St John has started a door-to-door service shuttling patients from Wanganui to Palmerston North Hospital for specialist treatment at least three days every week.
St John Wanganui area administrator Mary Flynn said the shuttle started on March 25 "because we could see a need for it".
Ms Flynn said the shuttle service was running to Palmerston North from Tuesdays through to Thursdays but that could change depending on patient needs.
A regular run was done to get renal patients to MidCentral Health for their dialysis treatment. At this stage there was one renal patient using the bus, but another 12 to 15 people were making the journey for other specialist treatments.
"All the feedback we've had has been very positive," Ms Flynn said.
The service was first flagged more than two years ago but gained momentum late last year.
She said all the drivers were volunteers and since the service was mooted, St John had had about 25 people step forward to offer their services as drivers or companions.
"All the drivers have to undergo a driver training course as well as a basic first aid course before they are rostered on,' she said.
The "companions" are there to assist the driver with the patients from the time they are picked up until they are returned home again.
"They don't just take them as far as the hospital carpark and leave them to it. The companions and drivers will make sure the patients are taken right to their appointment."
Ms Flynn said patients were picked up and dropped off at their homes.
"We don't run every day but if just one patient needs a ride then we will put the shuttle on.
"Sometimes we are making two trips a day.
"Of course, it costs to run the service but if patients need transport we will make it available."
While St John was always keen to hear from volunteers "we need more companions at this stage rather than drivers".
The shuttle service does not charge for its service because doing that meant the service would have to register as a transport provider under the transport licensing regulations.
"We do suggest a donation of $20-$30 or whatever else the user can afford.
"But the point is we never turn anyone away if they are in need of the service," Ms Flynn said.
She said inquiries about financial help for the shuttle could be directed to WINZ.
She said one pleasing aspect had been the number of donations people had made to St John in support of the service.
"We've had donations from people who aren't users but who've given us donations because they want to support it. And another woman is making regular contributions from her wages, which is just wonderful," Ms Flynn said.
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