Calls for better hospital transport

Some islanders have called for better transport services to and from hospital in Jersey.

John Heys, who lives alone aged 88, was recently in hospital for a few days with a broken ankle.

He said it was "an absolute disgrace" he was not offered transport home following his stay, as he could not walk and ended up having to take a taxi, which he said was difficult to get in and out of.

Health and Care Jersey said eligibility for the non-emergency patient transport service was "determined by a clinician, based on patient's needs and individual circumstances".

In September, Heys broke his ankle in two places and needed an operation. He spent a few days in hospital before being discharged.

"I was then cleared to leave the hospital with another chap who'd had his hip replaced," he said.

"Neither of us could walk of course and we said right, when can we be taken home? And the answer was, 'well, there's no transport, we can't provide you with transport'."

Heys said Jersey's population was aging, meaning more medical help would be required, adding: "To turn around and to say to people who cannot walk that there's no transport for them on an island that is one of the richest places in the world is an absolute disgrace."

Another patient, Mandy Bisson, 62, also broke her ankle and as a result had difficulty getting to and from hospital appointments.

She said she asked for patient transport, as she could not walk to the bus and could not afford a taxi.

Bisson said at first they turned her away and she almost missed her appointment.

In a statement Health and Care Jersey said: "All patients who can make their own arrangements for getting to and from hospital, including asking relatives and friends for support or using public transport and taxis, should do so.

"This helps ensure that the service has sufficient capacity to support those patients who are most vulnerable.

"We would ask members of the public to use the service responsibly and only request patient transport when they meet the eligibility criteria."

The service offers transport for patients who are "medically unfit to travel by any other means" and have no alternative options, including people who need to travel in a wheelchair or cannot walk without the continual support of another person or walking aid.

This includes taking people to and from hospital for appointments, as well as for admissions, discharges and transfers.

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