Themes
- Patient transport
- Improving the patient experience
- Fundraising
Northampton General Hospital is a typical large sprawling hospital and many out-patients find it hard to walk from one part of the hospital to another, or from the hospital entrance to the clinic they need to attend. Wheelchairs are provided but can be difficult for relatives and carers to use.
Eighteen months ago the local Rotary Club raised £3,500 to buy an electric buggy to transport patients who have difficulty walking around the hospital, and in its first year 7,800 patient journeys were made within the hospital building. The service now has regulars who use it each week, and who say how it has made access to departments so much easier.
The buggy seats two people, plus a volunteer driver. There are thirteen volunteer drivers who cover morning and afternoon shifts to provide a service 9-4 Monday to Friday. The buggy volunteers carry a bleep and the buggy is called by volunteers at the hospital entrance information points, or by members of staff who want a patient to go to another part of the hospital (eg from an out-patient clinic to X-ray)
The Trust maintains the buggy and the hospital Security Manager provides training for the volunteer drivers. They then practice at times when the hospital is quieter, such as the evenings, and when they feel confident they are tested by the Security Manager before they start taking passengers.
There is a similar service at Reading Hospital and a number of other hospitals are looking at developing a similar service.
Further information
Sally Dring
Voluntary Services Coordinator
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Friends Of Northampton General
Cliftonville
Northampton
NN1 5BD
01604545802
FriendsofNGH@NGH.NHS.UK
