spain offer no aftercare whatsoever, so speech therapy etc is all private, and VERY exspensive. So whilst he can't speak or move one arm and leg completely, (he has some movement in his left side), the hospital say he is now 'normal' (their words), other than being in a wheelchair, and not being able to speak. The hospital have said he will be given a fit to fly certificate. He is actually ready to come home now, but I would be unable to care for him, till he regains some movement, and the hospital have kindly offered to keep him there and give him minimal physio, until the statuary 2 weeks have passed since his last operation.

Sorry for babling, hope the above makes sense, and thanks again. It really is much appreciated.

John

dzug1

I think with Ryanair you have to request wheelchair assistance when booking and there's a maximum of 4 wheelchairs per flight.

monkeyspanner

Have a look at travelodge if you know when you need to stay they have deals starting at about £29. I think the one in Ringwood would be the side of town you need.

Woby_Tide

Ringwood is about £20 in taxi fares from Bournemouth/Christchurch though, some buses but not the best route, probably double to Poole. A B&B is probably best bet for finding a single room somewhere to mininmise travel costs