IN LAST week’s Wiltshire Times, Councillor Philip Whitehead makes the very valid point that the NHS, namely the RUH Trust Bath and the Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), should make their necessary contribution to funding the valuable RUH Hopper service. We are pleased that, as Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Whitehead understands and endorses the vital role the Hopper service has in ensuring local patients and visitors can access the RUH.

We are further concerned that despite the all efforts of Wiltshire Council, the NHS are still reluctant to commit to a long term future for the Hopper service. Our new online petition – http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ruh-hopper – is starting to gather signatures. It will be presented, not just to Wiltshire Council, but also to the RUH Trust Bath and Wiltshire CCG. Both these bodies have been invited to the next Wiltshire Council Health Select Committee on November 17 to explain their position.

We would ask the public to contact: Chairman, Royal United Hospital Bath, NHS Foundation Trust, Coombe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG and Chairman, Wiltshire CCG, Southgate House, Pans Lane, Devizes, SN10 5EQ.

It is essential to convey to them, the importance of their organisations securing the future viability of the RUH Hopper service.

Also the public can contact their local councillors and MP, highlighting the significance of the Hopper service. Please can they spread the word and tell others to support the petition. With all of us working together we can ensure a real future for the RUH Hopper and so considerably improve the reliability and effectiveness of the local health community. Thank you.

Helen Osborn Jeff Osborn Independent Wiltshire Councillors Chepston Place Trowbridge