Friend's Mum going into hospital for operation

That's utter nonsense. Your friend should take her mother in her own car, which, as you rightly say, is far less likely to be a risk.

How would they even know?

Perhaps they thought she was going to come into the hospital with her mum. She might have said something like I'll bring my mum and they said Oh no you can't do that?

Or perhaps she talked to an idiot.

Like suziewoozie says, if she drops her off whose going to know.

A taxi is much less safe than a private family car. I had no option but to use one last month and the driver started coughing. They are more likely to catch Covid as they have many strangers in the vehicle every day.

My DH went into hospital for surgery last month, one of our sons drove him there

My OH has been taking an elderly lady to and fro from the hospital and GP. Not once has she been questioned as to how she got to her destination. I think someone has their wires crossed.

My brother went in for a day and I took him Much less risky than getting into a car with a stranger.

That sounds totally bonkers!

There must have been some misunderstanding

I also think there has been a misunderstanding.

I've been in your position and I took someone to the hospital for an operation and also for an appointment at the hospital.

When I went to an appointment myself, I drove there.

Good point suzie, how would anyone even know? Tell your friend to take her mother to hospital in her own car, there’s less risk than a taxi. Anyway, caring is allowed, and driving an elderly relative to hospital is caring. I’m taking my mother to a medical appointment in my car one day next week, although we have formed a bubble with her. However, I’d be taking her anyway, that is an instruction I would definitely ignore.

Thanks everyone for your responses. My friend has decided that despite what the hospital has said, she will be driving her Mother there herself as it is less risky than using a taxi. Makes sense to me and exactly what I would do in her position.