GoCo has listened to the Gunnedah community and responded to the shortage of doctor’s appointments with a new regular and affordable transport service – the GoCo Doctors Run.
GoCo has partnered with North West Health in Tamworth and Ochre Medical Centre in Boggabri to reserve set GoCo client appointments on regular days of the week.
‘This initiative came about with our team listening to our clients, the community and even experiencing the challenges to see doctors locally themselves,’ GoCo Executive Manager, Bruce Mercer said.
‘It was clear that there is a need to help people attend these appointments until Gunnedah can attract more doctors,’ Mr Mercer said.
The GoCo Doctors Run involves collecting clients from their homes with the GoCo Bus, transporting them to their ‘GoCo reserved’ appointment, which is bunched with other GoCo appointments to reduce wait times.
Clients are then returned to their homes.
All reserved appointments are available in the mid-morning to minimise the time clients spend away from home.
‘Our transport services are possible thanks to a dedicated team of GoCo Volunteers who give up their time to drive clients to Tamworth and Boggabri,’ Mr Mercer said.
‘We’ll also need to attract more volunteer drivers and carers to accompany clients on the Doctor’s Run, so we implore community members who are willing and able to put up their hand to become a GoCo volunteer.’
Clients will book their doctor’s appointment directly with North West Health at East Tamworth Medical Centre or Ochre Medical Centre in Boggabri on the designated using a special GoCo reference.
Clients will then contact GoCo to book their seat on the Doctors Run.
The GoCo Doctors Run is for new and existing GoCo clients and is available for both community members and older people eligible through My Aged Care.
All Doctors Run trips incur a contribution to the cost in the form of fees outlined in GoCo’s fee schedule.
Bookings can be made now for appointments commencing in March 2021.
How can I book?
If you are a current GoCo Client:
Call GoCo to book your seat and find out how to book your ‘GoCo Client’ medical appointment.
If you are not a GoCo Client:
Contact us to find out how to join 02 6740 2240.
Tamworth
North West Health – East Tamworth Medical Centre 02 6768 3222
- Monday mornings
- Wednesday mornings
- Fridays mornings
Boggabri
Ochre Medical Centre – 1 Wee Waa St 02 6749 7097
- Every second Tuesday morning