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A Crossmaglen grandmother who made almost 30 return trips to Belfast City Hospital for cancer treatment has praised a volunteer-led transport service. Maureen Morris used the Home2Hospital appointment service provided by Bolster Community over six weeks of treatment. The service was recently expanded to include Crotlieve DEA too with a pilot scheme running there until next March.
Morris, who turns 80 next February, knew when she was diagnosed that she would have to travel to Belfast for chemotherapy, sometimes several days a week. The daily round trip from her home was just over 100 miles and left her tired. Following successful treatment, she was able to ring the bell at the Cancer Centre in Belfast, and was delighted to be joined by her Bolster Community volunteer driver, Margaret Carragher.
Morris said her recovery journey would not have been possible without Bolster, Carragher and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
“Home2Hospital is an invaluable service. When I got in touch, staff took away my worry about getting to Belfast and Margaret has been brilliant. We had some craic on the journeys, and I was pleased she was with me when I rang the bell to mark the end of my treatment. Margaret was with me every step of the way,” said Morris.
“I don’t know what I would have done without her and Bolster and am pleased the Home2Hospital service has been extended to include Crotlieve DEA. I would encourage people to use it - all it took from me was one phone call and Bolster did the rest.”
Volunteer driver Margaret Carragher said she heard about the service while looking for something to do after retirement.
“I was looking for something to do following retirement and heard about the Home2Hospital service and got in touch with Bolster Community and things progressed from there. Maureen said I made her treatment journey easy and that is a lovely compliment for doing something I enjoy. We have become good friends and there were tears in my eyes when she rang the bell at the end of her treatment.”
Bolster’s Home2Hospital coordinator Paula McCracken made sure there was always transport available, so Morris never missed a chemotherapy appointment.
Home2Hospital is an appointment service for older people and their families, provided by Bolster Community and supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. It was previously available to residents in the Slieve Gullion and Mournes District Electoral Areas (DEAs). The service is designed to ensure people do not miss vital healthcare appointments, and to give them access to additional support services and links to social groups and activities. Morris’s husband Gerry is currently using it to attend medical appointments in Dungannon, Craigavon and Belfast.
Speaking about the service Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Glyn Hanna said: “I am delighted Maureen is doing so well. Access to healthcare is essential, particularly for our older residents and those living in rural areas, providing practical support that helps people attend vital hospital and healthcare appointments, while also reducing stress and isolation for individuals and their families.
“Bolster Community also connects people with additional support services, social opportunities and their wider community, helping them maintain their independence and wellbeing. The volunteer-led service was recently expanded to include Crotlieve DEA and plays a key role at the heart of rural communities.”
Cllr Hanna added: “Access to public transport is often one of the biggest barriers to attending hospital appointments, with Home2Hospital helping people maintain their independence and access the important healthcare they need.”
