Labour & Co-operative Councillor for Hollingdean and Stanmer, Jeane Lepper has asked the council to look into a decision by the South East Coast Ambulance Service NOT to allow patients to be accompanied in the Ambulance by friends or relatives. 

Cllr Lepper was contacted by an elderly constituent, who wishes to remain nameless, who was told by the ambulance service that that escorts are no longer be able to accompany them in the ambulance. Her friend and neighbour was unable to accompany her and had to take a taxi- causing unnecessary anxiety and distress to this elderly woman.

Apparently, the decision was originally taken by the Ambulance service last year and the only exceptions are for those patients who are blind or suffering from dementia. 

Brighton & Hove Labour & Co-operative Councillor for Hollingdean & Stanmer, Councillor Jeane Lepper, said:

“Many people have a friend who comes along with them to the hospital, providing reassurance and help, but now these escorts have been told to make their own way to the hospital, often having to take a taxi at their own expense.

”I understand that the ambulance service has to maximize the space available in their vehicles but this decision is causing a lot of anxiety and stress to elderly and disabled people.

“That is why I have asked for this decision to be explored further by the city’s Health Scrutiny Board.”