The Innovation Expo brings together NHS exhibitors from across England as well as leading healthcare companies, showcasing the very best of healthcare innovations from the UK and abroad.

Smart Pod’s revolutionary design takes the best features from the present day ambulance and combines them with revolutionary new functions including an expandable mobile treatment centre and Smart Infection Control along with a raft of clinical innovations that utilise state of the art communications technologies.

The ‘Smart Pod’ transforms into a mini treatment centre, providing fast treatment in an emergency or a major incident. It also fulfils the traditional function of an ambulance, treating patients whilst transporting them to hospital, where needed.

via Medical News Today.

The new ambulances are currently in build and will enter into service alongside 60 Movanos already operated by the Trust since last year. Once deliveries are complete the model will make up to half of their fleet of 275 emergency ambulances.

They will operate out of all the Regional ambulance stations from which over 720,000 emergency calls are responded to each year. During their five years in service the ambulances will be worked hard with each covering at least 250,000 miles.

Read full article: Vauxhall Van News

The Mercedes-Benz Vario 818D (177 PS) vehicles, equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions, are 30 cm wider than regular ambulances and include features such as heavy duty stretchers capable of bearing up to 750 kg, electric hydraulic tail lifts, 230 volt generators and 2.3 kVA inverters.

Read full article: Mercedes-Benz Van News

The three Mercedes-Benz Citaro-based clinic buses were ordered so that rapid medical assistance can be rendered in the event of emergencies with large numbers of injury victims. Up to 20 people can receive care from four specialist personnel in the Mercedes-Benz large-capacity ambulance, which has the potential to serve as a fully equipped, mobile clinic with an intensive-care unit and an operating theatre.

Read full article: Automotive World

The ambulance, which was built to be displayed at a trade show for rescue and mobility vehicles in Germany this week, is based on the BMW X6 xDrive50i.

Read full article: Autocar

New design offers improved safety, ease of movement to EMTs, and exceptional reliability

Marion, S.C., April 23, 2009 – Road Rescue is introducing its new 2009 design ambulance during the Fire Department Instructors Conference, which opens today.

Road Rescue, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), will unveil its new 2009 design prototype at the industry’s largest trade show in Indianapolis, Ind. The new design focuses on quality, safety and innovation to meet the demanding needs of its customers.

Never being content with the status quo, Road Rescue continues to develop innovative products proving their commitment to quality, durability, and ease of operation. Today the innovation leader will present an array of features and enhancements to the community of professionals at the Fire Department Instructors Conference.

Read full article: Road Rescue Ambulance.

They may also be capable of driving off-road, allowing access to remote areas of the country, and expandable treatment areas providing 360 degree access to the patient.

New designs showing the possible future for the UK’s ambulances have been unveiled at the Royal College of Art (RCA), London.

The concepts are the result of a two year project called Healthcare on the ‘Move: The Smart Pods Project’, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

On the spot treatment

RCA designer Rob Thompson told BBC News: “Up to 50% of people who dial 999 in an emergency could be treated at home by a rare breed of paramedic, an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP).

“They have been trained with the skills needed to treat and diagnose a patient on scene rather than run them to hospital.”

The idea of emergency on-the-spot community treatment was introduced by the government in 2001. However, experts say research into new technologies needed to support this new role is still lagging.

Mr Thompson continues: “We are looking at enabling technologies to help ECPs do their job.”

One such design is called the shell concept. It has a removable ‘shell’ that can slide off the main vehicle to create an expanded treatment space, or left on the scene for extended periods of time.

The shell is interchangeable and can provide X-ray, screening and immunisation ability.

James Bond-style seats

Of the six models on display, some are more radical than others.

Mr Thompson explains: “Whilst some of the models you can imagine on the roads very soon, others are much more extreme.

“The autocare concept is an example of a blue-sky project. The core essence of this vehicle design is speed it is engineered to drive as fast off-road as on road.

“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.”

Other proposals include a soft continuous silicone interior which morphs to the shape of the patient and allows for infection control as well as a deployable tent allowing 360 degree access to patients.

“What these projects demonstrate is the range of possible future directions for the next generation of ambulance.

“We think with the right funding this project could deliver a testable vehicle within the next four years,” says Mr Thompson.
BBC NEWS

The vehicles – each costing about £100,000 – will have a revised interior fit which will improve patient comfort and also allow crews to stand upright in the back for the first time, making it easier for them to move around in the back of the vehicle and treat their patients.

Fifty new ambulances should be joining the Trust fleet this month with a further 110 vehicles added over the next two years.

A Trust spokesman said: “These new vehicles represent a major investment and a commitment to improving our fleet. Each vehicle costs in the region of £100,000 and will be much more comfortable for patients and crews.

“They will allow crews to stand up as they work and enable them to reach more equipment and carry out more interventions on the way into hospital.”

The vehicles will work right across the Trust’s operations area, serving Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Read full article: The Dunmow Broadcast.