South Glasgow Hospitals - SPT support for NHSGGC transport arrangements - update Date of meeting 19 June 2015 Date of report 4 June 2015 Report by Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) 1. Object of report To update the Partnership on SPT activities in support of transport arrangements for the South Glasgow Hospitals (SGH), which comprise the South Glasgow University Hospitals and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. 2. Background Further to earlier reports 1, members will be aware that SPT has been working in support of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and Glasgow City Council (GCC) regarding transport for the SGH. With the phased opening of the new hospital having begun in late April and the transfer of the majority of patient services having now taken place including the transfer of key services from the Western Infirmary, Victoria Infirmary and Mansionhouse Unit and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, this report is intended to provide an update on current SPT activity regarding support for the provision of transport for the SGH. 3. Outline of proposals 3.1 General update Since the previous update, the SGH has seen its first intake of patients on 27 April 2015. Since then, there has been the transfer of more key services from other hospitals, including the transfer of most services (including Accident and Emergency) from the Western Infirmary and Royal Hospital for Sick Children, and all services from the Victoria Infirmary and Mansionhouse Unit. 3.2 Bus services/infrastructure 3.2.1 Members will recall that at the Partnership Meeting on 24 April 2015, awards were approved for a number of related network enhancement contracts for supported bus services to the SGH, funded using Section 75 monies, namely: First Glasgow - Service 34/34A enhancement Castlemilk Battlefield Shawlands SGH or Govan (from 10 May 2015) 1 See: http://www.spt.co.uk/documents/latest/rtp240415_agenda5.pdf http://www.spt.co.uk/corporate/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/additional-item-bus-services-to- South-Glasgow-Hospitals.pdf Page 1 of 5
First Glasgow New Service 15 Summerston Maryhill Partick Clyde Tunnel SGH (from 19 July 2015) First Glasgow New Service 16 Drumchapel Blairdardie Anniesland Partick Clyde Tunnel SGH (from 19 July 2015) 3.2.2 The contracts for providing the services above were awarded to First Glasgow at a cost of up to 2,488,649 and contracted to run for 4 years, with funding used to support services in the first 3 years. Thereafter, it is anticipated that services would operate fully on a commercial basis. 3.2.3 In addition, through SPT s intervention and engagement, officers were able to successfully encourage the registration of a number of new or amended services, significantly increasing the number of direct commercial services to SGH, including Stagecoach and McGill s new Fastlink services. 3.2.4 The key headline regarding bus services which began operations on 10 May is that the number of peak hour buses now serving the hospital has increased from 14 to 72, increasing to 76 peak buses per hour from 19 July - see Appendix 1 for details. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the provision of the vast majority of these services has been made, through SPT s intervention, at the commercial will of operators and at no cost to the public purse. However, due to the ongoing risk of delays to the provision of infrastructure primarily on Fastlink sections, there remains some concern over the possible withdrawal of commercial services, however SPT will monitor the situation. 3.3 Fastlink 3.3.1 Fastlink services began operating in early May, operating between the city centre and SGH. Services operating the Fastlink route are Stagecoach s X1 service and McGills F1 service. These services, when combined, provide a 5 min peak and 10 min off-peak service frequency. The McGills and Stagecoach services will utilise Fastlink infrastructure as it is opened. 3.3.2 The Fastlink Statutory Quality Partnership has now been made after approval by SPT and GCC and comes into operation on 28 June. SPT officers continue to meet with GCC with regard to the City Centre traffic management proposals and the absence of any progress on the Fastlink city centre routes which are fundamental to the success of the project. 3.3.3 SPT officers continue to support Renfrewshire Council in delivering the extension of Fastlink to Renfrew via Braehead, including taking forward the proposed Western Approach link. SPT officers will continue to liaise with Transport Scotland and councils to advance this proposal. 3.4 Govan Interchange Work began in late May on the circa 7m refurbishment of Govan Interchange, covering Subway, bus and Fastlink, which will deliver a revamped and fully integrated interchange and will play a key role for those accessing the SGH. Temporary bus stops will be in place throughout these works. 3.5 Hospital Evening Visitor Service (HEVS) A redesigned HEVS began operating from April 2015, providing an improved service to the SGH for Glasgow residents. The cost of the service (circa 94,000), operational times, booking arrangements and eligibility will remain the same as Page 2 of 5
currently. Priority will continue to be given to elderly people, those with a disability and those on low incomes. 3.6 Marshalling of Arrival Square 3.6.1 At the request of NHSGGC, and as an interim measure, SPT has provided 2 bus regulation officers to help assist with the operation of bus services at the SGH transport hub known as Arrival Square. The area is currently staffed between the hours of 7am and 7pm with staff on hand to direct buses and provide customers with travel information. Feedback received indicates that the presence of SPT staff has been key to the successful, smooth operation of Arrival Square as the hospital has opened for business. 3.6.2 Furthermore, SPT has been asked by NHSGGC to provide a cost estimate for the marshalling of Arrival Square covering an initial period of up to 1 year and officers are in the process of providing that information to NHSGGC. SPT staff have also assisted in the training of NHSGGC staff for the transport shop located within the SGH building, particularly in respect of ZoneCard ticketing. 3.7 Integrated Transport Hub SPT has completed a data gathering exercise of NHSGGC s hospital transport provision (including taxis and clinical shuttle services). Analysis of the data will now be undertaken using SPT s scheduling software in order to help ascertain opportunities for improved streamlining, integration and co-ordination of services for the SGH, which could generate potential cost savings and could go some way in assisting with the improved provision of transport services for the SGH. 3.8 Traveline Scotland The Traveline Scotland website and mobile phone app have now been updated to include a bespoke section for transport to hospitals across Scotland. This includes information on travelling to the SGH (with data applicable from 4 May) and will continue to be updated as new or revised services are registered. This update was part funded by SPT and was instigated at SPT s request. It is worth noting that this new section on the Traveline Scotland website and app is a significant step-forward in information provision for travelling to hospitals for people and communities across Strathclyde and indeed, the whole of Scotland. 3.9 Communications 3.9.1 Officers of SPT, GCC and NHSGGC continue to engage to ensure a coordinated approach to communication is undertaken regarding transport to the SGH. 3.9.2 At the Operations Committee meeting on 13 March 2015, a presentation was given to members by SPT s Director of Bus Operations summarising the current status of transport improvements for the SGH. At the request of SPT Chair, this presentation was subsequently circulated to all constituent councils in the west of Scotland. The presentation has also been passed to NHSGGC Communications team as SPT s input to the mailout to homes across the NHSGGC area which they are planning for April. Officers have also been communicating the information contained in the presentation to other forums on request, for example, Community Planning Partnerships. An updated presentation was circulated after the Partnership committee on 24 April 2015. Page 3 of 5
3.10 Other issues 4. Conclusions Other issues SPT officers are engaged in include working with NHSGGC and GCC colleagues on issues such as information provision at bus stops (including H branding), real time information, stance allocation, park and ride, traffic signalling/priority, parking issues and travel planning. SPT continue to provide support to NHSGGC and GCC for transport provision for the SGH. As noted above, officers continue to seek progress on many issues in advance of the SGH opening in order to ensure appropriate transport provision is in place. Officers will continue to provide updates to the Partnership as work progresses. 5. Partnership action The Partnership is requested to note the contents of this report. 6. Consequences Policy consequences Legal consequences Financial consequences Personnel consequences Equalities consequences Risk consequences In line with RTS and the duty of RTPs through the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 to improve access to healthcare. None None directly at present. None at present. Good access to the SGH by public transport and active travel modes is vital for equalities groups. None Name Eric Stewart Name Gordon Maclennan Title Assistant Chief Executive Title Chief Executive (Operations) For further information, please contact Bruce Kiloh, Head of Policy and Planning on 0141 333 3740. Page 4 of 5
Appendix 1 Page 5 of 5