A proposed ‘home to hospital’ will give the people of South Armagh a much needed resource according in transport to and from appointments.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is expected to approve £10,000 expenditure to get it up and running.
As well as being asked to approve the money to introduce this transport lifeline, councillors will also be asked to give the go-ahead to seek expressions of interest from suitable community or voluntary sector organisations to administer the scheme.
Sinn Féin Councillor for Slieve Gullion Barra Ó Muirí Active and Health Communities Committee how this issue had been discussed at length in the area for years.
“The communities that we represent are among the most rural across the entire district. There are villages with poor phone signal, little or no wi-fi, and infrequent bus services. It is incumbent upon this council to cater for and care for all residents, particularly those in risk of rural isolation”, said Councillor Ó Muirí.
He praised the work of First Responders saying: “The First Responders were established several years ago to address the issue of Ambulance times to South Armagh. Sometimes it takes an hour for an ambulance to arrive, if it’s coming from Craigavon”.
The Councillor concluded by stating: “The Home to Hospital Scheme will give the people of South Armagh a much needed resource to get them to Hospital appointments. The information on how the contact the scheme will be available in the coming weeks.
