Congratulations to the Red Rocket’s 10,000th passenger Bert with driver Neville Davidson and Concierge Alma Walsh.

Since its maiden voyage almost ten months ago, Caboolture Hospital’s Red Rocket has helped transport almost 12,000 patients and visitors safely around campus.

The passenger vehicle, which has driven over 4,000 kilometres since its first journey, was stood up temporarily to lessen the distance patients and visitors had to walk to get to the hospital, following changes to the entrance for the Caboolture Hospital redevelopment.

In late December, the Red Rocket transported 10,000th passenger Bert.

“It was nice to acknowledge the achievement as it a great service for our patients to use,” Patient Support Officer Neville Davidson he said.

“Being able to move people around during the redevelopment with the public car park at the rear of the hospital is great, considering the long walk into the hospital for people with mobility issues.

“Especially for our elderly and vulnerable patients who find it difficult to travel long distances on a good day, let alone in the heat and rain.”

Director of Patient Services Trina Meurant said the Red Rocket had been a highlight for both patients and staff.

“The positive feedback from both staff and patients has just not stopped coming in since the Red Rocket’s first journey,” she said.

“During peak COVID-19 times, when our Red Rocket services were reduced, we were able to assist clinical staff in our fever clinic by running pathology to the lab, reducing the need for staff to make the long walk themselves.

“More recently, during the intense rainfall event, they were able to help staff to stay safe and dry whilst moving between the car park and the hospital.”

The service is available from 7.30am to 4pm weekdays. It starts at the main entry (Volunteers Hut) and runs a loop service with designated stops including the emergency department entry, specialist outpatients department, Caboolture Community Health Centre, and Mental Health Ward 2.