Hospital staff have celebrated the arrival of two new ambulances and a van for the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

The acquisitions have been made possible thanks to the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda (HAB) and are part of its $600,000 donation to the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Half of the donated sum has been spent on the three vehicles, while the remaining money has gone towards new equipment including a glidescope and two ultrasound Devices for the Emergency Department

This is just a part of an allocation of over $600,000 that the HAB have agreed to pay BHB this year for the vehicles and much-needed equipment for the Emergency Department and Operating Rooms.

“The HAB is proud to be able to utilise funds raised to purchase critical equipment, which make a difference on the front line of patient care in the hospitals and benefit the entire community,” said HAB President, Liz Titterton.

“I would like to thank our entire membership for their continued support and their tireless efforts. In addition, thank you to all the patrons of our business enterprises, who are a very integral part of our fundraising efforts.”

The HAB raises funds for BHB through their three business enterprises, The Barn, The Pink Cafe and the Gift Shop. They also receive donations and annual membership dues from their members. Venetta Symonds, BHB’s chief executive officer, added: “On behalf of staff and patients and BHB I would like to thank the HAB for all they do.

“Every year they support us by agreeing to fund much-needed equipment and providing volunteers.

“Our ambulance fleet is ageing and increasingly impacted by maintenance issues. We have been very grateful for the assistance of the St John’s Ambulance who helped when our vehicles have been out of service.

“The purchase of these new vehicles will enable us to rely on our own fleet, especially as we begin work with the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service to expand the service across the Island. MWI service users will benefit greatly from accessing a new van to help transport them as needed, and in both Emergency and Surgery, people will benefit daily from the equipment HAB funds have donated.”