Julian Knight, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate and local NHS campaigner, has hailed a major victory in his campaign to ensure better transport between the Heart of England Trust's hospital sites. In the autumn Julian raised significant concerns over the moving of in-patient urology services to Good Hope Hospital. Of primary concern to Julian was the potential pain and embarrassment caused to patients with urology related conditions having to travel from Solihull to Sutton Coldfield to undergo procedures and attend consultations.
Julian has raised his concerns in successive meetings with the chairman of HEFT Les Lawrence and senior clinicians at Solihull hospital.
Now HEFT has revealed that it plans to put out to tender a new inter-site bus service so to better transport patients between Solihull, Heartlands and Good Hope Hospital. In addition, HEFT is considering allowing patients to take the staff shuttle bus service as well. Julian has welcomed the plans outlined as part of HEFT’s surgical reconfiguration proposals currently being consulted upon.
"This shows what hard work behind closed doors can bring. After months of pressure, HEFT appears to be listening and taking action so to ease the transport burden for all patients but for those suffering from urology conditions in particular. If these proposals get the green light it should mean a far easier and quicker transportation for patients between the three main hospitals which serve Solihull."
"Over the last two years of campaigning to improve Solihull's NHS I think I have shown what I am all about, real hard work not just a picture in the paper," Julian added.
For the story as reported in the local press, look to January 30th's Solihull News, p. 44