Cartoon by John Sadler www.johnsadlerillustration.com

• THE Caversham Patient Participation Group at its meeting in September once again expressed grave concern about a continued failure to resolve the problem of public transport to Chase Farm for patients needing the services transferred there by the Royal Free Hospital.

It is totally unacceptable that patients with, for example, cancer or maternity or orthopaedic problems should have to make a journey involving four changes and up to 40 minutes walking. It amounts to a denial of their NHS rights.

Though the Royal Free has assured us that patients are informed that they can opt for treatment at the Royal Free instead, we continue to hear of patients who have not been told this.

As a matter of routine, this information should be communicated clearly and confirmed with a written leaflet, even if the receptionist does remember to mention it, ill patients may not take in a single throwaway remark.

Could not the Royal Free reimburse taxi fares to and from Chase Farm for those dependent on public transport and unable to manage such a journey?

Or, why doesn’t the hospital approach one or more of the large multi-national companies located in King’s Cross to see if they would sponsor a mini-bus and its running costs? Perhaps the charitable arm of the Royal Free could do this. Or is any hospital car service available?

We are aware that Healthwatch have reviewed this problem and reported to the Royal Free in August. It is most unsatisfactory that, two months later, the hospital is still reviewing their report and are therefore preventing Healthwatch from publishing it.

It gives rise to suspicions that the Royal Free is just seeking delay. When is it going to announce a decision and allow the report to be published?

A final word on the travel problem: one of our members entered the Royal Free website and tried to use the Transport for London journey planner from Gospel Oak station to Chase Farm Hospital, specifying his needs for step-free access and 15 minutes maximum walking. He drew a complete blank – the search engine showed no results at all.

RODERICK ALLISON
Chair, Caversham Patient Participation Group