By Dave Lord

SERIOUSLY-ILL patients are forced to spend up to eight “harrowing” hours travelling to Ninewells Hospital for critical appointments due to the inefficiency of public transport, a senior councillor has claimed.

Perth South member Alexander Stewart, whose ward includes Perth Royal Infirmary, has called for dramatically improved transport links—including an hourly bus service linking the hospital with its counterpart in Dundee.

Mr Stewart insists such a development would make a radial difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable Taysiders.

Plans for the link have been discussed for many years, but the Perth councillor fears it may have hit the buffers.

He is set to meet senior NHS chiefs and is calling for “clarity” regarding any such scheme.

“A bus service between Perth Royal and Ninewells would be of great benefit to patients, staff and visitors alike,” Mr Stewart said.

“I have been calling for an integrated transport policy to exist between the two hospital sites for some time and, earlier last year, a service was officially proposed.”

Despite such positive developments, the councillor said he has heard precious little since.

Nevertheless, he believes demand for the service remains high.

“A recent questionnaire asked whether people were interested in further investigating the feasibility of a direct transport link between Perth and Ninewells,” he said.

“It became apparent that over 80% of individuals travelling to Ninewells in the past 12 months went by their own car while only 4% chose to use the bus network.

“However, over a third stated they would consider using such a facility if it was available.”

Mr Stewart has heard some devastating anecdotal evidence regarding the sometimes very poor standard of public transport to local hospitals and is pleading for the link to be introduced as soon as possible.

“Many constituents and individuals across Perth and Kinross have contacted me over the years to complain about the lack of public transport between Perth and Ninewells but for rural communities it is even worse,” he said.

“I have received some harrowing letters from individuals who have informed me that it has taken up to eight hours to go from their home to a consultation at Ninewells.

“They have had to endure up to eight bus journeys to get there—and then spend only 30 minutes at their consultation meeting.

“What is desperately required is an hourly bus service between PRI and Ninewells.

“I am aware that Perth and Kinross Council continues to play its part and that funding is available for such a link.”

The councillor has pledged to pile the pressure on NHS chiefs in a bid to move the proposal forward.

“Reassurances require to be given by NHS Tayside to ensure that this dream becomes a reality,” he said.

“Next week I, along with fellow councillors, will be meeting with senior management of NHS Tayside at Perth Royal and this will hopefully be a topic that will be discussed and details of the development confirmed.”

When contacted by The Courier, the head of support services for Perth and Kinross with the NHS Mark Scholes, said the issue would be on the agenda.

“The meeting has been set up to provide an opportunity for local councillors to be brought up to date on the developments at PRI,” he said. “Transport will be an important part of the discussions.”