Dodger Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Health Minister Eddie Teare was accused of 'hard-faced accountancy' over this issue, during 4th Decembers sitting of the House of Keys. He said there was anecdotal evidence that people were abusing the system by, for example, asking for flight times to fit in with shopping trips. So he decided to stop it! There were nine categories for travelling with the patient, it is now down to four! What do you think? Should we have the ability to travel with a patient? Would you want to travel with a friend or loved one who was undergoing treatment in the UK? http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/OffIsland-h...-row.3553923.jp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feelslikeitshould Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 What were and are the categories, more info please, or at least a link. If there is a genuine reason for travel, it should be allowed but not for free loaders who just want a shopping trip in Liverpool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodger Posted December 6, 2007 Author Share Posted December 6, 2007 What were and are the categories, more info please, or at least a link. If there is a genuine reason for travel, it should be allowed but not for free loaders who just want a shopping trip in Liverpool. Link attached, which gives the whole story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triskelion Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Among the categories due to be removed from the guideline list of those eligible to have government funding to accompany them on a trip are those with limited mobility (including blind/deaf), those suffering from life threatening illness and those undergoing life threatening or painful operations. It seems a bit harsh on the face of it. That said, GPs can still request funding if they think it is necessary, so anyone who actually needs an escort will get one. The decision does not seem to have been based solely on anecdotal evidence, which in itself should not be dismissed out of hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ste1205 Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I have no doubt that some people do abuse the system, but this should not mean that the majority of users of the Patient Transfer "escort" service are penalized. My wife had to make a number of trips for hospital visits in 2004 and 2005 so we have some experience of the patient transfer service. During the initial stages of her assessment and treatment she could not have made those journeys on her own – due to limited mobility - so I accompanied her on around 4 of the 10 trips that she made. I can only assume that Eddie Teare has not travelled as a passenger on a patient transfer service. If he had he would know that the information he gave to the House of Keys on Tuesday about the levels of service provided by the scheduled airlines and taxi contractors is not always at the level he believes it to be. On a number of occasions the Euromanx flights were either severely delayed, over booked or the requested passenger assistance was not provided. The taxi service in Liverpool can also be a bit hit and miss. On a number of occasions five passengers have had to squeeze into the back of black cab; this is fine on a night of out with friends or family but is hardly adequate when conveying complete strangers, with varying mobility problems, to appointments at neurosurgery clinic. Our experience of the staff the PTS office was always good. I see no problem with someone taking advantage of a hospital appointment in UK to visit friends or go shopping if this does not attract additional costs to the tax payer. No doubt he can use the money he saves with this initiative can used to accommodate troublesome teenagers in hotels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebees Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 My hubby has been away for a few bits of treatment in Liverpool they offered to send me too but there really was no point so I didnt go, he will have to go away for a month in March/April and then I will want to be going to see him but Im sure I can afford the £36 boat fare by myself, not the health services duty to send me to Liverpool to visit someone in hospital. The people who abuse the system will be the ones with the hardfacedness to go to their doctor and blag a trip anyway, as usual the little people suffer. It would be difficult to judge wether or not someone needs an escort if they are going for chemo or something like that, they would be fine before they went but after they are nuked they might need an escort - their ideas suck, clearly they have not much of a clue about illnesses and are poking their noses in where they are not required - perhaps money could be saved on their fat boy lunch allowances? or their 4Jags petrol allowances? instead of taking away travel for people who will proabaly have enough to worry about without having extra hassle regarding travel. Actually - Im quite angry about this now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Git Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 He said there was anecdotal evidence that people were abusing the system Who was that stupid woman MHK on Manx Radio waffling on about "antidotal" evidence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ste1205 Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 He said there was anecdotal evidence that people were abusing the system Who was that stupid woman MHK on Manx Radio waffling on about "antidotal" evidence That would be honorable member for Douglas East Mrs Cannell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemonday Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Coming shortly after the 'amputation' farce, this really is appalling. OK it may well be subject to abuse by some but surely that is down to proper examination of the applications, not blanket bans on categories. If the government wants to save money then do so by Reducing Staff - just took on another new director or whatever for the DHSS Stop employing consultants so much Reduce the jaunts by Brown et al to foreign parts Control costs on public projects Amazing - they throw away money on pointless exercises yet fail to provide when needed. It really is disgusting. That would be honorable member for Douglas East Mrs Cannell. A prime example of the maxim - engage brain before opening mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doofus Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 having been a frequent flyer with the patient transfer service this year (legitimate), i can fully understand why they may be wanting to cut costs. especially when upwards of 200 people per week are going of island using the service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebees Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 If there are 200+ people going off island for treatment it does beg the question why? surely it would be cheaper to bring the consultants or whatever over here. We do after all have a very expensive hospital..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemonday Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I was just going to say that but you beat me to it bees. Somethings wrong somewhere with the present set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feelslikeitshould Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 having been a frequent flyer with the patient transfer service this year (legitimate), i can fully understand why they may be wanting to cut costs. especially when upwards of 200 people per week are going of island using the service. Where did you get 200 people per week from?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triskelion Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Yeah, if it was actually 200 people per week using the patient escort service, then they would only be getting about £6 each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ai_Droid Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Wouldn't means testing be a sensible approach for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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