Press Release 10th November 2014
Bus Service with increased capacity restored to day care residents at St Francis Primary Care Facility –a very welcome development.
Councillor Connolly said she welcomes the restoration of the Bus Services to St Francis Day Care Centre in Newcastle.
The day care runs five days a week and many people attend the service more than one day a week where they have an opportunity to meet other people, participate in activities and also get a dinner for a small financial contribution.
Unfortunately, the Bus Service was withdrawn last September and those attending the Day Care Services were simply informed that they would have to make their own way to the day care centre from then on as the bus in service up to then was no longer fit for purpose.
Since the matter was brought to her attention, Cllr Connolly said she raised it with the Manager of Primary Care and also as a motion at the September meeting of the Regional Health Forum in Merlin Park.
Following her representations, Cllr Connolly said she was somewhat reassured when Management confirmed that they were actively looking at a replacement bus with a view to restoring the service but worried that it was taking so long.
Fortunately and although more than months after the initial withdrawal of the bus service it has now been confirmed by HSE Management that the bus service has been reinstated.
Cllr Connolly said this is very positive news and she understands that the new bus has an increased capacity with fourteen seats (including the driver seat and two disability spaces) enabling people to attend the day centre and access the essential services provided there and further enabling them to live as independently as possible.
