Message to all 4×4 volunteer drivers

Published: 19 March 2018

Dr Rob Dyer, Medical Director at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge ‘thank you’ on behalf of the Trust to the army of volunteers with 4X4 vehicles who have, once again, supported the services in our hospitals and our community teams over the last 24 hours or so. Your help to get staff in to work and home again to rest, as well as taking staff to visit patients in the community, has been invaluable.

“Your support has meant we have been able to continue to provide urgent and emergency care for local people. There is no doubt that we could not have done it without all these volunteer drivers and we, as a Trust, as well as the general public owe you a tremendous amount of gratitude.

“We hope to be able to develop a roster so that those drivers who have been helping are able to rest. It is important to appreciate how tiring driving in these conditions is and we do not think that anyone should be supporting as a driver for more than 12 hours at a stretch. We do not want you to put yourselves or our staff at additional risk.

“Based on the weather forecast, we think it is likely that we will need similar support for another 24 hours. If you are able to help and haven’t already left your details with our hotline please call 01803 654681 or 01803 655782. If we already have your details we will be calling to arrange a roster.

“Once again, many thanks – we truly are grateful for all your support.”