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Measures and Progress
In order to help GCH improve accessibility to the site and encourage the use of alternative modes to the car, Essex County Council has developed under the flag of OPTIMUM² the GetThere system; a step change in travel information provision for hospitals. GetThere is an integrated travel information system designed to provide patients, staff and visitors to the hospital with the information they need to make best use of all transport options available to them. The system can be accessed via the internet from the hospital's own website, by mobile phone, or kiosks placed at rail/bus stations, public libraries and hospital reception areas. The system brings together a range of information to assist journey planning including: - Public transport services
- Real time information
- Fare information
- Cycle and walk routes
- Car sharing schemes
- Alternative transport by shuttle/taxi
- Parking
- Park and ride
- Hospital site layout
- Outpatient booking 
Users of GetThere can use the simply laid out screens to input information about their travel requirements. GP's will be able to book patient transport or provide transport details at the time of booking an outpatient appointment. Hospital travel plan co-ordinators will be able to manage staff travel by providing public transport information, cycling and walking routes, car sharing schemes and any other transport initiatives currently available for staff. In addition, GetThere will provide real time information on the number of available car parking spaces at the hospital allowing the user to decide on an alternative mode of transport before setting off. The development of GetThere has continued with the following activities:
- A mystery traveller test, i.e. stakeholders have been asked to try the system and report back on their experiences.
- A workshop held in November 2005 at which key stakeholders were invited to Anglia Ruskin University to take part in a testing session of the system; the system’s developers were there too to present the work so far and take on board comments after a hands-on session.
We are currently working on the installation of the hardware at the hospital and on final modifications to the system following the workshop session. Launch Get There
The website www.getthereontheweb.org was officially launched in June 2006 in Colchester with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at one of the kiosks in the hospital and then a reception held in the historis town centre of Colchester, enabling guests to try out the systen for themselves.
A year and a half of monitoring and evaluation is now underway to assess the success of the system taking us to 2007 and the end of the project.
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Launch Get There
Innovative Aspect
The innovation is in the development of a web-based system that brings together all travel information and options available to staff, patients and visitors to a hospital. In this way travellers need only access one system in order to obtain all relevant information. It will also allow hospitals to better plan their own internal travel demands, thus minimising impacts on the local community and overcoming potential difficulties within the existing infrastructure that would prevent or limit expansion of much needed facilities. Transnational Relevance
Transnational application is essential for the information system's success. Other computer systems and data storage and rendering systems in Europe are now being scrutinised to make sure the information system can be used elsewhere with only a slight adaptation. Contact and information exchange with other European partners is an important aspect in developing the information system. The system must be suitable for giving extensive information about a location in any region in North-West Europe. It must need only slight adapting to be able to provide travel information, not only to hospitals, but also to businesses, residential areas, school buildings and inner cities. In short, anywhere where a foreseeable or present transport demand exists.
More on Measures and Results
A group of about forty participants had been invited to test the information and usability of the system during September 2005; this was followed by an intensive workshop of experts to find any remaining issues before.
The seminar in Chelmsford was a great success and there is interest from many UK hospitals to have the system. A business case is being put together for the future role out of GetThere for all Essex hospitals and this ongoing work is running alongside the OPTIMUM² project.
An advertising campaign has accompanied the launch together with promotional material and information leaflets. There has been a local radio campaign, posters on buses as well as the more traditional printed material.
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