Nhs

[fbg40]

Here's one for the melting pot :
I live near Heathrow. Last Sunday, my opposite neighbour's wife (83) had a heart attack, the ambulance arrived, she was assessed and the crew decided to take her to Hammersmith Hospital, DuCane Road, as they had better facilities to care for her.Sadly she died during Sunday afternoon.The husband was then charged £50 for transporting her back to our locality. You can get absolutely plastered, fall down in the street, be treated by paramedics, and more than likely spend a night in hospital - all for nothing. Where's the justice ??
FBG40

[McMouse]

During the past 6 months I have been admitted to hospital on numerous occasions and attended out-patients clinics on a weekly basis. My NHS treatment has been free and first class. However the cost of travel and parking has been at least £400……..I have no complaints.

[ummmm]

That's great McMouse but what if you couldn't afford the £400?

[McMouse]

ummmm, I could request hospital transport if I was broke.

[Baldric]

Naomi, sounds about right, I was in a 6 bed ward, as each of us was approaching time to leave we got a visit from a clipboard toting employee of the trust (can't remember title) double checking domestic situations, addresses etc and informing us they would be arranging to get us there.

[bednobs]

FBG, why would the paramedics be bringing a dead body back? I think you have misunderstood and this charge was levied by the undertakers

[boxtops]

I can only assume that bednobs' assumption is correct - I've never heard of ambulances carrying the deceased back (presumbly to an undertakers)?

[fbg40]

Thanks for all the responses. If it were the undertakers, surely they could have included it in the funeral costs rather than insist on payment there and then. Did the family in attendance have a phone number for the undertakers - I shouldn't think so. Whoever decided on the charge, whether right or wrong, could have shown a bit more sensitivity.The man had just lost his wife of 54 years !
FBG40