March 19 will be first trip for Gabriola MediGo

People for a Healthy Community

March 19 has been set by PHC for their first medical appointment van trip to Nanaimo.  The Gabriola MediGo van will provide free rides to Gabriolans going to medical appointments.  Riders will book a ride on the PHC website, or by phone at 250-325-7311   Once registered, the rider will be able to book future rides without re-registering.  The first three months of operation will act as a pilot project and help determine usage and scheduling details.

“Access to non-emergency medical appointments – usually to see a specialist is a key element to avoiding the emergency room” explains Brenda Fowler, Executive Director at People for a Healthy Community (PHC) 

Initially, this new service will run Tuesday and Wednesdays, and while the schedule is under discussion with BC Ferries, it looks like we will leave at either 8:10 am or 9:20 am or be linked to a specific appointment.  Once on the “big island”, the van will be able to shuttle between the ferry and Regional Hospital specialists locations.  The van will then make a final trip home on the ferry depending on final appointment times. 

With the help of the Gabriola Ferry Advisory Committee, the PHC medical transport van (MediGo) will have assured loading.  Riders will have to arrange their own TAP form (pink form from the clinic), and will still be able to have a companion. The Gabriola Auxiliary, Drivers to Doctors program will still accommodate ride requests, and the Gabriola Taxi will also be a part of the program.  There are many details to work out but like other new island programs we will learn and improve as we go.