A FREE hospital shuttle bus service is being launched in Huddersfield next week (Jul 23) to make it easier for people to visit their loved ones.

Minibuses will run between Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital on evenings and weekends as part of a move to revamp services.

The shuttle will mark the relocation of surgical services across the two hospital sites later this month.

From the end of July patients needing planned orthopaedic and general surgery will have to travel to CRH at Halifax.

While HRI will become a centre for planned complex surgery and emergency paediatric surgery for the people of Huddersfield and Calderdale.

To help patients with the changes, transport information, advice and support are being offered as part of the pre-assessment appointments carried out weeks before surgery.

The buses will leave HRI main entrance at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm during the week and on the hour from 2pm to 8pm at the weekend.

They will leave CRH main entrance at 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm during the week and on the half hour from 2.30pm until 8.30pm at the weekend.

Mark Partington, director of operations for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust – which runs the two sites – said: "The service is part of a range of practical solutions.

"It is aimed at people affected by the new hospital service changes but is available to anyone who needs it."

The hospital trust has been working closely with partners such as Metro and the local authorities to look at transport solutions.

A new voucher scheme has also been introduced to help people on low incomes, who have no access to private transport, and people with disabilities who need help.

People who are eligible for the support will be offered either community transport or a taxi or access to the shuttle bus.

Information, including bus timetables, will be available on stands in both main hospital entrances, on the Trust website www.cht.nhs.uk or by contacting PALS (Patient Advice Liaison Service) at CRH on 01422 222417 or at HRI on 01484 342128.

Continuous monitoring of the new services will take place over the coming months to assess how useful and successful they are for visitors.