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Thank you for sharing your experience of Frome Community Hospital site, and public transport.

following my enquiries, please see the following press release.

EXTRA BUSES FOR NEW HEALTH PARK?

With the opening of the town’s new Health Centre only a matter of weeks away, talks are still continuing to try and get an expanded bus service in place in April/May. At present, what will become the Health Park is served by the 161/162 service from Wells which terminates at the Community Hospital after coming from Sainsbury’s and going through the centre of town.

‘It is anticipated that about 1200 patients, relatives and visitors will be using the site every day and as a practice we have been committed right from the very outset to encouraging as many as possible to attend on foot, by bike or on bus,’ says GP and partner at the Frome Medical Practice Dr Tom Cahill. ‘This is all part of our Healthy Living agenda.’

Sophie Jones at one time worked as a District Nurse in Frome, but she is now the travel plan co-ordinator responsible for ensuring that there are as many alternatives as possible other than driving to the new health park.

‘We are now working in tandem with Frome Town Council to try and get an additional bus route to service the site,’ says Sophie. ‘One possibility that we have been looking at is a possible change to the Bath 267 service. The Community Hospital has already been constructed with more than ample access for buses with a turning area and lay-by. When the new Health Centre is opened on the 2nd January, there will also be a cafe available that overlooks the bus stop where patients and others can wait in comfort.’

The Town Centre Manager at Frome Town Council is Karen Clements. She confirms that the Town Council is in talks with the bus provider First.

‘First have been in touch with us to confirm that they are looking at increasing the level of bus service to the new health park, primarily looking at the 267 service,’ says Karen. ‘We are currently waiting to hear back from them but we are obviously very supportive of any effort that can improve public access.’

All partners and employees at the Frome Medical Practice are given every encouragement to use alternative transport to get to work, including the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme. The new Health Centre will provide staff with a free bicycle MOT. Visitors will be provided with secure storage for their cycles and the building will also have an electric charger point electric cars. ENDS.

I hope that the above information is helpful to you, but if the Patient Advice and Liaison Service, (PALS), can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me on the following telephone number.

Karen Howard-Grenville

PALS

Tel No. 01278 432022