Pensioner forced to drive 140 miles for heart tests

Charles Swift, an 83-year-old heart attack survivor and cancer patient from Ceredigion, was forced to drive himself 140 miles round-trip for medical tests at Withybush Hospital. Swift was denied non-emergency ambulance transport because he owns a car, despite being told the journey would be exhausting.

Public transport options were deemed unrealistic due to travel times exceeding three hours each way. The Welsh Ambulance Services Trust admitted that transport would not have been refused had they possessed more information. The service is currently undergoing process changes and staff training to better manage increasing demand for patient transport in rural areas.

Editor's note: The brief is concise, accurate, and captures all key details including the specific distance and the reason for the initial refusal.