Green Community Transport, the popular community bus provider that helps vulnerable, disabled and extra needs residents get to hospital appointments at Southmead Hospital have found a solution to their parking woes after an insight trip was made by the Parking Manager and Local NHS Chief Andrea Young. The trip was aimed at highlighted the problems that were being experienced by volunteer drivers when they arrived at the hospital.
The journey which was organised and attended by Local MP Luke Hall has resulted in a solution involving improved communication, co-ordination and assistance from the Hospitals transport staff when the green buses are due to arrive with their passengers.
The coming phase two of the development due to start later this year at Southmead meant that the request for a designated bay was not a viable option as the new phase works start, the trust explained. The alternative offered has however meant a positive solution for the mini-campaign as health marshals will now ensure a space is free for the green buses, with hospital volunteers on hand to assist residents with disabilities or extra needs.
The scheme which starts on Monday the 1st of February has been welcomed by Manager of Green Community Travel Ltd, Jenny Bright who said: “We are thrilled to have a solution that we think will make things much easier for our passengers and our voluntary drivers. Thank you to Luke and the team at Southmead for their help with this solution. We are really pleased and think it will be a great success.”
Local MP Luke who also volunteers with Green Community Transport said: “I am extremely pleased that a solution has been found to the problems and hope it will go on to really help volunteers as they provide a valued service to residents. It’s important to me that when I see a group like Green Community transport that does such good for our area it gets the full support it needs. So I would like to sincerely thank, Andrea and the Transport team at Southmead for joining our trip and acting so quickly on the new scheme.”