A FREE bus service linking Jedburgh with Hawick Community Hospital is not being used because patients and visitors are unaware of its existence – according to a local councillor, writes Bob Burgess.
Townsfolk lost a battle to prevent the Sister Margaret Cottage Hospital from closure in March last year when the new hospital opened in Hawick.
Campaigners had claimed that it would be difficult for people in Jedburgh without their own transport t
o visit relatives and friends.
But Councillor Jim Brown says a service does exist, but few people know about it.
He and local Community Councillor Frankie Murrow met with Rosemary Woodcock of NHS Borders.
Councillor Brown told TheSouthern: “It would appear that a bus service linking the two towns was never promised after all.
“In fact, what was put in place was a free service for all relatives and friends that would pick up in Jedburgh and drop off at any of the Border hospitals.
“This service was paid for by NHS Borders by way of an annual grant and was put together by a working group including the WRVS and the Red Cross. The service has in fact been available since October 1, 2006.”
Councillor Brown went on: “While I understand that extensive promotion work was carried out at the time, it would appear that this went unnoticed as the service has been poorly supported.
“Frankie and I intend to have leaflets, brochures and maybe even a mail shot sent out to inform townspeople how to access this very worthwhile free service.”
And he says talks will take place with Hawick councillors over routes and stops on the regular bus service to improve links to the hospital.
Meanwhile, a £2million upgrade is planned for Jedburgh Health Centre – but Councillor Brown says the Sister Margaret Hospital could have been upgraded at a fraction of the cost.
The full article contains 315 words and appears in Southern Reporter newspaper.
