Concerns Over Bus Access to Hospitals in North West London, Ealing

A Review by Healthwatch Ealing prepared for the meeting of Ealing Council’s

Transport Scrutiny Panel held on Thursday 26th January 2017

Healthwatch Ealing examined the bus access to surrounding hospitals and presented the findings to the Travel Scrutiny Panel.

The main issues raised were:

• Importance of access to transport for patients, carers, family and friends

• Implications of deprivation on mode of travel

• Journey Times

• Multiple Bus Changes

• Concessionary Fares

• Time of day

• Existing Concerns e.g. current bus routes

• Future Concerns e.g. Ealing Hospital configurations, closure and changes to location of services

• TfL Buses Issues e.g. limited north-south bus routes.

Recommendations:

• Production of a Transport Statement by NHS when configurating, changing or closing services which can result in longer and challenging journeys for service users

• Survey of all changes to existing bus routes and impact on journeys including time

• The NHS and TfL Buses identify funding opportunities to improve bus access to key hospitals and Out-of-Hospital Hubs

• Review of bus services to all hospital sites

• Multidisciplinary review of off-peak/night bus access to acute hospitals in North West London

• Review TfL Bus Planner and identify possible enhancements

• Establish a standing panel/committee under Ealing Council’s auspices to monitor and comment on travel issues associated with access to health provision.