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Great Ambulance Journeys

As a driver of an electric wheelchair, imagine the joy I felt

when I heard about the new ambulances that the L.A.S had .. My

cup runneth over ..... I must use this long-overdue wonder next

time I have an appointment. Then in May my chance came ... an

appointment .... only this time I could now be taken to Whipps

Cross in my own chair, no more sitting about having the time of

my life waiting for porters.

.... BLISS I HEAR YOU SAY but read on.

On Thursday 14th May I received a letter altering my

appointment for an Ultrasound test to 20/5/92 at 13.20

On Friday 15th May I phoned my G.P to arrange transport for

myself with own electric wheelchair to Whipps Cross for the new

appointment.

On Tuesday 19th May I phoned Whipps Cross transport to confirm

that booking for myself with own electric wheelchair for

appointment at 13.20 20/5/92 had been made. I was assured it

had.

On Wednesday 20th May 12.30 I phoned Whipps Cross transport to

confirm transport was coming. I was assured all was in order,

they were on their way.

I rang again at 13.30 and was told, don`t worry they`re coming.

14.45 they arrive, only the ambulance has no tail-lift or any

facilities to transport me with my chair. The ambulancemen,

who were very helpful, have no information regarding my chair.

They arrange for suitable transport which arrives within 15

minutes.

There is a happy ending ...... I did get to travel on the new

ambulance......eventually .

But jesting aside this is a very serious problem

Don`t leave your chair on the promise “~There`ll be plenty at

Whipps Cross" cos there ain`t any!

If you need to take an electric wheelchair make it clear that

you need it when you book and check it has been booked. Make

sure you get the ambulance you NEED because there’s nothing

worse than no chair if you need it.

If all goes wrong like above, let the L.A.S know by letter

because they can`t ignore that easily.

your roving reporter

Ralph `not quite Michael Palin` Edmunds

One day I hope to tell you a tale of when Phase 1 was first

born, of a hero whose wheelchair had been left at home and whose

notes were at Wanstead..... Chilling Stuff .

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Around London in 80 Days - Great Ambulance Journies 2

This is the second and I hope last tale of the L.A.S I shall

have to tell. In this new tale I have become braver and will

attempt an ambulance journey with my own wheelchair across

London to Guy`s Hospital.

Armed with a letter from the Ambulance King, gained after my

last epic tussle with the L.A.S, promising his assistance for my

safe passage I felt invincible. Silly me!

I received my appointment to attend Guy`s 10.30 am Friday 25th

June and immediately took out my magic letter and booked my

journey.

Thursday 24th dawned and like all good adventurers I double

checked my travel arrangements. There was no record of me or

my journey; by late afternoon and 4 or 5 phone calls later my

trip is traced. I was informed that I should have booked

through my doctor, it appears that the magic letter should only

be used if problems do arise (shutting the stable door etc.

does leap to mind)

Friday arrived I was concerned that I may not be ready when the

ambulance arrived, yet another wrong assumption, it didn`t

arrive till 10.40. I was very distressed when I found that we

had to go to Barts. first. Fortunately I was delivered first

so we arrived at Guy`s at about 11.40. Beware also ye

travellers the driver may not know the way, luckily I did.

After seeing my doctor I returned to the transport area at about

12.45. They phoned to arrange my return journey and told me to

get a drink and something to eat while I was waiting so I did,

I also read my book, sat in the sun, went back to the transport

area, took 40 Winks then checked to find out what happening.

Carol, yes we were on first name terms by now, phoned again.

They say the crew that brought you finish at 3pm Carol tells me

No problem says I its only ten to two.

But their shift will finish by the time they get there says

Carol They`ll see what can be done

Anyway the L.A.S`s best effort was they would try and get to me

at 4.30 pm, finally we decided that the L.A.S would arrange for

a black cab to take me home. True to form the L.A.S botched

this and a cab was sent from Ilford (seems the L.A.S don`t know

about radio cabs) I arrrived home at 4.20pm. Lucky that

Colombus didn`t use the L.A.S to find America coz he would

still be there if he had.

Eternal optimist that I am I believe they may get it right

before I depart this mortal coil.

Its small wonder that people use their Taxicards to go to

hospital.

Ralph (aka Marco Polo) Edmunds