Subsidised air travel
available to medical card owners
MARY Nolan, the spokesperson for the Inishowen
Cancer Support Group, wants to see more Inishowen
cancer patients avail of the daily subsidised
shuttle service between the City of Derry and Dublin
Airports.
Nolan, a volunteer with the Inishowen Cancer Support
Group, is concerned that not enough people are aware
of the service and she is encouraging cancer
patients in Inishowen to contact her directly if
they would like to book a place on the aeroplane.
“This is a great service. For just €25.40 cancer
sufferers who have access to a medical card can get
a return flight to Dublin. The flight takes just 55
minutes, compared to around four hours on the bus,”
she said.
The service, which is subsidised by the HSE, has
been running for a decade now but Nolan believes
that more people could be taking advantage of it.
“This service has been up and running for around ten
years now, but we in the Inishowen Cancer Support
Group feel that it’s time to remind local people
that it’s there,” said Nolan, who added that most
people heard about the service via word of mouth.
Cancer patients routinely have to travel to Dublin
hospitals such as Beaumont and St Luke’s for
radiotherapy and other treatment, which can leave
them weakened or feeling sick.
In such cases a round trip of at least eight hours
by road can be tough to take, which is why Nolan
believes the flight option is such a godsend.
“A lot of cancer patients need to go up to Dublin
each week for radiotherapy treatment. They may have
to travel up on a Monday morning and many need to
come back on Friday nights. They may find it easier
of they take the plane from Eglinton.
“I know that there may be a few older people that do
not want to travel on a small aeroplane, but for a
lot of other cancer patients this service is much
better than travelling to Dublin by road,” said
Nolan who have in the past left flyers advertising
the service at GP’s surgerys around the peninsula.
“The only criteria is that you must have a medical
card in order to get the flight for €25.40,” she
added.
If you think you, or someone in your family who is
receiving treatment for cancer might like wish to
travel on this service to Dublin you should get in
touch with Nolan. Her home number is 9383072. She
can also be reached by mobile 0866068757.
(Inishowen Independent) |
