Labour calls for better bus links to new Portsmouth NHS Diagnostic Centre

Portsmouth MPs and councillors are calling for improved bus links to the new Portsmouth Community Diagnostic Centre, saying residents should be able to access vital NHS services without needing a car.

The new facility in Rodney Road is bringing a wide range of tests and services closer to people in Portsmouth, including MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound, alongside blood tests, cardiology, respiratory and other diagnostic services. The centre is designed to help people get diagnosed faster and reduce pressure on Queen Alexandra Hospital.

But residents have raised concerns about how easily people without access to a car will be able to reach the new centre.

The Portsmouth Labour team is calling for consideration to be given to extending existing bus routes including the 2 and 12 so that passengers can get closer to the Rodney Road centre.

Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, said: “This new diagnostic centre is fantastic news for Portsmouth. It means people can get vital tests and scans closer to home and it can help take pressure off our hospitals. But a service is only truly accessible if people can get to it.

'We need see the bus network catch up with this investment in our NHS, so residents who don’t drive, older people and those with mobility issues aren’t left struggling to get to their appointments.”

Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, added: “Making sure our local NHS is fit for the future is a priority of mine in Parliament which is why I backed the diagnostic centre and know this major investment in our city’s healthcare will make a big difference to our community. We’ve already written to the bus companies to ask them to look at the options for improving services and getting passengers closer to the centre. I’m now urging local people to back our campaign, so we can demonstrate the strength of feeling and deliver a bus service that also delivers for patients needing to use these fantastic new facilities.”

Local councillor Charlotte Gerada and Labour group leader added: “We have a brilliant new NHS facility here in Portsmouth, but we need to make sure everyone can access it. Extending existing bus services to get closer to the centre would be a relatively simple way of making a huge difference to residents who rely on public transport.”

The Labour team is asking residents to support the campaign by signing the petition calling for improved bus access to the centre. You can add your name here: https://survey.labour.org.uk/betterbusesportsmouth

The existing No. 2 already serves Cosham, Hilsea and Queen Alexandra Hospital, while Portsmouth’s wider bus improvement programme is intended to improve access to underserved areas.

The Government has made a significant investment in bringing diagnostics closer to communities. Now we need to make sure Portsmouth residents can take full advantage of it. Extending a bus route would be a small change that could make a very big difference.