Vital bus to be cut

Government cuts to the NHS have led to the axing of an essential hospital shuttle bus service for sick and elderly patients and their families and friends.

The 15-seat, 22-mile service that runs 12-hours a day, seven days a week between Bridlington and Scarborough hospitals began operating in June 2008.

Its introduction came bang in the middle of a vigorous campaign by the Bridlington community and Unite to stop the proposed transfer of acute medical services from their local hospital to Scarborough.

Although the government transferred the services, one of the guaranteed concessions from the department of health to campaigners was that the free shuttle bus for patients and visitors would continue to be funded by the then Primary Care Trust.

But this was replaced in 2013 by clinical commissioning groups (CCG), who now organises the delivery of NHS services in England. And it is Scarborough and Ryedale CCG (S&RCCG) which is ceasing to fund the shuttle bus service from July 17 onwards.

“I think there is no doubt that the shuttle bus was viewed by campaigners and Unite favourably.” believes Unite regional officer Terry Cunliffe.

Guarantee

“It was at least a guarantee that local people who require medical care and don’t have independent means of travel to Scarborough can do so relatively conveniently and without additional expense, which can be a substantial sum,” he added.

It currently costs ÂŁ11.50 for a train from Bridlington and a bus on to Scarborough hospital.

Joanne Marsden, is a Unite member who has worked as a domestic cleaner at Bridlington Hospital for 14 years. She has found the shuttle bus a real lifeline in the last year as she has needed to make the journey to Scarborough to regularly visit a specialist consultant there. Her grandson, aged one, has also needed to stay in Scarborough Hospital.

“I have made around 40 round trips and on one occasion I was required to be in Scarborough immediately for an operation and with my husband at work then I jumped on the bus.

“If I had to use public transport it would be a large cost and it would be a lot more time consuming and stressful. I have met many people who use the bus who are requiring acute care including cancer patients. They will struggle badly if it ends in July.

“Also the bus means anyone from Bridlington who, like my grandson, needs to stay in Scarborough Hospital is likely to get more visitors, which is much better for a person’s mental well-being.”

Since April, Allan Boynton, aged 82 and a retired Unite member and farm worker all his life has been jumping on the bus in Bridlington every day at noon and returning on the last bus from Scarborough at 7.45 pm.

Allan Boynton off on the vital bus to see wife Lois

Lois

“My wife of 58 years, Lois, is staying in Scarborough Hospital because she has terminal cancer. I love her and getting to see Lois is a must for me and her and so this service is crucial. Not just for me, but lots of other people. They should find the money to fund it.”

S&RCCG is not willing to provide a statement on its decision stating it was a ‘complicated’ matter.

They referred enquirers for additional information to East Riding CCG, whose spokesperson said, “We face a challenging year ahead as we continue to see levels of costs and demand for services increasing more rapidly than increases in our funding. The CCG is aware the Bridlington/Scarborough shuttle bus is a popular service. However, we are not in a position to take over funding.”

Terry Cunliffe can spot “a straight forward cost cutting exercise when I see one. The CCG, like all CCGs, is facing huge cutbacks from the government. CCG commissioners know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Everywhere they are falling over themselves to make significant cuts and to privatise the NHS and accommodate the government and big business.”

Local campaigners are now again back out fighting to stop the shuttle bus service being closed down. Signatures are being collected and it is apparent as you walk round the coastal town that there is strong backing for keeping the bus moving with posters up in shop windows and community projects.

“All power to local people,” says Cunliffe, “as this would be a real betrayal of what was promised back in 2008. The loss of the bus shuttle would be damaging to the health of the many people who need it to travel what is, quite a distance, to obtain essential medical care. Unite promises full support to any campaign.”

Pics by Mark Harvey