TRANSPORTATION

Click here to return to the main webpage for the Canberra One-Stop Cancer Web-Shop.

Transportation of a newly-diagnosed cancer patient can develop as a major activity for the patient and their carer. There can be regular trips to the GP, to the specialist, to the imaging facility, for CT scans and MRIs, for radiation therapy, for chemotherapy, for blood pathology, and so on.

Many carers, relatives and friends, welcome these trips as an opportunity for them to personally assist the person who needs to make the trip. In other cases this is not practicable nor possible.

Throughout the ACT and surrounding country areas there are well-developed systems for patients whose transportation needs cannot be met by other means. Most of the schemes are linked to a local community service.

As a means of illustrating what might be available in your area this photo-story is based around the transport service provided by the Belconnen Community Service Inc (BCS) in Canberra. There are similar services available in other areas. My thanks to Karen from BCS for explaining the system to me.

GENERAL - The community transport services generally co-ordinate volunteers and paid community transport drivers to provide services to residents of the area they serve where the residents have no other options. These services include transport to medical, paramedical & other essential appointments. Some also provide friendly visiting and assisted shopping. When you make a request it is assessed and prioritised according to need and available resources. Although the various services attempt to assist whenever possible, limitations do exist with regard to availability of volunteers, time constraints, and funding of the service. The service will usually reserve the right to decline requests considered to be outside the limitations of the service. Your eligibility for services is usually reviewed after a period of time.

HOW YOU CAN ASSIST - Before making a request check whether family or friends are able to help, or if it is possible to take a taxi or public transport. Notify the service as soon as an appointment is known. Notify the office as soon as possible of cancellations or changes. The volunteer's time is valuable and limited. Contact the office regarding additional requirements for your transport eg collection of scripts, x-rays.Give the office as much detail as is necessary for us to provide your service effectively - all information is treated as confidential. Sign a permission form if you request a volunteer to handle your money or personal documents.

WHAT DOES IT COST? - The policy on charging will vary from service to service, however you can usually make a donation to the volunteer service.

YOUR SAY - The sponsoring community services recognise that you may need to raise any concerns regarding aspects of the transportation service. You can discuss these with the manager by contacting the office.

PLEASE NOTE - All community services policies state that services are provided in a smoke-free environment.

TRIPS ACT

Several of these community service organisations have combined to provide an additional service called "TRIPS ACT" which "... provides transport for individuals living in the ACT, to attend social and educational activities which take place outside or normal business hours". These activities might include - visits to hospitals and nursing homes, weekend outings and social activities, attending activity centres, attending cinemas/clubs/theatres; and attending educational facilities. The target group includes people who are frail aged and their carers and individuals with a disability and their carers, not living in residential care.

This service, for example, could be very relevant to the spouse of a cancer in-patient who wishes to visit the hospital during a weekend but lives in an area of a suburb without good access to public transport.

COUNTRY AND REGIONAL AREAS

Similar schemes exist in Queanbeyan and nearby country towns for the purpose of driving people to the ACT for medical, paramedical and other essential appointments.

Other useful phone numbers: ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme: 6207 1108; Home Help ACT Inc 6287 3777 (New clients 6205 2600); Canberra Cabs 13 2227.