It seems that people have been looking at the next generation of ambulances. There seems several good proposals including upping the training and equipment to bring the hospital to the patient. I’m sure in several cases this would actively save lives. Of course you can never cater for every eventuality but anything more that can be done on the scene as first response must save more lives. As usual it is a balance between training and costs of resources versus the expected results. Personally I think there must be a mix like there is now after all who is going to send a fully trained paramedic in a mobile A&E (Accident and Emergency) unit out to pick up someone who’s exact status is known and is not coming in hot as a Category A1.
The new ambulances have various tools such as expandable areas to provide X-Ray and treatment spaces. All as you would expect from a modern first response vehicle. High on equipment and all aimed at first response.
There is one design team though who I think may be in the wrong field. Their ambulance is designed for rapid access off road and then, and I quote exactly, ”Once on the scene an ejector type seat is activated to launch the paramedic, with all the kit and equipment they need, into the thick of the action.”
Err. Sounds more like a first response to a hostage situation to me. I can see it now. ‘Control, Paramedic Fred has arrived on scene and ready to deploy. Over.’ Loud whump followed by a slight delay then a softer whump. A subdued voice then comes on ‘Control, we won’t be needing the helicopter evac for the heart attack victim. He’s dead. Fred landed right on top of him. Can you send another ambulance for Fred though. His equipment landed on him. Acknowledge Over.’ Another slight delay ‘Control, Fred has requested a PTS2 unit. Over’
Mmmm. Maybe I misunderstood that new concept. Read about the concept vehicles here and make up your own mind.
1 – Ambulance services are graded;
● Category A calls which are prioritised as immediately life threatening. The ambulance service aims to respond to 75% of category A calls within eight minutes or less.
● Category B calls which are serious but not immediately life threatening. The ambulance service aims to respond to category B calls within 14 minutes in urban areas and within 19 minutes, 95% of the time.
● Category C calls are neither serious or life threatening. Standards for handling these calls are set locally.
2 – PTS – Patient Transport Services. Non emergency unit usually used to simply transport patients to hospital for appointments.
Looking at new first response vehicles
It seems that people have been looking at the next generation of ambulances. There seems several good proposals including upping the training and equipment to bring the hospital to the patient. I’m sure in several cases this would actively save lives. Of course you can never cater for every eventuality but anything more that can be done on the scene as first response must save more lives. As usual it is a balance between training and costs of resources versus the expected results. Personally I think there must be a mix like there is now after all who is going to send a fully trained paramedic in a mobile A&E (Accident and Emergency) unit out to pick up someone who’s exact status is known and is not coming in hot as a Category A1.
The new ambulances have various tools such as expandable areas to provide X-Ray and treatment spaces. All as you would expect from a modern first response vehicle. High on equipment and all aimed at first response.
There is one design team though who I think may be in the wrong field. Their ambulance is designed for rapid access off road and then, and I quote exactly, ”Once on the scene an ejector type seat is activated to launch the paramedic, with all the kit and equipment they need, into the thick of the action.”
Err. Sounds more like a first response to a hostage situation to me. I can see it now. ‘Control, Paramedic Fred has arrived on scene and ready to deploy. Over.’ Loud whump followed by a slight delay then a softer whump. A subdued voice then comes on ‘Control, we won’t be needing the helicopter evac for the heart attack victim. He’s dead. Fred landed right on top of him. Can you send another ambulance for Fred though. His equipment landed on him. Acknowledge Over.’ Another slight delay ‘Control, Fred has requested a PTS2 unit. Over’
Mmmm. Maybe I misunderstood that new concept. Read about the concept vehicles here and make up your own mind.
1 – Ambulance services are graded;
● Category A calls which are prioritised as immediately life threatening. The ambulance service aims to respond to 75% of category A calls within eight minutes or less.
● Category B calls which are serious but not immediately life threatening. The ambulance service aims to respond to category B calls within 14 minutes in urban areas and within 19 minutes, 95% of the time.
● Category C calls are neither serious or life threatening. Standards for handling these calls are set locally.
2 – PTS – Patient Transport Services. Non emergency unit usually used to simply transport patients to hospital for appointments.