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11/12/2007
Single-Crewed Ambulances 'Free Up' Resources Says Minister
One-man ambulance crews are to become much more common if the government goes ahead with plans to respond to more emergency calls with one-person ambulance crews.
However, amid fears that such a move could put patients at risk, the Health Minister Ben Bradshaw has said that sending a "single responder" rather than a double-crewed ambulance in certain cases could actually help free up resources for other calls and would not therefore present a risk.
He said: "Fast-response vehicles can often get to the scene faster than traditional ambulances, and can provide assessment and care until a further response arrives."
His remarks come after media reports that all but one of the ambulance trusts in England have submitted plans for greater use of "solo responders" instead of two-person crews, to help meet new response-time targets.
From next April, the 10 English Trusts will be expected to respond to three-quarters of the most serious emergencies within eight minutes of receiving the 999 call.
Currently the clock starts ticking once details such as the name, address and outline of the nature of the call have been taken.
Mr Bradshaw said changing the way response times to emergency calls were measured would save lives and would result in shorter waits for 999 calls to be answered and ambulances being dispatched more quickly.
(BMcC/KMcA)
However, amid fears that such a move could put patients at risk, the Health Minister Ben Bradshaw has said that sending a "single responder" rather than a double-crewed ambulance in certain cases could actually help free up resources for other calls and would not therefore present a risk.
He said: "Fast-response vehicles can often get to the scene faster than traditional ambulances, and can provide assessment and care until a further response arrives."
His remarks come after media reports that all but one of the ambulance trusts in England have submitted plans for greater use of "solo responders" instead of two-person crews, to help meet new response-time targets.
From next April, the 10 English Trusts will be expected to respond to three-quarters of the most serious emergencies within eight minutes of receiving the 999 call.
Currently the clock starts ticking once details such as the name, address and outline of the nature of the call have been taken.
Mr Bradshaw said changing the way response times to emergency calls were measured would save lives and would result in shorter waits for 999 calls to be answered and ambulances being dispatched more quickly.
(BMcC/KMcA)
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26 April 2013
Woman Dies After Mini Bus Collides With A Lorry On The M62
A woman has died and around 25 people are believed to be injured after a mini bus, carrying a group of women to a hen night, was involved in a collision on the M62 in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Paramedics, firefighters and at least six air ambulances attended the scene of the crash which occurred at around 11am this morning.
Woman Dies After Mini Bus Collides With A Lorry On The M62
A woman has died and around 25 people are believed to be injured after a mini bus, carrying a group of women to a hen night, was involved in a collision on the M62 in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Paramedics, firefighters and at least six air ambulances attended the scene of the crash which occurred at around 11am this morning.
03 July 2006
Government announces investment in ambulances
NHS ambulance trusts in England have been given a £25 million boost in order to help improve response times for the most urgent calls.
Government announces investment in ambulances
NHS ambulance trusts in England have been given a £25 million boost in order to help improve response times for the most urgent calls.
14 March 2005
Scarborough drowning tragedy victims named
A mother and her son who drowned in a tragic accident yesterday have been named as Kim Barrett, 33 and Luke Greenwood, 11. Coastguards are continuing to search for Ms Barrett's daughter, 13-year-old Aimee Greenwood.
Scarborough drowning tragedy victims named
A mother and her son who drowned in a tragic accident yesterday have been named as Kim Barrett, 33 and Luke Greenwood, 11. Coastguards are continuing to search for Ms Barrett's daughter, 13-year-old Aimee Greenwood.
02 July 2004
Green light for ambulances on speeding fine problem
Ambulance drivers will no longer be issued with speeding fines when en-route to emergency 999 calls, Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today. The Ambulance Service Association (ASA) estimates that it costs some Ambulance Trusts up to £1million a year to deal with the paperwork involved in proving that vehicles are responding to emergencies.
Green light for ambulances on speeding fine problem
Ambulance drivers will no longer be issued with speeding fines when en-route to emergency 999 calls, Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today. The Ambulance Service Association (ASA) estimates that it costs some Ambulance Trusts up to £1million a year to deal with the paperwork involved in proving that vehicles are responding to emergencies.
26 November 2007
'Dirty Ambulances' May Spread MRSA
Ambulances may be aiding the spread of hospital-based infections such as MRSA because they are not being cleaned properly, a union has claimed. The investigation by Unison found wide variations in cleaning practices at ambulance trusts across the UK and said that poor cleaning arrangements and a lack of resources were contributing to the problem.
'Dirty Ambulances' May Spread MRSA
Ambulances may be aiding the spread of hospital-based infections such as MRSA because they are not being cleaned properly, a union has claimed. The investigation by Unison found wide variations in cleaning practices at ambulance trusts across the UK and said that poor cleaning arrangements and a lack of resources were contributing to the problem.
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