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Original poster

Do people really pay that much?

74 replies

imjustsoworried · 13/09/2021 22:31

DP bitten by dog. Phoned 111 and they'd like us to go in but won't provide transport (fair enough, we all know how swamped ambulances are at the mo). Problem is they also advised DP doesn't drive and I can't drive. Taxis are £45 one way (35 mins away to the hospital), £90 there and back.

Do people really pay this?! Do people just have £90 floating around spare? Slightly gobsmacked as to how we're meant to sort this tbh!

OP posts:

Tanfastic · 13/09/2021 23:12

Yes my finger was hanging by a tiny flap of skin and a broken bone so very severe. You partner's doesn't sound on this level tbh but I'd still get it looked at tomorrow at the latest.

InnPain · 13/09/2021 23:21

@imjustsoworried It is a lot of money so can understand your hesitance, hope your partner gets well soon but definitely put emergency cash aside in case it’s a lot more serious and getting a taxi is the only option.

Kite22 · 13/09/2021 23:27

The ambulance service is for people who need urgent medical care quickly, not to ferry around people who can’t drive.

Absolutely.

It is an unfortunate set of circumstances that you have a broken knee and then your dp has been injured during the time you can't drive.
However, choosing to live rurally has it's advantages and also it's disadvantages.
Like a pp, I would be willing to help even neighbours I don't know well in this kind of one off, unforeseen emergency, but if you aren't willing to ask, then you have to suck up the cost.

DoncasterHombre · 13/09/2021 23:41

You are now country folk and therefore must think like country folk.

Saddle up the pooch and have DP ride them to the hospital whilst you slowly lead the way with either a candle or shepherds crook. If you can all wear tea towels on your head - including the dog - that would be for the best too please. Also, a dog shaming sign hung around her neck saying "This is all my fault" is optional.

I hope you get it sorted and your DP recovers soon.

Viviennemary · 13/09/2021 23:45

You need to get a lift from a relative or friend. Or go by public transport. Or get a taxi.

W1nner250Day · 14/09/2021 00:02

One thing that you should never scrimp money on is Your HEALTH

Should go for treatment if the skin is broken

Derbee · 14/09/2021 00:04

I’ve never heard anything as ridiculous as not driving yourself because you might have concussion from a dog bite. Seriously. Your partner either needs medical attention now, in which case you have a car. Or call the GP tomorrow. 111 was silly enough to call, never mind anything else

Blueroses99 · 14/09/2021 00:14

Could it be that 111 said your DP shouldn’t drive in case the treatment means that she won’t be in a fit state to drive back? Eg anaesthetics.

I wouldn’t wait personally, after a bite I’d want to get treatment ASAP.

Hillary17 · 14/09/2021 00:23

Ended up in hospital a few years ago - we’re rural too and when I was released it was 4am. Husband was out of the country and my elderly mother in law who is nearby was obviously asleep. Taxi cost me £130 home. Nearly ended up back in hospital when I realised the price.

LynetteScavo · 14/09/2021 00:38

Most people don't pay that much for a taxi because most people don't live rurally and not drive. I'm surrounded my neighbours who would take me to hospital if necessary, and have friends and family close by. Having said that the closest A&E is 15 miles away, so I do feel for people who can't drive and have no one to take them if necessary. I think in that case the go to the 24 hour walk in and are transferred by ambulance if necessary. It's a stupid system.

HJ91 · 14/09/2021 00:45

Hope everything gets sorted and your DP is all fine! It does just sound like one of those situations you haven’t had a chance to plan for yet - and at least you’ll have an emergency plan next time!

I noticed some assumptions that OP’s DP is male (including after OP mentioned she’s female). Would be lovely not to assume male partner as standard- I get this a lot as a gay woman. It’s harmless and unintentional but can be a bit awkward in real life!

Makinganewthinghappen · 14/09/2021 02:39

Neither dh or i can drive - we both have medical conditions that mean we can’t.

Tbh we spend a lot on taxis to appointments etc. We dont live rurally but for whatever reason (!) there is one main hospital
In our area now and it serves a wise region so we end up travelling. Not to mention the appointments at “hubs” at centres even further away!

To go to a and e in a taxi would cost me about £20 each way - not as bad as you but as i sat we dont live rurally at all.

On a couple of occassions in my life i hacs asked family for a lift to a and e because either me or the child i have taken has been too unwell for a taxi but not unwell enough for an ambulance - but tbh i hate asking people for lifts (mainly from reading on here how annoying it is and how cheeky!) so i very rarely do even when probably i should have just asked for help!!

I would just pay it and go if you can. Its a general cost of living.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 14/09/2021 05:06

I can't drive, as a one off then yes I'd pay for a taxi if necessary, I know my mum who lives local would always drive me if I needed to get to hospital urgently though. A taxi wouldn't cost me £40 and I'd probably get the bus back once I'd been seen to, if I felt OK.

I don't live rurally at all, the nearest hospital is about a 25 minute drive.

Briony123 · 14/09/2021 07:09

In lots of countries, not only would you be walking or paying to reach the hospital, you would also be paying at the hospital for the treatment. If the bite isn't bad enough for you to be leaping in a taxi then is it bad enough to be using tax payer money to treat it? If you had to pay £100s for the treatment, would you?

Purplewithred · 14/09/2021 07:37

@DoncasterHombre 🤣🤣🤣

111 are very risk averse. Good luck with the GP today.

CandyLeBonBon · 14/09/2021 09:02

Also, a dog shaming sign hung around her neck saying "This is all my fault" is optional.

Which must be posted immediately on all social media channels as an internet meme

Original poster

imjustsoworried · 14/09/2021 09:32

@Waxonwaxoff0

I don't live rurally at all, the nearest hospital is about a 25 minute drive.

Honestly the amount of times I was on the phone last night...

Me: 'Oh my partner has been bitten by our dog'
Call handler: 'Can you describe his symptoms please?'
Me: 'Yes, er... she is blah blah blah'

DP and I are used to it, at least it gave us something to laugh about last night

DP looks and feels fine this morning. Bruising and swelling completely gone. It just looks like a wee cut now but as it's a dog bite the GP are taking it seriously which is fair enough.

To all those saying I wanted to waste an ambulance, did you ever think to read the full thread or were you just up late and grumpy?

OP posts:

Original poster

imjustsoworried · 14/09/2021 09:34

@CandyLeBonBon

Also, a dog shaming sign hung around her neck saying "This is all my fault" is optional.

Which must be posted immediately on all social media channels as an internet meme

Ha - this is excellent! Poor dog. We've only had her a few months and she's the most scared rescue I've ever met. She's doing much better now but noises still really spook her. DP is convinced she knows she hurt her because she was apparently 'very very sad' when DP was crying and holding her face - not sure if DP's just projecting though

OP posts:

DixiePeach · 14/09/2021 09:54

If the skin has been broken then surely it needs a proper clean and antibiotics.

(There was a post on here a couple of years ago from a lady warning everyone her dog had bitten her arm nothing major but she ignored it just wiped. A few days later it was hot and swollen long story short she lost her arm!)

CandyLeBonBon · 14/09/2021 16:15

Awww @imjustsoworried I know that look! I hope dp gets better soon. Dog bits can be nasty but best of luck. Hope you and dp on a better track these days too

RampantIvy · 14/09/2021 16:29

Thanks for the update. Wishing you both a speedy recovery.

Boobieboobieboobie · 14/09/2021 16:31

Did you not factor this into living there? you can’t honestly expect an ambulance for a non emergency. Post of fb, see if a lind soul can help.

Boobieboobieboobie · 14/09/2021 16:33

Ignore most of that, totally not your fault.

Krustykrabpizza · 14/09/2021 16:38

No I don't think many people do pay that because it is quite an unusual situation!

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