Getting To Medical Appointments

[Ringlet]

Medical services are now increasingly centralised, and here in Northern Ireland we have to travel some distance to keep appointments for medical investigations and interventions.

I am wondering how other people cope with this. I have one daughter who works full time, and I myself have several medical conditions that need appointments at various hospitals at some distance from where I live.

My daughter is not always able to take a day off work, and it is unfair to expect her to do so. Taxis are so expensive, and my medical condition prevents me from travelling alone on public transport.

How am I supposed to get to the appointments that are arranged for me.

Can anyone suggest a solution?

I am missing out on healthcare that I need because I can't attend appointments,.

[Buenchico]

Most hospitals have voluntary groups associated with them that provide transport to and from patients homes at rates lower than taxis charge. (I've used such a service here in Suffolk). Getting contact details for such organisations can sometimes be rather tricky though, as they're often hard to find through web searches. One often needs to enquire at the relevant hospital, to contact the PALS team there or to seek out the 'Friends of the Hospital' charity (if one exists) and ask them.

Some people on low incomes qualify for assistance with travel costs to and from hospitals (as well as to/from dentists and opticians):
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/hospital-travel-costs-scheme

[Buenchico]

If your doctor will certify that you're unable to use public transport, you might well be eligible to make use of the NIAS Patient Transport Service:
https://nias.hscni.net/services/patient-transport-service/

[jourdain2]

An ex-teacher I knew added to his pension by becoming a hospital driver ferrying patients to and fro a couple of days a week. There must be some sort of service available if you ask.

[Moorea7]

Royal Voluntary Service provides transport for hospital appts. etc.
There is a charge for this.

[youngmafbog]

My daughter had to travel 100 miles every two weeks so her (newborn) son with PRS could receive treatment. 18 months on still has to go but since his op its getting less frequent.

Luckily she is not strapped for cash, has a car and has a job she can work round the appointments as that is not cheap but one has to wonder how some people would get there.

[gingejbee]

As an aside, I have a relative living in Isle of Man who is required to go to Liverpool for a medical procedure (not available on the Isle)...his return flight is paid by NHS.

[Buenchico]

Re Moorea7's post above:
Although the RVS theoretically operates in Northern Ireland, a search om their website for services within a 50-mile radius of Belfast found absolutely noting at all. (It seems to be much the same here in Suffolk too). Sorry!

[MargoTester]

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/going-into-hospital/how-to-organise-transport-to-and-from-hospital/
This may be available in your area - scroll down

[Moorea7]

Apologies re my previous post - I do drive for RVS on the odd occasion and imagined that in Belfast, at least, there would be an office. The Red Cross also offers transport and do have offices in Belfast. Your Health Centre should be aware of such facilities and be able to give you telephone numbers, etc.

[Buenchico]

The Red Cross phone number for Belfast appears to be 028 9073 5350. However that's for their training centre, so they might not be able to assist with transport enquiries. (It could still be worth a try though, as they might be able to suggest who to contact).

The Disability Action Transport Scheme operates in and around large towns in Northern Ireland, helping people who're unable to use public transport to get to medical appointments (as well as for social, shopping or work-related travel). They charge just £2.50 each way:
https://www.disabilityaction.org/transport