News

Kettering General Hospital officially launched its new electric buggy service on July 16.

The buggy – similar to an electric golf cart – will enable less able patients to be driven by registered hospital volunteers to and from the hospital from set pick up points located around the hospital site at various entrances and car parks.

The launch involved a ribbon cutting ceremony and a patient – Joe Huitson - being symbolically driven to the hospital entrance in the buggy by his daughter, Senior Cardiographer Louise Huitson, who came up with the idea.

Louise said: “I am absolutely delighted that we are now ready to launch the new service.

“The idea came to me because my dad has mobility issues and I had seen a buggy service operating at University Hospitals Leicester and I thought it was such a great idea.”

Louise’s dad, Joe, said: “I can see how this new service is going to help people, like myself, who have mobility issues but are not necessarily in wheelchairs.

“I am very proud that Louise has worked so hard to get this service up and running at Kettering General Hospital and I am sure many people will be grateful for it.”

Chief Executive Simon Weldon said: “Louise entered the idea into an innovative Dragons’ Den-style event we held last year and was successful in winning £20,000 of capital to buy the buggy and set up the service. 

“It is a very good idea and in line with our Trust values of being a compassionate organisation that is always looking to improve the way we care for our patients – and we know that some of the best ideas about how to do that come from our staff.”

People who need the service can phone its dedicated number and the volunteer will then come and pick them up in the buggy – a top of the range ClubCar golf buggy which carries up to three passengers and a driver.

Drivers will wear high-visibility vests and wear headsets which enable them to communicate directly with patients.

In March the Trust appealed for volunteers to drive the buggy to set pick-up points and drop-off points situated around the hospital grounds.

After a successful KGH competition – involving hundreds of entries – the Buggy has been named CARE FORCE 1. This is after the hospital’s CARE values of being Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful and Engaging in everything it does.

Head of Voluntary Services Alex Doherty said: “We have had a good response to this exciting volunteering opportunity but we are always looking for more people interested in supporting us so that we can extend the service.

“Volunteers need to be over 21 and have a full UK driving licence and be in good health.

“We are looking for volunteers to provide us with four hour shifts either from 8.30am-12.30pm or 12.30pm-4.30pm.

“The service will run from Monday to Friday and we are looking to develop a sizeable pool of volunteers so that we can keep the service running regularly.”

To get involved – and request an application form – email volunteering@kgh.nhs.uk

  We are also looking for sponsors for the Patient Buggy. Anyone interested should contact Alex Doherty at alex.doherty@kgh.nhs.uk