Spotlight on a Member: Hato Hone St. John Ōtaki Health Shuttle

Founded in 1070, the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (also known as the Order of St. John ) is the oldest service organisation in the world. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Hato Hone St John was initially established in 1885 as the Christchurch based St John Ambulance Service.

In response to a need for both medical expertise and a co-ordinated approach to delivering medical services, the organisation grew rapidly across the motu. Hato Hone St John is now one of our largest civilian service organisations, responsible for delivering core services including provision of ambulances, first aid training and public first aid. It also co-ordinates a wide range of community services, including Caring Callers, Medical Alarms, the St John Youth Programme, and the Waka Ora Health Shuttles.

In Kāpiti, the volunteer led Ōtaki based St. John Health Shuttle supports people to attend hospital based medical and dental appointments, screenings and treatments, pick up prescriptions and even visit close relatives in hospital. The majority of trips are made to Palmerston North Hospital as Ōtaki is within their catchment area, but trips to appointments at Wellington Hospital may also be made. Most patients are picked up and returned to their homes in Ōtaki, however patients living in Levin, Waikanae and Paraparaumu may also be accommodated.

The Ōtaki Health Shuttle currently runs around 200 passenger trips per month. The donation-based service operates Monday to Friday and bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the day of travel.

All shuttles run with a Volunteer Shuttle Driver and Shuttle Assistant/Companion, a friendly face who supports patients in and out of the vehicle and provides information and, at times, reassurance to patients during their journey. A typical day in the life of a Health Shuttle volunteer may start very early to make 8am hospital appointments in Palmerston North. Two shifts run each day, each one lasting for about 6 hours.

Volunteers come from all walks of life and enjoy connecting with people, offering a helping hand and giving back to their local community. As many patient appointments are extremely time sensitive, such as dialysis treatment in hospital, reliability and good time keeping are essential attributes needed from all volunteers, as is an ability to commit to at least one shift per week.

More information on these two great volunteering opportunities and how to apply can be found using this link: Hato Hone St. John - Ōtaki | Volunteer Kāpiti

Thanks to Bron Thomas, Outreach Volunteer for this article
Photo: The Ōtaki Health Shuttle Team enjoying a well deserved morning tea.