"The care staff are excellent but there..."

What I liked

In January my elderly (89 years) mother was referred to the City hospital for tests. Due to my mother's frailty and slightly confused state an ambulance was required to take us both to and from the hospital, The ambulance staff helped my mother into a wheelchair for the journey and ensured she was comfortable. A week later she had to make the same journey for the test results. Unfortunately she was informed at the clinic that she had a very advanced cancer. The clinic staff were excellent, explaining fully the implications to my mother and myself.

What could be improved

When we left the clinic I requested an ambulance home. I was told there would be a wait for an ambulance. Initially I fully understood and accepted this situation. However after about forty minutes my mother became very agitated and upset. I explained to the ambulance staff that we had just received some devastating news and getting my mother home was a top priority. I was told they would do what they could but it was another thirty minutes before an ambulance arrived. I understand that ambulances cannot be treated as taxis but where a patient is very elderly, obviously seriously ill and traumatised by news concerning their health surely some contingency arrangement should be in place.ReferralsTest ResultsCancer and tumoursWheelchairsAmbulanceCancerParamedics