My sister, who is 90 and very disabled, has twice been let down by transport problems at St George's The first time was when she had to take the last ambulance back to Old Coulsdon before a biopsy could be taken. In fairness that was the clinic running late, but surely some means could have been found to get her home after a necessary biopsy?
Last Friday she was going back to the dermatology clinic following a successful biopsy on both legs to see what could be done to remove the lesions. She was up and waiting in her sheltered home at 7 a. m as instructed for an appointment around 11. 15, but the transport did not arrive.
She phoned the number and was assured it was on it's way, so when it got to noon she rang the hospital to explain why she had missed her appointment and was given another for July.
She is now sitting in her flat swathed in bandages, which need changing and unable to get help because it is now a Bank Holiday weekend. She will have to ring her doctor between 8 and 9 on Tuesday to make an appointment to get her legs dressed and is very upset by all the letdowns. Surely she should not be placed at the back of the queue at St George's again?
It is very hard on elderly patients, who by and large are not prone to complaint, but I am doing it on her behalf because I feel so strongly about it
"failure of transport to arrive at all."
About: London Ambulance Service NHS Trust London Ambulance Service NHS Trust London SE1 8SD St George's Hospital (Tooting) / Dermatology St George's Hospital (Tooting) Dermatology SW17 0QT
Posted by Bunch (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from St George's Hospital (Tooting)