KIDSNTS celebrates 10 years of critical care transport across the West Midlands

In 2017, our charity launched the £2m Critical Journeys Appeal, to help kit out four critical care ambulances with new state-of-the art equipment. This month, the service which runs those ambulances is celebrating a decade of providing unified neonatal and paediatric critical care transport across the West Midlands. Members of the team were joined by a very excitable Bertie Bear at a celebration event, helping to make the occasion even more memorable.

Formed in 2016 through the merger of two specialist teams (KIDS and NTS), KIDSNTS created a single, 24/7 service offering expert advice, coordination and transfer for critically ill babies and children.

Over the past decade, KIDSNTS has become a highly efficient central point of contact for urgent transfers, improving access to the right care, at the right time, while helping families stay closer to home. Its impact includes:

• 23,743 referrals managed
• 14,781 patient transfers completed
• 26 air transfers
• 92 palliative care transfers
• Innovations including twin-pod transfers and dual-trained nursing roles

The service has also driven clinical improvements, including the introduction of the bilious vomiting pathway in 2018, which streamlined urgent surgical and radiology access for newborns.

We reached the target for our Critical Journeys Appeal in 2020, which meant we could start kitting out the four critical care ambulances – run by St John Ambulance – which are stationed at our hospital with new state-of-the art-equipment for each. The purpose of the appeal was to remove the need to share equipment between the ambulances, ensuring KIDSNTS service can respond to simultaneous demands and improve response time. The ultimate result was better care and outcomes for critically ill babies and children and, most importantly, helping to save more lives.

KIDSNTS’ success is built on strong collaboration between neonatal units, paediatric intensive care teams and partner organisations across the region, ensuring seamless support for critically ill patients.

Dr Alex Philpott, Neonatal Lead for KIDSNTS, said: “Reaching 10 years is a testament to the dedication, compassion and expertise of every member of the KIDSNTS team. Our focus has always been to provide world‑leading care for the region’s sickest babies and children and we remain committed to innovating and improving so families receive the very best support when they need it most.”

As it looks ahead, KIDSNTS aims to continue expanding its capabilities and strengthening its position as a leading critical care transport and advisory service, supporting babies, children and families when they need it most.