VOLUNTEER drivers will continue taking patients to medical appointments for now.
VASA supplies volunteers to drive passengers to appointments and social events across south Warwickshire.
Demand for drivers is falling as hospitals and GPs cancel non-urgent appointments due to the coronavirus outbreak.
But the organisation says it will continue working while it is needed.
It previously made around 1,400 journeys a month.
Chairman Trevor Russel said: “Demand is falling as hospitals and doctors’ surgeries cancel non-urgent appointments. But many people do still need to travel.
“Our position is while there is a need for our service and while there are drivers willing to help we will try to keep going, even though our finances will take a hit.
“Obviously we are keeping the situation under continuous review. And it is vital to ensure VASA survives so we can resume business as usual when this crisis eventually ends. But we know only too well that our community transport service is a lifeline to hundreds of people.
“We have closed our office and our small staff and the dedicated team of volunteers who take requests for transport are working from home where they will be able to handle calls as usual on the usual VASA number.”
The organisation also runs a number of community services including memory clubs, a carers café and lunch clubs which have closed due to the outbreak.
Mr Russel added: “We are looking at how we can redeploy staff and volunteers who run these services to support the local community at this time – for example delivering prescriptions, collecting shopping and making welfare telephone calls to our clients.”
Call VASA on 01789 262889 to book transport or find out more.
