Trial nears for health shuttle

The Waimarino Health Shuttle is close to lift-off.
Health Shuttle Steering Group chairman Weston Kirton said the service would be available to people in the area from Waimarino west to Pipiriki.
The free transport that will take Waimarino locals to Wanganui Hospital is on loan from Hamilton through St John Ambulance for a six-month trial period, during which time the needs of the community would become apparent, Mr Kirton said.
The shuttle also had wheelchair access for two. "Many people have been waiting for a health service that addresses gaps in the transport system, in particular to and from Wanganui Hospital for appointments."
Mr Kirton said thescheme was well-proven and worked well in other regions.
A voluntary organisation has been set up with two crews of five having undertaken St John training, ready to run the shuttle service. A third crew was completing its training.
"I am confident local people will use the shuttle for a whole range of reasons, knowing it will be very flexible and cater for local needs," Mr Kirton said. There would be no charge on the day, but those who used the service would be asked for donations.
Funding applications would be made and individuals could also apply for funding, which they would donate to the service.
Mr Kirton said the Locality Planning Group's concerns for Waimarino had caught the attention of the Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB), which put out a tender for a service.
St John responded and the WDHB put up the funding for administration and setting up the service, training and employing tutors. Mr Kirton said it was important the community owned the service, adding that the steering group was still talking to St John. "The next stage will be to assess the results of the scheme over the next few months in order to set up a more permanent structure and purchase a vehicle that is appropriate for the needs of the Waimarino."
However, Horizons Regional Council, ACC and the WDHB had roles to play in the service, he said.
Until a new ambulance station is built at Ohakune, the shuttle will be stored at the Ohakune Fire Station. Meanwhile, tenders have gone out for the Waimarino St John Ambulance Station.
Tenders close on Friday, and on May 20 the project team will know who the builder will be.
Initially there were only two bays for the main ambulance and the events ambulance, but another bay was added for the new health shuttle. The station will be built on the western approach to Ohakune on the Ohakune Raetihi Rd.