Wheelchair Shortage At John Radcliffe Hospital
A volunteer ambulance driver has said a wheelchair shortage at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford could lead to an accident.
Paul Barlow said if a patient fell over and broke their leg the hospital could have a “big claim on their hands”.
Estates director Ian Humphries said the John Radcliffe had recently ordered an additional 20 wheelchairs.
But Mr Barlow responded by saying: “How could it be enough? The John Radcliffe is like a big city.”
‘Got worse’
During one trip to the hospital Mr Barlow claimed it took him more than an hour to drop off three patients because of a lack of wheelchairs.
“It’s just got worse in the last month or so,” he added.
Mr Humphries said he was sorry to hear about Mr Barlow’s problems and that it was a challenge to ensure that the hospital had enough wheelchairs in the right places.
“Obviously, by definition, a wheelchair is a moveable item and it is intended to be used by patients throughout our hospitals.
“Sometimes they take a while to track back down again,” he said.
Same Difference 