I am distressed to hear that the Connect2 RUH service is being cut by Wiltshire Council. In the last year I have needed to get to the RUH 32 times, of which 29 were on the Connect bus. I am a pensioner and live alone, about a mile and a half from Devizes Market Place, and with no family. My choices are:


1. Drive to RUH. Because of traffic in Bath and the problems of parking, this is only realistic if the appointment is early in the day. For most of my 29 trips with Connect I was not physically able to drive to Bath. I had four operations last year.


2. Find a willing friend to take me. This is difficult and is an option which should not be relied upon.


3. I have to wait until the local bus service starts, catch a bus to the Market Place, and then get the Faresaver bus, then change buses at the bus station to go to the hospital.  The earliest appointment I can get at the hospital is likely to be 11am if all goes well. Those who book the appointments for RUH seem not to realise that travel from Devizes might be difficult and offer appointments earlier than 11am. 


4. Go with Link. This is the ideal way, direct from home to hospital though one website quotes Link as already being stretched to breaking point.


5. Go with Connect. This service has been without comparison. The drivers are helpful, friendly, and always arrive and depart on time, and guarantee arrival at the hospital. I could, if needed, be at the RUH for day surgery at 7.30am, and the last return service leaves the hospital at 5.30pm. The vast majority of the people they take to Bath are pensioners, some quite frail and some are in wheelchairs which could not be accommodated on the Faresaver bus or in many Link cars. 


You mention the RUH’s patient transport system. I have tried this and am told this is only for people who are registered disabled. 


In the trips I made last year I can count the numbers of working age people using the same Connect service as I used on the fingers of one hand, and some of those were hospital staff. I wonder how these people will get to work after the service ceases. 


It is worth saying that getting to GWH or Salisbury has similar challenges. Actress Bette Davis said that getting old is not for sissies. Clearly Wiltshire Council has no intention of making it easier.


R S Valentine (Ms),
Osmund Road,
Devizes.