Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the introduction of restrictions on movement, the Community call helpline was created in March 2020.  The helpline was established to assist older and vulnerable people in relation to providing services such as provision of food, shopping, and prescription deliveries.  As part of the initiative TFI Local Link Kildare South Dublin have completed approx. 170 trips to date to support the community.

Healthcare Visits

Many of the requests received by Kildare County Council on the helpline were in relation to the provision of transport for older and vulnerable people to medical appointments. TFI Local Link provided transport to hospital appointments for people with various health issues including broken limbs, cancer treatment, blood tests, physiotherapy, and maternity appointments.  As an accessible service our vehicles have carried wheelchair users to hospital appointments.  We also carried people with continuing health care issues making our service available to them for all their follow up treatments and hospital appointments.  Hospitals visited included St Vincent’s, Mater Private, Tallaght, Portlaoise, St James, Eye & Ear and Naas Hospital.

Essential Journeys

Our services for this initiative are available 24 hours a day and we have covered all of Co. Kildare and parts of Laois. We have also collected and delivered medication from pharmacies and Naas hospital.

Liam Dunne, Senior Executive Officer, Helpline Coordinator remarks “TFI Local link Kildare South Dublin became and still remain a vital service in working with Kildare Co Council in arranging transport requests. Kildare Co. Council has been issuing requests almost on a weekly basis for the duration of the helpline existence.  We have found TFI Local Link to be prompt, efficient and above all very professional in dealing with both KCC staff and members of the public.  Working with Christine, Pat and Michael has been a pleasure. Any additional assistance required over and above the service has been provided by Alan Kerry. I wish to state that Kildare Co. Council has found the assistance from TFI Local Link Kildare South Dublin to be vital and to a very high standard.”

Support for our community

In most cases, the users on our services travelled on their own and our drivers have been there with extra help into vehicles and hospitals. They importantly are a listening ear to many users, that have been cocooning for long periods of time with no other contacts.  TFI Local Link Kildare South Dublin are proud to provide this service to support our community.

All transport requests are available through the Covid 19 helpline contactable through phone and email.   1800 300 174  covidsupport@kildarecoco.ie