Children’s Hospital unveils mini-cars for patients to ride to surgery posted

ORLANDO, Fla. (WKMG) A children’s hospital in California has unveiled a special feature to put its young patients at ease as they head into the operating room.

Children at the Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego can now “drive” themselves to their procedures in luxury mini-cars.

The fancy sets of wheels, which are actually operated by a nurse or doctor, are part of a new program designed to relax children before their operations.

“We’re so excited,” said Dr. Daniela Carvalho, the hospital’s medical director of surgical services.

“Just the fact that… we’re able to help our children and their families in the operating room relax a little bit more, and actually have fun when they’re going to the operating room, is just tremendous.”

Children can choose from a miniature BMW, Mercedes or Lamborghini, which were donated by the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive.

So far, the cars have been a big hit, Carvalho said.

“The kids are having fun, the parents are seeing that they’re relaxed and that they’re happy, but for us — I mean, we’re driving the cars, we’re having fun, too, of course,” she said.

Other hospitals have also made similar upgrades to their modes of transportation to take their young patients’ minds off things.

St. Richard’s Hospital Pediatric Day Surgery Unit in West Sussex, England, was gifted a mini-Rolls-Royce from the car manufacturer in March.

Starting in April, children could cruise around in a miniature Mini Cooper at Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

And now boys and girls at Rady’s Children’s Hospital can ride in style as well.

“It’s a win-win all over,” Carvalho said of the new feature her patients could now use. “Knowing that they’re doing so well and that they’re happy — it makes us happy, too.”