Future Fit transport plans under discussion
A shuttle bus service could be introduced to ferry patients between Shropshire's two main hospitals as part of the Future Fit shake-up.
Draft plans put forward to address travel and transport concerns around the planned shake-up have been called 'aspirational'.
Travel concerns arose from the public consultation around Future Fit, with people saying public transport links to the county's hospitals need to be improved, especially in the more rural areas of the county.
The Future Fit plans involve separating emergency and planned care, with Royal Shrewsbury Hospital taking over responsibility for one area and Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, the other.
A meeting of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Council's joint health overview and scrutiny committee was told that travel and transport issues are being looked at by a dedicated group.
Draft plans to mitigate concerns were put before the committee on Monday and include providing a shuttle bus service between Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal Hospital that can be used by both patients and staff at a concessionary or free cost.
It also says car parking opportunities and costs could be reviewed, and options could be considered for park and ride facilities.
The plan states that public transport is currently being reviewed and Shropshire Council is working with local bus companies to improve the number of journeys to and from hospitals as well as between both hospital sites.
The use of technology is also being explored to provide better links between the two hospitals.
Details
But Councillor Andy Burford, chair of the committee, said some of the proposals were 'aspirational' and information was missing on how feasible the plans are.
He said there also needed to be details of the costs, risks and barriers involved.
The plans also include ensuring patients are aware of any help they can get with their travel costs and improving signage to train and bus stations.
David Evans, chief officer for Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, told the meeting it was also important for healthcare in the county to move towards a different model that was more about 'prevention' and 'self-management', rather than hospital admissions, where possible.
The committee was told the Future Fit shake-up would also help overcome some of the challenges faced by the county's stroke services.
However, Simon Wright, chief executive of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, which runs the hospitals, said steps were already being taken to make improvements.
A decision on the Future Fit proposals is expected to be made early next year.
