"A&E Darlington, Plastics Durham, 30 pound Taxi..."

Anything else?

After suffering a deep dog bite to my hand, I arrived at A&E at about 1-30pm on Saturday 19 Oct. Staff were efficient, however X-Rat located a wound, one of many, that had been missed. After wounds were cleaned up I was told to be at Durham Hospital, for plastic surgery the next day. When staff phoned for an appointment at Durham they were offered an emergency appointment for the same day, Saturday, But they said that next day Sunday would be OK. I was instructed to be at Durham Hospital for plastic surgery at 8am the next day Sunday. How does one get to Durham Hospital from Darlington for an 8 am appointment on a Sunday? Not possible to drive with a badly bitten hand, No hospital shuttle bus no public buses at that time of day (Sunday) So, still in shock I called for a taxi at 7 am on Sunday and arrived at Durham Hospital at 7-50 am The cost 30 pounds! No I don't remember the taxi details, I just know I arrived in time, just. How did I get back home after the surgery? Had to drag a friend out of bed and promise him fuel money and a breakfast when he got to Durham. Does Darlington Memorial Hospital care? Are A&E users people, or just an unfortunate product? Who actually cares about how a 68 year old, who is in shock, will get to the next stage of his emergency treatment? A clear example of ageism, Not worth bothering about. But be warned, the next person to be treated in this way might well be a relative, or friend of yours. Take care, it's a nasty world out there.