By Fatma Younis
An 83-year-old heart attack patient in Ceredigion was forced to drive a 140-mile round trip for hospital tests after being denied non-emergency transport because he owned a car.
Transport Denial and Impact
Charles Swift, a recovering cancer patient who has suffered two heart attacks, lives in Borth, Ceredigion. In August he was referred to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, 70 miles away. When he inquired about non-emergency transport, a Welsh Ambulance Services Trust (WAST) call handler refused him after he said he owned a car.
Swift said he was told: "You'll have to use that then." The journey left him exhausted. On another occasion, his hospital transport for a Monday appointment was cancelled on the Friday afternoon, leading him to cancel the appointment.
Hywel Dda University Health Board states patients are normally expected to organise their own transport. Non-emergency patient transport is available only for those meeting strict criteria, such as needing a stretcher, oxygen, or regular dialysis. Public transport from Borth to Haverfordwest takes at least three-and-a-half hours each way.
Systemic Challenges and Community Response
Councillor Hugh Hughes said Swift was distraught and exhausted after his first trip. He warned that rural patients are facing longer journeys as services migrate further south.
WAST assistant director of operations Mark Harris acknowledged the refusal was a mistake and said processes have been changed and call-taker training introduced. He added that demand for transport and travel distances are increasing, straining resources and leading to cancellations.
Community transport charity Dolen Teifi, based in Llandysul, operates 42 vehicles and 160 volunteer drivers, making about 50 hospital journeys a week. Manager Rod Bowen said the charity received 145 calls in two months after hospital transport was cancelled the day before appointments, and could help in about a third of cases. He noted older patients are uncomfortable driving to unfamiliar hospitals.
Andrew Carruthers, chief operating officer at Hywel Dda health board, said the board covers a large rural area and is aware of the challenges patients face when travelling long distances for specialist treatment. He said the board works closely with WAST and will raise concerns to improve transport options.
