Patient left stranded and in pain
GLYN Rees is in agony. The 51-year-old is recovering from throat cancer and should have started treatment for pain relief at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport six weeks ago.
But he is without the transport he needs to get him there. The ambulance service is unable to take him from his home in St Helen's Road, Swansea, and he cannot drive because he is on morphine to ease the pain.
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Glyn Rees is awaiting an operation to reconstruct his jaw bone but has no way of getting to hospital.
"I was diagnosed with throat cancer five years ago and now I have found out that radiotherapy used to treat me has damaged the blood supply on the left side of my face," he said.
"My jaw is crumbling and my teeth are coming out."
Mr Rees said that although he was taking the maximum dose of morphine, he was still in agony.
Doctors have offered him oxygen therapy in Newport, which will allow him to have an operation to reconstruct his jaw bone.
But while he has secured the funding for the treatment, he has not been able to get any transport. "I applied to the Welsh Office for a grant for the treatment and I got one," he said.
"Staff at the Royal Gwent Newport then phoned me in early October to say they were able to do a pre-medical on October 17 before my treatment could start on October 20.
"But then next thing Morriston Hospital phoned me up and said the ambulance service was refusing to take me down to Newport."
More than six weeks later Mr Rees, whose cancer is in remission, is still waiting for the go-ahead for his transport plans.
"We are not getting a response," he said.
"I can see no end to it, I am suffering unnecessarily. If I lose any more of my strength, I will not be able to look after myself.
"I can only eat what I can put on a spoon and can put at the back of my mouth."
His elderly father, Herbert Rees, from Dunvant, said his son's condition was deteriorating.
"The hospital in Newport is ready to receive him, but as he is on morphine he can't drive," he said. "He can't eat or drink. He is not in pain — he is in agony. He lives on his own and I can't see him looking after himself.
"I just want a bit of light at the end of the tunnel."
A spokeswoman from ABM University NHS Trust said: "Oxygen therapy is provided in Newport and the service is funded by Health Commission Wales (HCW). However, HCW does not cover patients' travelling costs and there is no agreement with the ambulance service to take patients to Newport. Hospital trusts reimburse travelling costs for patients when there is a clinical or medical need and the patient is on benefit. If we do provide transport, we would need to look into the most cost-effective method."
11 Comments
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by Harry, Swansea
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 12:21PM
“I was given morphine after an operation.It made me sick and dizzy, it's nasty stuff.To Anon of Swansea, I hope for your own sake you don't have to find out for yourself what it's like to be in a great deal of pain whilst on medication that makes you feel rotten.”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 10:05AM
“I suggest Steve from Mayals, Swansea, read the comments made by Graham Porter from Morriston! Well done Graham!
Jim Sheridan”
by Steve, Mayals, Swansea
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 6:07PM
“I realize that this is not a long term solution to the inadequacies of the ambulance service, but can't some generous minded person heading east offer this gentleman a ride.”
by Graham Porter, Morriston
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 6:00PM
“If someone is willing to offer their services to this gentleman, I would be quite happy to transport him to the Royal Gwent twice a week”
by clarysage, Somerset
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 4:56PM
“Yet again we are told of another 'failure' in Wales and a patient is left to suffer. On the practical side, there are private service which will provide an ambulance together with a paramedic - this service does not come cheap but if the gentleman is obtaining a grant then this might cover the charge. Also, the Red Cross will accompany patients in certain circumstances and, again, there will be a charge. I know the effects of morphine treatment and this gentleman has my full sympathy.”
by alex, swansea
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 4:18PM
“I have known Glyn for many years,during that time I have seen Glyn go through the problems he has to live with and its not pretty.If ANON had to see his friends or family had to go through what Glyn has he might have a different oppinion.So think again before your self.It might be you or a loved one.What Glyn has been through I would not wish this on anyone,but for you make an acception.For ANON it may happen to you,family, or friend.To Glyn I hope it all works out well.
Alex.”
by Marie, Swansea
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 1:53PM
“I can't believe that there isn't some department within health, social services, and the voluntary sector that can help this gentleman. Off the top of my head, it may be worth contacting the local Macmillan charity as they can help out with grants. The cancer may be in remission but that was what is causing his current problems.
Get back in touch with the hospital and ask to speak to someone in patient transport services. Or phone your GP - they DO know how to get things like this sorted out.
Good luck and I hope it's sorted soon.”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 12:29PM
“In response to 'Scrooge' Anon, Swansea, how on earth can you expect this man to travel to the Royal Gwent by train or bus, when he is clearly in severe pain!? The Trauma of his travelling to the hospital by public transport plus the time spent on each mode of transport, waiting in transit for connections, could worsen his medical condition. If you, Anon, Swansea, do not want to "tie up NHS ambulances", why don't you (or a reader of this website or the EP) offer him a lift to the Royal Gwent? If I could, I would.
At the end of the day, the Wales Ambulance Service has been found wanting again and is clearly not fit for purpose!
Jim Sheridan”
by Mrs Lewis, port talbot
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 12:16PM
“Obviously anon Swansea doesn't realise that morphine can make you confused and it would not be safe to travel on a bus or train. Also he or she has no concept of the pain this gentleman is suffering. It always comes down to funding and once again the patient is caught in the middle. i hope the hospital trust will come to his aid and agree to fund his transport for this vital treatment. For god sake stop passing the buck and have a bit of compassion. Good luck Glyn hope you will get the treatment you need and can look forward to a pain free future.”
by Anon, Swansea
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 11:00AM
“Why not take a bus or train? Sounds like an easy option and does not tie up NHS ambulances.”