A SCHEME ensuring patients in rural Tweeddale get to vital medical appointments has issued a plea for more drivers.

Travelling to Borders General Hospital (BGH) from some of the region’s outlying areas by public transport can be a logistical nightmare, with up to four buses each way.

Last year West Linton-based Margaret Torrance started on a journey to simplify the experience.

Her ambition was to create a community group of occasional volunteer drivers to take people to and from their health-related appointments.

And with the help and support of some friends, ‘Linton Lifts’ was formed.

The service has an early teething problem which is a dearth of available drivers.

Margaret said: “We’re ready to take people to Borders General, Hay Lodge or any of the other medical centres, but the service is restricted until we have recruited more drivers.

“If anyone can give a little of their time to ‘Linton Lifts’ they would be making a significant difference to people when it’s needed.”

Margaret added: “If someone is unwell, they may feel unable to attend their hospital appointments using public transport.

“It is quite an ordeal with the round trip to Borders General Hospital from West Linton, requiring six buses, with the 93 service currently at risk.”

From West Linton the earliest 93 journey is at 7.54am, arriving in Peebles at 8.39am. This is followed by the X62 from Peebles at 8.54am, arriving in Galashiels at 9.44am and changing to the 67 to BGH, arriving at 10.21am, a journey of almost two and a half hours.

From Carlops it is much more complicated, requiring four buses, with the earliest 101 service arriving in West Linton at 9.25am.

Margaret said: “Linton Lifts has just started operating and some local people have been delighted to use it, but in order to expand, we simply need more drivers.

“Our volunteer drivers are reimbursed for their mileage at the standard rate, and the more drivers willing to drive, the more people can be offered the door-to-door service.” 

The person booking the service is asked to make a donation based on mileage and a small amount to Linton Lifts towards admin costs.

Margaret continued: “We’ve heard how people appreciate a friendly face when they’re travelling to and from appointments and the immense relief of not having to try to negotiate their journey on so many buses.

“With an ageing population, the underlying demand in this village is unreal.

“We are also able to offer transport to dental and optician appointments which are not available in the village.

“We are insured to take people who are able to access the car without assistance, so a couple of walking sticks would be possible but not a wheelchair or someone with a walking frame.”

There is also the option of using the Scottish Ambulance Service’s Scheduled Care Transport for people who are less mobile. Its standard accepted appointment times at BGH are 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

To find out more about Linton Lifts, call 07493 728313.