The decision to discontinue a shuttle bus for cancer patients was made following a review which found that the £56,000-per-year bus “was not the best value for money”.
It was this week announced that the Daisy Bus shuttle service, which takes Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight patients to their appointments at Southampton Hospital, will cease operations on Wednesday 20 August.
Following queries from Express, the Government of Jersey confirmed the service was discontinued following a “decline in the number of Jersey passengers” using the bus.
This means that it is “more economical” for the Health Department to fund taxis for islanders undergoing cancer treatment in Southampton instead.
Emily Hoban, head of access for Health and Care Jersey, explained that the department had allocated £56,600 towards the service annually.
She said: “However, a notable decline in Jersey patients using the service this year, meant that the Daisy Bus was operating at a cost of around £60 per passenger journey.
“This is significantly higher than the average cost of a £19 taxi journey.
“Additionally, the Daisy Bus operates on a scheduled timetable and outside these times taxis are provided for patients, which is an additional cost.
“The decision was made to discontinue the service following a review which found that it was not the best value for money. “
Ms Hoban confirmed that the termination of the Daisy Bus contract will not have any financial impact on Jersey patients, as all taxis are already booked and paid for directly by Health and Care Jersey’s Travel Office.
“All patients who currently use the Daisy Bus Service will be made aware of their new travel arrangements when the service discontinues,” she added.
However, islanders who used the service told Express that the bus also helped with the emotional elements of cancer treatment.
Jean Lelliott used the shuttle bus every day when she was receiving radiotherapy in Southampton.
“It was a fantastic service and totally invaluable for patients from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight,” she said.
“It was also a place where friendships were made as everyone was going through the same thing and helped each other.”
Another Jersey resident who used the Daisy Bus whilst undergoing off-island cancer treatment was Susan Foote.
“A lot of friendships were made on that journey,” she said.
Tracey Jeanne said the shuttle bus was an “absolute lifeline” she was having treatment in Southampton.
“Being with fellow patients for those journeys to and from the hospital – many of which were from Jersey themselves – really was the support we all needed,” she said.
Karl Knight, who has just returned to Jersey after six weeks of radiotherapy in Southampton, said the Daisy Bus offered a chance to discuss the experience with other people in a similar position.
“On my first week or so I gained valuable insight on what was coming up from people who were further down the line with their radiotherapy,” he said.
