How our transport service works
You can’t take a half-day off every time your mother has a hospital appointment. We can.
Our driver collects her at her own front door, brings her there, waits while she’s seen — however long that takes — and gets her home again. Then we let you know how he got on.
Every driver is Garda vetted, working in your mother’s own area and has cared for a parent themselves so they understand what’s needed.
An appointment at Beacon Hospital
As a service subscriber, you send us the appointment details and some context for hospital staff, if needed.
That’s the whole job done from your end. We report back when your driver is confirmed.
We accept one-off journeys too — select that option below.
We call your mother beforehand to check that she’s ready to travel.
The driver is Garda vetted, and where possible, the same person each time. They call to the door and help at the car.
Your mother gives him a signed authorisation letter if he doesn’t have one from you already.
He drops her at the hospital door and parks the car. Hospital porters are there to support.
If needed, the driver shows the authorisation letter and family instructions to hospital staff before re-joining your mother.
They’re paid to wait for as long as it takes.
Pre-authorised by your mother, the driver can be briefed by the medical team, if needed.
Back to the door afterwards, the driver writes up the run on the same day — how it went, anything worth knowing.
We send you a link with convenient payment options for the journey.
Frequently asked questions
What is a companion driver service?
A driver who’ll wait through an appointment, relay your instructions and summarise each visit. They don’t just drop and go.
How is it different from booking a taxi?
A taxi takes you from one address to another and the meter is running. Our drivers are paid to stay, so waiting is part of the job. They’ll also go in to an appointment and advocate if needed.
We’ve met each companion driver, confirmed their willingness to wait and briefed them on how to advocate, if needed.
Will the driver support my mother at the house or elsewhere?
No. Driver insurance does not cover drivers once they step away from the vehicle to assist passengers. A carer can, however, join them for support.
Can the driver join my mother in a hospital waiting room?
Yes. As a member of the public, a driver is free to enter the hospital. With signed authorisation from your mother, they can also speak with the medical team, if needed.
Will a hospital engage with the driver as an advocate?
They will if your parent permits that. We’ve a template letter you can use. Ideally it’s signed by both you and your parent.
Where do you operate?
The driving service is only available in County Dublin currently.
What does it cost?
If you’re a subscriber, organising a journey counts as one task for your concierge. If you’re not, then a €50 arrangement fee applies.
Normal taxi or hackney rates apply for a simple journey from A to B.
Waiting and advocacy cost an additional €60 per hour (plus parking if the driver needs to pay for that too). A €50 minimum applies for any advanced booking. You’ll get an estimate beforehand for such bookings.
What types of journey do you cover?
Hospital outpatients, the GP, the dentist, the chiropodist, the eye clinic. It doesn’t have to be medical either — we do the hairdresser, the credit union, a family occasion, a visit to a grave.
What happens if the appointment runs late?
The driver waits. Outpatient clinics run over, that’s normal, and the booking isn’t built on the assumption that they won’t.
Are there free services that do this?
There are, and they’re worth trying first. The Irish Cancer Society runs a free volunteer driver service for patients travelling to chemotherapy at participating hospitals — you need a hospital referral, and appointments have to be booked a few days ahead. TFI Local Link runs health appointment transport in some areas.
They’re good services. They’re also referral-based, limited to certain treatments and areas, and they need notice. We’re for the appointments they don’t cover.
Is this medical transport?
No. It’s a driver and a car, not an ambulance, and drivers don’t give medical or personal care of any kind. If someone needs clinical support while travelling, that’s a different service and we’ll tell you so rather than take the booking.
Have a journey in mind?
Book a single journey or learn about other services that might help you.