Hospital Porters

BERNADETTE · 24-10-2007, 18:24

How do you get hold of a porter at the hospital these days? As you go in at The Royal Blackburn the wheelchairs are there but there don't seem to be any porters. I thought that for insurance reasons if you needed a wheelchair it was supposed to be pushed by a porter. It just got me curious as to how people would go on if they were to have an accident while using them.

Eric · 24-10-2007, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

How do you get hold of a porter at the hospital these days? As you go in at The Royal Blackburn the wheelchairs are there but there don't seem to be any porters. I thought that for insurance reasons if you needed a wheelchair it was supposed to be pushed by a porter. It just got me curious as to how people would go on if they were to have an accident while using them.

Have motorized wheelchairs ... I have a 350 small block chevy motor that I'm not using at the moment.

You could have races around the quieter parts of the hospital.

flashy · 24-10-2007, 19:19

just whistle Bernie, i'm sure you'll get someones attention

BERNADETTE · 24-10-2007, 19:30

It isn't for me but I have noticed elderly patients and they seem to rely on their family.

flashy · 24-10-2007, 19:31

they have a reception desk just as you walk in, tell them to ask there

BERNADETTE · 24-10-2007, 19:34

Will do if I see anybody struggling. I really thought for insurance you needed a porter.

jambutty · 24-10-2007, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

How do you get hold of a porter at the hospital these days? As you go in at The Royal Blackburn the wheelchairs are there but there don't seem to be any porters. I thought that for insurance reasons if you needed a wheelchair it was supposed to be pushed by a porter. It just got me curious as to how people would go on if they were to have an accident while using them.

Hey! You can’t have porters AND managers.

BERNADETTE · 24-10-2007, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambutty

Hey! You can’t have porters AND managers.

Well I think there should be porters especially for elderly people!!

grannyclaret · 24-10-2007, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

How do you get hold of a porter at the hospital these days? As you go in at The Royal Blackburn the wheelchairs are there but there don't seem to be any porters. I thought that for insurance reasons if you needed a wheelchair it was supposed to be pushed by a porter. It just got me curious as to how people would go on if they were to have an accident while using them.

At Blackpool you haveto put £1 in like a supermarket trolly, but the ambulance chaps are fantastic , my hubby goes next wednesday,he will be taken from the house in their wheelchair and then transferred to the hossy one ,they will take him to the place he has to go....then when he comes home they collect him,,,,,,and use their wheelchair again....

jambutty · 24-10-2007, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

Well I think there should be porters especially for elderly people!!

Oh I agree with you and not just elderly, but anyone who cannot walk.

The last time that I were in hospital (it was still Queens Park then) there were so few porters available that the most junior nurse on the ward had to wheel the patients down to X-Ray or wherever.

BERNADETTE · 24-10-2007, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyclaret

At Blackpool you haveto put £1 in like a supermarket trolly, but the ambulance chaps are fantastic , my hubby goes next wednesday,he will be taken from the house in their wheelchair and then transferred to the hossy one ,they will take him to the place he has to go....then when he comes home they collect him,,,,,,and use their wheelchair again....

Yes I have seen the ambulance men taking patients to and from where they are going but a lot of people who don't need an ambulance get transport which they book through their GP. Surely there should be porters to take these people to where they are going. I am not saying there aren't just that their presence is not highly visible.

grannyclaret · 24-10-2007, 22:51

I think if you asked at the reception ,you would get one,,but maybe you would have to book it in advance,,,

BERNADETTE · 24-10-2007, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyclaret

I think if you asked at the reception ,you would get one,,but maybe you would have to book it in advance,,,

Probably just need to ask, was just curious. Once of a day there were always porters near the main entrance to hospitals.

Bonnyboy · 24-10-2007, 23:05

Seems to me that the initial question was one of liability in the case of someone being injured or injuring someone else whilst using a wheelchair.
Was there a sign saying "Use at your own risk" or something to that effect Bernie? They generally cover their backside somehow.

That sort of leads into another thing, If you pay a quid for a wheelchair at Blackpool, does that mean that you own the wheelchair for the duration of having it, thus accepting liability.

Similar thing with trolly's at supermarkets. if they are free is it their problem if an accident happens, or yours if you stick a quid in ?

BERNADETTE · 25-10-2007, 00:29

No there are no signs I honestly thought that insurance would not allow it.