Ceredigion heart attack patient had 140-mile round hospital trip

An 83-year-old recovering cancer patient who has suffered two heart attacks was forced to drive himself on a four-hour round trip for medical tests.

Charles Swift was referred to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, for tests on his heart in August – he lives in Borth, Ceredigion – which is 70 miles away.

He made inquiries about getting non-emergency transport but was refused by a call handler from the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust (WAST) when he told them he owned a car.

“I can’t understand why pensioners have to run about in their own car,” he said.

WAST said it was not always able to meet the increasing demand for transport, and changes were underway to improve the service.

Swift, who has been treated for three types of cancer and has had two heart attacks, said when he rang hospital taxis, he was asked if he could walk, climb stairs and owned a car.

When he replied yes to all three, he said he was told: “You’ll have to use that then.

“I don’t understand. What’s the difference if you’ve got a car or not? I’m 83. It’s not a good journey to do. It was tiring.”

On another occasion, Swift was told on a Friday afternoon that his hospital transport for an appointment in Haverfordwest on the Monday had been cancelled, leading him to cancel the appointment.

When he got hospital transport for a subsequent appointment, he said it was “very pleasant, no problem at all”.

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s website says patients travelling to and from hospital are normally expected to organise their own transport.

When that is not possible, some patients could be eligible for non-emergency patient transport provided by the Welsh Ambulance Service, but must meet eligibility criteria.

This includes receiving regular dialysis or cancer treatment, needing a stretcher or oxygen or needing to travel in their own wheelchair.

Public transport is not a realistic option as trains from Borth to Haverfordwest take a minimum of three-and-a-half hours in each direction.