Hansard

I agree with the member’s comments about the new hospital and, more important, those who work in it. I also agree that good transport links to and from the hospital are, as with any hospital, important. She is right to raise such issues on behalf of her constituents.

As the member will be aware, Forth Valley NHS Board produced a travel plan as part of the planning permission that was granted by Falkirk Council for the Forth Valley royal hospital and the associated section 75 agreement. As part of that plan, the health board has invested in a range of new bus services that provide links from a wide area. It would have to discuss any changes to the plan with the councils involved. Without their agreement, the health board could find itself in breach of the section 75 agreement. Should an agreement to reroute services be reached, the health board would have to look at cost and so on, but I am sure that it would be willing to discuss the matter with the member, and I will be happy to pass on her concerns to it.