Hospitals should have better aftercare plans

I have all the symptoms of bowel cancer and discussed this with my GP about ten years ago who recommended a colonoscopy.

I rang the Colorectal Assessment Clinic at Cork University Hospital to make an appointment. They asked me if I had someone to take me home afterwards. I said I don’t but I can get a taxi — I live in Blackpool. They refused to give me an appointment until I have someone to take me home, preferably a relative. This is not possible in my case. I am a 70-year-old woman who must look after myself.

It really upsets me when I visit Cork University Hospital, and see so much space going to waste around the main reception. Could a small area there be sealed off and allow colonscopy patients recover until they are well enough to get a taxi home?