HOSPITAL transport is ‘still not good enough’, governors have said – even after £1million was handed over to improve the service.

A council of governors meeting at Dorset County Hospital heard that an 85-year-old man was kept waiting for six hours to be picked up for a hospital appointment.

Governor Derek Julian told the meeting he had spoken to the man who was ‘so upset he could hardly speak’.

Governor Andy Hutchings said a ‘serious mistake’ had been made in granting the hospital transport contract to E-Zec.

Mr Hutchings said at the meeting that £2million had been given to the company to carry out improvements, but a spokesperson for Dorset CCG said after the meeting that the figure is £1million.

The spokesperson added: “The contract with E-Zec is a ‘cost and volume’ contract, therefore the extra money was given to cover the increased volume of work over a number of months.”

Mr Julian said: “It’s not the hospital’s fault. It’s the people that the CCG is employing. It is still not right yet.

“I have spoken to the ambulance drivers and they are sympathetic to what I’m saying.

“They said it’s harrowing for people on kidney dialysis who come to the hospital three times a week and have to wait.”

He added: “It’s not good enough. I do not accept excuses on this. The CCG should get a grip and see that patients are picked up at the proper time.”

Chairing the meeting, chairman of Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust, Dr Jeffrey Ellwood, said: “I agree it’s not good enough. The additional money was given to improve the service but we are still hearing that it has not improved.

“Some patients are unable to speak out for themselves so it’s only fair that we do it for them.”

Dr Ellwood said he would speak to the CCG to say the level of service at present is not appropriate.

A spokesperson for E-Zec declined to comment.

 

Looking into parking plans

CONSULTATIONS will be carried out to improve patient parking, governors were told.

Deputy director of finance Rebecca King said the trust is in talks with Dorset County Council over the possibility of green travel schemes such as a park and ride for patients and staff.

She said: “New guidance on parking has been issued by the Department of Health. We have had a look at this and we do need to do more work in terms of some of the things suggested.