Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
Nelson Hospital volunteer Kathy Cuthbert has retired, 20 years after setting up the hospital courtesy shuttle.
Kathy was receptionist at the hospital when she decided patients needed help getting from the car park, which is down a steep hill, to their appointments.
“I saw people arriving out of breath and I thought something should be done. When you’re on the front line you notice things,” she said.
“People arrive at hospitals quite nervous and often the buggy drivers are the first and last people they speak to. Having that service makes a huge difference.”
Kathy Cuthbert (right) with buggy trust chairman Clive Workman.
Kathy retired from her paid employment in 2015 after 38 years’ service, but continued to support the shuttle as a volunteer. Kathy’s guaranteed patients have access to it Monday to Friday by ensuring the driver roster is full.
Some 20 years after she first got the idea to set up the courtesy shuttle she’s now retiring from that role and the committee.
“I’m getting older but I know the shuttle is in good hands.
“It’s amazing that it’s still going. We’re onto our second shuttle and we have to keep fundraising to keep it operating.
“We can carry up to three passengers, and it has a donation box. It’s amazing; sometimes I’ll see a $20 note, we get lots of coins and they all help.
“We carry at least 10,000 people a year. Some days we might only have two, other days it’s up to 40, it all depends on who needs us.”
Kathy said her feet don’t reach the pedals, otherwise patients might have had her driving them to the entrance, but she’s been more than happy to support behind the scenes.
“When I first came up with the idea I was told no, so I tried again. We had to do something. Whangarei Hospital had one so we talked to them to get some ideas and then spent 18 months fundraising.
“People tell me it’s a wonderful service.”
The shuttle service runs from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.