"Getting home from appointment using NWAS"

I get transport 3 times a week to the Royal Liverpool for a 4 hour dialysis session. Getting there is absolutely fine, it's the getting home where I am struggling.

As well as renal failure I also have various other complex health issues. Consequently I cannot eat or drink from 5am. I also can't take my medication until I get home. On one occasion I finished dialysis at 11. 15am, but didn't get picked up until 12. 40! I know the NWAS policy says 90 minutes but surely they can make exceptions.

By having to wait this long, plus another 40 mins travelling time, I am very poorly and dehydrated by the time I arrive home. This is making my life a living hell.

I have phoned up 5 times to complain and have been told that a taxi would be waiting for me as I don't need an ambulance. This has happened once; I was home for 12.20pm and the difference to my health was amazing because I was able to eat and take my medication straight away and only needed to sleep for an hour instead of the 2 hours after waiting so long for transport.

I was told that dialysis patients are prioritised. It doesn't feel like that for me as I'm usually the first patient finished and down to the waiting area, but I am the last to actually leave.

Posted by Healthwatch Liverpool on behalf of service user.