Kerry Cancer Support Group’s Healthlink Transport

Description

Healthlink Transport, operated by Kerry Cancer Support Group (RCN 20074159), is a free, inclusive age-friendly transport initiative that supports cancer patients across Kerry, West Cork, and West Limerick. Since 2010, this service has provided a vital link to treatment centres, helping thousands of individuals—especially older adults—overcome the transport barriers that often prevent access to essential healthcare.
Healthlink transport is not just a means of getting from A to B; it is a lifeline and a support group on wheels.
Meeting the Needs of an Aging Population
With Ireland’s aging demographic, rural isolation, and centralised healthcare services, older adults often face significant obstacles in accessing care. In 2024 alone:
68% of service users were over the age of 65.
75% of those were over 70.
24 users were over 80, and 7 were over 90.
For these individuals, Healthlink transport provides not just a lift, but dignified, person-centred care that is age-aware and responsive to their needs. The service ensures that older adults can travel safely, comfortably, and confidently to and from treatment.
Accessibility, Inclusivity & Safety
Completely inclusive: No exclusion criteria—anyone in need is welcome.
Privacy and dignity: Guaranteed for every service user.
Staff and volunteers are trained to support older and vulnerable passengers with empathy and respect.
Flexible service design allows for door-to-door pickup, assisted boarding, and responsive scheduling aligned with treatment times.
The service was developed with community input and has evolved to meet the growing and changing needs in the region.
Impact on Older Adults and the Wider Community
More than 3,000 km travelled weekly to ensure access to care.
Average of 35 users per day, with the majority being older adults.
For many, the availability of transport is the deciding factor in whether they proceed with treatment.
Users report a high rate of treatment completion, demonstrating the service’s positive influence on health outcomes.
In service users’ words, it is a “lifeline”—a vital service that transforms a stressful, isolating experience into one of shared experiences and companionship.
Age Friendly Principles in Action
Healthlink transport aligns strongly with the WHO Age Friendly Cities and Communities Framework and Ireland’s Age Friendly Ireland strategy. It promotes:
Independence: Supporting older people to manage their own health journeys.
Participation: Encouraging peer connection and community engagement during transport.
Security: Providing safe, respectful, and reliable services.
Access to services: Ensuring that rural geography and age are not barriers to treatment.
Environmental and Strategic Benefits
Supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Health and Wellbeing) by removing access barriers to care.
Aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by serving isolated rural areas with little to no public transport.
Contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by coordinating hospital appointments and reducing unnecessary car trips, thus lowering emissions.
Conclusion
The Healthlink transport Service is a shining example of age-friendly innovation. It supports older people not just with transport, but with dignity, companionship, and continuity of care. In doing so, it tackles rural isolation, strengthens communities, and ensures access to essential healthcare appointments.

Aim of Initiative

Project Aim
Our aim is to deliver an unparalleled experience as the most trusted partner for health care transport in the region.

To achieve this, we are committed to the following objectives:
1. Expand and Enhance Service Reach
-Grow our capacity to serve a broader community.
-We currently operate three full-time vehicles, equipped to meet a variety of transport
needs.
2. Ensure Universal Accessibility
-Provide a transport service that is fully accessible to all, regardless of physical ability
or background.
3. Promote Cancer Awareness and Education
-Raise awareness and understanding of cancer through information sessions and
educational talks delivered to schools and community groups across the region.
4. Offer Practical Support for Service Users
-Develop innovative ways to assist our users through collaboration with organisations
such as ALONE, helping meet diverse practical needs.
5. Inspire Change through Volunteering
-Engage a wide network of volunteers to make a meaningful impact.
-Our support drivers go beyond transport by assisting with hospital visits, helping
with shopping and medication pick-ups, and ensuring a compassionate experience
for all service users.

Who is it aimed at

Adults with a cancer diagnosis or other health related issues who need to assistance and support to travel to appointments.

3 Steps critical to success

1. 1. Strengthen Strategic Partnerships and Hospital Coordination
   Why it was critical: Collaboration with hospitals and agencies like “Alone” ensures coordinated treatment schedules and efficient transport planning. This directly reduces stress for service users and lowers carbon emissions.
   Key actions:
   • We formalised arrangements with treatment centres for synchronized scheduling and continuously monitor them
   • We maintain partnerships with community organisations and health agencies (NCCP, ICS, HSE)
   • We have developed direct referral pathways with the hospitals
2. 2. Secure Sustainable Funding and Resource Support
   Why it’s critical: As a free, high-impact service with vehicles to maintain and growing demand, long-term financial sustainability is essential.
   Key actions:
   • We apply and lobby for grants aligned with SDGs (esp. rural health, aging, and climate action)
   • We continuously partner with the public for fundraising campaigns highlighting real stories and impact metrics
   • We explore CSR partnerships with businesses, especially in transport, health, or energy sectors
3. 3. Expand Capacity While Maintaining Person-Centred Quality
   Why it’s critical: The demand is growing—especially among older populations—yet the service’s reputation depends on dignity, privacy, and emotional support.
   Key actions:
   • We continuously recruit and train more volunteer drivers aligned with service values
   • We invest in new or upgraded vehicles with accessibility and comfort features
   • We maintain regular service user feedback loops to guide continuous improvement

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Meeting Growing Demand with continued quality care
   As awareness of the Healthlink Transport service increases, so too does the number of people seeking support—particularly among older adults facing complex journeys to treatment. This rise in demand is a reflection of the trust the community and treatment centres place in the service. While it presents operational pressures, it has also driven innovation: the team has expanded its fleet, enhanced volunteer training, and introduced feedback to ensure that the dignity, privacy, and emotional well-being of each individual remains at the heart of the service.
2. Ensuring Sustainable Funding to Support a Free, Inclusive Service
   Delivering a high-impact, no-cost service across rural areas with no state funding requires ongoing resourcefulness. Rather than viewing funding as a constraint, the Kerry Cancer Support Group sees it as an opportunity to deepen engagement—with donors, businesses, and the wider public. By aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and showcasing powerful real-life stories, the group has cultivated strong support networks and meaningful partnerships.
3. Navigating the Complexities of Rural Healthcare Logistics
   Serving a dispersed and aging population across challenging terrain is no small task—but it’s one that Healthlink Transport embraces with ingenuity and care. The team coordinates hospital appointments, offers door-to-door service, and continually adapts scheduling to meet the realities of rural life. These logistical hurdles have only sharpened the organisation’s responsiveness, flexibility, and deep local knowledge.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Significant Impact on Cancer Patients’ Access to Care
   The Kerry Cancer Support Group has enabled over 75% of cancer patients in the region to access treatment, providing transport to more than 70,000 appointments since 2010. In the past year alone, almost 600 people were supported, marking a 32% increase in demand.
2. Expansion and Operational Growth
   The service has expanded from one 14-seat minibus to a fleet of three full-time vehicles, with a fourth arriving in 2025. It now serves eight treatment centres and covers over 171,000 kilometres annually, showcasing sustainable and scalable growth.
3. Critical Role in Supporting Vulnerable Populations
   Serving predominantly older adults (68% aged over 65), the service addresses rural isolation and limited transport infrastructure. It also contributes to healthcare system efficiencies—reducing inpatient admissions, parking demand, and HSE transport costs—while providing emotional and social support akin to a “travelling support group.”