Taxi Driver Online

November 2, 2007 Friday

Patients need drivers

Wilts And Gloucestershire Standard

A SHORTAGE of volunteer drivers is causing problems for the sick and frail in the Malmesbury area.

The Malmesbury and District Link good neighbour scheme helps 230 people a year but due to lack of numbers, volunteers have had to turn down requests to help from patients in need.

The frustrated team behind the Link scheme says it has happened 57 times in the past 12 months.

"It's now evident we need to recruit more drivers," said chairman Colin Legge.

"We have 26 registered drivers but only about 12 drive regularly. As a result, people are not getting the treatment they need or are having to pay enormous taxi fares which they can ill afford."

Mr Legge said the closing of clinics and outpatients units at Malmesbury Hospital has increased the workload further as patients are now driven to Chippenham hospital and clinics for treatment.

Between April and the end of August, Link drivers made 329 trips of which 60 were to Chippenham. Before Malmesbury Hospital's closure the drivers made on average 250 trips a year within the town with just 20 to Chippenham Hospital.

Anyone with time available is eligible to be a volunteer driver for Link and they will receive 40p a mile towards their costs. Work schedules can range from once a year to once or twice a week, depending on the individual.

"They appreciate volunteers are often busy with families and other commitments so there's no pressure," said volunteer driver Lynda Fleming, from Sherston.

"You meet a lot of new people as a Link driver and can enjoy a chat and a joke with them while doing something useful."

To find out how to become a Link driver call Fee Knowles on 01666 837967.
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But that 40p is for both ways, and who checks the claims?

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IDFIMH