hospital ferry journeys

[fionajohn]

what's every-one thinking about nhs sending most patients by ferry?

will it work out much cheaper?

[Rasmie]

It depends what the difference in price is.

[suuusssiiieee]

Unless their booked on passage only, destined to sleep rough without a cabin, no meal voucher, or onward travel costs to the hospital, i can't see how it will work out much cheaper to be honest.

[Suffererof1crankymofo]

I think they haven't thought this through.  When I did once go to a hospital appointment via the ferry, it was more expensive than the plane.  They are having no consideration whatsoever for those folk with vertigo so this is basically disability discrimination as so far, vertigo is not on their list of clinical reasons for flying.

It's all well and good them saying you can fly and they will pay the ferry fare equivalent - not everyone can afford to pay the air fare upfront.  They are not considering that not all folk can take over a day off work, or get childcare cover, or cover if caring for older relatives, etc.  In essence, they are living in their own bubble away from how folk really live.

Have you tried getting to the boat for a 4.30pm check-in when the hospital only runs afternoon clinics?  Right now, the Red Cross has the paid contract for patient travel in Aberdeen ... I bet they are 'delighted' with this little gem being sprung on them!  But then they only allow us mere patients £36 for a hotel room and you can't claim the first £10, yet they are willing to pay for a two berth cabin on the boat?  We can also add on the 'fantastic' 14p per mile if we drive to Lerwick, given that we'll be going over 30 miles ...

I'm seriously thinking of starting a petition about this.  I'm also I'm dubious as to whether or not this is, in fact, legal, given the wording of the patients charter.  Why should someone be able to fly to Edinburgh and have the choice of ferry with train or flying, yet a choice is not afforded to those travelling to Aberdeen?  A review of the allowances for patient travel/overnight accommodation is well overdue by the Scottish Government, but I'm seriously not buying the excuses put forward by NHS Shetland.  £1 million is apparently equivalent to 2.5 months prescriptions ... well now, we couldn't possibly encourage GPs who get extra money per prescription to cut back now, could we?

[Spinner72]

It depends how far ahead its planned, we all know how extortionate it is to fly at short notice. Also, as a specified date and a degree of flexibility may required, (plus I believe the NHS is not entitled to ADS?) it cannot be compared to booking a quick trip to suit yourself. 

 

However, I thought this was already standard practice. I have had to attend the ARI several times over the past 3 years and every time it was via Northlink.

[Suffererof1crankymofo]

It depends how far ahead its planned, we all know how extortionate it is to fly at short notice. Also, as a specified date and a degree of flexibility may required, (plus I believe the NHS is not entitled to ADS?) it cannot be compared to booking a quick trip to suit yourself. 

 

However, I thought this was already standard practice. I have had to attend the ARI several times over the past 3 years and every time it was via Northlink.

I've sometimes had notice of appointments months in advance only to be told I couldn't book patient travel that far in advance.

[fionajohn]

in my case they were taking me for a scan every 3 month this was changed last time to every 6 month. the scanner in shetland isn't accurate enough.so the trip would take 3 days off work (at the moment i swap a day off)i'm a bad sailor usually in bed before ferry leaves.i'll have bother walking up to canteen only 3 disabled cabins on board 

will need an escort so their meals will also be added 

then also what about patients pain sitting around for hours on end waiting for transport

i would like to see some figures from NHS showing the fare  difference including the cost of meals etc.

[Spinner72]

Frankly I feel a bit bemused, though I am aware my experience is fairly limited. I find Northlink much more convenient for work (leave at the end of the day, back in time to start) and eliminates having to stay overnight.

 

Meals?

[klondyke]

An I suppose able bodied NHS staff and consultants will be leading by example and setting a precedent?

[Frances144]

Back surgery and the boat do not mix, especially on a rough night.

[fionajohn]

Frankly I feel a bit bemused, though I am aware my experience is fairly limited. I find Northlink much more convenient for work (leave at the end of the day, back in time to start) and eliminates having to stay overnight.

 

Meals?

it's impossible to do above in a day spinner ferry leaves 5 or 7  and arrives in aberdeen at 7or 7.30 the next morning  that is assuming it's not leaving early or late due to weather conditions  to-nights boat for instance left aberdeen  5 hours late so will be getting into lerwick  around 12.00

[Suffererof1crankymofo]

They don't give you money for meals as they look upon it that you would need to be fed if you were at home.  If you say you can't afford the food on the boat, they tell you to take sandwiches.

[Wheelsup]

This could cause problems for the airline as some 40% of their Aberdeen passengers are NHS. We might lose a flight daily

[mikeyboy]

When suitable they should get the consultants to block book their appointments all in one day maybe once a week in Shetland and then fly up.

This could cause problems for the airline as some 40% of their Aberdeen passengers are NHS. We might lose a flight daily

 

Is that right? That is a really high percentage.

[JustMe]

A lot of people travelling south for investigation or treatment are too sick to go on the ferry and this should not be forced on them.  But equally patients who prefer the ferry should be allowed to use it.  What will NHS Shetland say when someone dies from lack of a diagnosis/treatment because they would not go on the ferry?.  Yes cutting costs where possible is good but is this really possible?.