Rishi Sunak MP is fighting to keep a shuttle bus service connecting the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton with its sister hospital in Middlesbrough.
The free weekday service, which runs between the Northallerton hospital and the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, was introduced 18 months ago when children’s and paediatric services at Northallerton were downgraded.
It was so successful it was extended a year ago and a larger bus introduced. But now the Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (HRWCCG), which funds the service, is reviewing the arrangement.
The current contract to provide the shuttle bus was due to end on March 31 but has been extended one month while the review is completed.
Mr Sunak said: “I fail to understand why a service considered to be so successful just a year ago because of the increase in number of users could now be under threat of closure.
On Monday, he travelled on the shuttle bus from the Friarage to James Cook twice to find out what users thought of the service and how much they valued it.
He also spoke to a small group of protestors who had gathered outside the Friarage Hospital to make their views clear.
“It is clear that it is valued by patients and relatives. I spoke to many of them during my trips on the bus and this is clearly a vital link for those who do not have access to private transport.
“This service was introduced when services at our local hospital were downgraded to help people in North Yorkshire access the services that had been moved out of the area.
“It cannot be right that this service is withdrawn and I shall be doing what I can to ensure it continues.”
Mr Sunak said he had expressed his very strong concern about the possible loss of the service to the chief executive of the HRWCCG, Janet Probert, and he would be having further discussions with the CCG and the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to find a solution.
Mr Sunak said the free service was primarily designed for patients and relatives but it was clear that there had been increasing take-up by staff travelling between the two hospitals and this needed to be looked at.
One of the patients who used the service on a regular basis was Danielle Butler, of Brompton. She said: “This service is so important to me and I couldn’t imagine not having access to it. We have to fight to keep it for the Friarage and we are pleased that Mr Sunak has given his support.”