STROKE victims and disabled patients ferried to Halton Hospital clinics by contract taxis may soon have to pay for their travel out of their mobility allowance.

A new system being introduced on July 1 means only patients who meet strict criteria will be eligible for free transport - by ambulance.

"This is just another cost-cutting exercise," slammed Bob Bryant, chairman of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum and Halton's Let's Go stroke club. "They are hitting people who are vulnerable.

"It will mean people who qualify will spend longer on a sightseeing trip round Halton, picking up patients. There could be longer delays and their treatment might be cut short to fit in with other patients."

Those who qualify for a free ambulance are patients who are partially-sighted, blind, experience severe mental difficulties, need oxygen en-route, have renal dialysis, cancer treatment or if their treatment is likely to cause severe side effects.

Anna Alexander, deputy director of nursing, said: "This will ensure greater patient safety.

"Patients meeting the eligibility criteria will be provided with an ambulance, complete with an onboard paramedic who is at hand to address any health emergencies should they arise.

"Those patients who have problems getting to the hospital for financial reasons should already be in receipt of a mobility allowance."

Are you a patient affected by this new policy?

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