Call to honour shuttle bus pledge

Protesters gathered more than 5,000 signatures on a petition

A union is calling on NHS bosses to honour a promise to ask residents about their travel problems after a bus service linking hospitals was axed.

The shuttle bus, which served patients and staff at hospitals in Crawley, Horsham and Redhill was axed in October by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare.

Unison said it was concerned that six months had elapsed, with no "meaningful consultation" taking place.

But the NHS trust said it had developed a travel plan with a range of options.

The free bus link, which served Crawley and Horsham hospitals and East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, was axed because the trust said it was underused.

Reimburse costs

A campaign was launched to reinstate it and a legal challenge by a patient forced the trust to reconsider the decision.

Then, in December, the trust decided to reimburse the costs of patients' bus travel, but not those of staff.

A public meeting is being held on Saturday at St John's Hall on The Broadway, Crawley to canvass the views of residents and staff.

Campaigners are asking those who may be suffering financial hardship, are unable to park at East Surrey Hospital or finding journeys too difficult on public transport to speak out.

"Unison calls upon the trust to honour the promise it made to conduct a meaningful consultation with residents living within its catchment area and to listen to their views," it said.

"We would also request that a timetable for carrying out a meaningful consultation be announced immediately."

The trust said that when it agreed to review the shuttle bus service it clearly stated this would be done in the context of an overall travel plan.

It published a first draft on 1 May which outlined improvements to car parking and bus stops at the East Surrey, bus discounts for staff and facilities for cyclists.

It had formed a travel group to ensure the views of staff and patients were included in the final plan.