This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Dropped kerb at crossing

Posted By sandyspud47

"Dropped kerb at crossing"

About: St John's Hospital / General Surgery

(as the patient),

My daughter was pushing me, in a wheelchair across the crossing, left hand side, of the main hospital entrance, at the kerb, on the far side, I almost shot out of the chair. Clearly the kerb is not low enough. My daughter tried reversing the wheelchair, only to find the same result. I could walk a short distance to the disabled parking area, which I did.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Melanie Johnson, Executive Nurse Director, NHS Lothian 8 years ago
Melanie Johnson
Executive Nurse Director,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 10/07/2015 at 13:24
Published on Care Opinion at 14:57

Hello

Thank you for taking the time to raise this issue.

Please accept my apology for the difficulty and discomfort this caused you. I will look into this and see what can be done. I will reply again next week.

Melanie

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Melanie Johnson, Executive Nurse Director, NHS Lothian 8 years ago
Melanie Johnson
Executive Nurse Director,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 23/07/2015 at 10:47
Published on Care Opinion at 11:55

Hello Again

I have been in touch with our Estates Department and they have had a look at the pathway and kerb you describe. I am advised that the pathway was in good order, the kerb drop is 10mm and there have been no other complaints or incidents reported. The cost to level the drop is about £3000 and at the moment other issues take priority for funding.

However I appreciate this does not mean pushing someone in a wheel chair will always be easy so I will keep this under review. Thank you again for taking the time to share your comments and again I am sorry for your discomfort.

Melanie

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by sandyspud47 (the patient)

Cost to correct this problem should be under £1000. Estates should not be seen as the sole arbitrator but quotes with detailed scope of works should be open to individual private contractors also, to make the issue competItive, and priorities should not allow safety or Disabled Access laws to be ignored. Regardless of what Melanie Johnson says this is a matter best investigated by the Health and Safety Executive and West Lothian Council's commitment to Disabled Discrimination and Equalities Acts in coordination with Lothian Health Board.

I was discharged from St John's Hospital this afternoon and I am not impressed by the lack of commitment on this issue.

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k