Good news for Bowen and Collinsville residents who need to attend medical appointments with plans now underway to provide a bus service that will transport patients north to Townsville.
Mayor Julie Hall said this service would be invaluable for families who needed to travel long distances for medical care.
“Our Economic Development team are working to explore potential funding opportunities for a community minibus for Bowen, Collinsville, and surrounds to transport patients to Townsville for regular medical appointments,” she said.
“Council will work with our Federal and State government representatives, community, and not-for-profit groups to explore options and advocate for ongoing funding, to ensure the service is viable and operates to meet our residents’ needs.”
Mayor Hall said, at the Pink Stumps Day held in Bowen in February, she was saddened to discover that people with cancer are missing out on vital treatment because they can’t get to their hospital appointments.
She said that Council has already contributed $50,000 to the Mackay Hospital Foundation towards providing a community medical bus service to transport patients from Proserpine and Airlie Beach to Mackay Hospital and the Icon Cancer Centre for medical appointments.
“However, there is currently no such service for residents in the northern end of the Whitsundays,” she explained.
“Ensuring access to this service for regional communities is so important, but it will be no quick fix as there are multiple funding, legal and operational logistics to be negotiated.”
It is hoped that the new bus will provide a similar service to the Mackay Hospital Foundation bus. Photo supplied
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
