Some of the most critically unwell patients in the Midlands are set to get hospital level care at the roadside thanks to a generous £60,000 donation from the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads and improving emergency care.
The West Midlands Central Accident Resuscitation and Emergency (CARE) Team delivers enhanced care to patients through a team of doctors, nurses and paramedics who volunteer their time to help patients in the greatest need of help.
The team is dispatched by West Midlands Ambulance Service and works with their enhanced care teams to respond to the likes of road traffic collisions, stabbings, cardiac arrests and other critical injuries and illnesses. On average, the CARE Team responds to around 1,500 patients a year
Thanks to charitable donations from organisations such as the West Midlands based HELP Appeal, and working in partnership with Volvo & Treble9, the team is proud to be able bring a new Volvo XC90 response car into service.
Photo: L – R: Professor Sir Keith Porter, Chairman, West Midlands CARE Team; Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal and Dr Steph Cowan, Clinical Lead, West Midlands CARE Team with the new critical care car funded by the HELP Appeal.
Head of Operations Jack Lewis, said:
“West Midlands CARE Team is a charity that receive no government or direct NHS funding and relies wholly on donations and grants to keep our lifesaving team operational.
“Without a car we simply can’t get to the patients who need us, so we are incredibly grateful for the support and sponsorship of the HELP Appeal, Volvo and Treble9 who have enabled this purchase.
“Our new Volvo XC90 will soon be on the road, taking our teams to some of the sickest and most injured patients within the West Midlands, providing early pre-hospital critical care which you would normally only expect to get in a hospital.”
Photo: West Midlands CARE Team with the new critical care car.
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal added:
“We are proud to support the funding of this critical care car, a vital resource that will enable a rapid response to life-threatening emergencies. This initiative will enhance the ability of the team to provide immediate, life-saving care to those in need, ensuring that every second counts in critical situations. We could not have made this possible without the generous support of our donors, whose unwavering commitment to our cause makes a real difference in the lives of those we serve.”
