A FREE minibus service running between Watford General and Mount Vernon hospitals is to be scrapped.

The move is the latest cost cutting measure by cash-strapped West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

The minibus service, which has been in operation since 1998, has been axed because Watford General is operated by West Herts and Mount Vernon is operated by Hillingdon Hospital Trust.

West Herts no longer wants to fund a service to a neighbouring trust, but will continue longer minibus journeys to its hospitals in St Albans and Hemel Hempstead.

Eleven services run each day between Watford and Mount Vernon, leaving Watford every hour between 7.45am and 5.45pm.

The minibus service is used by staff, patients and visitors.

It is also used to transport internal post, medical records and specimens.

Krishna Ramsaran, 80, from Northwood, who uses the service said: "I'm very disappointed.

"They have not considered the users of the service. I am very miffed about it."

Dr Iain Tullis, of Brightwell Road, Watford, is another regular user of the service.

He said: "I am disappointed West Herts is eliminating the prompt, courteous and efficient service that I have experienced in my journey to Mount Vernon.

"This is a difficult journey to make on public transport, requiring multiple transfers and a significant amount of time.

The alternative public transport route also presents many barriers - stairs and long walks - to any patient with a disability."

Dr Tullis said parking was already in short supply at Mount Vernon and described the removal of the more environmentally-friendly minibus service as "a step backwards in the reduction of greenhouse gases".

A health worker from Watford, who did not want to be named, said that she would not be able to continue working at Mount Vernon Hospital without the service and was already looking for a new job.

West Herts representative Eileen Whitehouse said the decision to stop the minibus service was taken because patient services originally on the Mount Vernon site have been transferred to other trusts.

In October last year the transfer of the burns and plastics service was transferred to the Royal Free Hospital. An audit also found the bus service was 80 per cent underused.

West Herts, which is in millions in debt, has implemented a number of measures in recent months to save money, including scrapping antenatal classes for expectant mothers and asking all staff to save £2.50 a day by taking steps such as carrying out fewerblood tests and using fewer sterile dressings on patients.

The minibus service will be axed on Saturday, March 31.