Transport Services

Since 2002, a number of voluntary transport options have been in operation at Bentley Health Service (BHS) for patients attending appointments at the hospital. The voluntary transport groups provide transportation for patients attending the Outpatient Clinics in D Block.

Transport is provided by volunteer drivers and is restricted to those patients attending BHS outpatient clinics who meet the following criteria:

• Lives in the BHS general and aged care hospital catchment area.
• Not able to use public transport.
• Not able to pay the cost of a taxi.
• Have no relatives, friends or neighbours able to assist with transport.
• No other voluntary transport via community services available (e.g. Shire, Harold Hawthorne, People Who Care, Chorus – formerly Volunteer Task Force).

Transport is not available for one-off appointments – patients must have multiple and/or consecutive appointments scheduled to utilise voluntary transport.

Role of drivers

Drivers pick up patients from their homes and transport them to Bentley Hospital for appointments, returning them back to their homes afterwards.

All drivers are provided with a car, mobile phone and relevant training prior to commencing their voluntary services for our patients. Being a voluntary transport driver is flexible with time commitments, but shifts are most commonly from 8am – 2pm.

Benefits of volunteering

• Contributing to the well-being of our patients
• Giving something back to the community
• Social interaction with patients and staff
• Knowing that without a transport service some of our patients would not be able to access the treatments they need.