And factor in odd finishing times (8:30, 9pm) and a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to train station.
What's wrong with a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to station at 9pm? We don't turn into pumpkins at sunset...
Nope, women don't.
But the animals come out to play
Maybe it isn't a problem where you live. It's a problem elsewhere.
I've lived in various places, and I've always felt safer than the men of my age. I'd get verbal harassment; they'd actually be assaulted. Statistics do seem to confirm this trend. I also note that while the rapist-in-the-bushes thing isn't actually a myth, when it came to attacks on Brizzle students during the time I was there, they were as likely to target males as females.
More crucially, walking or cycling means you're not hanging around waiting for buses and the like. That's usually where the trouble comes.
The route that would need to be taken (and I can think of at least two) is not that cycle friendly, even for an experienced rider, even less so for those without the experience.
A valid point, but I'm sure it's going to be more cycle-friendly after 8:30 than during rush hour.
Back to the original point, it does sound like one of those situations where motorised transport is the sanest option (not least from a bike security POV). I remember friends of mine on teaching placements having the same problem.