Ozanam House patient & transport information

Bookings

For enquires and bookings please contact the office: (06) 75 85 644 The shuttle travels on Mondays and Fridays and on Wednesdays as necessary. When arranging Radio/Chemotherapy appointments please inform the staff that you will be a shuttle passenger, so they can make your appointment to coincide with the shuttle arrival/ departure times.

The Oncology Department of the Palmerston North Hospital makes bookings for all patients coming for treatment as out-patients. Patients are notified of this when their appointments are sent to them.

• Transport and Shuttle Services
• Taranaki Shuttle Service
• Travel Assistance Options

There are two options available for patients traveling between Taranaki and Palmerston North for treatment.

1. Those patients and carers who do not own or do not wish to take their own vehicle can travel in an air conditioned nine seater coach, providing one trip per week of treatment at no cost.
2. For those patients who wish to make their own travel arrangements to and from Palmerston North Hospital a travel allowance can be paid.

Eligibility for Transport Assistance

Patients are eligible for transport assistance when they have a confirmed date for simulation or treatment at the radiotherapy/chemotherapy unit at Palmerston North Hospital.

One carer for every patient will be provided transport free of charge. However where a patient elects to claim a travel allowance, it is anticipated that the carer will normally travel with the patient. Additional carers or carers traveling separately from the patients they are accompanying may travel in the coach at the Cancer Society's discretion and convenience.

Pick-Up

The driver will arrange this with you. Pick-up is made from all communities on the main route between New Plymouth and Palmerston North. Opunake passengers usually travel privately to Hawera to meet the shuttle. However the shuttle will travel either routes Opunake or Stratford dependant on the passengers' requirements. The society endeavors to make the service as flexible as possible to meet the passenger's needs.

Travel Allowance

The travel allowance shall be available to all patients who elect to use their own vehicle or make alternative arrangements to travel from their home to Palmerston North Hospital. The society may seek information in order to be satisfied that the travel has occurred.

The allowance is only payable

• For one return trip per patient per week of treatment.
• Towards the cost of running the vehicle in which the patient is traveling.
• Upon confirmation that the travel has actually occurred.

Hawkes Bay Patients

Ozanam House and the Cancer Society do not currently offer a transport service to Hawkes Bay patients. Patients from the Hawkes Bay region can make an application to be reimbursed for their travel costs through the Welfare Officer at Palmerston North Hospital, but are required to make their own travel arrangements.

Applying for a Travel Allowance

To apply for an allowance please contact:
The Welfare Officer at Palmerston North Hospital

• Elaine Third (06) 350 8944 or
• Trudy (06) 350 8476

between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm for information regarding eligibility for travel and accommodation reimbursement.

What to bring

Just clothes and such personal belongings as needed, plus food to suit individual requirements.

Charges

There is no fixed charge for accommodation, nor is anyone ever turned away for financial reasons. Most people prefer to pay something however, and charges are made by arrangement with the administrator.