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My son needs patient transport to receive care

Posted By Dispair

"My son needs patient transport to receive care"

About: Cameron Hospital Scottish Ambulance Service / Patient Transport Service

(as a parent/guardian),

My son, due to several health issues, has always used patient transport over the years. There has always been problems with having to do this due to cut backs and not being able to provide this service.

His physio had to be stopped and then today he was told he could use a taxi and pay and claim the costs back. Unless he can get someone who is going to do him a good deal this is going to cost in excess of £70.

Being in a wheelchair at Xmas cost him £43 to get home from the western general in Edinburgh. He can only use public transport for very brief periods of time so anything that keeps him for health reasons away from as quick as possible access to his home needs is  problematic.

So to get to Cameronbridge hospital from Dunfermline is a definite no. Although 45mins by taxi or transport, it is almost is 3hrs plus there and back and considering he has had the humiliation of being refused access to places before, because of the smell from the wound on his back which has been a problem for over 3 years, I pray any taxi he gets won't refuse him in future, or he is just losing more NHS help he truly needs.

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Responses

Response from Pat O'Meara, General Manager, Events, Scottish Ambulance Service 6 years ago
Pat O'Meara
General Manager, Events,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Head of Events

Submitted on 19/03/2018 at 12:20
Published on Care Opinion at 12:41

Dear Dispair,

I was very sorry to read about the problems your son is having getting to hospital. It must be very distressing for him and his family.

We do have what we call a patient needs assessment so that those with a medical condition get the ambulance transport that they need and if someone is able to get hospital by their own means (like a taxi) that can mean that we will ask people to do that, but it's not a black and white process - we do have to ensure that we are not stopping genuine ambulance patients getting to hospital.

I want to see if I can help you and your son. May I please ask you to call me on 0141 810 6101 so that I am able to look in to this for you?

Thank you,

Pat

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Pat O'Meara, General Manager, Events, Scottish Ambulance Service 6 years ago
Pat O'Meara
General Manager, Events,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Head of Events

Submitted on 22/03/2018 at 12:09
Published on Care Opinion at 14:32

Dear Dispair,

Thank you very much for calling me to discuss your son's needs. After you explained the problems he has, I spoke to my team and I was really pleased to get confirmation from them that his transport has now been arranged for his next appointment.

Please let me know if you do experience any more issues.

Regards

Pat

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Dispair (a parent/guardian)

Thank you so much Pat for your response to my sons problem and due to your intervention this morning we received a call from Patient transport and they will be taking my son to his appointment after all.

We can't thank you enough.

I originally was not going to put any comments on this page and now am so glad I did.

I think time has to be taken to ensure when people try to get patient transport the right questions need to be asked and not just can you get into a taxi.

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