Advice on getting to hospital urgently when transport is unavailable

[Donemum]

advice not begging

Does anyone know if there is a free service for taxi lifts to the hospital? Im currently going through cancer treatment and ive got an infection. Hospital are wanting me up asap but cant get me hospital transport as its Sunday and i cant get a bus direct there. I dont get paid til tomorrow and im just at a loss of what to do. Ive called my local taxi office but they're unable to help.

Thanks in advance any advice would be appreciated

Who contacted you on a Sunday to tell you to go to hospital? I’m assuming that you told them you would be unable to get there?

Can't hospital call an ambulance for you if they are wanting you asap?

Neighbours? Or Uber is cheaper than a taxi firm if you have any money in your account at all to get there.

A friend or neighbour? Sorry, I’m sure you e considered that. The free hospital transport I know of needs booking in advance. Hope you get it sorted OP

There are community volunteers who drive people to hospitals.
Google or ask on local Facebook if there's anyone available in your area.

They could, but it won't be fast will it. Probably be tomorrow anyway and then the OP can get a bus.

The hospital called me earlier this afternoon. Ive been on antibiotics for a week but it still hasn't cleared. And yes I told them I was unable to come but they've advised me to come up as im going to need more antibiotics

Thanks everyone. And ambulance can be called for me but will be on a low priority iykwim but obviously if that's my only option ill do that. Unfortunately I've no family and ive only just moved to my area so dont know neighbours well enough to ask

If there’s a neighbour you’ve ever nodded to, knock and ask. Most people will help in an emergency.

I would ask on Facebook if there is a local volunteer service. In my area there is a food bank group who also have a couple of hospital volunteers for people who can’t afford to get taxis.

Ill do that thank you

Our local hospitals and ambulance service send taxis

Some places have a volunteer scheme.

otherwise not that I am aware of

Good luck. Local Facebook groups are very useful.

I hope you feel better soon 💐

Where are you?

Im in Scotland near Glasgow

Give us an idea where you are – I know I would want to help somebody in this situation. I’m sure others would.

Thank you

Do you need to attend in person or can they get the antibiotics for someone else to collect? You could then ask on local social media for anyone working at the hospital who could drop them off for you.

Id take a new neighbour if they asked. Also post on your local area FB group

It's looking likely that ill require iv antibiotics they said as i asked if I could just go to gp tomorrow but they said no the7 want to see me.

The ward or department that calked you should be able to send a taxi on the hospitals account - can you give them a call and ask ?

Aye, we would. If we couldn't take a neighbour ourselves right then, we'd give them the money for a taxi.

I'm presuming you need to get into Glasgow, @Donemum - or is it a closer hospital to pick up antibiotics once they've seen you?

I'd ring them back and tell them that you have no way of getting there. When my son was going through cancer treatment a few years ago, they no longer had official patient transport but they did call taxis for those who had no other way of getting there or those who would otherwise be going on public transport when they are medically vulnerable such as cancer patients.

If all else fails, definitely ask neighbours/local facebook groups.

Might be worth trying neighbours even if you don't know them. I took a random woman to hospital when she knocked on my door in desperation, apparently she lived down the street but I'd never met her before. Her mother had just been rushed in, she was very upset and I was happy to help.