This service was established in 1987 and the need for it has continued to grow, especially since the reduction in social care and the introduction of centralised health care. In 2015, the funding for this service was withdrawn and since then we have been struggling to keep the service afloat. An upcoming medical appointment is enough to cause anxiety to anyone, but the added pressure of worrying how to get there unaccompanied can exaggerate that worry. Our elderly clients are anxious about attending repeat medical appointments and are unable to get support from their families who have work and personal commitments which adds to their stress. Of our client base, 95% are elderly and isolated, whose health has deteriorated with age and are becoming more reliant on our service. An increased demand for our service and a decrease in funding has put the survival of Medicar in jeopardy. As a result, we are looking at various ways of raising funding to sustain the existing service which is vital to our vulnerable clients.

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