Residents Reassured Hospital Transport Is On Its Way

Frustrated patients vented their impatience last week about the length of time they have been waiting for a bus service to transport them from the Whitsundays to Mackay Hospital and the Icon Cancer Centre for regular medical appointments.  

Many wanted answers on why the bus was “sitting idle” and thought that perhaps a lack of volunteer bus drivers was the cause of the delay.

It has been almost a year since the Whitsunday Regional Council and Mackay Hospital Foundation jointly funded a $50,000 minibus to transport Whitsunday residents, who were otherwise struggling to travel between locations.

Since then, the Mackay Hospital Foundation has been working towards creating a service that will fulfill the needs of the community and operate as efficiently as possible.

Local Layers, Macrossan and Amiet, donated $5000 towards fuel costs which will help with initial runs, and a total of 10 volunteers came forward to donate their time to drive the minibus.

Getting the vehicle on the road, however, is more complicated than fuel and volunteer drivers, it involves establishing timetables, completing legal paperwork and ensuring the service’s longevity.

General Manager of Mackay Hospital Foundation, Kristi Algate, asks that everyone remain patient while they are organising these finer details.

“We have to make sure the legalities and the logistics are sorted first,” she said.

“We are trying to make sure we get it on the road as soon as possible but we must make sure we are all covered first so that it operates now and into the future.”

Kristi says they have had to navigate issues such as driver fatigue and risk management so that legal obligations are satisfied.

They have also had to consider the costs of providing the service and are currently working with Queensland Health to see how they can divert the fuel subsidies patients currently receive and divert them towards the minibus so costs are covered.  

“We are very lucky to have access to this service,” she said.

“And while we ask for your patience on the matter, we do understand the disadvantages of living in regional and remote areas can be very frustrating.

“When we can get this up and running, however, it will be a great service.”

Mackay Hospital Foundation is also working on a bus timetable that will hopefully pick-up at Whitsunday Health in Cannonvale, followed by Proserpine Hospital and then Bloomsbury Service Station.

“We are also working to coordinate all Proserpine Hospital outpatients so that postcodes are flagged to be booked in for appointments between 9am and 2pm so there are no long wait times in Mackay,” said Kristi.

There are over 33 areas that they need to coordinate with to facilitate the program.

Currently, some patients without transport have to get a commercial bus down to Mackay and overnight there, returning home the next day.

Others are relying on lifts from friends or even strangers.

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP was approached by a local resident and subsequently met with Kristi in person to discuss the issue.

“I am truly passionate about access and equity for our rural and regional communities and this service would be valued by many who have to travel so far for care,” said Ms Camm.

“I will work with Mackay Hospital Foundation to provide an update to the community as the project evolves.”

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The Mackay Hospital Foundation minibus which will soon transport Whitsunday patients to regular hospital appointments in Mackay

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP met with the General Manager of Mackay Hospital Foundation, Kristi Algate, to discuss the progress of launching the service. Photos supplied

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