HI ,
As some of you know I raised the topic of transport in another post. I use hospital transport that usually has several other passengers on board. A few viruses have been spread using transport as people do not always say if they are feeling unwell or sometimes they are unaware they have a virus. I have no one that can take me on a regular basis so this is my only way of getting to these apts.
If you have no one that can take you how do you get to and from hospital?
Hi Goody, a very good question and as I read previously you have a good medical case with your compromised immune system for either a front seat on the hospital transport, point your face away from others, the hospital arranging a separate car or taxi for you and loads of antiseptic wipes and sprays and perhaps with the virus apparently spreading you have a stronger case. Hospitals have patient support services and there is Healthcare Travel Cost Schemesā¦ The Citizens Advice or Macmillan services might be able to advice as well. Let us know how you get on as I am sure you will help others as well.
Thanks Erica, my Dr was looking into other forms of transport will need to chase him up. Deffinitely with cornoavirus now in Scotland we have to be extra careful x
Hi @Goody I used to work in a GP surgery before I became ill and one of my tasks was arranging patient transport. While I was working we were never in the situation that we are now with coronavirus. Most patient transport was for scans,tests, RT and long term problems rather than for an infection, so this would not normally arise (although some may have had a cold or cough at the time). I wonder if you have had any further communication with your doctor on this subject?
Hi, yes they are currently in the process of arranging another form of transport possibly private taxi so we donāt have to travel with people. I was supposed to be using hospital transport on Monday but Iāve just called my Dr to say I wonāt be travelling through there anymore until this cornoavirus is gone. Iām not panicking about it just trying to keep myself safe.
Unfortunately because my gvhd has flared Iām still having very regular apts, hopefuly they will let me be seen at my local hospital in the mean time 
Drs have agreed itās not safe for me to share travel to Glasgow because of the current cornoavirus situation and Iāve to be seen at my local hospital for now 
Virus aside how do you feel about being seen at your local hospital as opposed to Glasgow?
Iām happy to go there for now I like how short a distance it is, I donāt spend a whole day travelling to and from my local and I love the team. I get such bad anxiety going to Glasgow without the risk of this virus as thatās where I had my transplant. Before I went there I felt great even after all the chemo I somehow managed to keep all my hair and was feeling pretty normal. When I came out of there I was a different person and I still amā¦
It sounds as if your local hospital is well aware of your needs, and that there is good communication between the teams that are treating you. As for being a different person, I think all of us would say that we are changed in many ways. Once the initial period of recovery is started and you are able to find your new normal, you will realise that you have come through a stronger person, maybe more compassionate, or just more able to appreciate the simple everyday things that you once took for granted. Letting go of the old life can be like a bereavementā¦anger, resentment, then gradually acceptanceā¦
I am aware that a number of hospitals are moving patients to telephone consultations. This is not a bad idea and it may be possible to organise GP surgeries to do the blood tests for you. In fact a lot of GP surgeries (possibly all of them) are moving towards telephone consultations too before making an appointment if the GP believes an examination is needed). I have an Appt coming up and will be asking them if they do want me to come in to please put me onto a āexclusive useā hospital transport not shared. They do that for neutropenic people at normal times. Hospital transport is something you an discuss I would have assumed at the moment if you really do need to go in (discuss this with your nurse).
Yip deffinitely a feeling of bereavementā¦still trying to get used to the new meā¦
Telephone consultations would be great! Still have to have regular bloods at the moment and they are keeping a close eye on my gvhd but I donāt think I would need to be seen every week. We have had alot of hastle with transport they are no longer allowing us to travel alone as there is a lack of drivers but my Dr is currently trying to arrange a different form of transport which they said should be available soon
Hi Goody, keep us posted on how your transport situation transpires and what āa different form ofā means.
It may be possible for them to arrange for you to have bloods done locally. I have even heard of some patients in some parts of the country where a nurse is coming to their house to take the bloods. For me I have a small almost cottage hospital type place where I can go to take bloods and if you time when you go it is often not too crowded, I have gone there a few times instead of the big hospital even before this latest outbreak.
I will Erica Iām not 100% sure what this is yet.
Thanks Adrian, I think thatās what is going to happen. They are agreeing for my to be seen at my local hospital now but this is only because of the virus. I have gvhd so the specialist was wanting to keep an eye on me at the big hospital but Iām not taking the risk now.