The Idea of 'Sharing' Transportation: A New Challenge That May Change Labor Shortages in Nursing Care

I am Kumataro Yokoyama, a training instructor and sign language interpreter.

While utilizing AI, I provide information for seniors and introduce books and gadgets.

Today, I would like to talk about a new initiative in the nursing care field.

In the nursing care field, there is a chronic labor shortage. The background to this is not only a shortage of nursing staff, but also a less visible issue of
a shortage of transportation drivers.

Amidst this, a new initiative, the first of its kind in Japan, has begun in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture. That is
'joint operation of shuttle vehicles'.

This is a demonstration experiment aimed at reducing the burden on the field by having multiple nursing care facilities share shuttle vehicles.

This time, while introducing this news, I would like to think about what it means for the future of nursing care.

'Transportation,' which is a major burden in the nursing care field

In day services and other types of outpatient nursing care, transporting users is essential.

However, in reality, this transportation work has become a major burden.

According to one social welfare corporation,
20-30% of staff working hours are spent on transportation.

In other words,

• securing transportation drivers

• staff concurrently handling driving duties

• vehicle management

• route adjustment

—these tasks are putting pressure on the nursing care field.

Time that should originally be used to engage with users is instead being spent behind the wheel.

'Joint operation of transportation' that has begun in Kawanishi City

In Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, the city and the automaker Daihatsu have collaborated to launch a demonstration experiment in which multiple welfare corporations jointly operate shuttle vehicles.

Until now, nursing care transportation has been

'individual transportation for each facility'

which was the norm.

However, in this initiative,

• crossing the boundaries between corporations

• utilizing idle time

• consolidating transportation for users of multiple facilities

a system is being created to do this.

In other words, it is a 'transportation sharing' version for nursing care.

Three Expected Effects

This initiative is expected to have three major effects.

1. Resolving the Driver Shortage

In the nursing care industry, it is becoming difficult to secure shuttle drivers.

If transportation is shared,

• the number of required drivers can be reduced

• efficient operation becomes possible

and other such benefits exist.

2. Reducing the Burden on Nursing Care Staff

If transportation is reduced, the work of the staff will also change significantly.

By reducing driving time,

• conversations with users

• monitoring

• improving the quality of care

can be given more time.

The board chairman of the Social Welfare Corporation Seiwakai also says this:

I feel that these words express the earnest wishes of those on the front lines.

3. Toward nursing care supported by the entire community

This initiative is not just about making transportation more efficient.

The key point is
'crossing the barriers between organizations'.

Until now, the world of welfare has often operated by being divided into

• individual facilities

• individual corporations

• individual service providers

.

However, in the coming era,

nursing care supported by the entire community

is required.

This initiative may well be the first step toward that.

In fact, it has the potential to spread nationwide.

This initiative is the first demonstration experiment of its kind in the country.

If it succeeds,

• other municipalities

• depopulated areas

• regions with aging populations

could also see it expand.

Especially in rural areas,

• driver shortages

• lack of transportation options

• mobility issues for the elderly

are serious problems.

Sharing transportation might be related not only to
the future of nursing care but also to regional transportation.

The future of nursing care: from 'competition' to 'cooperation'

What I felt after seeing this news is that the world of nursing care is beginning to change little by little.

Until now,

'facility-by-facility operation'

was the standard.

However, from now on,

a system of regional mutual support

will be required.

Joint operation of transport vehicles
can be called a symbolic initiative of that.

Finally

The most important thing in care work is,
after all, the time when people face each other.

If the burden of transportation is reduced,

• time to look at the expressions of users

• time to hold hands and talk

• time to help them spend time with peace of mind

will increase.

That should have great meaning not only for users but also for
those who work.

The small experiment that started in Kawanishi City
may change the future of care.

It is an initiative worth watching for its future expansion.

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