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"Volunteers"

About: North Midlands Health Service

(as a volunteer/advocate),

What is going to happen to volunteers if money lunch is no longer given as country hospitals have had petty cash removed? They cannot even do a bank transfer rebate. I am waiting to see how I can be reimbursed. I do volunteer work which involves taking patients or HACC (Home and Community Care Services) clients from their home up to Geraldton for medical visits. This takes almost 2 hrs driving each way plus time there. It can end up a 8-9hr day. If this meal allowance is removed how many volunteers throughout the state will stop volunteering? Most of these volunteers are on a pension and cannot afford to buy lunch and drinks (expecially with lots of 40 degree days). This will cost the state a lot more because staff will need to do these jobs otherwise and that means that extra staff will be needed. I do this plus am an advocate for the local age care home as well. I enjoy the work but cannot afford the cost.

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Responses

Response from Michele Young, REOC Lead, Executive Services, WACHS-Midwest 7 years ago
Michele Young
REOC Lead, Executive Services,
WACHS-Midwest
Submitted on 7/04/2017 at 6:40 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 10/04/2017 at 9:56 AM


picture of Michele Young

Dear meal allowance

Thank you for sharing your concerns on Patient Opinion. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge your generosity of spirit and the wonderful service you provide to the Midwest Community as a volunteer. Without the commitment of volunteers, our communities would lose their cohesiveness, and many valuable services that rely on voluntary work would cease to exist.

I would like to apologise for the inconvenience that a recent change in process has caused you and would like to reassure you that I have investigated the options to ensure that reimbursements can continue for all local volunteers. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss these options with you and alleviate your concerns. My contact details are 0429 107 494 or alternatively my email address is Nathalie.Pass@health.wa.gov.au or should I be unavailable please contact Michele Young on 9956 8695. If that is not convenient please forward your details and I will contact you.

Once again I would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for your ongoing support and dedication and I hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards

Nathalie Pass

Director of Nursing Health Service Manager Midwest East

WA Country Health Service Midwest

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