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"Shortage of wheelchairs"

About: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow

(as a carer),

I recently attended the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow with my sister, who had an appointment at CT Scan.  My sister has a serious leg injury and has a fixtator fitted round it which makes walking any distance sore and uncomfortable. 

On arrival I searched for a wheelchair but unfortunately could not find one. A volunteer also searched. My sister therefore had to walk from the entrance to CT Scan, which was quite a distance. By the time we arrived at the dept she was exhausted and very sore. Fortunately there was an empty wheelchair in the department that we were able to use to exit the hospital.  

We also witnessed a delivery man with a wheelchair stacked high with boxes. Surely this is not allowed and there should be another method in place for deliveries to the hospital. 

We have came across this problem at the hospital before and I feel the shortage of wheelchairs for patient use should be addressed sooner rather than later.  

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Responses

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 9 months ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Submitted on 16/07/2024 at 08:48
Published on Care Opinion at 08:48


picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Goonie

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch. I am sorry to hear that you were unable to find a wheelchair for your sister and would be grateful if you could pass on my apologies for the inconvenience and distress caused.

On occasion we can experience challenges with a lack of wheelchairs at the hospital entrances, particularly during periods of high levels of activity. Facilities Management have processes in place for wheelchairs to be picked up from areas throughout the site where they may have been left and return them to entrances for future use.

In addition the hospital also provides a shuttle bus service which can collect patients and visitors from designated points at car park entrances and transport them to the hospital entrances. Information is provided on this service at pedestrian entrances at both Multi storey car parks within the hospital campus. This service is available between Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm.

You are correct that a delivery person should not be using wheelchairs for deliveries, and this will be discussed with our Senior Management Team for actioning.

I hope that your sister’s appointment went well.

Kind Regards

Nicole

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