4 Health authority to offer subsidized patient transport Service will ensure appointments at larger centres are met By ROD LINK THE NORTHERN Health Authority wants to set up subsidized transportation connections between Terrace and Kitimat and Houston/Smithers and _ Terrace early this fall. And it wants a service between Ter- race and Prince George in place as well ‘as part of a north-wide effort at making available affordable transportation so. people have access to medical care not ’ available in their home community. “For the short distance runs we’re looking for someone to operate a para transit van holding between 12 to 16 people with space for two people in wheelchairs,” Mark Karjaluoto last week. “For the long distance run we're looking ‘at a coach to hold 20.to 24 people comfortably, bearing in mind it «is for people who may not be in good health and who may be uncomfortable over long trips,” he added. The authority anticipates that the majority. of users will have modest in- comes who might not otherwise have ° a suitable way to get to physician-re- ferred medical care at larger centres. - Short distance travel will take place said authority official, as a day trip once a week while longer distance service will take place several _ times a week. _ Karjaluoto said the authority: will take proposals from existing trans- portation companies and agencies and from other interested parties. A non-profit agency in Smithers al- For the short distance runs we’re looking for someone to operate a . para transit van... ready operates a service between Hous- ton/Smithers and Terrace and it has been given a temporary subsidy: and — can submit a more formal proposal. - Subsidized ground transporation is a new venture for the health authority and comes after it received $4 million. from the provincia] government. It- wants. proposals in by Sept. 9 and distance service first after negotiating. . details with successful bidders. “Look both ways before crossing the street anticipates a quick start for the short - A key part of the program is ensur- ing that patients have appointments at either hospitals or at clinics that match © the transportation schedule. That'll’ require some coordination but Karjaluoto said the benefit is that hospitals and physicians will know their patients can be expected to’meet - their appointments. Other. short distance routes are from Burns Lake to Smithers, Burns Lake | ~~ to Prince George, McBride to Prince , George, Valemount to Prince George ‘and Valemount to Kamloops. Long distance routes are from ’ Vancouver to Prince George, Prince: George to the northeast, Prince George to Prince Rupert and from the northeast ' to Grande Prairie, Alberta. The authority also wants to set stan- dard -rates for hotels ‘and motels for ‘those who need to stay’, over as part of ; » their medical care. And it also wants to establish a pro-. gram to help people return home who were flown outside of the region or the 7 province on air ambulances. © » A call centre is also being contem-— plated to provide people with answers to health care service inquiries. Ifa stranger bothers you, yell for help The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - A13 food and health solutions Come to our Cholesterol Clinic » And get in touch with your arteries Heart disease is the leading cause of death in over 1 in3 pharmacist and/or dietitian and receive: » A Cholesterol Check * Blood Pressure Check + Diet and Nutrition Information _, free with Save- On-More bonus points. Monday, September 12th, : ilam-Spm — 4731 Lakelse Ave., _ Terrace 250-635-4021 “. Canadians. 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