Older people in rural South Armagh are relying on a volunteer driver service to reach hospital appointments across Northern Ireland, with one user saying the support has removed the fear of missing essential treatment.
Home 2 Hospital, operated by Newry-based charity and social enterprise Bolster Community, provides transport for people aged over 60 who live in Slieve Gullion or the Mournes and need to attend out-of-area hospital appointments. The service has recently been extended to the Crotlieve area of County Down.
Support for rural hospital journeys
Theresa Garvey, who lives in rural Cullyhanna, uses the scheme because she regularly needs to travel to hospitals in different parts of Northern Ireland. Without the service, she would have to combine several buses and taxis, doubling the length of her journey.
She is also affected by infrequent rural bus services and timetables that stop at around 6pm. The volunteer transport means she does not have to worry about a bus being missed or a taxi failing to arrive, problems that could otherwise cause her to miss an appointment.
The scheme offers more than a lift to hospital. Drivers remain available throughout the day, reducing the pressure on relatives or friends who might otherwise need to take time off work and wait to provide a return journey. Passengers can also rest in the car after appointments, something that is not possible on public transport.
Volunteer drivers provide practical and social help
Noel Evans has driven for Home 2 Hospital for five years. He said there was a significant need for the service in rural parts of Down and Armagh, and that volunteering allowed him to meet people while providing practical help.
He described the service as particularly important for people facing demanding treatment. One woman receiving cancer treatment told him she might not have attended her appointments without the scheme. She had about 27 treatment sessions in succession, with Noel and another volunteer sharing the driving, and she was brought home in time for lunch after each appointment.
Home 2 Hospital also helps tackle loneliness in rural communities. Drivers can become an important source of conversation for passengers who may have few people to speak to, with some opening up during the journey.
The service was highlighted in the Belfast Telegraph on 22 August 2026. Its expansion into Crotlieve adds to support already available to older residents in Slieve Gullion and the Mournes who face difficult journeys for specialist or out-of-area healthcare.