Help with travel to hospital appointments

[KatieJane85]

Hi all,
My Nan has an appointment at Barts hospital in London soon, but it's about a 30 mile drive. We can't get the train due to logistics and don't want to drive ourselves due to parking etc.
So we're planning on getting a taxi each way but it'll be very expensive. Does anyone know of any travel assistance or funding that can help with trips like this?
Thank you,

Katie

[richard]

Hi Katie

I have a number of suggestions:-

• contact your local MNDA branch for help. If you don’t know where they are contact the main office on this site
• contact you Nans GP as they may have details of local support services
• and finally contact the hospital they usually have a pick up service

Regards

Richard

[matthew55]

Since my diagnosis I have been given taxis by my Hospitals Trust. It is worth talking to them. 🙂x

[MNDConnect]

Hi Katie

The Royal Voluntary Service runs a volunteer car scheme in many areas where a volunteer will pick someone up and drive them to their hospital appointments. You can find more information about this scheme on their website here https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.or...nity-transport

We do have a Quality of Life grant which can be used to pay for taxis. You would need to complete one of our application forms and provide a written breakdown of the cost of the taxis. You can download an application form on our website here https://www.mndassociation.org/suppo...ople-with-mnd/

Best Wishes

Rachel
MND Connect Adviser

[Suefromwakey]

Hi Katie Jane, not from your neck of the woods but I think "Patient Transport" is readily available across the country, we now have to use this service as Albert wont ever get in a car again.

Top tip!! - if you want someone to travel with you have to say "Medical Assistance is required" (this could be toileting) as at the moment carers cannot travel - negatives: you have to be ready 2 hours before appointment time, and it can take up to 1.5 hours to get them to collect.

Have to plan 2 working days ahead of any appointment. You will need your Nans unique NHS number - will be on any letter.

Albert feels safer as the last time we tried it on our own he fell between his scooter and the car - that took responders 2 hours to get him up and it was their suggestion moving forward we use the transport.

Hope this helps

[Suefromwakey]

For all you power chair users - next time we have to go to hospital in the Patient transport vehicle can Albert use his power Chair?

[Deb]

Hi Sue,

We don't use hospital transport but I have seen people in powerchairs waiting for transport after the clinic at Seacroft. They ask if we need transport as we leave. Hopefully Albert will feel safer in a WAV in his powerchair.. I know I do as I had some very dodgy transfers before.

Love Debbie x