The Gloucester Citizen
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, England — A new mobile treatment centre is now up and running in Gloucestershire after it was tried out on boozed-up clubbers.
The vehicle has been bought by Great Western Ambulance Service after a successful trial period using a similar one in Cheltenham and Gloucester.
The unit, manned by ambulance personnel, was used as a base to treat pub and club-goers needing first aid and was also rolled out for occasions such as the Cheltenham racing festival.
Paramedic Kevin Dickens said: “It will be used in Gloucester and Cheltenham at certain weekends and possibly at big functions.”
The facility is designed to treat people with minor injuries and ailments, reducing unnecessary trips to A&E and freeing up ambulances.
During the trial only about 40 per cent of the people seen had alcohol-related problems.
Kevin said: “If people are so intoxicated they are unconscious, they will require further medical treatment which the treatment centre is not in a position to deliver.”
It cost about £19,000 to buy the second-hand vehicle and convert it to a treatment unit.
A brand new, kitted-out emergency ambulance costs around £140,000. He said: “We are very pleased to get the vehicle and we do feel it will be an asset — not only for Gloucestershire but throughout the trust - benefiting patients.”
The unit has a treatment couch, high-powered lights and items including a defibrillator, wound care kit and drugs.
Copyright 2010 The Gloucester Citizen