"Not allowing "escorts" to wait"

Anything else?

I attended Hospital yesterday (1/10/13) again after a CT Scan about 1 month ago. This time a stern warning was given that my escort (someone to take me home) would have to leave and be called back when I was ready to leave, (some 2 hours later maybe). The reason given was patient confidentiality. Now I must complain that this policy needs reviewing. Escorts accompany patients for various reasons, yes to bring, collect and take home (assuming that you are unable due to illness/treatment which renders you unable to drive yourself or other medical reasons). Other reasons are - support (hospitals make people nervous), assistance (some people have difficulty with mobility/communication) granted the medical staff look after you very competently and compassionately but you have to arrive and leave. Given that some people do not live locally and may have travelled a considerable distance /time is it unreasonable to make allowances for thier "escorts" to wait somewhere compfortable? It need not be in the particular waiting room but nearby would be nice. If patient confidentiality is an issue then a communal waiting area could be provided somewhere. Not everyone can go out and come back when called. Where do they go? Wait in their car? what about winter weather/safety of unaccompanied females, sometimes children have to be brought? Yes there is a restaurant but not all wish to sit in there, do they want everyone in there either? All these things and more are issues that could be considered. I'm not asking for "everything" just some thought given to this as surely in the end the "escort" is a necessary part of providing care to the patient who will be additionally anxious if their "escort" is "booted out"! Finally, consider, escorts actually save the NHS money by avoiding the use of NHS transport.