HAD joins campaign to save QE2 Hospital

Hertfordshire Action on Disability has joined the campaign to save the QE2 Hospital.

The charity, situated next door to the QE2 at the Commons, has formed close links with the hospital over the years.

HAD’s 24-hour Accessible Transport Service – the only one of its kind in the country – is a regular visitor to the QE2, taking elderly and disabled people to appointments from all parts of the county.

“With 25 per cent of our Transport Service’s work medical related but with acute services at Welwyn Garden City’s QE2 Hospital under threat, the future for local disabled people is not looking healthy,” HAD’s Chief Executive Annabelle Waterfield explained.

“Despite Herts County Council Transport Department’s recent generous response in accepting our bid to fund four new vehicles, our fleet historically clock up high mileages,” Annabelle continued. “The prospect of having to take our customers 14 miles up the already congested A1 to Stevenage’s Lister Hospital will not help.”

HAD’s situation is one that local MP Grant Shapps (pictured with Transport Manager Phil Caley, centre and Driver Phil Pateman, left) sympathises with. Grant is a fierce campaigner against the culling of acute services at the QE2 and also appreciates the work HAD’s Transport Service is doing.

“The service HAD provide is absolutely vital. If these cuts at the QE2 come to fruition it will place an even greater strain on transport generally and HAD in particular,” he said.

“The ambulance service has for years had to endure a lack of support from the Government – despite their best efforts they are struggling to deliver. Although 74 per cent of WGC ambulances currently get to their destinations within the eight-minute target, this could be bettered. Alternative services like HAD’s are vital, but the situation is worrying. It’s just not good enough,” he continued.

“The problem is even worse as local people have just got over the loss of the promised super hospital at Hatfield. Add to that plans to build huge numbers of new homes in Hertfordshire – many of them on greenbelt land – and we have a big problem.”

The threat to QE2’s acute services means HAD’s 24-hour Transport Service is under increasing pressure. “Although we’re successfully filling the hole left locally by the demise of Dial-A-Ride, at the moment we are running this service at a deficit. We need more revenue.” Annabelle Waterfield added.

“HAD is 50-years-old next year. It would be nice if our neighbouring hospital is still around to celebrate with us,” Annabelle concluded.

Whatever the outcome at the QE2, HAD’s 24-Hour Accessible Transport Service will be moving forward on the right road – even if the road is a little more congested!

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