Community effort brings bus to Frome’s hospital and medical centre

A bus service will begin stopping at Frome Community Hospital and Frome Medical Practice from next month following a three-year campaign by local residents and community groups.

The Frome Town 30 service will begin stopping at the site from 1st September, providing a regular half-hourly link to Frome’s only doctors’ surgery and community hospital.

The service will stop 15 times a day, with a new bus stop being installed between the hospital and medical centre.

Matron at Frome Community Hospital Heather Ancill said the new service would “make a huge difference” to people who may struggle to get to the hospital and GP surgeries.

She said, “We also hope it will encourage more people to get the bus and reduce the number of cars coming on to site, relieving the pressures on parking and in turn having a positive impact on our environment.”

Peter Travis of Frome and Villages Bus User Group (FAVBUG) welcomed the re-routing of the bus.

He said, “This is the culmination of some three years campaigning with FAVBUG, working alongside Cllr Philip Campagna at Frome Town Council and, more recently, with a lot of help from Frome Hospital and Frome Medical Centre and last, but certainly not least, the active co-operation of Somerset Council.

“This is an outcome we can all celebrate. So many groups played an important part in getting this over the line.”

Managing Partner at Frome Medical Practice Karen Creffield said the service would improve access to healthcare for patients who need it most.

She said, “The bus offers a sustainable means of transport for patients and also improves accessibility to services and care for those patients who need it most.

“We are delighted that the 30 bus will now provide patients to the medical practice, community hospital and other facilities at this location with a much-needed service.”