The NHS Trust had their own minibus for transporting patients to and from the nearest tube station – Stanmore. In August 2009 the vehicle “blew up” and was not worth repairing. This forced planning staff to investigate alternative methods of patient transport. One idea which was investigated involved sharing a minibus service with the University of Hertfordshire, who already offered a once hourly service from Stanmore tube station to the University campus, adjacent to the hospital. After some discussions this idea did not go ahead, with the main challenges being the difference in time schedules – the University bus is designed for students attending lectures, and does not run early or late enough to be of full use for the hospital.
Staff have also been waiting for news linked to the new business park adjacent to their site, and a promised new bus service. This has not yet materialised, and the lack of communication has been frustrating.
The focus has now shifted to developing a integrated Travel Plan linked to the redevelopment of the site. It is early days yet, and for the time being we now have a contractor providing a regular patient transfer service from the underground station to the hospital. This is still “greener” than the equivalent number of taxi journeys that would be required.
Main site
Need to find alternative means of transporting patients to and from station
We have put details of the University bus on our website, so patients and visitors are aware of the service. There is scope to record the number of people using the route, so that figures can be provided to the Highways Agency and London Buses about the viability of a new bus service on this route.