Česky
We introduced free transport at the beginning of 2021, when the owner of AKESO Holding , Sotirios Zavalianis, came up with this benefit. Many patients had difficulty getting to their radiotherapy appointments and it was difficult to arrange an ambulance for them. Patients were given a ride by their attending physician after an assessment of their overall health. Should there be a deterioration, another form of transport can be arranged with the doctor. Patients are satisfied that they can get to the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of the Pardubice Region without any problems, and the organisation of their treatment has been facilitated.
What do you use?
We have purchased two Toyota Verso Proace minibuses. Oncology patients have more fragile immunity, so we offer everyone in the car a respirator and, of course, the cars are regularly thoroughly cleaned. However, they do not replace conventional ambulances.
The cars travel along the route Svitavy, Ústí nad Orlicí and Chrudim and also go to Hořovice. They pick up patients at fixed drop-off points, but if necessary, it is possible to change the location according to the patient's needs. During the first visit to the Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the driver accompanies the patient to the outpatient clinic, where he or she is handed over to the nurses. After the treatment, the patient is transported back to the drop-off point.
If patients from Hořovice do not want to use the shuttle service but come by train, we reimburse their fare.
"On the first visit, the driver accompanies the patient to the ambulance."
Accommodation
Patients from Hořovice have a longer journey, so we have arranged for them to stay for free with breakfast at the Hotel Arnošt in the centre of Pardubice. Of course, it is not a problem to accommodate family members as well, for them we have arranged discounted prices.
Relaxation
In order to make the physically and mentally demanding period of life a little more pleasant for the patients, we have arranged several benefits for them with the city of Pardubice and other partners. For example, they can borrow new books provided by the regional library from the marketing department in the clinical oncology building (No. 24). They can request a free ticket to Kunětická hora, the East Bohemian Museum and the local castle. Patients can also get a free ticket to the CineStar cinema and we will also lend them a public transport card.
What our patients say about the transport
"I had the opportunity to take a ride to Pardubice Hospital. I was pleasantly surprised how it looked. The gentlemen who drove the car were very helpful, they helped with everything, gave advice, made sure everything was in order. They function a bit like a psychological counselling centre. The journey always passed quickly and sometimes I felt that we were going on a trip and not to the hospital. They are very human. They deserve a lot of praise and thanks." (J. S.)
"Iwould like to thank everyone who took nice care of me when I was in Pardubice Hospital. Especially Mrs. Víšková and her kind chauffeurs, they were really nice, I thank them all very much for that." (Mr. Č.)
"(...) For a person with a serious illness, this human approach means a lot. Also the attitude of the other drivers is great. They call me the day before and agree where to pick me up, and on the day of departure they call to say they are coming (...)" (J. U.).
"(...) What I personally appreciate most is that they have been able to adapt the drop-off program to the needs of us - the patients. Especially to my person, when apart from the irradiation in Pardubice I have to undergo dialysis 5 times a week and with that I have to have regular check-ups at the department. Ústeckýorlice hospital. All this was arranged so that I could manage in the best possible conditions (...)." (P. N.)
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