Appeal for more volunteer drivers in East Lothian and Fife to help elderly people attend NHS appointments

Campaigners are calling for more volunteer drivers to take elderly people to healthcare check-ups in East Lothian and Fife.

New research from a volunteering charity shows that almost half of non-drivers over 70 have missed medical appointments, costing the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds a year.

Experts say the journeys can also relieve feelings of isolation and stress.

Graeme Douglas has been driving Dorothy Swanson to her weekly doctor appointments since last March.

Dorothy started using the service almost ten years ago to get her leg ulcers treated and says its been a lifeline for her.

She told STV News: “When they were really bad I could’ve lost a leg, but they’re fine, thank goodness.

“But to get there on my own, I couldn’t do it, unless somebody’s going to take me up and take me back. You feel safe because you know who they are.

“I haven’t been up the town for – it upsets me – maybe seven or eight years now. I’m very unsteady on my legs getting on and off buses. I don’t have the same balance as I had years ago.

“So if you’ve no transport, how do you get to your appointments?”

Graeme Douglas and Dorothy Swanson STV News

After he retired, Graeme got involved in the service as he used to drive his brother home from appointments for cancer treatment.

He said: “It’s just very rewarding. It’s not a job – it’s something you want to do.

“You don’t have to do it, but you’re making that step to help out and, genuinely, I’m happy to do it.

“I enjoy it and I would miss it.”

A recent study from the Royal Voluntary Service, which partners elderly with volunteer driver,s found that nearly half of non-drivers over the age of 70 have missed healthcare appointments due to a lack of transportation.

Around 35% of respondents also reported feeling frustrated while around 25% said they feel trapped.

Service manager Tom Pearson said volunteer drivers play a vital part helping the elderly in their communities.

He said: “We find when service users have hospital appointments or procedures that they’re stressed about, a nice volunteer driver really calms them and helps take their mind off things.

“It’s often about the conversation with the driver on the way there, whether it’s about the weather, football and news. Just a little bit of chat in the car, they seem to appreciate that.

“Having the driver waiting for when they come out, that’s a big stress reliever for the clients as well.”

He said volunteer drivers get just as much out of giving their time to the charity.

Tom added: “It helps people feel warm and fuzzy helping others. Maybe if they’re not working or retired, it gives them some purpose and structure, having a chat with people who use the service and meeting all these different characters.

“You become conscious of how much people need and depend on us. It makes a huge difference.”

The Royal Voluntary Service is appealing for volunteer drivers in East Lothian Fife, Dumfries and Galloway and Shetland. Find out more on the charity’s website.