Medical transport improved for rural areas

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 13.10.08

Written by STEVEN BURKE.

PATIENTS in need of transport to medical facilities now have more options after Wangaratta Red Cross acquired a new patient transport vehicle on Friday.

Local volunteer, Hilda Hines, said it would be of great benefit to the community as there are a lot of elderly residents in town who’ve lost their licences and have to get to medical facilities.

"It can become very difficult when you get older and are not in a position to afford a taxi," she said.

Wangaratta Red Cross was able to acquire the vehicle with money left through a bequest by Tallangatta resident, Kathleen Kennedy.

Ms Kennedy’s bequest was left to the Red Cross unit at Tallangatta which decided to pass the money on to Wangaratta as there is already a patient transport service in Tallangatta.

Red Cross state manager of community programs, Diana Carroll, said the vehicle would be used to transport patients as far as Melbourne for medical appointments.

"A lot of the people who use this service require chemotherapy and radiotherapy," she said.

"It might be used for one or two days a week going down to Peter Mac House in Melbourne and will also be used to transport patients to Wodonga for treatment."

And while happy with the acquisition, Ms Hines said the Red Cross was in need of more drivers to man the vehicle.

"We have five drivers at the moment," she said.

"But we really need more people who are prepared to undergo a police check and do some training."

To register your interest as a driver, visit Wangaratta Red Cross at 20B Chisolm Street.