I went to Depression Clinic via Arriva and the receptionist confirmed I was ready for picking up at 4pm. The Clinic staff left at 5. 30 pm and I was alone in my wheelchair, waiting, exhausted and in tears. A Consultant happened by at 6. 30 pm and saw how upset I was. We tried to contact Arriva to find out when I could be collected...the phone in their office rang out - for 45 minutes. Finally, a member of nursing staff took me to the waiting area near the transport office. I sat there for another hour, completely ignored, dying for a drink of water and the loo. At 8 pm, 3 Arriva Minibus Ambulances were parked at the front of the hospital, and one of those took me home. I had been at the hospital for 11 hours, with nothing to eat or drink. It was two days until I'd recovered after that lot. Thanks Arriva!
Then two days ago, I had to get another Arriva transport to the hospital for another clinic appointment. Now on crutches, I said I could go in a car, and told them my appointment was for a certain time. They turned up with a small hatchback car and two ladies already. I was wedged into a back seat with my plastered leg going numb. The driver said he wanted to pick up a 4th patient, cramming 3 of us into the back. Finally, he agreed to let another car get the other lady. When I told him I was already late, he said I should wait for another transport.
Still, I was in that car for almost an hour while he dropped off all the other patients. By the time I got to clinic, I was in terrible pain, and unable to get out of the vehicle without a great deal of help! The driver found a wheelchair and I arrived so late that I had to sit there until the afternoon clinic. I finally got finished at 5pm, no food or drink for 9 hours. I used a large proportion of my benefit to pay for a taxi home rather than endure more ill treatment at Arriva's hands.
"Arriva - or, to be more accurate - didn't Arriva"
About: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust - Queen's Medical Centre Campus Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust - Queen's Medical Centre Campus Nottingham NG7 2UH
Posted by icecrystal (as ),
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