Hi all,

Today, I took my wheelchair-bound mother to, thankfully, her final
check-up with her orthopaedic consultant.  This time, there was not any
space in car park 1 (which is the only one that has a few disabled
spaces) *at all*.  (If there was, I would have had to pay despite having
her disabled badge.)

I had no alternative but to park temporarily in the drop-off area to
transfer her to a wheelchair, and then wheel her through the main
entrance and leave her in the cafe.  As I came back, there was a little
oik about to try and book me.  I drew his attention to the disabled
badge, moved the car outside the hospital campus and walked back.  Owing
to traffic congestion, this took quite some time so we were about 20
minutes late for the appointment.

We were kept waiting for over an hour for a two-minute consultation.
The overall delay meant that I had to cancel an appointment with Age
Concern in Leominster so I could get her to her home in time to see a
carer and an occupational therapist.

The whole place is a complete and utter shambles: my advice is - don't
get ill.

The parking situation is simply unacceptable: provision for disabled
patients is totally inadequate.  On the few occasions I have been there
as a visitor or an outpatient, I have either come on two wheels or been
able to walk the last bit.  These options are not available to disabled
patients or their chauffeurs.

The whole experience reminded me of why I hate Hereford, or more
precisely, its traffic chaos.  Thank goodness for Internet shopping, or
when I want it *now*, there's always Cheltenham....


-- 
(substitute 'sglennie' for 'nospam' to reply privately)

Regards,
 
Steve Glennie-Smith