Can’t afford to travel to hospital appointments

ripplyuk · 7 August 2018 at 7:15PM

I’m unable to walk very far lately and at times, cannot walk at all. The doctors are still trying to work out what the problem is. I still have a lot more tests to go through. Problem is, I live in a very rural area. There is no public transport at all. Even if there was, I would be unable to use it. I have no family or friends who can drive me to all these appointments.

A taxi to the hospital would cost about £75 each way. I could never afford even one appointment at that price. There is a rural transport service but they don’t go out of the local area so they can’t help. Does anyone know what I can do? I’m getting desperate and I really need to get to these appointments.

Ames · 7 August 2018 at 7:36PM

You could contact PALS at the hospital and ask what patient transport is available. I have regular treatment and there are patients being dropped off and picked up, some from quite far away. It's not ideal as they do it on a fixed route so you can be travelling for a long time, and be waiting after appointments.

Some hospitals also have a volunteer scheme for patients to be given lifts.

As I said, I think PALS would be the people to ask - google it and your hospital trust.

ripplyuk · 7 August 2018 at 9:28PM

Ames wrote: »

As I said, I think PALS would be the people to ask - google it and your hospital trust.

I’m in Northern Ireland and we don’t have PALS here. I did ring the hospital and ask but the lady just said it’s not up to them to help and that I’d have to find my own way.

I know there is a patient transport scheme but she said it is only for people who are completely immobile and need medical support whilst travelling.

Flugelhorn · 7 August 2018 at 9:37PM

some rural areas have volunteer drivers who do trips just for the fuel money and a donation to a local charity. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/community-transport

http://www.volunteernow.co.uk/volunteering/volunteer-driving

esmy · 7 August 2018 at 9:37PM

Red Cross?? I know they used to assist with transport for patients with mobility issues
http://www.nicva.org/organisation/british-red-cross-ni-belfast

Savvy_Sue · 7 August 2018 at 9:50PM

Ask at your GP surgery?

I've just done a google because what you've been told seems downright wrong. Did you find this? Will your GP confirm that you meet the criteria?

Nicki · 8 August 2018 at 9:43AM

If you genuinely have no friends or family who can drive and don't qualify for patient transfer, could you perhaps take a taxi from your home to the nearest point where you can access public transport rather than all the way to the hospital? That would be a lot less than £75 each way surely.

Or could you join a local Facebook page and ask for volunteers to drive you in return for petrol money. Or speak to the local church and ask if they would ask for volunteers. My experience of Northern Ireland is that there is great community spirit and most people are happy to help out someone in need so I'd be surprised if you can't find someone to help with at least some of these trips.

Longer term if this is a chronic condition you may need to move closer to transport links or the hospital however.

fibonarchie · 8 August 2018 at 10:02AM

Nicki wrote: »

If you genuinely have no friends or family who can drive and don't qualify for patient transfer, could you perhaps take a taxi from your home to the nearest point where you can access public transport rather than all the way to the hospital? That would be a lot less than £75 each way surely.

Or could you join a local Facebook page and ask for volunteers to drive you in return for petrol money. Or speak to the local church and ask if they would ask for volunteers. My experience of Northern Ireland is that there is great community spirit and most people are happy to help out someone in need so I'd be surprised if you can't find someone to help with at least some of these trips.

Longer term if this is a chronic condition you may need to move closer to transport links or the hospital however.

But it seems so wrong that she's been told by hospital staff that it's not their problem how she gets there. (How rude!!). I don't know if or how the NHS differs in N.I. but here on the mainland the NHS stump up for all manner of stupid things that are supposedly essential for the patient's wellbeing (horse riding lessons, computers, etc etc). If she's having to pay £75 to get there she should bill them for it.

ripplyuk · 8 August 2018 at 12:24PM

I wouldn’t be able to use buses/trains even if I lived closer to public transport. I also have ASD and mental health problems so I’m not good at being chatty with people or on Facebook etc. I’m not religious so I don’t think a church would want to help and also I’d be nervous about traveling with strangers. The volunteer driver scheme here only covers the local area, not as far as the hospital.

The problem with the patient transport service is that it says I would have to be unable to travel by any other method. That isn’t true for me. I would be physically able to travel by taxi. I just can’t afford it.

I’ll email the Red Cross and ask them.

fibonarchie · 8 August 2018 at 12:47PM

ripplyuk wrote: »

The problem with the patient transport service is that it says I would have to be unable to travel by any other method. That isn!!!8217;t true for me. I would be physically able to travel by taxi. I just can!!!8217;t afford it.

From the patient transport service website:

This reason could be that you are immobile and unable to utilise public transport, or as a result of your treatment.

I would interpret that as not being able to go by bus or train. Ask your GP, you've got nothing to lose. They can only say no

Patients can't be expected to pay £75 each time they need a hospital appointment, that's ridiculous. See what your doctor says.

fibonarchie · 8 August 2018 at 1:32PM

Just for clarity, here's a link to the general definition of public transport. It's things like buses, trains, ferries, trams, coaches, airlines etc. I'm pretty sure taxis don't count as public transport.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_transport

Public transport (also known as public transportation, public transit, or mass transit) is transport of passengers by group travel systems available for use by the general public, typically managed on a schedule, operated on established routes,

Can’t afford to travel to hospital appointments

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