Paramedic UK » response

Anger at ambulance cuts proposal

Editor — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:55:42 +0000

Frontline ambulance cover in Northern Ireland could be cut by 70,000 hours under new plans.

Rural areas, such as those west of the Bann, are expected to be worst hit under proposals approved by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said he would carefully consider the plans.

The ambulance service said its capacity to respond would actually improve, despite the efficiency savings. But health service unions are angry.

via BBC NEWS.

Ambulance staff turn to bikes to get to 999 calls quicker – The Daily Record

Editor — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:39:28 +0000

Ambulance staff are aiming to respond quicker to emergencies – by using push bikes.

The bikes will be used by paramedics in Edinburgh and the Lothians to help them get through crowds more easily.

Read full article: The Daily Record.

Ambulance trusts failing to meet response-time targets

Editor — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:48:23 +0000

Nearly half of Englands ambulance trusts are taking too long to respond to life-threatening emergencies, a report said today.

Five of the nations 12 NHS ambulance trusts failed to meet their target of reaching 75 per cent of the most serious incidents within eight minutes in 2008-09, the NHS Information Centre found.

And only a third hit targets to arrive at the scene of 95 per cent of serious but not immediately life-threatening incidents within 19 minutes.

Read full article: Mail Online.

“Enormous pressure” call on failing ambulance bosses

Editor — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:54:08 +0000

Ambulance chiefs should be put under “enormous pressure” to improve failing waiting times, it has been urged.

South Central Ambulance Service must address “serious concerns” among the public over response times that are not hitting national targets, managers were told.

Latest figures show that 63 per cent of the most serious “category A” calls are met in eight minutes. The target is 75 per cent.

Read full article: Bucks Free Press

Ambulance services move in to Tesco’s to cut response times

Editor — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:52:30 +0000

Great Western Ambulance Service has teamed up with Tesco to cut response times.An ambulance crew is now permanently based at the supermarket in Brockworth to serve 999 callers on the east of Gloucester.

Read full article: This is Gloucestershire

Police cars ‘as ambulances’ fear

Editor — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:30:24 +0000

A chief constable has said he fears an injured person will die in the back of a police car heading for hospital due to poor ambulance response times.

Mick Giannasi of Gwent Police, was commenting after it emerged 92 people had to be taken to hospital by his officers over six months.

Read full article: BBC NEWS

Ambulances involved in 334 crashes in Scotland last year

Editor — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:55:34 +0000

Ambulance vehicles were involved in crashes almost every day of last year, it has been revealed.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said there had been 334 collisions – 67 of them during 999 missions.

Critics blamed pressure put on drivers to meet an eight-minute emergency call target.

According to figures released through the Freedom of Information Act, ambulances were involved in 160 bumps in 2008.

Read full article: The Daily Record.

Ambulance trust is criticised by councillors

Editor — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:29:27 +0000

Ambulance call out times are still not good enough in South Gloucestershire and the local authority is calling for action.

Response times at Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) have improved for the first time since Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire services merged three years ago. However, they still do not meet Government targets and South Gloucestershire Council wants to see a dramatic turnaround as soon as possible.

Read full article: Gazette

Emergency services back free name plates campaign to help save lives

Editor — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:03:20 +0000

The Rural Development Agency Cadwyn Clwyd has secured £220,000 in funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to run the pilot project in rural Denbighshire.

The campaign has the full support of the three blue light emergency services who say that it will help save lives.

When responding to 999 calls, they say they are all too often hampered because so many farms and houses don’t have names or numbers on them.

Read full article: Denbighshire Free Press

First aiders help response times

Editor — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:06:15 +0000

When you dial 999 for an ambulance are you absolutely clear on who will walk through your door?

It could be an ambulance crew or one of a growing number of ‘First Responders’ – community volunteers trained in basic first aid.

First Responders will help you until an ambulance arrives but as BBC Scotland’s Health Correspondent Eleanor Bradford found out, doctors and paramedics want tighter controls on their use.

First Responder schemes have been particularly promoted in rural areas where an ambulance may be a long way away, and a local resident can give first aid until it arrives.

However a BBC Radio Scotland documentary, has revealed the arrival of a First Responder counts towards official ambulance response times.

First started in 1998, volunteers are trained in the use of a defibrillator, oxygen, and first aid but are not allowed to give drugs or attend certain incidents, such as those involving children.

There are already 60 schemes in Scotland and they are seeking to recruit more volunteers.

Doctors’ leaders and ambulance representatives say while they support the idea of “First Responders” they should not be allowed to “stop the clock” and help meet government targets.

Read full article: BBC NEWS.