One resident said they feel ‘reassured’ living there
Residents living in a housing estate in the shadow of one of Cambridgeshire ’s busiest hospitals have said they feel “reassured by the fact that they are “minutes away from expert help”. Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge is positioned with hundreds of houses nearby.
Outsiders may have thought those living in the shadow of the huge site might regularly experience street parking and hear constant sirens as ambulances take patients to the hospital. But for some of those living in the area, it seems to be a different experience.
Bernie Constable has been a resident in Cambridge for 59 years. Speaking about why she likes living in the area, she said: “I think what happens when you’re older and I know that my dad feels this, is that you feel reassured by the fact that you’re minutes away from expert help.”
The 62-year-old said that living close by is “brilliant”. She would “really like” to live in the countryside but said: “Something that actually stops me is knowing I’m getting older and I’ve got that on my doorstep.”
She said doesn’t see anything negative about living close to the hospital, adding: “If things happen in terms of lots of ambulances we have to tolerate it. I just think we’re very lucky especially for the elderly who don’t have to go far and that does make a big difference.”
The hospital is part of Cambridge University Hospital Trust which serves thousands of patients each day. Trumpington and Queen Edith’s are two of the primary residential areas located near Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Katrina who lives in the area said that the “interruption” caused “is absolutely mediated” as ambulances “dim the sound and only leave the lights” when they pass through the area. She said ambulances come in and out “quite frequently” but highlighted this is increased by a care home at the end of her street. The 40-year-old said the advantages “definitely” outweigh the negatives.
A 91-year-old woman who didn’t want to be named said it’s a “nice community” and “everybody seems to get on”. She said there’s “everything” in the area that she needs.
Retired Abdeslam Tahaikt, who “spent most of his life in the hospital” working said if he ever needed anything it is “no problem” for him being so close. He said ambulances pass by the area “many times” but he said he is used to it. Talking about himself personally, he said having an easily accessed hospital is “better” for him adding that “even the shops are not far from me”.
A 60-year-old resident, who wished not to be named said: “I haven’t got massive buildings right outside my door so I don’t see it . I think it’s always good to know there’s a really good hospital close by. I am 60-years-old so I have had three appointments in the last month and a half and it’s been really nice just to bike there.”
She said it’s “just a short bus ride, or bike ride or even walk or drive to the hospital.” “If time is of the essence”, then living so close to the hospital could save someone’s life, she explained.
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