Ambulance transfers

Introduction

Welcome to Embrace – Yorkshire and Humber Infant and Children’s Transport Service

The transport of your child can be an anxious and stressful time.

The need for transfer may be to go back to your local hospital or for specialist care at a regional centre. Embrace transfers the majority of children between hospitals in the Yorkshire and Humber region using specialist road ambulances.

To begin with, you may feel scared and that you do not have control of what is happening. These feelings are normal. We aim to provide care and support for you and your child and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Who are Embrace?

The Embrace transport service is run by Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust who employs a team of highly skilled intensive care staff with additional transport training to safely care for your child during their transfer.

Each team has a combination of medical staff, nurse practitioners and transport nurses. Each transport is assessed by a transport consultant and the most appropriate team despatched.

Occasionally we will bring qualified staff who are receiving specialist transport training.

Handover

When we arrive we will introduce ourselves to you and the team currently caring for your child.

Following a full handover from the team caring for your child, we will concentrate on assessing, stabilising and preparing your child for transfer. At this time we may be busy but we will keep you informed.

Specialised equipment

The equipment used will depend on your child’s age, size and condition. The staff transporting your child will be happy to tell you what is being used. This may include monitoring equipment, infusion pumps and a breathing machine.

The ambulance your child will be traveling in is specially designed and has all the necessary facilities for specialist care whilst on the move.

Getting ready for transfer

The process of preparing your child usually takes a while, so please do not be alarmed if this is the case. It is important your child is safe for their transfer.

Once they are ready please don’t be scared to touch or kiss your child. A favourite toy or blanket can accompany them if you wish. We will ask for your contact details and give you directions to the receiving hospital. There are maps, directions and phone numbers for all hospitals available to download on our website: www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/embrace

We will update you on your child’s treatment and progress. It is important that you do not leave the hospital until your child is ready to be transferred.

Can I travel with my child?

If your child’s condition allows, it may be possible for 1 parent to travel in the ambulance. This will be assessed by the team at the time.

It may not be possible due to space or safety issues, but we will try to keep you with your child where possible.

Not all parents wish to travel and that is okay too. This may be a good chance to make arrangements for your other children, or to pick up any belongings you may need. If you do not have access to private transport, the referring hospital can help you make arrangements.

If you are unable to travel in the ambulance, please do not attempt to follow it. Please make sure you travel at a safe and steady speed.

What happens at the receiving hospital?

When we get to the hospital we will handover to the local team, explaining to them what has happened to your child both before and during their transfer.

Your child will then be transferred to their bed or cot to continue their treatment.

If you are not present with your child we will telephone you to let you know they have arrived safely and update you on their condition. We can sometimes send you a text message.

Each hospital ward has slightly different facilities and policies such as visiting, parking and accommodation. The local staff will be happy to discuss these with you when you arrive.

The Embrace Team is here to offer you help, support, advice and information. Please do not hesitate to speak to us about any aspect of your child’s care and transfer.

You can find out more information about Embrace on our website www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/embrace

Feedback

Your comments about any aspect of the Embrace service are important to us. Please use the parent or carer feedback form to send us your thoughts.

Complaints and advice are dealt with by the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) available in all hospital trusts. Please contact the Sheffield PALS service on 0114 271 7594 if it concerns the service provided by Embrace.