Latest news with #WessexCancerSupport
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Southampton Daisy Bus for cancer patients 'not value for money'
A shuttlebus that takes patients undergoing cancer treatment to and from hospital in Southampton is "not the best value for money", the Government of Jersey has Cancer Support's Daisy Bus is used by patients travelling for treatment from the Isle of Wight as well as those from the Channel Islands staying in hotels in the Government of Jersey said it was withdrawing funding as falling numbers of patients from Jersey meant it was costing £60 per passenger journey - significantly more than a taxi service, operated by Wessex Cancer Support and local NHS trusts is due to end on 20 August. The bus currently runs five times a day between the Leonardo Hotel, Deanery Court, Ocean Village and the RedJet terminal at Town Quay, taking patients to University Hospital Southampton (UHS).A similar Daisy Bus service, connecting Portsmouth's ferry terminal with the Queen Alexandra Hospital, will continue for the time buses are run jointly by Wessex Cancer Support and local NHS trusts in Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, but are not funded by the bulk of its funding was a £56,600 grant allocated by Health and Care Jersey (HCJ). 'Valuable service' HCJ's head of access, Emily Hoban, said there had been a "notable decline" in patients from Jersey using the said the bus had provided "an excellent and valuable service" for Jersey patients but was costing "significantly more" than the £19 an average taxi ride was costing."The Daisy Bus operates on a scheduled timetable and outside these times taxis are provided for patients, which is an additional cost."The decision was made to discontinue the service following a review which found that it was not the best value for money."She said Jersey patients would not be affected by the end of the bus service as taxis would be booked and paid for by from the Isle of Wight who had also used the buses, have described them as an "essential" service for anyone on the island undergoing cancer treatment on the mainland.A joint statement from Wessex Cancer Support and NHS trusts earlier this week said support for travelling patients remained available through NHS schemes for those who met eligibility include the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) and access to Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS). You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Southampton Daisy Bus cancer treatment hospital shuttle to end
An "essential" free shuttlebus that takes patients undergoing cancer treatment to and from hospital is to be discontinued, a charity has Cancer Support's Daisy Bus is used by patients travelling for treatment from the Isle of Wight as well as those from the Channel Islands staying in hotels in the charity said external funding from the States of Jersey had been withdrawn and the service would end on 20 Government of Jersey has been contacted for comment. The bus runs five times a day between the Leonardo Hotel, Deanery Court, Ocean Village and the RedJet terminal at Town Quay, taking patients to University Hospital Southampton (UHS).Wessex Cancer Support said: "We're sad about the decision to stop the Southampton Daisy Bus, but the decision was made with our NHS partners after exploring other options for future funding."We have had external funding... which has unfortunately now stopped."A similar Daisy Bus service, connecting Portsmouth's ferry terminal with the Queen Alexandra Hospital, will continue for the time Belgrove, from Freshwater on the Isle of Wight, used the Portsmouth service in 2017 during his radiotherapy and said the buses were an "essential" service for people on the island undergoing treatment on the mainland."They are a lifesaver. Getting public transport would be lengthy and taxis are expensive," he island patient, Rex Goldsmith, said: "It's is not just a transport service, it is a lifeline and an essential social meeting place."You get to know the other passengers – you become great friends and you support each other."The buses are run jointly by Wessex Cancer Support and local NHS trusts in Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.A joint statement said the Southampton Daisy Bus had "provided vital transport for cancer patients from Jersey, and some patients from the Isle of Wight, travelling to UHS for cancer treatment". "This service has provided valued support to many patients but is not an NHS-funded service," it added that support for travelling patients remained available through NHS schemes for those who met eligibility include the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) and access to Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS). You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
