Hospital workers angered at scrapping of staff shuttle

Staff at Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary have expressed anger at the trust’s decision to axe its free shuttle service.

The bus transits staff from the Sheriffhall park and ride to the hospital in Little France and is set to come to an end in March due to financial difficulties.

The service was initially implemented as the hospital’s own carpark was often full, and there were cost, time and safety concerns for staff having to travel between the park and ride and the hospital, often late at night.

Local Unison branch secretary for NHS Lothian, Tracey-Ann Miller, said how there was growing concern among staff and union members about the loss of the service.

“When we’re in the middle of a cost of living crisis, this change is likely to push some of our lowest paid workers into a poverty situation,” she said.

For many staff, the shuttle bus was a temporary, but unacceptable, solution to the hospital’s lack of available staff parking, a Royal Infirmary member of staff told Forth 1 news.

She added: “Staff feel let down, and for many, any of the proposed alternatives to the shuttle bus, or an adequate staff carpark make a 12.5-hour day much longer, limiting rest between shifts.”

NHS Lothian has confirmed that the service, which costs some £220,000 annually, was due to end on 29 March due to 7% savings required of the health board in the next tax year.

Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, Jim Crombie, said: “Although the shuttlebus has always been a temporary arrangement, we are very disappointed we will no longer be able to offer this service to staff.

“Given the severe financial challenges across healthcare, there will be tough choices ahead and we must prioritise patient treatment and care.”

But Unison’s Tracey-Ann Miller warned the loss of the shuttle may have further impacts. “We have a staffing crisis in the NHS at the moment, and I think that some staff will opt to apply for other posts elsewhere in Lothian,” she said.

“But we can’t deliver services to patients if we don’t have staff to deliver the services,” she added.

An inter-union demonstration against the loss of the shuttle in the hospital’s carpark is planned for the 14 February.