Alexandra Falls
MITCHELL Shire residents now have the opportunity for free travel assistance to attend medical appointments in Melbourne.
‘Connecting Mitchell’ is a branch of the Melbourne Medical Companion Project, a cross-government initiative that helps communities to improve rural transport options.
The trial service means companions will meet passengers at Southern Cross train and bus platforms or Flinders Street station and accompany them to their medical appointments and back.
Connecting Mitchell project worker Jenny Sitlington said that Connecting Mitchell will ease some of the stress involved with residents’ heath care travel.
“The new volunteer service will help take the worry out of travelling for health care and enable people to retain their independence,” Ms Sitlington said.
“It is hoped that the service will encourage country people to choose public transport to attend their medical appointments instead of using private cars.”
The project is addressing a vital community issue, with an estimated 50,000 people from rural and regional Victoria travelling into Melbourne for medical treatment every year.
These travellers are ill, frail or have a disability, and many are unfamiliar with Melbourne and vulnerable finding their way around the city.
As a result they may inconvenience loved ones by requiring travel assistance or even delay or even cancel their appointments, jeopardising their health.
Connecting Mitchell is one of 13 Transport Connections projects across Victoria and the only project in Hume region that has formed a partnership to develop the trial service.
Travellers Aid Australia will carry out the day to day co-ordination and delivery of the project and has recruited and trained a team of volunteers to deliver the medical companion service.
Connecting Mitchell will run from March to December this year.
People interested in accessing the service should telephone Travellers Aid Australia on 1300 700 399 to make a booking at least 24 hours prior to their expected travel date.
