Lower expectations urged

• Published date: 05 April 2024
• Publication title: Oamaru Mail

About 40 people attended the meeting, where St John staff asked people to share their stories and needs

Community engagement manager Ian Henderson said to make the service a reality St John needed to build a strong business case.

It was not just about sourcing a vehicle, but paying for ongoing operations, fuel and maintenance costs as well.

The organisation would also need to find volunteers to drive the shuttle.

‘‘We’re essentially starting from scratch.’’

Despite being ‘‘very keen’’ to provide a health shuttle, St John would be unable to have one running within the next year.

‘‘It may be up to two years.’’

That statement was met with frustration from those present, many of whom shared their bad experiences with getting to Dunedin medical appointments.

One woman said it was getting harder to get medical treatment in Oamaru and now more trips were needed to Dunedin or Timaru.

‘‘The services aren’t here in this town.’’

For almost a year, a donation-based shuttle has been run by Hireplus owner Trevor Goodin, who said Oamaru had a ‘‘desperate, desperate need’’ for a formal service.

He had been speaking to managers at Dunedin Hospital about Oamaru’s needs, but was dissatisfied with what he had heard.

‘‘It’s all lip service.

‘‘I think we as a community need to get together and put...