Hospital's free bus service is back

THE Royal Rover - back in action

THE Royal Oldham's free bus service is now back up and running after funding was secured.

The Chronicle reported how the Royal Rover - a free internal hospital shuttle bus service for staff and patients ­- was temporarily suspended while new funding was arranged.

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, has confirmed the bus is back in action.

Volunteer service manager Joanne McAllister said: "We are pleased to announce that the Royal Rover minibus hospital shuttle bus service for patients and staff has been reinstated at the Royal Oldham Hospital. Alternative funding has been sourced from the trust's Support Services directorate.

"We are now looking to recruit additional volunteer drivers and drivers' assistants to help sustain and maintain the valuable service at the Royal Oldham Hospital. Full training and uniform are provided. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Voluntary Services on 0161 604 5892."

The bus is driven by volunteers to ferry patients, visitors and staff around the sprawling hospital site.

In 2013, the Royal Oldham Hospital League of Friends purchased a new Royal Rover bus for the hospital after two years of fundraising collected £30,000.