Mynxie

Yesterday I had the first of a series of pain management appointments. (Not at a hospital location though.) Every Monday/Tuesday for 6 weeks.



NHS had booked me a taxi. I thought "score, I don't have to pay for it!" Now, I don't usually do taxis, traveling is one of the things that angers my RSD.

Anyway, 9.30 the taxi turns up - they sent one that I couldn't get in. "ooh, these ones are for manual wheelchairs, can't take an electric one - you can strap it down! We'll get a one you can get into here, in 15 minutes."

30 minutes later the taxi turns up. I confirmed that it would be this taxi for the rest of the 6 weeks, both to and fro....so imagine my surprise when a saloon car shows up! One of the doctors does a rant on my behalf. "a new one will be here in 15 minutes." the taxi driver informs us.

Now, because the NHS are responsible for me until I get into the taxi that they booked for me, for legality purposes, someone has to stay with me until the taxi shows up. 15 minutes isn't that bad, so I don't moan.

20 minutes later and still no taxis. The doctor who has to stay with me (and effectively babysit me!) calls the taxi firm. "another 15 minutes" they tell her.

Within the next half hour myself and her call the firm numerous times. By now, I've been waiting for an hour. and a taxi turns up......but it's the same kind as the first one was that came in the morning. I kinda tell the taxi driver that his firm has had me waiting for an hour, I'm disabled (boy I hate that word!) and consequently I'm a vulnerable person and they have left me stranded through the incompetency of the control room. "I apologise on behalf of the really crappy company that I work for" he says. (word for word! haha)

"5 minutes" they say when the doctor calls.

Another several calls to the taxi firm later and the right taxi finally turns up!

So, all in all, yesterday taxis had me waiting for 2 hours!!! And a doctor got an hour and a half overtime in.....for talking about shoes and stationary with me!

Linzi

Thats terrible! I used to work for Age Concern and a lot of the older people used to tell us about problems they'd had with trasport to hospital arranged by the NHS.

They do sometimes make you wonder what we pay tax for!

Hopefully it'll be better next time!

xxx

Vickie

Hope they do better next time

@ the doctor's overtime

leeanne

MrTashaAndBum

TashaAndBump and I (with Anna) have to time our buses at every two hours so that we can get into town and do what we want... blooming First Buses.... which reminds me - must go hassle them.

I'd offer sympathy but yer a cripple too and frankly, who said you deserve a blooming taxi?! Hahahahah!

A (slightly wet) MrTashaAndBum....

Mynxie

surprisingly it wasn't the NHS' fault but the taxi firms! lol

MrTashaAndBum

no - it's your fault for being a crip... good grief lass! Couldn't you have any consideration for the poor cabbies who shelled out £30k+ for a wheelchair cab that can't take yer glorified dalak-ness about town?! hahahahha!

In case you couldn't tell, I was being sarcastic!

Mynxie

you know, I think you're right

How damn inconsiderate of me hahaha

MrTashaAndBum

glad we got that sorted... now - do you ever grab a walking stick, put it to yer for'ed and yell "exterminate"?

Mynxie

hahaha now that could be interesting going around town like that...I wonder if people would stop jumping infront of me then? hmmm lol

Mind you, when I have my bright green shoes on, they tend to give me a wide berth lol