East Cheshire NHS Trust Charitable funds committee (ECHO) has welcomed the arrival of a new patient minibus, partially funded by donors to Sir Captain Tom Moore's fundraiser.

The Trust based in Macclesfield, will use the bus to support patients to make a timely departure from care when the moment arrives, to safely return home.

Sometimes patients can't be picked up by someone, or may feel more comfortable being taken back by those that cared for them for the duration of their stay.

The new, custom-built, bespoke patient minibus was delivered on site at Macclesfield Hospital, following a successful fundraising campaign to replace the existing rented patient transport vehicle.

The high-specification, wheelchair-accessible minibus has been built to cater to a wide range of patient needs and will be used to support the timely discharge of patients when they are well enough to return home or to their primary place of care.

It will also be used to provide support to vulnerable patients who do not have alternative methods of transport, or who rely on the support of others to travel to and from hospital appointments.

Fundraising for the minibus commenced back in 2019 but activity was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, thanks to ongoing charitable donations from the local community and a contribution from the trust's Captain Tom fund, patients will now be able to reap the benefits of this service.

Captain Tom's fundraiser for his 100th birthday saw each NHS Trust receive their share of £39 million.

Lynn McGill, Trust Chairman said, "We are extremely grateful to all those who helped raise funds for the new minibus and to the Captain Tom fund which made the purchase possible."

"The benefits to our patients will be fantastic as we understand there can often be delays in patient discharge due to available transportation options.

"The minibus will help ensure that patients who no longer require acute care can return to their homes in a safe and timely manner where they can best recover.

"I would also like thank our dedicated operational teams who work around the clock to provide patient centred care and ensure drivers are on hand ready to support rapid discharge."

The ECHO minibus will be operational seven days a week from 08.00am through till 06.00am with a two-hour gap first thing in the morning.

The money to pay for the bus were largely from money distributed to NHS Trusts across the country, championed by the late 100-year-old fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore.

He raised almost £40 million pounds in 2020 by walking around his garden, during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The Yorkshire-born army veteran died in February 2021.

While Sir Captain Tom Moore may be gone, his legacy lives on, even in Macclesfield.

You can always donate to East Cheshire NHS Trust with this JustGiving Page.

See Also: One marathon down and one to go for Macclesfield grandad raising thousands for The Christie.

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