I am writing this letter to the editor as I believe that there are many residents whom are unaware of the availability of community transport for people wishing to travel to and from medical appointments.

Locally we have a number of community transport drivers who volunteer their time to take residents for medical appointments whether it be to Parkes, Orange, Dubbo, Bathurst etc.

This transport can be arranged through the Forbes Home and Community Care (HACC) Centre and yes of course there is a cost.

Our local HACC Centre can also be contacted to arrange travel by train, plane etc for Sydney appointments and also arrange community transport on arrival to and from the appointment.

The Sisters of Mercy in Sydney run a wonderful scheme of transport whereby people with medical appointments who arrive by train, plane etc, are picked up from their destination, taken to their appointment and then picked up after the appointment, to be transported back to their mode of transport. And all they ask for is a donation of your choice.

These drivers are volunteers who use their own vehicle and are paid for the fuel usage only.

Just through this letter I am hoping that many residents who were not aware of this service take advantage of it as if you are not used to the city, it can be very daunting for the more mature residents if they have to find their own way to appointments when arriving in the city.

The Home and Community Care program (HACC) is funded by Commonwealth and State Governments and administered by the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC).