PATIENTS in Ryedale will be asked to pay for a hospital bus service in a bid to secure its future.

An agreement has been reached between the Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and other partners which involves bus users paying a fee for the service.

The daily shuttle bus service between Bridlington and Scarborough Hospitals was originally commissioned by York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (YHFT), with the Scarborough and Ryedale CCG contributing half of the annual £127,500 running costs.

However, a review by local commissioners suggested only a small percentage of service users were travelling from Scarborough and Ryedale – the area for which the Scarborough and Ryedale CCG is responsible – to Bridlington; while approximately 90 per cent of users were travelling from the Bridlington area to Scarborough.

The CCG also recognised that similar services were not available to patients travelling between Scarborough, Malton and York hospitals. These factors led to the Scarborough and Ryedale CCG’s decision to stop funding the service.

With a financial gap looming, the YHFT decided to end its contract with the provider of the service, Dial-a-Ride, with the final shuttle bus service due to run on July 17.

But now, in an arrangement brokered by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Scarborough and Ryedale CCG has agreed to underwrite a share of the costs of a replacement service between the two hospital sites.

Patients, who said they would be willing to pay to keep the service, will be charged £5 for a return journey – half of the cost charged by the local commercial operator.

The shuttle bus service will be operated by East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a 12-week trial. It hopes to encourage staff travelling between the two hospital sites to use the service and increase overall passenger numbers to cover running costs.

The Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, along with YHFT and Bridlington Town Council, have agreed to underwrite the cost of the service, if income levels from fares fall short.

Simon Cox, chief officer of the CCG, said: “I’m delighted for patients and families who use the service that we have been able to come to this arrangement with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and other partners. I’m very hopeful this 12-week trial will be a success, though there are no guarantees it will be extended and I would encourage people to use the service.”

The CCG continues to provide a non-emergency Patient Transport Service (PTS) for suitable patients referred for consultations, treatment or procedures provided within the hospital or community setting. Patients who believe they are suitable for PTS and need transport should call 0300 330 2000 as soon as they receive an appointment.

Patients may also be able to claim reasonable travel costs to and from appointments under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme if they are on low incomes, or are in receipt of qualifying benefits. For further information visit www.scarboroughryedaleccg.nhs.uk/your-health/claiming-transport-costs-for-accessing-health-services/