WYCOMBE Dial-a-Ride has expressed deep concerns over plans to relocate hospital services from Wycombe to Stoke Mandeville.

Paul Lambourne, who manages the services used by elderly, frail, and physically disabled people, fears the move could cause serious disruption and result in a fall in passenger numbers.

He said: "By the time we've picked someone up from Wycombe, taken them to Stoke Mandeville and drop-ped them off, that's going to take 35 to 40 minutes.

"Then by the time we've driven back to Wycombe, we could be having to go back to Stoke Mandeville again to pick them up. We could end up just being a hospital shuttle service. It could take two out of our six vehicles off the road. The result of that would mean we couldn't pick everyone up and people won't use the service at all. The people that use Wycombe Dial-a-Ride are the most vulnerable in the community. If they are going to move things from Wyc-ombe to Stoke Mandeville, we are going to have to sit down and discuss better ways to get patients there. I don't mind taking ten people and then going back as long as their appointments are around the same time."

A spokesman for Wycombe Hospital said: "We have a service which operates a transfer for patients and visitors. There is no reason why voluntary organisations, such as Dial-A-Ride, should travel any further because of the changes."

Mr Lambourne said the recent huge hike in petrol prices could also have a devastating effect on the independent charity, which has running costs of around £130,000 a year. He added: "We discussed the problem last week and decided not to put our prices up. We had to four years ago and our numbers dropped.

"We don't want to put the cost up but if the fuel prices continue to go up then we are going to have to look at it again."

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