Case studies
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust: Sustainable Travel
SNAPSHOT
In 2005, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in partnership with Nottingham City Council introduced the Medilink Service, a free bus service that links separate sites, and links with transportation into the city centre.
Following expansion of the service in 2007, it now carries over 1 million passengers a year. The service has significantly reduced traffic in Nottingham, taking around 600,000 cars off the inner ring road annually. The scheme has also contributed to a reduction in CO2 emissions and travel expenses.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust supports a number of other initiatives to promote active and sustainable travel and has been recognised for all of its sustainable travel initiatives as the 2007 and 2008 winners of the Health Service Journal Awards for Corporate Citizenship.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 1 million passengers a year use free bus service, forecast to be 1.2 million in 2009
- 600,000 cars removed from the ring road
- Congestion and C02 emissions reduced on site and in the city centre
- Accessibility improved, contributing to social inclusion
- Supports recruitment and retention of staff
- Healthy life-styles encouraged in staff, visitors and patients
- Supports NUH environmental ethos and long term sustainability goals
SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
Staff and patients travelling to Nottingham University Hospitals used to rely heavily on privately owned cars and taxis. The high levels of traffic produced congestion on the roads, and a number of negative health and environmental impacts, e.g. poor air quality.
Poor public transport links from some areas of the city made access to NHS services difficult for some, contributing to social exclusion and health inequalities. Opportunities to encourage physical activity through active travel were also being missed.
Medilink
In 2005, the Medilink Service was launched – a free bus service between Nottingham City Hospital campus and Queen’s Medical Centre campus, both part of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The aim was to help address health inequalities and the environmental impacts of travel. The service began by running buses between the Trust’s sites once every 30 minutes. This catered for 500,000 passengers a year.
Improving the service
In 2007, the Trust worked with Nottingham City Council to link the Medilink Service with the Nottingham tram service and an existing park-and-ride facility. The service was developed to link in with mainline bus routes by observing stops along the busy Nottingham inner ring road that links the two hospital sites.
The frequency of Medilink services on weekdays was increased, from every 30 minutes to every 10 minutes, in line with rising demand.
Rising demand
In October 2008 at short notice, the Trust had to close a 750 space multi-storey car park for health and safety reasons related to its structure. This was done in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive. The closure of the car park, along with the improvements to the service, increased the number of people using the Medilink to approximately 1 million per year.
Impacts
Nottingham University Hospitals has found that the Medilink Service has helped to improve access to NHS services and facilities by reducing barriers, such as public transport costs and parking fees. The scheme has helped increase the numbers of individuals getting access to regular health checks. Frequency of missed appointments has decreased and resources are being used more effectively.
The Medilink Service also promotes healthy lifestyles by encouraging walking to and from public transportation stops. Healthy, sustainable lifestyles are promoted further by the Trust’s other sustainable initiatives.
Other initiatives
The NUH team has worked with colleagues in HR, procurement and finance to introduce a number of other initiatives to promote active and sustainable travel:
Cycling
A salary conversion tax initiative is offered for bike purchases. Cycle facilities are being increased and improved. Cycle routes are promoted and the Trust supports a cycle user group and events.
Public transport
The Trust has introduced discounted tickets for staff to use on public transport within greater Nottingham, and loans for travel season tickets. Travel kiosks printed bus service information and real time transport information boards have been introduced on both campuses, giving up to date information on journey planning and public transport scheduling.
Low emission cars
For those whose only realistic means of travel is by car, a lower emissions car purchase scheme is available.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has developed a highly successful sustainable travel initiative. It has helped reduce the number of vehicles travelling between Nottingham’s hospitals, easing traffic congestion in the city centre. It has also helped to create healthier, more environmentally friendly travel options for staff, visitors and patients alike.