In the spring of 2017, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled a seminal new concept in luxury, crafted for one very special customer – St Richard’s Hospital Pediatric Day Surgery Unit in the marque’s home town of Chichester, West Sussex.
The appropriately named Rolls-Royce SRH was hand-built to allow children awaiting surgery to drive themselves to the operating theatre, through the Pediatric Unit corridors which are lined with “traffic signs”. The experience of “self-drive to theatre” has been proven to reduce child patient stress. An average of one child per day has driven to the operating theatre in the Rolls-Royce SRH.
Twelve months later, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars welcomed the return of its smallest automotive family member to the Home of Rolls‑Royce at Goodwood for its first year’s service. The car has performed faultlessly, with no “failures to proceed” and was given a clean bill of health by technicians in the company’s Analysis Centre.
Sue Nicholls, Pediatric Matron, St Richard’s Hospital, said, “We’ve received fantastic feedback from families who’ve expressed how excited their children have been at the prospect of coming onto the Day Surgery unit to drive our mini Rolls-Royce motor car. Rather than being anxious about their upcoming procedure, our young patients are positively distracted by the fun experience of negotiating the corridors to theatre in a car they can drive all by themselves. We’ve also noticed that dads especially love to admire the engineering and design specification, and often ask for a turn! The whole experience of being in hospital for those children, and their loved ones, is enhanced by having the opportunity to drive such a special car.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations, Heritage and Philanthropy, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “We are delighted that the Rolls-Royce SRH has delivered successfully on its promise – making a positive impact on children and their parents during their time in hospital. This project showcased the world-class skills and technology that exist in the Bespoke Manufacturing Team and across every area at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. Equally, it has clearly demonstrated that our team of highly skilled men and women are passionate about making a valuable contribution to our local community.”
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