Need to travel in a private ambulance? How safe are wheelchair accessible taxis?
It is becoming increasingly difficult for many passengers with disabilities to visit appointments in hospitals without appointments, appointments for dentists, and so on. Especially since in many areas patient transport has been transferred to the County Council.
Private ambulances primarily fill this gap, but many consider it a bit redundant if the passenger does not need any medical intervention along the way. Most of the patients I spoke with (I have been transporting thousands of them over the past 10 years) are afraid to travel by ambulance, because the trip can be so uncomfortable, because a vehicle designed to carry huge loads like a van is almost empty even with several passengers on board, making the suspension very heavy, not ideal if you are in pain.
You will be happy to know that these are alternatives to a private motorway, if the only reason you need it is that you can travel while staying in your wheelchair and you will find them much more convenient and affordable, i.e. usually less than half the price.
For many years we have specialized in the transportation of patients for the appointment of their NHS and private hospital. We have a small fleet of specially adapted vehicles that make them the safest in Somerset, because it means that on each vehicle an additional 10,000 pounds was spent on the floor height, lowered 6-8 inches, and air suspension , which automatically falls to the ground, so there is hardly any gradient to enter the car.
Anyone who has ever been in a private ambulance or a taxi that did not lower the floor will know how important this is, as some vehicles may be 20 "or more from the ground, which makes the slopes really cool. Be no more than 1 out of 12 but many of them are 1 in 6 or even 1 in 4!
When booking your transport in wheelchairs, you should always make sure that the company you are using has all the safety measures, the most important of which are safety belts that are attached to the wheelchair when it is still outside the vehicle, they have the principle ratchet and kickback when a disabled passenger is pushed into a vehicle, if the driver slides or releases a wheelchair for any reason, the straps will not allow the wheelchair from atitsya down the ramp with catastrophic consequences. Once inside the car, the safest way to restrain a wheelchair is to provide all 4 corners with its safety belts, and then make sure that the passenger is also fastened with his own seat belt.
We can collect you in our specialized vehicles from anywhere in Somerset or adjacent counties if you have a meeting at any of Taunton hospitals. We can even take you to places in the UK. If you need a quote to meet any of your transportation needs, please call us.
