North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak

[knutstransport]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak

(23/03/2020 13:57)Mrboo Wrote:  essential medical appointments. should be covered by medical transport now.

Patient transport services are for those who cannot get to appointments by other means. My mum in her late 70s had to use them after suffering a fracture, meaning she couldn't easily get in to a car or get to a bus stop. Yet before they booked the service for her they asked numerous questions to confirm there was no way of her to get there, like can a neighbour/friend/relative take you?

I'm not sure they have enough vehicles and drivers to take everyone who needs to attend an out-patient appointment at any facility, especially if some of those who can usually rely on a lift from a neighbour/friend/relative can't due to their usual helper needing to self-isolate, unless the NHS starts paying for loads of taxis or if they start requisitioning buses which are normally used for bus services but which aren't operating.

Quote:like a letter to say your going to a appointment

If we do go down the French/Italian route I'm not sure a requirement for holding a letter would work. The way the NHS consultant/specialist system works is you might get a letter for an appointment weeks away and then out of the blue you get a phone call saying someone's cancelled their appointment tomorrow and asking if you want that slot.

I think the Italian approach is you fill out a form and you might not be asked to show the form but if the police ask to see it and you don't have one or they find out you've lied then they can fine you. I'm pretty sure the Italians also allow 'non-essential' workers to travel to work if it's not possible for them to work from home e.g. if you're an animal keeper at the zoo.

For my GPs I've never had any communication by post to confirm/remind me of appointments and my dentist has stopped sending out appointment cards (instead sending reminders by text) except where people have told them they don't want texts/don't have a mobile.