Can't book taxi as I don't work for NHS -ridiculous?

[boxoftticks]

My grandad is house bound and is 96.
I'm looking after him with no help from outside carers at the minute.
He needs able getting dressed /feeding and meals.
I live 15 min drive away (1hr 10 if I walk )
I've tried to book my Christmas Day taxis (morning to dress him ,feed him etc -then evening for medication)
They said unless I work for NHS and can prove it I can't book a taxi -I have to ring up on the day 10 mins before I need it and they will see if they have any-but can't guarantee anything will be available.
I honestly am so stressed about it,if I'm not there on time he will try and get up and could possibly fall.
I have 2 young children so unfortunately don't have the option to stay at his house (1 bed )
I would normally get the bus and that's fine but nothing Christmas Day.
I explained to the taxi firm and basically they said tough.
Aibu to think it's ridiculous?
The other taxi firm are fully booked apparently since October.

*he needs help

Can he stay at yours?

That is awful! Is there no one who could drive you then? Aunts, uncles, siblings? Friends? Obviously it's a big ask on Christmas day for friends but family?

that is ridiculous.

Can he stay with you?

If that's their policy, that's their policy. Drivers don't have to work on Xmas day. They've chosen to prioritise NHS staff that day and that's their prerogative.

In my area there are zero drivers working Xmas day even for NHS staff.

Can you put something out on your local Facebook or community group page? Maybe you need to look at paid carers as well (albeit won't be much help in time for this).

So you spend an hour day paying for their taxi service? I'd be using a different taxi from now on too.

I suppose few taxi drivers want to work on Christmas Day, so the taxi company tries to prioritise the greatest need? Most people would think that NHS staff are a priority, and it would be all too easy for other people to claim to be a carer for the day

I hope you have a friend or family member who can give you a lift

He can't no
He has his own special bed which lifts him up and down plus he has the early stages of dementia so like his creature comforts and familiarity
Any change to his routine and he has a bad day
I've just booked a Uber (well pre booked )
I hope they don't let me down

I've used Uber on Christmas Day before with no pr

...problem.
I also recently used the Uber booking service and it was fine so you should be ok with that.

In extremis could you cycle (assuming someone else is looking after the kids)? Agree local Facebook group is a good idea.

Each taxi is going to be around £40 each way so they would be getting £160 in fares for a 10 min ish journey
I use this taxi firm regularly on bad weather days or hospital appointments
It's really put me off
Obviously I understand getting nurses /doctors to work is important but they should be able to book other fares
Assuming they know what drivers are working what shifts
It's a massive firm with over 250 taxis so we aren't talking just a backstreet firm either

Try asking for help on a community page? I would genuinely help someone in my local area.

It is shit for carers but I guess they don’t have to put on taxis on Christmas Day. I’m glad that you managed to book an Uber (I hope that it turns up!).

I think that it comes down to money, they’ll have contracts with the nhs. I know that our NHS trust has a preferred taxi company and I would think that they make a good amount of money from them. I’ve been picked up once by taxi after breaking down and my trust organised and paid for a taxi to get me to my shift but it’s mostly agency nurses that use them.

I would call in favours from friends and family and see if anyone can give you a lift for either care call. Is there anyone else that can help you get there? if you were unwell, God forbid, then someone else would have to step up to provide care for your elderly grandad. I know getting care providers in isn't going to be an option this year, there just aren't the resources available.

Honestly I’d drive a stranger from my village on Xmas day to do this 8f they were stuck. Definitely ask on fb.

Taxi company’s don’t know what drivers work what shifts. Most are self employed and work what hours they choose so can never guarantee who will be available and when. My husband is a taxi driver and doesn’t work Xmas day and usually works mon-fri 6.30- 4.30 so no weekends or late nights. It’s his choice and works for our family. If we need extra money he might go out a Saturday afternoon but not Saturday nights as too much hassle from drunks. I understand it is difficult but they don’t have shift rotas or cover at busy times like other types of businesses.

A local community page is a good idea. I’m on one called Nextdoor, if anyone posted this request I’d help as I don’t drink and am already ferrying guests around.

Can you say roughly which area you're in. If you're local to me, I'll take you to your grandad

Strange to have two companies plus uber! But if they are already booked up or nearly then I understand them prioritising nhs ..anyone could tell them they had an elderly relative tbf.

You pay a premium to pre-book because it means that driver might have to turn down other fares. A journey now might be £15. If I booked it for just 1hours time uber are quoting 25....same journey on Xmas day £40!

But where I live most taxi drivers don't celebrate Xmas so have never had a problem getting a cab right away.

I live in the town called Chesterfield, North Derbyshire. If you’re close by I’d happily help you, 🤗

Local Facebook or community page. If you were in my village there would be a queue of people fighting to give you a lift.

Agree try your local community page or neighbours' WhatsApp.

I was about to also ask where you roughly live OP- just the town/city or area and if I’m close enough I’ll take you to your grandad

Cycle or ask for help here or on Facebook.