A letter arrives with a hospital appointment on it, and the first thought is often not about the appointment at all. It is about how on earth you are going to get there.
If you don't drive, or can't drive at the moment, getting to Gloucestershire Royal, Cheltenham General or the Great Western in Swindon can take real planning. Buses don't always line up with appointment times, taxis add up, and asking family to take a morning off work every few weeks can feel like a lot.
Here is how lifts with Ellia work, and a few things to think about before the day.
Why getting to appointments is harder than it looks
Plenty of people can manage the appointment itself without any trouble. It is everything around it that wears them down. A long walk from the bus stop to the right department. Finding a space in a busy car park. Waiting around afterwards for a taxi that is running late.
It affects all sorts of people: someone recovering from an operation who has been told not to drive, a working parent whose partner has the car, someone with a disability or long term condition, or an older person who has given up driving and doesn't want to keep asking the neighbours.
Whatever the reason, having one reliable person to take you there and bring you home again takes a lot of the worry out of it.
How a lift with Ellia works
Every Ellia client has one regular helper. Our helpers are insured to drive clients, so your helper can pick you up from home, take you to your appointment and bring you back afterwards.
Because it is the same person each time, they get to know you and your routine. They will know which entrance you prefer, whether you like to arrive early, and that you will want a cup of tea when you get home.
A visit lasts at least two hours, which usually suits a hospital trip well, since appointments often run over. Your helper can wait with you, keep you company in the waiting room, and help you find your way around if the building is unfamiliar.
You can read more on our lifts and appointments page.
Making the most of the time
Because a visit is at least two hours, many people use any spare time for other jobs. Your helper might stop at the shops on the way home, collect a prescription, or help put a wash on once you are back.
If you are coming home after a procedure and feel tired, your helper can make sure the house is warm and the kettle is on before they leave. If you have a longer hospital stay coming up, our help after hospital page explains how we can get the house ready for your return and help out in the weeks afterwards.
It is worth saying clearly that our helpers do not provide personal care or medical support. What they offer is practical help: getting you there, being a familiar face, and making the day run more smoothly.
A few tips before the day
Check your appointment letter for the department name and the entrance closest to it
Write down any questions you want to ask, so you don't forget them in the moment
Bring your letter, a list of any medicines you take, and something to read
Allow extra time for parking and finding the right place
Let your helper know if you would like them to come in with you or wait outside
We cover Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Berkeley and Dursley, Thornbury, Cirencester and the GL7 villages, Malmesbury, and Swindon with Royal Wootton Bassett, Purton, Cricklade, Wroughton and Highworth. You can see the full list on our areas page.
Questions people ask
How much does a lift to a hospital appointment cost?
Every Ellia service is £25 an hour, and each visit lasts at least two hours. A lift is charged in the same way as any other visit.
Can you take me to other appointments too?
Yes. As well as hospital appointments, helpers can take you to the GP, the dentist, the opticians, the shops or a social event. The same helper can also help around the house on other days if that would be useful.
Will my helper stay with me during the appointment?
Your helper can wait with you and bring you home afterwards. Whether they come into the appointment room is up to you.
If getting to appointments has become a worry, we would be glad to help. Call us on 01452 447 109 or get a free quote and tell us where you need to be.
