‘I haven’t left my house independently for ten years – now I can’t get …
A disabled mum “trapped in her home for a decade[1]” has been left struggling to sleep after ambulance bosses told her they would no longer take her to and from hospital appointments. Cancer survivor Dawn Steel – who has been wheelchair-bound since undergoing a knee replacement in 2013 – claimed she was worried for her health.
We previously told how the 60-year-old mother-of-two, from Shirley, Solihull[2], had launched a doomed legal bid[3] to improve access in and out of her flat. She lost a fierce battle with a management company and it means she can’t leave the property without assistance.
Now, Dawn’s luck has gone from bad to worse. She said despite previously being provided with ambulances for transfers to hospital appointments across the region, she had since been told she would have to get a taxi.
West Midlands Ambulance Service[5] said Dawn did not “meet the criteria”. A spokesperson said patient transport services were only available for the most “serious and complex cases”.
But Dawn said she would now miss appointments – including those to monitor her cancer – as she could not get to hospital. She said getting taxis was not feasible due to her range of disabilities.
She said: “It’s not good enough the way they are treating me. I’m in a wheelchair and I’m vulnerable. It’s not on. What about my dignity?”
Dawn added she was worried she could “fall out of a taxi”. She told of a previous encounter in which a taxi driver was not able to get her in and out of his vehicle properly.
She went on: “It’s affecting my mental health. I’m not sleeping and I keep crying. I just want it sorted. I need the ambulance as I do not feel safe. I need help getting to appointments.”
A West Midlands Ambulance spokesperson said: “Following a review of the eligibility criteria for patient transport services in June, which is set by the Integrated Care Board, it became apparent that Mrs Steel, unfortunately, did not meet the criteria. Whilst we understand that is disappointing, we must ensure the PTS service is available for the most serious and complex cases which do meet the eligibility criteria.
“We encourage patients who do not meet the criteria, but still require assistance, to enquire about accessing the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme which can help fund transport such as taxis.”
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References
- ^ trapped in her home for a decade (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Solihull (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ launched a doomed legal bid (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Horrific moment boy, 10, is mauled by out-of-control dog as he plays football outside his home (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Ambulance Service (www.birminghammail.co.uk)