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Original poster

Can you ask an ambulance to take you to a certain hospital?

18 replies

OrangeFlower7 · 04/10/2013 14:07

Does anyone know if this is a possibility? I've got adhesions meaning sometimes neading emergency admission for small bowel obstruction, and have had my care moved to Bristol but live closer to a local hospital where i don't want to go (and my new consultant is at Bristol.Thanks.

OP posts:

namechanger1979 · 04/10/2013 14:13

It depends. If you ring 999 you will normally be taken to nearest a and e ( some exceptions like if you are having a heart attack you may be taken to a centre with specialist facilites). Howver if you're being admitted by gp they will discuss with whichever hospital is most appropriate and then ambulance (or your own transport) will take you there. Hope that makes sense.

Original poster

OrangeFlower7 · 04/10/2013 21:15

Thanks- I think from past experience it would be tricky to get into the GPs and I'd need to go to A and E- I suppose it's OK to go to A and E in Bristol although it's not the closest?

OP posts:

candycoatedwaterdrops · 04/10/2013 21:23

Yes, it's fine to go to the A&E of your choosing.

ihearsounds · 04/10/2013 21:30

Whenever I have been taken to hospital, the paramedics have always asked me which hospital I prefer.

LittleNoona · 04/10/2013 22:09

I think it depends. For something like a stroke, it's now policy where I am to be taken to the nearest specialist unit.

I suppose for something less so, you could request a particular hospital.

No harm in asking.

brettgirl2 · 05/10/2013 07:26

Yes absolutely. If you think about it taking you somewhere you don't want to go is arguably kidnap .

My gran bless her had hysterics about going to her nearest hospital as my grandfather had died there..... they just patiently asked her where she did want to go.

FizzyMakeFeelNice · 05/10/2013 07:29

LittleNoona that's not necessarily true. My MIL had a stroke last year and the paramedics gave her the choice of two hospitals.

Gerragrippe · 05/10/2013 07:34

Usually to nearest District General with suitable acute provision..in your case surgical, with exception for heart attacks etc which follow a protocol the paramedics are aware of.
If hospitals are pretty much equidistant they may give a choice but if there is a much closer suitable one they will usually go to that one. Other exceptions include bed issues...they will divert ambulances away from certain hospitals if AE not able to offload ambulances there.
What is the time difference between the two?

LittleNoona · 05/10/2013 08:13

Fizzy, I'm glad your gran got a choice.

But as I said, it depends on the severity of the illness, but it's policy where I am for stroke victims to be taken to a specialist stroke unit, even if you pass another hospital on the way.

I know this because my gran had a catastrophic stroke and this is what I was told by the paramedics.

I suppose if you have a stroke and are still "well" enough to make a decision about which hospital you would prefer, you may not need such specialised care.

My gran was unconscious so had no choice.

Gerragrippe · 05/10/2013 11:30

T be honest, there is not usually a choice but you are taken to the nearest acute provision.

JohnnyUtah · 05/10/2013 11:32

Wouldn't that be a taxi not an ambulance?!

Grumblelion · 05/10/2013 11:37

If you told them you were under a consultant for the condition at another hospital and there was no increased risk to you with the extra journey time, I wouldn't have thought it should be a problem. If you were seriously unwell however, they'd probably have to get you to the nearest hospital.

Gerragrippe · 05/10/2013 18:22

If you have called 999 and the paramedic crew think you require hospital assessment you are then by definition seriously unwell and will be taken to the nearest acute hospital .
Its not a taxi service!

RunnerHasbeen · 05/10/2013 19:42

When I have had a bowel obstruction, I don't call 999, there is nothing they can do in the ambulance. Daytime, I call the support nurse or consultants secretary and get myself there in a taxi. Out of hours, NHS24 are very good at setting up a team ready for me, where my team are (no A&E there) but I still get myself there. I suppose there are times you might call 999 for this but I find it efficient to directly contact the people I should see. Ask your consultant, there will be a process in place.

Gerragrippe · 05/10/2013 20:50

Agree with that runner

Original poster

OrangeFlower7 · 06/10/2013 17:27

Thanks for the advice - I'll ask the consultant when I see him this week. the only worry really is getting there as sometimes it can make you vomit profusely and that's easier dealt with in an ambulance than a car or taxi-

OP posts:

purplewithred · 06/10/2013 17:30

To be honest, if vomit is the only reason you 'need' an ambulance rather than being driven then you don't need an ambulance. Runner has the right idea - much more efficient for you if you have a system in place upfront, pre-sorted by your GP and consultant.

gingeroots · 06/10/2013 17:34

I have had the same experience as namechanger

In my case it was OOH doctor ,ambulance staff weren't keen ( it was the last visit of their shift and the requested hospital was a little further away ,but they complied and confirmed that it was because the doctor had specified the hospital .

Personally if I had a bowel obstruction - very painful - and was throwing up ,I'd prefer an ambulance as well .

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