The Children’s Ambulance turns 2!

| 31st January, 2025

Since the launch of Northern Ireland’s first dedicated Children’s Ambulance, in 2023, it has made over 370 trips to and from hospitals across the island.

2024 Children's Ambulance Figures

Launch day in 2023

Inside the Children's Ambulance

Children's Ambulance 1st Birthday in 2024

In 2024, the ambulance made 95 trips transporting heart warriors, to or from their treatment or surgery in Dublin. 

 

“We travelled to and from Dublin in the children’s ambulance three times with our little boy. This service was absolutely fantastic, it settled a lot of stress and anxiety knowing our little baby would be transferred safely and monitored throughout the journey.

The journey was relaxed and calming the amazing décor and lighting. Finley was very settled and comfortable throughout his journeys and that makes all the difference. As parents we are so thankful for this service and the amazing staff.” Heart Mum, Nicola talking about her ambulance journey with Heart Warrior, Finley

We also want to say a massive thanks to our partners NIAS and NISTAR for the dedicated care they deliver whilst transporting, not just our heart warriors and their families, but also children with other conditions who require specialist transport in NI.

“NISTAR were incredible with us as our little Brody had to be transferred to Dublin at both 7 weeks and 5 months old. We were so afraid when we first watched them come on to the ward but after seeing the lights on the inside and the little tv it made things a lot calmer. Alison and Natasha showed us to much love and support without them we would have been lost.” Heart Mum Brooke, talking about her ambulance journey with Heart Warrior Brody

We’re delighted to celebrate this today and are so fortunate to be able to offer this bespoke service to children and their families.

 

 

“We made use of the children’s ambulance in August last year for our daughter Rhea who was transported to Crumlin and back for her open-heart surgery. We were understandably terrified and were worried the journey would be stressful for her – we really didn’t need to worry. The fit out of the ambulance itself, with its colorful images and sensory lights seemed to instantly calm Rhea, and we received amazing reassurance from the NISTAR team too who took excellent care of her. In fact, the journey for Rhea was the opposite of stressful, the sensory lights sent her to sleep, and she slept the whole journey! For parents facing the scariest experience of their lives, to have an ambulance where so much thought has went into the children using it was invaluable”. Heart Mum Helen, talking about her ambulance journey with Heart Warrior Rhea 

Hearts

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