Medical Bus Hits The Road

By Rachael Smith

Residents of the Whitsundays will now be able to access free transportation down to Mackay Base Hospital for outpatient medical appointments thanks to the new Whitsunday Patient Transfer Service.

Kicking off earlier this week, the new medical bus has the capacity for eight patients and will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Departing Cannonvale at 6am and returning on the same day at 5pm, the bus collects patients from Proserpine Hospital and Bloomsbury BP Service Station before arriving at Mackay Base Hospital around 9am.

Return trips depart Mackay Base Hospital at 2.30pm on the same days, with the identical stops during the trek home.

Passengers are required to have an outpatient appointment at Mackay Base Hospital on these days between 9am and 1pm, and reservations are essential.

The service is made possible by a team of volunteer drivers.

Peter Mitchelson is a retired taxi driver who decided to volunteer as a driver alongside Dave Robinson who was also looking for volunteer work.

“It’s a good way to keep my brain going!” said Dave.

“I really want to help sick people and I am retired now so just wanted to give back.”

Mackay Hospital Foundation General Manager Kristi Algate said she is thrilled to see the service start operating and appreciates everyone’s patience in waiting for it to get up and running.

“The bus had been funded and purchased quite some time ago, but it’s been a massive project during the past year to put arrangements in place before the service could begin,” she said.

“From securing volunteer drivers to organising policies and procedures, liaising with hospitals in Mackay and the Whitsundays, ensuring volunteers are adequately trained drivers and hold First Aid certificates, having all our paperwork in order, it has taken much longer than anticipated to ensure we’ve ticked all the boxes before starting the service.”

Whitsunday Regional Council has co-funded the purchase of the bus, along with Mackay Hospital Foundation while Macrossan and Amiet Charitable Foundation is contributing towards the operational costs.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall said the new service will be invaluable for patients needing to travel long distances for medical care.

“Council contributed $20,000 to the Mackay Hospital Foundation several years ago so for it now to be transporting patients from Proserpine and Airlie Beach to Mackay Hospital and the Icon Cancer Centre for medical appointments is a great outcome for our community,” she said.

“I have been a strong advocate for this patient transfer service as no one should have to choose between their health and their ability to access medical care.

“I’d like to thank the Mackay Hospital Foundation for their efforts to work through the red tape of running a community medical bus and Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm who has been a strong advocate for the service.”

At this stage, the Whitsunday Patient Transfer Service bus route does not include a Bowen or Collinsville pick-up point, but Whitsunday Regional Council say they are looking into possible options to provide Bowen residents with a free medical bus service as well.

Mayor Hall said she was very aware that there is a need for a similar patient transfer service to operate and service Bowen and Collinsville.

“Our Economic Development team is keen to work with the Federal and State governments, private operators, and community groups to explore options for a community medical bus service for the Bowen/Collinsville region.”

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Volunteer drivers, Peter Mitchelson and Dave Robinson, donate their time to operate the service. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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