Ambulance
The ambulance has been a long-standing funded item by the Friends of PICU, part of the heart of our charity. We understand this is an essential part of the service provided by the PICU reaching across our region and communities and therefore significant to the support that can be provided by FoPICU. With the inclusion of our charity logo and important words about the support and funding by FoPICU the ambulances also enable us to raise awareness and understanding of the vital part we play in the care of critically ill children from across the South of England.
There are currently 3 ambulances providing a 24hour service all year round. Operated by a specialist retrieval team from within the PICU, consisting of a doctor/consultant, nurse and a critical care technologist/driver, with an additional PICU consultant available at all times by phone for advice if not part of the ambulance team. Also, if there is no bed in Southampton then the team will find a bed in the nearest PICU and transfer the patient, often by ambulance.
In 2019, the Trustees of Friends of PICU agreed to provide funds for the next changes to the ambulances. The PICU ambulances cover many miles in all weathers and conditions and need to be maintained and regularly replaced. The decision requested by the hospital this time was to replace the chassis of the old ambulance and keep the treatment ‘box’ as this was in good quality.
The first such upgrade was successfully completed earlier this year in February 2020. The new upgraded ambulance became the primary vehicle collecting patients from referring hospitals across the South while the other two are used for returning children to their local hospital, transfers from Princess Anne, and back-up for the main ambulance.
This is now our 4th wholly funded PICU ambulance, enabling the team to continue to provide an effective and efficient retrievals and transfer service for the PICU.
The future
We are pleased to confirm the charity has also approved funding for the next Retrieval Ambulance upgrade, again a chassis only upgrade, which is planned for September 2020 delivery, to a value of approx. £74,000. This will be yet another big milestone in our amazing history and made possible from all the incredible support the charity receives from so many people.
Donate to Friends of PICU
If you would like to make a donation towards equipment and services, large and small, high cost and low cost, to support lifesaving care for critically ill children and their families please follow this link and you will see the various ways in which you can donate.