Heart attack patient, 83, had to drive four hours for hospital appointment
Summary
An 83-year-old man from Borth, Ceredigion, drove a four-hour round trip to Withybush Hospital for heart tests after his request for non-emergency patient transport was turned down. The Welsh Ambulance Services Trust said it had reviewed the call, changed its processes and was working to address rising demand and cancellations.Key Facts
- Charles Swift is recovering from cancer, has had two heart attacks and was referred for heart tests at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.
- Borth is about 70 miles from the hospital, and public transport takes at least three and a half hours each way.
- Swift said a call handler declined transport after he said he owned a car and could walk and climb stairs.
- Swift later cancelled an appointment after being told on a Friday that his transport for the following Monday had been cancelled.
- The Welsh Ambulance Services Trust said Swift’s transport would not have been refused if staff had more information.
- The trust said it had updated call-handling processes and training, and that rising demand and travel distances were straining resources.
- Hywel Dda University Health Board says patients are generally expected to arrange their own transport, while some patients qualify for non-emergency transport under eligibility rules.
- Ceredigion councillors and voluntary groups have called for better transport for rural patients and reported frequent last-minute cancellations.
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