New Health Shuttle in Tokoroa
Getting to a medical appointments has now been made easier with the new Health Shuttle Service provided to the Tokoroa district.
The new Health Shuttle system allows patients to get to their medical appointments at Waikato Hospital easier, by picking them up and dropping them at their front door.
This operation is designed for those having difficulty getting to medical appointments due to health or mobility.
To make sure people get the care and attention they need for a comfortable trip, there is reassurance that a trained first aid person is at hand the whole time.
St John Health Shuttle Team Leader Nancy Underdown said the Shuttle has nine volunteer drivers who operate on a roster system, but said more volunteers are welcome.
‘‘We operate Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,’’ she said.
‘‘We pick people up from their homes at 8am, take them to their appointments in Hamilton and then we leave between 2pm2.30pm, and deliver them home again.’’
Booking the shuttle is essential, at least 24 hours before the appointment.
Underdown said people are eligible for National Travel Assistance if they hold a valid community services card, or if they have to attend specialist appointments six times within six months.
‘‘If someone is not eligible we just ask for a donation.’’
She said the Lions and The South Waikato District Council put in the majority of the funding for the shuttle, and ‘‘the community were absolutely wonderful at donating items.’’
This items included a defibrillator machine, cell phone, Navman, a step to help people in and out of the shuttle, and three raincoats and vests, which Underdown said the crew is very grateful for.
She said they are thankful for the individual and corporate sponsorship.
‘‘It’s been a real bonus to the Tokoroa community for those people who can’t get up to Waikato for specialist appointments.’’
The first trip to Waikato took place on April 28.
To make an appointment phone 0800 846 9992 ext 0 or go to shuttles.hamilton@stjohn.org.nz.
For assistance obtaining a National Travel Assistance number, phone 07 839 88 99 ext 97233. Family harm There were 15 reported family harm incidents this week. From these two arrests were made which resulted in charges being laid for breaching court orders and assault.
A huge number, 13, of these incidents were reported over the weekend and the majority of these have been alcohol related.
There are plenty of social agencies that can assist with family issues and we really encourage people to get in touch with them early on. We are also happy for people to come in and see us and we can point them in the right direction.
The key message here is that people need to seek help before it gets to the point of the police being involved. Drink driving Two people were processed for drink driving this week one of which was a Tokoroa local who blew 848 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath and the other just under 400mcg. The legal limit is 250mcg.
*Senior Sergeant Jason Henderson