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Lack of viable public transport to hospitals

Posted By KennethAVR

"Lack of viable public transport to hospitals"

About: Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

(as a service user),

Perhaps someone could explain. Translink NI wrote to me some time ago when I highlighted the challenges I’ve had getting from Ballymena to a number of Belfast’s hospitals by train and by bus; and around Belfast by Metro bus/ Glider.

DfI NI wrote to say, in essence, non nostra culpa … but do use public transport. The Belfast Trust wrote to say it was addressing its website’s out of date directions information (out of date months after being informed).

Translink wrote a comprehensive response in praise of the services offered by Translink and at Grand Central and invited me to come and have a look. But the Translink Goldline Service from Ballymena terminates at Laganside. If I need to travel onwards to the City Hospital or RVH, or Musgrave Park Hospital I have to walk 20 mins to Grand Central and take a train out of Belfast to stop at City Halt/ Balmoral Halt, or try to find a bus that will serve, or walk.

Why the bus not the train? I have a 60+ Pass, but for other passengers the bus is the cheaper option. Train journeys here are overpriced: £11 single for a 42 min journey

Private cars and the city itself is the root cause of congestion, and an obstacle to buses getting from A-B or in my case Belfast’s hospitals … as well as years of public transport-underfunding. We will willingly use public transport when it is affordable and when we can rely on it.

I have missed appointments because of the building of Belfast Grand Central and consequential traffic gridlock (Belfast is a small city with a grid system that encourages congestion; far too many drive). I have had to arrive at appointments hours early because of infrequent connections. I have got home late because appointments overrun and I miss my connections. I have complete heart block and get stressed about missing appointments and tired - this obviously can make my health worse - I can have 2-3 appointments a month. I am a diabetic and need to check my BS much more often because of stress, having to hurry; I'm often out of pocket because of delays and I need to buy snacks to stop myself going too low ... yes, this is much of the life of being a diabetic ... good planning resolves problems, but having to use public transport that is at best basic does not help.

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Responses

Response from Louise Macdonald, Interim Senior Nurse Manger Patient Experience and Governance, Central Nursing, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust last week
We are preparing to make a change
Louise Macdonald
Interim Senior Nurse Manger Patient Experience and Governance, Central Nursing,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Senior Nurse manager for Patient Client Experience Teams , including Volunteer service, Chaplaincy, Bereavement Service and Patient Client Experience Team.

Submitted on 25/03/2025 at 10:35
Published on Care Opinion at 10:51

Dear Service User

My name is Louise Macdonald and I am a Senior Nurse Manager in the Belfast Trust with responsibility for the patient experience team.

Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback about your experience in using public transport to hospitals in Belfast.

I apologise that the Trust directions on our website were out of date. It is really unfortunate to hear that you struggled to attend your appointments. I will endeavour to follow up that information regarding directions on the website, is updated by the appropriate team in the Trust.

I have included information below from our website which outlines options available to you and telephone numbers which you may find useful if you require any further assistance.

Buses and trains

The Translink journey planner can help you plan your travel.

For further information telephone: (028) 9066 6630.

Some people are eligible for free or subsidised travel. To find out more, telephone 0845 600 0049.

Door 2 Door Transport Services

This scheme helps older people or people with disabilities to access local services. You must first join the scheme, but you will then be eligible to access the transport. There is a small charge for this service.

For further information, please contact Disability Action:

Telephone: 0845 608 5555 Textphone: 028 9029 7882 Website: www.disabilityaction.org

Rural transport

Rural Community Transport Partnerships provide information about transport services in rural areas.www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/rural-community-transport-partnerships

Hospital Travel Costs Scheme

The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme helps people on a low income or income-based benefits who may be entitled to reclaim travel expenses for hospital treatment.

www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/hospital-travel-costs-scheme

If you require further support or wish to speak with us please contact our patient experience team PatientExperience@belfasttrust.hscni.net.

Kind Regards

Louise

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by KennethAVR (a service user)

Hello Louise,

Thank you for your sympathetic post. It baffles me that one of the biggest, most advanced trusts in N. Ireland took so long to change what was only a few key details - but the information is now up to date.

I am realistic enough to see that given the dire state of funding here in NI, companies are not going to provide more frequent, convenient bus services to and between Belfast's hospitals with live, digital information screens at key stops. Or better, more frequent connections between towns like Ballymena and regional hospitals. I have spoken with politicians and am currently engaging with DoH ... the feedback is that given the fact that so many use cars here and not public transport ... the chances of a more connected public service for patients and a greener future for NI are low. But we can keep trying to encourage.

I'd like to have a chat and will email your service with my details.

Thank you again.

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