Discouraging patients

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 30 March 2004 08:30:08

I considered writing most of what will be in this entry at the start of daughter's treatment, but felt that it would be better to tackle the management of the Western General Hospital directly on this issue. They do not appear, however, to have gone out of their way to advertise how to contact them, so here I shall blow off steam.

On a previous visit, some years ago, I read a piece of paper on a notice board. It contained the following statement (possibly paraphrased) - it is the policy of the Western General Hospital to discourage patients [says it all] from using their own cars to come to the hospital. OK, perhaps you can tell me how daughter can attend school in Tranent, and I can work in Edinburgh, and we can both be at the Western General Hospital for her treatment, all by public transport. The bottom line is that, by design, there is insufficient parking at the Western General. And who suffers?

Cancer patients, who have to make frequent trips to the hospital for treatment. Yes, I know that there are dedicated spaces for the Department of Oncology. But they have been full every Monday and Wednesday that I've arrived at the hospital at a reasonable time for daughter to have her treatment. Fridays are better. And if there isn't a space, what do I have to do? Remain in the main carriageway, blocking traffic, effectively in both directions, and blocking the people who are already parked who want to get out.

My daughter is 6 years old. Surely she has the right to be accompanied by a parent while she undergoes radiotherapy. Yes, she is strong, and brave, and, if she has to, will go in on her own. But why make people who are already suffering suffer more?

Daughter was sick in the car on the way home. She's off school to-day, to give her a chance to recover.