Agenda item

Philippa Slinger, Chief Executive, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust, outlined a report on the current position regarding Transport Solutions to support relatives and carers proposed by Berkshire Health Care Trust.  The Panel was reminded that the results of Transport surveys undertaken as part of the public consultation exercise had found that visitors overwhelming travelled by car (97%), to visit patients in hospital and there was no evidence that problems with travel had been identified as a reason for patients not receiving visitors.  It was accepted that despite the survey results concerns were expressed regarding the impact on relatives and carers should inpatient services be relocated to the Prospect Park Hospital site.  A transport group had been created comprising representatives from Overview and Scrutiny Committees, LINKs and Service Users and Carers representatives.  A number  of key expectations and solutions were identified and a transport consultations company was engaged to consider possible solutions.  The Panel noted five identified options for the provision of transport for relatives and the merits of these were discussed.  The favoured option was the provision of community transport whereby a number of existing operators would provide a service.  Further discussion was required around this option including the need to possibly charge a small amount in some cases, should the decision be made to relocate inpatient services to Prospect Park hospital.  It had also been suggested that an Internet based communications option such as Skype could be useful in helping patients and their carers/relatives to make contact between visits. 

In the ensuing discussion a Member commented that he had undertaken a mock journey from Langley to Prospect Park Hospital and the journey time was in excess of 1.5 hours each way.  It was important not only to measure the cost but also the journey time.  Ms Slinger commented that you could not mitigate for someone’s time or inconvenience and noted that the majority of visitors would drive to the hospital and the challenge could be the cost of petrol.  It was suggested that there could possibly be a petrol reimbursement scheme based on a statutory mileage rates in force.

Resolved - That the report be noted.