I have just read on the local news website that the mental health out patient clinic, The Willows ,in Sleaford is moving to The Point on the outskirts of Sleaford.
Do management in the Trust realise that there are only two buses a day that go out there - one arriving at 11.56 and one arriving at 17.05. No buses go back into town at all. I believe The Point is far too far out to expect people to walk there and a lot of people can't afford taxis. My wife will be left with no way of attending her appointments as she can't drive and certainly can't afford a taxi.
In my opinion this is making mental health care in Sleaford available only to people who can drive or are well enough off to pay a taxi fare.
I have phoned twice now to discuss this problem with staff at the Trust but I don't feel anyone is interested in the problems this will cause and I was told my wife would just have to walk. If she missed appointments she would be discharged.
I am also disappointed that this does not seem to have been discussed with service users and it might have been nice if you could have told us instead of us having to read about it on the internet.
Healthcare is supposed to be available to everyone - moving a health centre to a position where there is virtually no public transport to get patients there is, in my opinion, excluding alot of people from getting the care they are entitled to.
"Clinic move making attendance difficult"
About: Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust / Adult mental health Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Adult mental health Lincoln LN4 2HN
Posted by tod (as ),
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Update posted by tod (a relative) 12 years ago
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