The PRU - a secret?

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 9th May 2003

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Maines wants to know whether the new Princess Royal University Hospital is being kept a secret. "It seems you cannot get there by bus, they aren't answering the phone and there are no signposts to the new hospital."

"Is this how they are surviving with fewer beds – not telling patients they exist?"

"I have been promised new signposts by the Council, who blame Transport for London for the lack of signs to the hospital. But the Hospital opened over a month ago and Bromley Council should be erecting signposts and adding the Hospital to existing direction boards." said Councillor Maines.

Councillor Maines says he has received several complaints from local residents. "The problem is if patients can find the hospital by car they cannot park. People, perhaps with heart or chest problems attending for check ups or blood tests, are having to walk miles before reaching the hospital and are then expected to walk around the new complex which appears not to have wheel chairs available. It is unreasonable to expect ill people to encounter such problems."

"When the Hospital was planned we were promised extra buses and new services going directly to the hospital. I am getting a very disappointing response from London Transport. They have told me people travelling from Biggin Hill have a bus stop "within a mile or so". It is unacceptable. More buses should be going to the hospital door." Cllr Maines said.

"I have also received complaints that it can take more than 20 minutes for the phone to be answered. We appreciate all new buildings have teething difficulties but with a hospital these must be sorted out by now."

Councillor Chris Maines, who has a record of campaigning for improved hospital services and more hospital beds in the area, welcomed the new hospital. However, he says, "Perhaps I'm a cynic, I fear that people are using Lewisham and Queen Mary's and next we will be told this hospital in under utilised and some services under threat."