Safe Routes to Healthcare
Sustrans' Active Travel has initiated a project focusing on alternative access provision to healthcare sites throughout the NHS in England. Safe Routes to Healthcare aims to facilitate direct access to healthcare sites whilst promoting regular physical activity as part of a regular routine, and reducing reliance on the private car.
An information sheet is available, introducing the Safe Routes to Healthcare approach to improving access to healthcare sites on foot, by bike and by public transport, for staff, patients and visitors.
Download a copy:
Safe Routes to Healthcare information sheet (recommended for printing)
Interactive PDF (with live web and email links)
Safe Routes to Healthcare core principles:
1) Accessibility - reduction of car dependency in travel to healthcare services, and increased social inclusion through this improved access
2) Environmental sustainability - creating reductions in NHS sector pollution through enhanced transport efficiency
3) Public Health - reducing obesity and a range of other non- communicable diseases through the promotion of physically active transport
Safe Routes to Healthcare has set up several pilot schemes with Primary Care Trusts throughout England, and we are particularly interested to address the full range of social and environmental issues, rather than 'just' achieving a travel plan.
90% of all NHS care takes place in the primary care sector- mainly at local GP practices. Patients involved with these visits are likely to be more mobile than those going to hospital, and the journey is often short enough to be walked or cycled, or could be combined with public transport. Many people who access hospitals are mobile, and are attending as staff, or for visiting purposes, or for routine appointments, but many hospitals are becoming more difficult to access due to out-of-town relocation and site closures.
Safe Routes to Healthcare is involved in overcoming these challenges through measures to promote cycling, walking and public transport access to a range of healthcare sites, incorporating staff and public access provision. We are in the process of disseminating information to the public about current good practice in access and travel plans. We also plan to improve cycling and walking routes from residential areas to Hospitals, and are working on research in partnership with local authorities and the NHS to achieve this. We are also lining up several other potential pilot programmes throughout England.
Contact Safe Routes to Healthcare: activetravel@sustrans.org.uk