A LOCAL scheme which helps older people in rural communities to attend essential hospital appointments is expanding the area it covers.
Previously ‘Home2Hospital’ was only available to residents in the Slieve Gullion District Electoral Area and The Mournes District Electoral Area (DEA). Now, as part of a pilot project, the service will also be available to residents living in the Crotlieve DEA too. The Crotlieve area covers local towns and villages such as Warrenpoint, Rostrevor, Hilltown, Mayobridge and Burren. ‘Home2Hospital’ is administered by Bolster Community and supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
It ensures people do not miss vital hospital and healthcare appointments and is delivered by volunteer drivers transporting people to South Tyrone, Belfast, Craigavon and Downpatrick. The pilot will run from September until March 2027 to ensure people don’t miss vital healthcare appointments and to help them access additional support services and links to social groups and activities.
Almost one quarter of residents in Crotlieve are aged 65 and over, with a number reporting they have previously missed an important hospital appointment due to transport issues,” a statement about the pilot scheme explained.
“The introduction of the new pilot will address this.
“Due to the difficulties people in the Slieve Gullion and Mournes DEA rural areas encounter accessing hospital appointments in Craigavon, Belfast and beyond, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council helped facilitate the ‘Home2Hospital’ scheme, which proved hugely successful.
“Between April 2025 and January this year in these DEAs, the service provided 539 return journeys for 359 users, with 368 trips for residents in The Mournes and 171 for those in Slieve Gullion.
“Thirteen volunteer drivers transported people to 21 different healthcare settings.”
