Pensioner says he would struggle to travel on public transport – as advised

Man, 84, is refused ambulance service

By Emma Christie

Published:

An elderly man who tried to book an ambulance to take him to a hospital appointment in Aberdeen was told he would have to make his own way there, he claimed yesterday.

Adam Cowie, 84, of North Street, Inverurie, has difficulty walking and insists he would struggle to take public transport on his own.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said provision of transport was not automatic but based on need.

Charities for the elderly expressed concern about the situation and suggested policies on the issue should be re-examined. Mr Cowie claimed staff at Inverurie Health Centre told him an ambulance would not be sent unless he was “desperately ill” – and advised him to take the bus.

The father-of-three said: “At 84, I thought I was entitled.

“If I can’t walk, they give me an ambulance service.”

Mr Cowie suffers from heart problems and breathlessness. He walks with a stick as he is unstable on his feet.

The retired transport manager said his family normally took him to appointments but none was available for today’s appointment. He added that he was unsure if he would be able to make it.

“I’m not fit to go and that’s all there is to it,” Mr Cowie said. “I’m not happy. Why can’t I get one? It’s not good enough. It’s saving money.”

An ambulance service spokesman said transport was provided in cases where patients suffered from a condition that prevented them from taking any other transport or if they needed assistance for a mobility problem. He said assessment of this nature was normally made by medical professionals such as GPs.

The spokesman added: “A hospital or clinic appointment does not mean you automatically qualify for ambulance transport.”

Appropriate transport was provided “based on need”.

A spokeswoman for Age Concern Scotland said the charity was concerned about the nature of GP assessments and added that there appeared to have been a “breakdown” in Mr Cowie’s case.

She said Age Concern Scotland would encourage the health board to review its criteria for hospital transport.

A spokesman for Help the Aged in Scotland said it was not fair that people in Mr Cowie’s situation had to pay for transport to hospital.

“What would certainly have helped in this case would be if community transport was included under the Scottish Government’s concessionary travel scheme for older people, something Help the Aged is campaigning for,” he said.

North East Conservative MSP Nanette Milne felt sympathy for both parties and said Mr Cowie could make a complaint if he felt he had not been treated properly.