Weekday pilot aims to close the travel gap to specialist care
A new weekday shuttle bus is now running between Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, and The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, in a move designed to make it easier for patients and visitors from North Yorkshire to reach specialist services on Teesside. The three‑month pilot, which began on Monday 13 July, is operated by University Hospitals Tees’ in‑house transport team.
Hospital leaders say the service responds directly to concerns from residents who do not qualify for existing free patient transport and find regular public routes impractical for early or lengthy appointments. The trust also hopes the bus will help cut the number of missed appointments — known in the NHS as DNAs — which can disrupt clinics and delay treatment.
"We are deeply committed to local provision of healthcare in North Yorkshire but sometimes our patients need to access the specialist teams at James Cook. We have responded to feedback about transport difficulties and we hope this new bus will help."
The shuttle is open to anyone living in North Yorkshire who has a hospital appointment or is visiting a relative receiving care at James Cook. A flat fare of £10 applies for both single and return journeys.
Timetable, fare and booking
The trust has set a simple timetable to support morning arrivals and late‑afternoon returns, allowing most patients to complete appointments and travel back the same day.
| Journey | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Friarage (main entrance) → James Cook (north entrance) | 08:15 | Weekdays, pilot period |
| James Cook → Friarage (return) | 15:15 | Afternoon return |
| James Cook → Friarage (return) | 17:15 | Late return |
| Fare | £10 | Flat rate for single or return |
To book, patients or carers should call the dedicated hotline on 01642 838877. The trust has opted for a phone‑first system rather than an online form.
"The team has chosen a telephone booking system rather than an online process to ensure the service remains accessible to all patients, particularly those who may be less comfortable using digital technology. The team will also explain in detail to the patient/staff member all the relevant information relating to their journey. That way, we can ensure that passengers are fully aware of what they have to do in advance to make their journey as stress-free as possible."
Why this matters for Middlesbrough and North Yorkshire
James Cook serves as the major specialist centre for Teesside and much of North Yorkshire, meaning patients from rural and market‑town communities often travel to Middlesbrough for diagnostics, surgery and consultant‑led clinics. While clinical teams continue to provide as much care as possible at the Friarage, some complex treatment pathways require transfer to James Cook. Even a modest reduction in DNAs — which the trust notes cost the NHS about £165 each — could free up appointment slots and shorten waits for other patients.
For residents of Northallerton and nearby villages, the new shuttle consolidates journeys that might otherwise require multiple bus changes or reliance on friends and family. The fixed return times will not suit every clinical timetable, but the pilot gives planners data on demand and punctuality ahead of any decision on extending or adapting the service.
Who can use the shuttle and what to expect
- Eligibility: Open to people living in North Yorkshire with an appointment at James Cook, or those visiting a relative receiving care there.
- Operating days: Monday to Friday during the three‑month pilot.
- Departures: Morning from Friarage main entrance; returns from James Cook north entrance in the afternoon.
- Cost: £10 flat fare for single or return.
- Booking: Telephone the dedicated line on 01642 838877 in advance.
The trust will monitor uptake and feedback over the pilot period. If successful, the scheme could inform a longer‑term arrangement or adaptations to timings, capacity and booking processes to better match clinic patterns at James Cook.
Patients booking the shuttle are advised to allow sufficient time for check‑in and potential clinic overruns when choosing a return service, and to confirm any mobility or access needs when calling the hotline so that staff can plan support in advance.
