MP on hospital fact finding mission (From Worcester News)

MP on hospital fact finding mission

4:56pm Friday 31st August 2007 in

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PATIENTS have been urged to tell their MP about their hospital travel problems as part of a fact-finding drive.

Peter Luff wants to hear from patients about their journeys to and from Worcester, Redditch and Kidderminster hospitals.

However, a spokesman for the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said it provided better transport than many other hospital trusts.

Mr Luff has written to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust asking for an account of its plans to ensure patients have reasonable access to the three hospitals.

Peter Luff, MP for Mid Worcestershire, has taken the step after complaints from his constituents in Droitwich and Evesham.

He said: "When the new hospital was built on the outskirts of Worcester, replacing the old city centre Royal Infirmary, and when important services were transferred to Redditch and Kidderminster, we were told arrangements would be made to ensure ease of public transport to all three locations.

"It seems the NHS has gone back on its word and, slowly but surely, it's getting more and more difficult to get to all three sites by bus. There are no through services from Droitwich or Evesham, for example. Increasingly, people have to change in Worcester city centre, rather than being able to make through journeys."

Brian Hunt of the Worcestershire Pensioner's Action Group, said the problem was often not with the transport options available but the lack of information about them.

He added: "The biggest criticism is that people don't know about how to get it. There's an absolute lack of information. It's difficult for the trust to make any improvements because of money situation - they are strapped for cash."

The trust launched a consultation on the hospital travel scheme in February on how patients can have the cost of travel to outpatient's clinic refunded to get their cash back more easily.

A hospital travel scheme to give patients financial help to get to and from hospitals was set up nationwide in 1988 by the Department of Health.

Patients in receipt of income support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and with a certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme can reclaim their money from health centres and GP surgeries.

A spokesman for the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said it offered a non-emergency patient transport service together with the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

The service provides both ambulances and hospital cars.

Ambulances are only used if the patient meets specific criteria - they must be undergoing chemotherapy, radio therapy, renal dialysis or need continuous oxygen or intravenous support.

Hospital cars are provided free of charge by the acute hospitals trust if patients are unable to stand or walk and not all trusts provide this service.

Royal Rides also transports patients from their GPs in Droitwich and Ombersley to and from Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Mr Luff is asking constituents to write to write to him at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA with their views.