A one-off concept car has been designed and unveiled by Rolls-Royce for use at St Richard’s Hospital Paediatric Day Surgery Unit at the company’s home town of Chichester, West Sussex.
The Rolls-Royce SRH will allow children awaiting surgery to drive themselves to the operating theatre, following special traffic signs situated in corridors through the Paediatric Unit.
The experience of the ‘self-drive to theatre’ aims to reduce child patient stress ahead of operation. Two test drivers from the Paediatric Unit, Molly Matthews and Hari Rajyaguru, were welcomed to Rolls-Royce to watch the unveiling of the car in style at the company’s Goodwood Studio.
The event served as a final validation and pre-delivery inspection of the Rolls-Royce SRH ahead of the official handover to the patients, families and teams at St Richard’s Hospital.
“We are a proud member of the community here in West Sussex. The Paediatric Unit at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester does such vital work in providing essential care to young people and their families,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “We hope that the Rolls-Royce SRH will serve to make the experience for young people during treatment a little less stressful.”
Marianne Griffiths, Chief Executive, of Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Just like the joy it will bring to our young patients, the Rolls-Royce SRH is simply priceless. It is a very special gift and one of the most wonderful donations ever received by Love Your Hospital, our trust’s dedicated charity. On behalf of everyone at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and especially the small team who volunteered so much of their own time in support of St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester and the children we care for.”
Sue Nicholls, Paediatric Matron at Western Sussex Hospitals NSH Foundation Trust, said: “It’s wonderful seeing a smiley face on the way to theatre, rather than an apprehensive one, and everyone caring for children at St Richard’s is so grateful to Rolls-Royce for this unique donation. We know boys and girls alike will love driving it and in the coming years it will help turn a daunting experience into a more fun and enjoyable one for hundreds and hundreds of children.”
