Oliver Ryan MP has raised the cancellation of the East Lancashire hospitals’ shuttle bus service in Parliament and hopes a solution is only weeks away.
The East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) announced it would axe the free service, introduced in 2007, with effect from April 1 saying it could no longer afford the £780,000 a year operating cost.
The transport service runs between Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, Burnley General Teaching Hospital, and Pendle Community Hospital for staff, patients, and visitors.
Mr Ryan, whose constituency is Burnley, expressed “deep concern” about the loss of the service and raised his concerns in Parliament.
Speaking in the House of Commons he said: “I am deeply concerned about a local decision by our hospital trust to cut the hospital bus route, which is a huge loss for staff and patients.
“Will she (MP Lucy Powell) join me in calling on transport operators, the county council, the East Lancashire Hospital Trust, Blackburn Council, and others to get round the table and find a solution to save our shuttle bus and keep this vital service running?"
In response, Ms Powell called hospital shuttles “absolutely vital” and that she intends for the bus bill to be passed through parliament soon.
The bus bill intends on providing more autonomy to local people on their bus routes, ensuring constituents have more say.
Mr Ryan said he is in talks with various parties over potentially taking over the free service which links Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General, and he hopes that they will come forward in the next week or two.
In a statement on the ELHT website, the trust's chief executive Martin Hodgson said: “This decision has not been reached lightly or without significant consideration about the impact on patients, visitors and colleagues, but the Trust’s financial position is extremely challenging and our spending decisions remain under additional scrutiny nationally from NHS England.
“Continuing the shuttle bus would cost ELHT £780,000 in 2025-26, with a minimum contractual commitment of a further three years, which we simply do not have.
"I know passengers value the shuttle bus services and I am sorry that this decision will impact them but we will do everything we can to help them to manage this change.
"This includes reimbursing patients who meet eligibility criteria for free bus fares and I would encourage anyone who finds themselves unable to attend an appointment to get in touch to see how we can help.”
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