Taking my neighbour to hospital

[abstractzebra]

My neighbour in her eighties has an appointment tomorrow.
So far, one of her children had arranged to take her but the appointment has been changed so now can't do it and another elderly relative has pulled out because of the risk to themselves (I agree).
My neighbour has cancer, so needs a scan tomorrow and her operation is in the few days. She's only just really found out, so given the timescale, it seems it's extremely urgent.
She phoned me last night upset that she had no one to take her so I have said that I will.
I am only dropping her off at the door and then she is going to try and arrange patient transport back. I've no idea how easy that will be.
Am I doing the right thing? I feel that I shouldn't be willingly mixing with a vulnerable person but at the same time, I can't leave her and not help.
I have absolutely no symptoms and have been keeping to the social distancing rules.

I wouldn't assume that there was capacity for community/ social services support. My mum is already in the system as she has quite advanced dementia but lives at home alone with SS carers visiting 4+ times a day - in fact we were looking for a home for her prior to all this kicking off.
She cannot feed or dress herself and will not drink without supervision yet her carer visits were cut without notice so for 2 days she only got 1 meal a day because they simply didn't have the staff due to staff SI.they haven't had been able to resume proper service and now just come to administer her meds. Thankfully a wonderful family friend was able to step in and ensure she was fed properly.
We've had to risk assess family and my brother and his girlfriend (lowest risk to mum) have had to up sticks and move in with mum for the moment to ensure she has basic care otherwise she literally wouldn't eat or drink.
I couldn't go or have her because it's the other end of the country and I'm vulnerable (immunosuppressed) but also live with a high risk (hospital dr DH) & 2 little kids
My other brother has a kid and a baby & lives in an area with a high number of cases and my sister lives in London and takes public transport everyday so is a big risk too of bringing it with her.
I think the family in the OP could do better at communicating however I wouldn't be so sure they are not helping because they are being selfish. People are struggling to process a huge change in lives and although some are good in stressful situations, others become overwhelmed.
I am for one extremely grateful for family friends and neighbours who have stepped in a crisis with mum when I physically couldn't

In my area hospital transport needs booking via the GP or hospital department 48 hours in advance. I doubt she'll be able to sort something out to get her home once she's there. Her family need to step up. It must be awful for your neighbour not being able to rely on her family at this time. As a neighbour, it's not really your responsibility, just nice that you have been prepared to help at all.

wonkylegs I agree there are questions around the availability of community support, but they're really not OP's questions to ask as long as her neighbour has a family

And DishingOutDone was correct that it's only too easy to find yourself being put down as a carer in medical records ... all too often without any consultation at all

All I'm going to do now is confirm with my neighbour the day before that she still wants me to take her and do that if required.
If she calls me later to say no one is taking her home, I will say 'ok, I will phone your children and see which one is picking you up!'
The message is really vague and doesn't really correspond with what I was told before but at least it lets them know, neither myself or my other neighbour are in a position to help.
It's a shame really as she's a lovely lady and normally they do not have to do a thing for her. She's fully independent and does her own shopping/cooking/cleaning and no memory issues. She's just having a run of health issues which is happens at her age.

If she calls me later to say no one is taking her home, I will say 'ok, I will phone your children and see which one is picking you up!'

Can I ask why you wouldn't suggest she call one of the family to put that question? Or ask the staff to call if she's not up to it?

Do it yourself and you'll signal that you're involved and waiting and they'll wear you down for a certainty

What in earth are her children doing that is to important? We are all meant to be at home

As much as I know I shouldn't be doing some of the things I'm doing, I'm very close to my neighbour and I love her like family.
If she calls me after the op, I wouldn't want her to be worried about anything.
Her children are just never around. They are not horrible but it's like they forget about her. I guess it is because she is so self sufficient normally.
I don't know them and only actually met one of them the other day. I've been here 3 years.
It makes me feel blessed that my children are good. I am much younger (nearly 50) and I became sick a couple of years ago and they were there the whole time and they are only young adults, so not as used of taking responsibility.
In this case, we are talking about people of my age!