Car scheme a big help to patients

Volunteers a lifeline to sick villagers

A volunteer car scheme providing patients with transport to medical appointments has been launched in a Stirling area village.

Killin and District Car Scheme offers a door–to–door car service to residents of the village and the surrounding areas, who find it difficult to use public transport to access NHS and other services which support and maintain their health and wellbeing.

Patients can contact the service to book transport to make it to appointments.

The scheme has been introduced after being on the agenda of the Patient Participation Group of the Killin Medical Practice for a number of years.

Organiser Donald Fraser said: “It’s as a result of the many issues that have been shared about the poor public transport in the area and inconsistencies in the Demand Response Transport (DRT) who have not always got patients to appointments.” Mr Fraser explained that there had been similar schemes in the village in the past, including one which lost its volunteers after deciding volunteer drivers should retire at 70.

However, the initiative was revived earlier this year thanks to a cash donation from Stirling Council.

Mr Fraser said the car scheme aimed to “provide transport to people who by reason of age, ill–health, disability or financial hardship, require transport that aids mobility, and alleviates discomfort”.

People who will benefit are those living in Killin and surrounding areas, including the catchment for the Killin Medical Practice and Strathyre.

Mr Fraser added: “Killin Patient Participation Group had already raised interest with some of the Killin residents and they, as well as further volunteers, now give up their time and vehicles to take people to a variety of appointments and important social contacts like specialist clubs.

“We have made useful links with organisations such as Town Breaks and LinkAge Stirling and we are keen to engage with any other similar groups where we can assist with transport.”

There is a 20p per mile charge for the scheme to cover fuel costs and wear and tear on volunteers’ vehicles.

At present the group has 15 volunteers who have made adjustments to their car insurance policies to cover them for driving vulnerable adults. Mr Fraser added: “We are trying to encourage volunteers and drivers outwith Killin – anywhere between Tyndrum and Strathyre – as we have to charge from our driver’s home and it will be more economical to passengers if their driver lives in their area.

“We would encourage anyone who wants to become a volunteer driver or Trustee to please contact Donald Fraser on 01567 820690 – whether you can only give up a day now and again we will be pleased to hear from you.”

Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl said: “All the volunteers involved in getting this much–needed provision up and running deserve our thanks.

“Getting people to appointments has been a real problem since the NHS stopped providing dedicated transport.

“The Patient group at Killin Surgery did a great job of raising the issue and we managed to get support from the council that has helped establish this scheme.”