A disabled dad has hit out after hospital staff refused to pump the tyre of his mobility scooter – because it wasn’t one of theirs.
John Taylor struggles to walk after breaking his neck in a freak accident nearly 20 years ago, and relies on a mobility scooter for getting around Aberdeen.
But as the 54-year-old was making his way to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for an appointment earlier this week, he discovered he had a puncture.
He popped into Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative on George Street, who pumped up the tyre to ensure he got to the hospital in time.
And once he arrived, he asked if the front desk could get one of their team to inflate it further, knowing they have their own mobility scooter equipment on site.
He claims staff refused to help, on the grounds the scooter was not one of theirs.
Last night Mr Taylor, who lives in Torry, said: “It’s not like I was asking for a new wheel.
“I just wanted some air for the tyre so I could get home.
“The woman at the front desk couldn’t have been more helpful, but after phoning around she told me they couldn’t give me any air because it wasn’t one of their own scooters.
“I couldn’t believe it, they have got everything there but because it was mine they wouldn’t touch it.”
Mr Taylor broke his neck while playing water polo on his honeymoon in 1998.
The former offshore worker is unable to work and can only walk with a stick.
And he says he thought he was going to be left stranded at the wrong side of the city, unable to get home because his scooter is too large to take on a bus.
But by pure chance, the parents of Gary Campbell, who runs the city’s Mobility Centre, happened to be in the hospital at the same time and heard his plight.
They contacted their son, who popped up to the hospital and agreed to repair the scooter.
Mr Taylor said: “I was worried how I would get home, I thought I was going to have to get a taxi and then leave the scooter at the hospital.
“I didn’t even have Gary’s number, I had to borrow his dad’s phone to call him.
“He gave me a lift home and has now fixed the puncture.”
Last night, the health board said they would investigate the matter fully.
A spokeswoman said: “We are sorry to hear about Mr Taylor’s experience. We would strongly encourage him to contact our feedback team who will investigate fully and reply to him directly.
“This can be done by phone, e-mail, letter or using one of our feedback forms which are widely available in all wards in clinics.”
