The QEH patient buggy service stepped up a gear with the arrival of two new all-weather vehicles and an extended service, taking patients to more areas across the hospital site.
Thanks to generous funding from the League of Friends Charity, The QEH recently received two new fully enclosed buggies worth £15,000 each, providing greater comfort and convenience for patients and visitors travelling around the site.
As part of this upgrade, the hospital invited the community to suggest creative names for the buggies. Suggestions such as Horace the Hospital Hopper, Sid the Shuttle, Wendy the Wayfinding Wagon, and Bertie the Buggy set the tone for a fun and engaging naming process.
These enhancements reflect an ongoing commitment to providing top-quality care and service for all who visit the hospital.
Paul Brooks, Director of Estates and Facilities at The QEH, expressed gratitude to the League of Friends:
“We’re so grateful to our League of Friends for funding these wonderful new buggies, and we thank them for their continued support of the hospital and our patients. We were thrilled to invite the community to help us name these buggies and contribute to the ongoing success of patient services.”
Penny Hipkin, Chair of the League of Friends Charity, shared her excitement:
“We’re delighted to be able to support the hospital and its patients in such a meaningful way. The patient buggy service is an exceptional service that truly makes a difference, and patients hold it in the highest regard.”
The hospital invited local residents, patients, and their families to help name one of the new buggies, while staff had the chance to suggest a name for the second!
A panel of judges, including representatives from the League of Friends, Trust Governors, as well as patients and staff, were excited to hear creative ideas. They selected the top three names, which went to a public vote to crown the winner!
Name suggestions were submitted and voting closed last week.
A new level of comfort for patients
Since the service was introduced in September 2023, patients have had nothing but high praise for the fantastic team of volunteer drivers, with some calling it the hospital’s ‘best ever idea’ for patient experience and a service that ‘takes the dread out of the hill’.
These new buggies were designed with the utmost care to ensure patients enjoy a comfortable, safe, and efficient ride around the hospital site. Key features include:
- Fully enclosed with doors for added safety and comfort
- Pull-out step for easy access
- In-cab heater for warmth during colder months
- Air conditioning to keep passengers cool and comfortable
- Stereo system for a more pleasant and relaxing ride
- Bike-rack style attachment to the back to secure wheelchairs, walking frames, and other mobility aids, maximising space inside the buggy for passengers
- New extended route for greater convenience
The two new buggies will operate on an extended route around the hospital site between 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, improving accessibility for both patients and visitors. The route will begin in the main car park and travel to key areas across the site, including:
- The new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC)
- The Emerson Unit
- The Day Surgery Unit and Endoscopy Unit
- The Main Entrance
- The Sandringham Unit
- The Breast Unit and Macmillan Unit
- The new Discharge Lounge
- The West Wing
Not only that, but the League of Friends Charity also funded the construction of a brand-new shelter to house the two new buggies, complete with electric charging points.
For more information, contact Jo Rowe, Voluntary Services Manager, at [email protected] or call 01553 613205.
