Pic by Adrian Miller, courtesy of The Guernsey Press
St John Ambulance station
St John have bought six scoop stretchers with the money from Channel Islands Christmas Lottery
Dean De La Mare senior officer

Unclaimed Channel Island Lottery money has enabled St John Ambulance and Rescue Service to purchase six much needed scoop stretchers.

£290,000 was made available by the States of Guernsey, who released unclaimed prize money from previous Christmas Lotteries.  The Association of Guernsey Charities invited local charities to apply for funds earlier this year, the grants given ranged from £300 to £26,000.

St John Ambulance and Rescue Service applied for funding for six new scoop stretchers and head immobilisers totalling £3,791.32.

Scoop stretchers allow rescue teams to carry an injured person without further aggravating their condition. When patients are lying down the board can be split into two parts, before being brought together underneath the patient; more traditional stretchers require much more movement in the transfer and immobilisation of a patient.

Dean De La Mare, Senior Officer at St John Ambulance and Rescue Service said; “Our existing scoop stretchers had reached the end of their useful life and were in great need of replacement. The use of scoop stretchers is vital; it allows us to move patients who have a suspected spinal injury.”

The scoop stretcher is seen by professionals as the preferred piece of equipment in the transfer, immobilisation and transportation of patients. The minimal tilt needed to insert the stretcher under a patient is smaller compared to traditional stretchers.

“We are extremely grateful that The Association of Guernsey Charities accepted our application.  We have now received the stretchers and are looking forward to getting them in to service.  With these additions St John will continue to provide the best possible care to the community,” said Mr De La Mare.