By Tilly Walder
Funding cuts in the Channel Island’s have resulted in the termination of a vital transport service used by Isle of Wight cancer patients travelling to University Hospital Southampton (UHS).
The Southampton Daisy Bus, run by UHS in partnership with Wessex Cancer Support, and funded by the States of Jersey, has helped patients from both Jersey and the Isle of Wight access cancer treatment on the mainland, but will come to an end on August 20. The free service also supported Islanders staying in mainland hotels during treatment.
A joint statement from the NHS and Wessex Cancer Support said: “We want to reassure patients that support remains available through NHS schemes for those who meet eligibility criteria. This includes help with travel costs through the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS), and access to Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) for eligible patients. The Daisy Bus service between Portsmouth ferry terminal and Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth will continue at this time.”
A spokesman for Wessex Cancer Support said that the charity did not intend to fundraise to keep the service going: He said: “We rely on voluntary donations to fund all our work. We’re sad about the decision to stop the Southampton Daisy Bus, but the decision was made with our NHS partners after exploring many options for future funding.”
Without the Daisy Bus, Island patients arriving at the Southampton ferry terminal face either a 40-minute to one-hour bus journey to UHS, or a 20-minute taxi costing around £15 each way
Health partners say they are working to ensure all affected patients are informed of the changes and the help available.
IW East MP Joe Robertson said: “This is a vital service and one which is a life-line to many Islanders who need to travel for treatment. I will be working with the
NHS Trust to explore what alternative options may be available and what steps are being taken to minimise the impact on Islanders.
“The Daisy Bus service must be replaced with something similar.”
Richard Quigley MP, who represents IW West said: “It’s very disappointing, but I will do everything I can to find the best answer for my constituents.”
Carole Dennett 
Mal Butler