Have your say about Callington Road transport at open forum
November 25, 2015 at 5:17 pm
The poor transport provision for a Bristol mental health hospital will be brought into question at a public forum later this month.
The open event, on November 30, 6-7.30pm at the Station in Bristol’s city centre, is being organised by the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN) – a group established to monitor the efficiency of mental health services in the city.
Members of the public will be able to ask questions to a panel, made up of transport and mental health service providers, and to hear about any solutions which can be made.
In March this year, First withdrew the number 36, which served patients, visitors, staff and other users of Callington Road Hospital in Brislington, due to “low usage” and it being the “worst performing bus in Bristol”.
First says that the bus was being caught up at the nearby Tesco supermarket, which caused delays for the service.
A free bus which had been provided by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) since 2006 was then cancelled in May due to a “series of issues”.
A number of bus services stop nearby the site, but require users to walk along a main road and through a poorly lit wooded area, which Avon and Somerset Police has actively discouraged people to walk though in low light.
The hospital provides essential services, including inpatient care, psychiatric intensive care, community services, and electroconvulsive therapy.
BIMHN has been made aware that for many users of the site, the poor transport provision is proving a hindrance to their recovery.
Amelia Campbell, BIMHN’s campaign officer, said: “The cuts to these services have resulted in those who do not or cannot drive needing to walk over half a mile from the nearest bus stop to the hospital – this is not appropriate for those who are vulnerable or have mobility issues.
“Service users, visitors and staff should also not be expected to walk through an area the local police acknowledge as dangerous and discourage individuals from walking through.
“This event aims to bring campaigners and allies together with some of those behind the cuts in service to firstly outline the issues and why they need to be addressed, secondly, to find out exactly what led to these decisions being made, and finally, to reach a compromise with aims and objectives to work towards improving the transport provision.”
Confirmed members of the panel include Wessex Bus and AWP. BIMHN still awaits confirmation from First Bus and Callington Road Hospital staff.
To register your attendance for the event, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk
For more information about BIMHN, visit: bimhn.org.uk
November 25, 2015 at 5:17 pm | News | No comment