MP calls for shuttle bus between Eastbourne and Hastings hospitals
Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde has called for the introduction of a dedicated shuttle bus between District General Hospital and the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.
Mr Babarinde claimed the Government ‘continues to drag its heels’ on funding for a new hospital in Eastbourne.
The Conservative Government in 2020 pledged to build 40 new hospitals by 2035, including a rebuild of District General Hospital.
But this Labour Government revised that scheme in 2025, instead pledging to spend between £1.5bn and £2bn on refurbishing buildings at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust's hospitals.
Mr Babarinde said: “Ultimately, I want to see our hospitals’ core services reinstated and full for a new hospital.
“But in the meantime, we need practical solutions to improve access to healthcare.
“Getting between our two main hospital sites by public transport can take hours, forcing many residents to rely on expensive taxis just to attend appointments.
“That’s why I’m calling on the Government to work with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and local bus operators to introduce a dedicated shuttle bus, making journeys between our hospitals quicker, more reliable and more affordable for patients, visitors and NHS staff.”
The call came before Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey delivered his Autumn Budget on Wednesday afternoon (October 28).