Patients in Mandurah and the surrounding area struggling with finding transport to doctors appointments or scheduled surgeries will now be able to utilise St John Ambulance’s community transport service.
The metropolitan service has expanded into the region to assist locals in need.
St John Ambulance patient transfer service general manager Alan Clyne said the community transport service was developed to meet the need for cost effective and care-appropriate services across Perth.
“The service provides non-emergency sedan transport for residents and involves a pick up from their home in the community transport vehicle and travel to and from their medical appointments in Mandurah, Rockingham and the Perth metropolitan area,” he said.
The service started in 2015, with just two cars.
“We identified a gap in the services available to people in the Mandurah area and as a result, developed this service which will benefit the community enormously,” Mr Clyne said.
Service manager Cheryl Bushe-Jones said some people found transport challenging.
She said lack of transport could lead to people missing or putting off vital appointments.
Currently there are 18 cars servicing the metropolitan. By March the service hopes to push that number to 20.
Mandurah local Jill Grant found herself in a predicament when she had a scheduled operation at King Edward Memorial Hospital and no mode of transport there.
Through help from her local doctor practice she found St John Ambulance’s community transport service.
She said the service took the stress out of having to take public transport to and from the hospital in Subiaco.
“It took all the stress and strain out of the experience,” she said.
“I don’t have family in Mandurah and my friends live in Waroona.
“Since using the service I’ve tried to spread the word.”
The service will cost Mandurah and Pinjarra residents $20 per trip locally (up to eight kilometres each way) or $35 to go to Perth (over 8km).
Patients have to be able to get themselves in and out of the car and can’t have dementia.
Volunteer drivers will be trained in first aid, customer service and manual handling.
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Mr Clyne said St John volunteers were able to provide not only transport, but also companionship to people for these medical appointments.
”Other benefits to the community include opportunities for volunteering and social connection, the provision of vehicles to community groups which supports community activities and a companion service to benefit carers of elderly people and people with disabilities.
“St John has more than 125 years’ experience in caring for the health and wellbeing of the WA community and this is just another way in which we are supporting the local community.”
Mandurah resident Brian Ridley has signed up to drive patients.
In his retirement, Mr Ridley said traditional hobbies like lawn bowls wasn’t his cup of tea and volunteering was an ideal alternative for him.
“I felt like I need to give back to the community,” he said.
Peel Volunteer Resource Centre manager Vicki Pollard said the new service will be a great asset for the region.
“Transport is a big issue for many people in the Peel region, and the big drawcard that St John Ambulance’s community transport service offers is a door-to-door service where the drivers pick up the passengers from their homes, take them to their medical appointment and return them home afterwards.
“This will be a blessing for people with limited transport options.”
For more information visit St John Ambulance WA’s website.
