Nine community transport providers were in attendance to discuss current issues regarding  health and well-being in the community and the safety of our roads.

It was noted that there is a need for a reliable and centralised point of information hub. There is also a desire to see services offered closer to other towns, perhaps mobile clinics and outer hospitals with expanded services.

While discussing their views on health and well-being in the locality and what services they would like to 

see improved or made available, attendees identified a few gaps in the current system, including:

• There is concern over the continuity of health transport funding from the DHB and whether the dispersal formula is transparent and fair.
• Wanting strong communication between health agencies & transport providers (one issue is appointment scheduling; this could be much more successful with strong communication).
• Community’s accessibility to services/affordability: providing a mobile service.
• IT solutions and online are problematic for many patients, increasing pressure on the volunteers that help them navigate them.
• Recommend looking at more ways to provide "Zoom" or digital assistance for people who do not have technological skills, services, or signal.
• Needing funding for the rides that don’t fit in Te Whata Ora criteria and having to rely on alternative funding, e.g. lack of transportation options for people without community services cards.
• Urgent need for a New Zealand Transport Agency update, e.g. flat fee or actual travel.
• Succession of volunteers and the longevity of community transport groups.

The attendees identified several opportunities for collaboration and partnerships to improve health and well-being services in the community. There was also the concept of digital reliance and what that means for ageing and deprived members of the community who need to access services and avoid isolation.