No solution......

[MoonlightMcKenzie]

My 22month has a hearing test next week. Due to the centralising of services we will have to go to the fourth closest hospital. I have a bf newborn. I do not drive and DH is out of the country.

It is 3 buses away plus 2 20 min walks according to travel sites. However, the county buses make you fold your single buggy - I have a double.
The closest 2 hospitals have shuttle buses for a fee, but this one doesn't.

If I got a cab, it would cost a fortune, but, in any case I'b be stranded at the hospital entrance with 2 kids, 2 car seats, changing stuff for two and a double buggy.

So, how do you cross the river with a chicken a farmer and a fox?

No, I wouldn't want to leave a newborn all day either if at all poss - and would prob only leave with my mum in any case (she lives 200 miles away so not exactly practical).

Don't think bf is the issue...

thisworriesme This is the only problem I have encountered. I grew up in London (where public transport is often quicker than driving). Even where I live now the London night bus goes, - so pretty much anything is within reach on a wide double-decker with ramps and I love walking everywhere. It's good for me and good for the kids.

But, this hospital thing is tricky!

Yes, I'm planning to learn, but now isn't the time, - as in, I don't have any! But some people just can't for one reason or another.

thisisyesterday That's interesting, - I didn't know that!

I'm just interested because I only learned to drive very recently when I was expecting DS.

Stupid hospital, must cause problems for loads of people.

MM - I have a driving licence but DH needs the car for work during the week, so in same situation public transport wise.

OK - so tisn't about bfing, - tis about hospital centralisation and politics!

OK - so tisn't about bfing, - tis about hospital centralisation and politics!

rhinestone. - you could HIRE a car, - so I suppose tis possible for you. Then again I could hire a chauffer!?

you should def complain though. when we had ds2's tongue tie snipped we have to drive to a hospital over an hour away.
the woman doing it was very surprised at how far we'd come and told us to complain to the PCT, because it's such a straightforward procedure and ought to be able to be carried out anywhere.

as is a hearing test.

damn nhs

but then, - I may as well cancel the appointment and book a private one if I had money to burn......

Oh I think I'd prefer the chauffeur option too

Hospitals have to provide transport for people who can't use public transport - although they keep trying to reduce the service.

Can you google PALS and the hospital and phone them and find out how to book hospital transport?

Have to admit that centralising services helps gets rid of some of the unsupervised twonks in small hospitals who used to do hearing tests and would tell me I was either normal and didn't need fancy hearing aids, or profoundly deaf and they couldn't help me. (no, dear, it's called a cookie-bite hearing loss...)