Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Renfrew County Clients Get More Rides to Medical Appointments
October 19, 2010 - A non-urgent medical transportation program, coordinated by Carefor Health and Community Services in Pembroke, has recently expanded to reach more people. Transportation is now being provided in Renfrew County from Deep River to Arnprior, from Barry’s Bay, Eganville, Petawawa, Cobden and all parts between.
Now with four vans, the program relies on four paid drivers and 42 volunteer drivers. The program has two main aims: improving access to health care for rural residents and allowing ambulances to focus on more urgent transportation needs. The Champlain Local Health Integration Network is a major funder, most recently purchasing the fourth van.
The service serves many populations. It provides transportation to day programs and dialysis, for example. It also serves hospitalized patients needing drives to medical appointments off-premises at another hospital or in a different community, including MRI scans, specialist visits, post-surgery check-ups and chemotherapy. Carefor also coordinates the Going Home program, targeting seniors over 65 and offering a drive from hospital to home, trips to medical appointments, delivery of frozen meals, and homemaking services for a period of 10 days after discharge.
During the past nine months, Carefor Pembroke’s service increased from 246 to 522 drives per month. In November, 2010, the agency will launch a partnership with Arnprior Braeside McNab Seniors At Home Program, expanding the program to that area of Renfrew County.
“October is Community Support Month, so it is fitting that we celebrate the health workers and volunteers who make a difference to so many residents every day,” says MPP John Yakabuski, (Renfrew--Nipissing--Pembroke). “Transportation is a huge challenge in Renfrew County, and Carefor’s expanded program goes a long way in improving health services for our citizens.”
Source: Champlain Local Health Integration Network
Email: champlain@lhins.on.ca
Website: www.champlainlhin.on.ca
|