About us


Ambulance retrievalThe Southampton Oxford Retrieval Team (SORT) is a collaboration between two paediatric intensive care units (PICUs). It delivers expert paediatric critical care to hospitals throughout the south of England.

The referral call will be made to the SORT hotline. Depending on the clinical need we will provide advice or arrange retrieval. If there is no bed in Southampton or Oxford then SORT will find a bed in the nearest PICU and transfer the patient.

SORT will co-ordinate specialist advice for complex patients and if the patient is known to a particular centre we will endeavour to transfer to that hospital. 

The retrieval team will consist of a doctor, specialised retrieval nurse and a critical care technologist. A PICU consultant will be available at all times for advice if not part of the team.