Taxi to A&E

[PartyPie]

I'm 7 months pregnant and this evening I fell down the stairs, I hit my head quite hard and I've hurt my right leg and shoulder. My partner is working abroad this week so I'm home alone.
I didn't feel it was urgent enough to call an ambulance, so I called a taxi and asked them take me to A&E. When the taxi driver arrived they completely refused to take me!! AIBU to think that they should have taken me?

Glad you have rang 111

They do sonetimes recommend anti-d after a fall or a blow to the abdomen in case there s any damage to rhe placenta

I work for 111 and the new head injury pathway states if you cannot get to a&e other than public transport by yourself an ambulance must be called

Just to second that if you are rhesus neg they will probably want to give you anti D. I am and had a minor bump in the car when five months pregnant, I didn't even have a big knock to the stomach but as I bumped into the steering wheel they wanted to be cautious so gave me it. I would think if you are Rh neg then they would want you to have anti d after a fall like that.

Because you're alone it's massively important you get seen as you've hurt your head.

Not to alarm you as it's fairly unlikely, but I know someone that did something similar, fell off a ladder, felt pretty ok and left it to tragic consequences.

If you hit your head quite hard and are pregnant, ring an ambulance.

A 3rd vote that if you are RhNeg you must be seen tonight as will almost certainly be given antiD for the fall. You want any blood mixing to be ‘neutralised’ before you raise antiD antibodies that can cause serious problems for future

Ambulance on its way..

I hope it's just a quick check by a&e and on your way type thing, definitely the right thing to do though. Let us know how you are.

Good luck op. Hope you're ok .

Thank you. I hope the taxi that I'll have to take later from the hospital back home won't refuse to take me

Hope all is ok x
It's late so they may admit you until certain specialities are on shift in the Morning, if you are able maybe pack a small overnight bag, grab your notes and phone charger, snacks, bottle of water etc.

Hope you're okay OP. Glad you are getting seen to x

The NHS use taxis often to transport people to hospital. They have accounts set up with taxi companies all over the country. There is no legal or insurance issue regarding the transportation of a person to A&E.

You should have called the company back and asked them to send you a taxi driver that wanted to earn his living.

Should I report the taxi driver to the company? Should I report the company?

and thanks for your well wishes

I'm sure it's just precautionary OP. Best of luck.

To the poster who works for 111, are you saying that if a person has a head injury the choices are public transport or an ambulance? Why no taxi? Surely if you collapse on public transport you are at more risk than if you have a funny turn in a taxi on route to hospital?

I once had a taxi driver who was very unhappy about taking me to the GP. I think he was trying to find out if I was infectious or something, like I'd want to share the reason for my medical appointment.

I also think you should call another taxi firm and say that you need to visit a relative.

I second newtothisriver I work for an ambulance service and we use taxis to transport patients who don’t require an emergency ambulance, I’d certainly contact the taxi firm and make a complaint. Glad that you are now (hopefully) on your way to hospital, best wishes to you

crunchy

I think PP means if they can only get there by public transport then it’s ambulance. Taxi or car etc is fine.

Good luck OP, let us know you’re okay x

Thank you, I will let you know. Though I'm sure it's all a fuss over nothing! Currently sat waiting for them and feeling a bit stupid for falling down the stairs in the first place!

I was also rhesus negative when pregnant and was told that any knocks or bumps (mainly to the stomach area) I had to go in immediately. I know that you havent said you knocked your tummy, but the fact that your body has been quite shaken about would probably still give them reason to monitor you and check that any blood hasnt crossed over. (and if it had, you would be given another anti d injection there and then). you may not be rhesus negative, but it is helpful info for anyone else reading.

Slightly outing but when 7 months pregnant I slipped & ending up doing the splits. Contractions started pretty much straight away. Was kept in for 48hoyrs but dc ended up being overdue.

Good luck!!

I'm not rhesus negative but that's definitely great to know for anyone else who might be.

IPromise ouch that sounds painful!!