The official handing over of Ramsey Cottage Hospital’s new patient transfer ambulance took place on Monday January 28th. The ambulance was purchased by the League of Friends of the hospital at a cost of ?59,850 (inc.VAT). It has a flexible layout that allows it to carry a maximum of seven seated passengers; two wheelchairs or a stretcher borne patient. It is equipped with a defibrillator, LUCAS chest compression equipment, oxygen supply and it can carry an incubator. It is equipped with a lift to allow easy access for patients.
Secretary of the League of Friends Sharon Quayle said, “The League is delighted to be able to make this investment for the benefit of the patients of the hospital. Its purchase will ensure that they travel in comfort and safety. It will also mean that Ambulance Service’s own ambulances are free to respond to emergency calls at all times and are not used for routine transfers of patients between the Cottage Hospital and Nobles Hospital; meaning shorter average response times for emergencies.”
Chairman of the League of Friends and political member of the Department of Heath Leonard Singer MHK, said “the ambulance forms part of the League’s major programme of investment in the hospital that will amount to over ?420000 in the current financial year. The League is very grateful for the support that it receives by way of bequests, donations from individual supporters and from families who ask for charitable donations to be made in lieu of flowers for the funeral of a loved one.”
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “On behalf of the Department I would like to place on record our sincere thanks and gratitude to Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital League of Friends for yet another very generous donation. The League’s unwavering commitment to the hospital - in tandem with other charitable organisations - has enabled the Department to develop new facilities here at Ramsey much more quickly than may otherwise have been possible. Ramsey’s hospital remains a key component of health care delivery, not just for the people of Ramsey and the surrounding district, but for all in our community.
“Patient Transport Services provide a crucial facility to our local patients who would otherwise struggle to get to the hospital because of mobility or illness, as well as transferring in-patients to Noble's Hospital for appointments or urgent care.
“Investing to improve services is not always easy given the financial constraints faced by Government, therefore donations like this enable the Department to provide essential care in this important community setting.”
Photo - Handover of Ambulance 28-Jan-2013. Foreground from left to right: John Clegg (Hospital Facilities Manager), Mr David Anderson MHK (Minister for Health) and Mr Leonard Singer MHK (Chairman of the League of Friends). Background shows Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK, representatives of the League of Friends and Primary Care staff.
