Green Party Councillor for Hertford Ward back in March asked the Health Authority to review the way it funds its ‘free’ hospital bus that it runs non stop between Scarborough Hospital and Bridlington Hospital , he is still awaiting a reply.

Said Nick ‘Local people are annoyed, the Wards of Filey and Hertford have high numbers of elderly people, who need to access hospital both for treatment and support friends and family as visitors. Consistently in both Parish Plans and at consultation events the need for better links between Hunmanby, Filey and Eastfield with both Scarborough and Bridlington hospital have been drawn to the attention of transport bosses and health service managers. Scarborough Borough, compared to the rest of North Yorkshire has high numbers of households without a private car, Filey & Hertford also have high numbers of elderly residents and people with a long term limiting illness who need to access health services more frequently.

Added Nick ‘I asked under the Freedom of Information Act and was amazed to find that the National Health Service paid last year £131,710 to run a non stop free bus between the two hospital site. I have put the case for a proper service to be provided, passengers paying a fare and to serve principle communities en-route. Local residents in Filey, Hunmanby and Eastfield are annoyed the bus does not stop to pick them up to take them to and from hospital. It is vital that the Health bosses look into this urgently, especially with the planned cutting of all evening and Sunday supported services by North Yorkshire County Council in the Scarborough Borough from April 2011.

Said Nick ‘£600 million this year is the estimated cost to the NHS for missed appointments, by putting on a dedicated bus service this would enable more appointments to be kept. Being a Hospital Bus service, bus times would also be geared around both hospital workers start and finishing times and visiting hours, this would help reduce demand on car park spaces at key times.

Councillor Nick Harvey

Hertford Ward – Scarborough Borough Council

66 Stonegate

Hunmanby

Filey

YO14 0PP

Tel: (01723) 890453 Mobile (07973) 899542

Email: [email protected]