Patient says she '˜felt stranded' after being refused patient transport home after A&E visit

A HOSPITAL patient claims that she has been '˜unfairly treated' after she was refused access to patient transport.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Nov 2018, 13:29 BST
Updated 12th Nov 2018, 20:54 BST
Sumaiya Hussain, from Buckland, Portsmouth. Picture: Ian HargreavesSumaiya Hussain, from Buckland, Portsmouth. Picture: Ian Hargreaves
Sumaiya Hussain, from Buckland, Portsmouth. Picture: Ian Hargreaves

Sumaiya Hussain, 55, from Buckland, checked in to the A&E department at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham on October 13, saying that she could barely walk.

After checking over Ms Hussain '“ who has a hernia and kidney stones '“ doctors could not find the cause of her problems.

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But after she went to the reception desk and requested patient transport home, Ms Hussain was told that this would not be possible.

She says that the hospital left her feeling '˜stranded' with no way of getting home.

Ms Hussain said: 'The GP I saw recommended that I get patient transport home, and I have had patient transport for problems like this before.

'˜I could hardly walk and was in so much pain '“ but when I asked the reception desk they told me I couldn't get patient transport because I was under 70 and could still walk.

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'˜I felt like I was stranded, it was a very stressful situation.'

A spokesman from Portsmouth CCG told The News that the criteria for access to non-emergency patient transport is set nationally '“ with guidelines stating that those ineligible for transport are redirected to voluntary transport groups, taxi services and public transport routes.