NHS hospitals, including King’s College Hospital in London, are facing criticism for charging patients who cannot walk a fee for wheelchair access. The hospital has introduced a “Boris bike-style” system, where patients can hire a wheelchair from a dock. The first four hours of use are free, but after that, a charge of £2 per hour is automatically applied if the wheelchair is not returned.
This system, operated by the private healthcare company Wheelshare, was introduced to ensure more availability of wheelchairs. King’s College Hospital said that the scheme helps make sure that wheelchairs are returned after use, preventing shortages.
A spokesperson for the hospital explained: “Wheelchairs are free for the first four hours. After that, patients are charged £2 per hour. If patients experience long treatment times, they can contact Wheelshare for a refund.”
However, the refund process is not well-publicised. Reports suggest that the hospital’s website and payment confirmations do not mention that refunds are available, causing frustration among patients.
King’s College Hospital is also known for having long A&E wait times, with some patients waiting up to 12 hours. This has added to the frustration of patients and carers. One carer complained, “I’ve probably spent a thousand pounds on parking alone this year, and now we’re being charged for wheelchairs too.”
The scheme has been criticised online, with many calling it “unacceptable.” One user on X (formerly Twitter) said, “The NHS is crumbling, and privatisation is taking over. When will @wesstreeting act?”
Wheelshare has already introduced this system in several other hospitals across the UK, including Hillingdon Hospital, Coventry, Warwickshire, Northumbria, and Bedfordshire. There are also plans for further expansion across London.
Many patients and carers have voiced concerns over the increasing costs they face when visiting hospitals, as they already have to pay for transport and parking. The introduction of charges for wheelchair access has only added to these frustrations.
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