Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda donates new ambulances worth almost $200,000 to Bermuda Hospitals Board

Monday 9 October 2017: The Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda (HAB) has donated two new ambulances costing $197,600 to the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB).  This brings the total number of BHB ambulances to 7.

The two new vehicles are slightly larger than BHB’s previous models. They are both Ford Transit type 2 ambulances and were made in the US. While all the features of the BHB ambulances currently in use have been retained, they have been configured differently in the new vehicles. The new vehicles have a larger working area in the patient cabin section.

BHB Chief EMT Walter Brangman demonstrates the new call button feature in the new ambulances

New features include an electronic oxygen monitoring system, temperature controlled patient cabin and a call button system in the cabin to communicate with the driver. Responding to public feedback that it is often difficult to hear the sirens, the speakers on the new ambulances have been placed on the exterior.

“We have needed new ambulances for some time and are grateful to the HAB for this generous gift,” said BHB CEO Venetta Symonds. “I applaud their efforts on behalf of BHB and also on behalf of the entire Bermuda community.  I acknowledge too that the HAB donated the two ambulances we received in 2014. Every year they support us by agreeing to fund much needed equipment and providing volunteers.”

“The HAB is proud to be able to serve our community by providing funding for lifesaving equipment for our only hospitals,” said HAB President Sharon Vesey. “We recognise that demand is increasing for ambulance service and appreciate the challenges of maintaining these vehicles that are on our roads all day, every day.”

The HAB raises funds for BHB through their three business enterprises, The Barn, The Pink Cafe and The Gift Shop.  They also receive donations and annual membership dues from their members.  HAB volunteers work throughout many areas in the hospital, including information desk, CCU, hospitality cart, lending library, assisting patients with their menu selections on the wards, Fracture Clinic, Pharmacy and chapel services, as well as assisting overseas patients and their families.

In addition to their adult volunteers, there are also 99 junior members of the HAB, known as candy stripers.  These students enter the programme at age 14 and commit to a minimum of two years, with the majority remaining in the programme for four years.  These students are trained in all areas that the adults work in, as well as additional areas in the hospital such as Dialysis, Lab, Gosling, Maternity, Environmental Services, Surgical Admin, Laundry, ICU and Sterile Processing.  The students work every school holiday and give the adults a welcome relief.  On average 36,500 hours of service are donated to the hospital every year by HAB adult and junior members.

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