"Ambulance service Derby"

Last year, I went to ‘Derby Royal Hospital’ for  knuckle replacements after breaking my fingers. I was supposed to only be in Hospital for one night. Unfortunately, I ended up being in for quite a lot longer due to the fact that I collapsed and lost consciousness the following day. When I came round, my bed was surrounded by doctors and nurses together with Radiologists. I found out later that I had— somehow— contracted  ‘ Sepsis and Pneumonia’. Obviously, I was very ill.

When I had improved enough approx: 9 days later. I asked to go home as I have an exceedingly good doctor where I live. My home being 100 miles away in Lincolnshire. The hospital tried their best to get me transport as I had been promised it but, on two occasions, ‘Leicester Ambulance Service ‘  refused saying it was too far for them to go. The next day, the hospital asked ‘Lincolnshire Ambulance’ to fetch  me but again, they also refused. I could have managed in a car so an ambulance was not needed. 

 I then had a visit from a person from the hospital who said they thought they had solved my problem. I was stunned as they suggested they drive me to ‘Derby Railway Station ‘and put me on a train!! As I was recovering from ‘Sepsis, Pneumonia and my operation’  there was no way I could have managed to deal with the train journey!! I have to say, I live alone and had no one to help who could drive that distance.

I do NOT fault the hospital staff as they were doing their best but I certainly fault the ‘Ambulance Services’ for NOT helping me. 

Reception finally got me help from an employee, for which I am exceedingly grateful.

I would add that I am elderly and  because I am always REFUSED NHS free transport whenever I needed the hospitals. I had to pay £200 in order to get to ‘Derby Hospital’ for my hand operation and, ALL TOLD , I have paid almost £1000 in order to get back and forward to ‘Derby Hospital’ whenever I have needed to see the Specialists- before and after my operation - and, for Hand Therapy.  So I have grounds for my complaints. I might add, I am still paying for transport in order to carry on with ‘Hand Therapy’ closer to home.