THE launch of a free community transport service will provide vital transport to important appointments for haematology patients living in the Okehampton area.

Exeter Leukaemia Fund has launched its new free service providing travel for haematology patients having to travel to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on a regular basis.

The door to door service will reduce the stress of rising fuel costs and parking for patients.

In addition, ELF will be offering the service to haematology patients under the care of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital who require specialist treatment at other hospitals including Bristol and Plymouth.

The new service will be carried out by David Williams and Paul James, ELF's two community transport drivers in liveried ELF vehicles.

Even before the service was launched, bookings for the coming months were being made, demonstrating the need for the service.

While the charity is expecting demand for the service to be high, if the two ELF vehicles are busy, Capital Taxis in Exeter will support the service at no cost to the patient.

The service will be open to all haematology patients who do not currently meet the criteria for hospital transport.

Dale Edwards, chief executive of ELF, said: 'Finding a car parking space at the RD&E Hospital can be a challenge for patients and loved ones.

'Coupled with the cost of travelling and parking, the travel experience for patients attending appointments and treatment is often stressful and expensive.

'Identifying this as a significant concern, the charity is delighted to announce the launch of the ELF Community Transport Service for haematology patients under the care of the RD&E Hospital as part of the ELF Community Support Programme.

'We hope this practical and free service can help in some small way, by lightning the load and removing a worry.'

To find out more about the service, call into the ELF office at the RD&E haematology centre, or call ELF on 01392 493344.