Anyone know about hospital transport

[Speicher]

I do not really know what the system is called, but I know I am confused and the very kind people on here with connections with NHS might be able to explain in simple terminology.

It is not for me, the transport is for my 86 year old mother who lives about one and a half hour's drive from me. She is partially sighted, very frail, and finds very difficult the two bus journeys necessary to get from her house to the main hospital in her city. (University Hospital, Coventry if that makes any difference).

She gets in a complete jumble over what she can ask for, and from whom.
Can anyone clarify things? As I understand it, for a First Visit for any (new) treatment she needs to ask her GP practice to organise transport. Subsequent transport arrangements for the same "series" of treatments, are organised by the Hospital.

She is also saying that she cannot have appointments in the later part of the afternoon, ie after 3.30pm because, she says "then they have to call out the relief night transport driver" ???

I do not expect someone to hang around at the hospital for her to be seen. The hospital have a Patient Help Desk, but who arranges the return transport for her? She would not mind a wait for transport home.
I try to save my trips to take her to the hospital for when she needs some emotional support, or when it is urgent. The last time it was urgent, I did manage to persuade her to get a taxi and I would meet her there, as I can get to that Hospital quicker than I can get to her house. And the taxi would get her there about an hour quicker than I could.

Any clarification would be appreciated, or pointing me in the right direction. thank you

 

[Noodley]

Volunteer Driver Service? My mother and father in law do it. They use their own car to transport patients to and from hospital. Is that what you are thinking of?

 

[Speicher]

Volunteer Driver Service? My mother and father in law do it. They use their own car to transport patients to and from hospital. Is that what you are thinking of?

I am not sure. I seem to recall that the Volunteer Driver Service in Coventry is so over-whelmed with requests that my mother, even with her disabilities, is not deemed eligible for their services. Are they based at Volunteer Centres? Perhaps the request has to be done by the GP.
I hesitate to contact the GP practice, because they seem to have a "zero tolerance" policy regarding contact with patient's relatives, no matter how ill that patient is.

 

[Gary Cummins]

I have been reviewing a project in Coventry called 'route forward', a collective travel booking scheme, I'm not sure if your mum is eligible, but they will certainly let you know.

http://www.routeforward.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=101

Good luck

 

[ufkacbln]

It is usual for the GP in the first instance, or the Department she is seeing to organise transport.

It is usually by a phone call or in writing. The appointment time is given and then the Transport company arranges fro the patient to attend. The type of Transport is (or rather should be) appropriate to the patient's needs - including an escort if required.

A return journey is usually booked, but if delays occur we can rearrange. Patients are NEVER left stranded, and to be absolutely honest - it is our problem - not yours if we delay the return. At worst a Taxi will be used and paid for if appropriate.

As for the GP - all you need is written permission from your mother, or visit with her and discuss with the GP for future convenience.

It sounds daft - but they cannot discuss without her permission- unless there is consent. Once this is established theproblem is resolved.

 

[vbc]

I had a load of out patient appointments at the local Head Injury Therapy Unit last year following a serious bike accident.

Because my driving licence had been suspended for medical reasons, the HITU at the hospital organised transport to and from my appointments as required using a taxi firm on contract to the local health authority.

I live about 4 miles from the hospital.

Don't know if this is of use to you.

 

[Speicher]

Thank you for all the replies on here. I will ask my mother to contact the GP Practice again. It sounds like they could organise the transport for the first visit. She does not really need an escort, just someone to drop her off at the correct entrance for the hospital depending on the department she is going to, or if parking arrangements allow it, they could accompany her to the Patient Service Desk.

Cunobelin - is there some idiosyncrasy of the system that says that once she is receiving a series of treatments, the transport is the responsibility of the Hospital as opposed to the GP? If I know who is responsible for what then, we would be able to contact the right person. The problem lies, as with many large organisations, finding the the right person to discuss this with.