Hospital transfer service axed over lack of funds
There was widespread concern on the island this week that a vital hospital transport service, operated by the Red Cross, is to be axed.
The charity has confirmed that it is to end its transfer service at the end of the month because, it says, it costs more to run than to pay for a taxi for every patient.
The service has been running since 2003 and has helped hundreds of people complete thousands of journeys to hospital appointments on the mainland. It remains available until next Thursday.
One Brodick resident, who has used the service for five years, said: ‘It is going to make life very difficult for those folk who are elderly or infirm. I can’t see them making it to Princes Street to get the bus – I know I couldn’t.’
Now a number of moves have been made to have the decision reversed, although so far it is not looking promising. Complaints have been made to the Red Cross, the health board and
Arran MSP Kenneth Gibson, who is looking at ‘possible solutions’.
One resident, Irene Reid, has contacted Eunice Goodwin, the patient feedback manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran. She told her: ‘As I am sure you must understand, the loss of this service will be hugely detrimental to the islanders who so wholly rely on this service to meet their transport needs. As the daughter, neighbour and friend of those who have used, and continue to rely on, this service, I know first-hand how much of an impact this will have on both their physical health and mental wellbeing due to the increased stress they will encounter as a direct result of this service being withdrawn.
‘Many of these patients are ineligible for support from the Scottish Ambulance Patient Transport Service and ArCaS support. Thus this was their only viable support service. Without this vital service, trying to arrange alternative support or even missing their appointments, which has happened and will continue to happen when no alternative can be arranged, can only exacerbate their worries at a time when these patients are already vulnerable and in need of additional support.
‘I am contacting you in the hope that you can suggest a viable alternative to this service or take this matter forward and serve as a voice for Arran patients with your managers in the hope of rectifying the situation and going some way to minimise the distress the withdrawal of the service is likely to have.’
Ms Goodwin replied: ‘I do appreciate that many individuals will be disadvantaged by it. I am not sure I can find a solution to this but I am on the case. If this was put on the forum – www.patientopinion.org.uk – it would be very helpful to highlight to the public and
may give us some more leverage.’
A spokesman for the British Red Cross said: ‘It is with regret that we have to end the Arran hospital transport service on June 30.
‘We are very grateful to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), which has grant-funded this service since 2008, enabling the Red Cross to help hundreds of people from Arran to make thousands of journeys to and from mainland hospitals.
‘Unfortunately, the Red Cross has been unable to secure funding this year to continue the service. We have written to all our service users explaining the situation and suggesting other routes they can explore to make their hospital travel easier.’
Arran MSP Kenneth Gibson said that the Red Cross used to receive grants from the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) as well as Scottish Patient Transport (SPT).
Over the years, it has become more and more difficult to have such applications accepted and, last year, the Scottish Ambulance Service informed the Red Cross that it would no longer provide any funding for this service and since then the charity has worked to find funding partners both on Arran and on the mainland, but to no avail.
SPT too has now advised the Red Cross that the model is no longer viable, as it is often only one patient who has to be transferred.
Mr Gibson said: ‘I appreciate that this is not the response islanders would have hoped for.
‘However, I am exploring possible solutions and I will keep Arran Banner readers updated regarding any developments.’
And he added: ‘The Red Cross are now exploring any and all possible options to provide support to regular service users for time being. While solutions are being explored, patients are advised to contact Jim Nichols, who is with the Third Sector Interface on Arran, so that a solution can be sought. He can be contacted on 01770 600611 or via e-mail at jim. nichols@arrancvs.org.uk.’