By Hywel Trewyn
Daily Post
Copyright 2007 The Liverpool Daily Post & Echo Ltd
All Rights Reserved
LIVERPOOL, U.K. — New ambulances have been fitted with satellite navigation in a bid to reach patients more quickly.
The Welsh Ambulance Service Trust has been slated in the past for its poor response times.
Paramedics have complained about vehicles breaking down and the lack of satellite navigation.
Now three of the German-made UVModular Mercedes Sprinter 515 ambulances - worth pounds 115,000 each - have been introduced at Corwen, Ruthin and Denbigh stations.
They are among 119 new ambulances provided throughout Wales.
The new fleet also includes 67 patient transport services and 40 rapid response vehicles.
The newfleet has been funded by the Welsh Assembly in a bid to improve response times.
They were first unveiled at the Senedd in Cardiff, in March.
A group formed from all areas of the Trust played a part in the design of the new ambulances.
Points brought up by staff during a survey have been incorporated into the ambulance’s design - including the latest sat-nav technology.
Each vehicle also has air-conditioning, cool box, fluid warmer and central locking.
Paramedics using the ambulance have fast and easy access to onboard equipment to help reduce the time for reaching a patient.
Other new features include a hydraulic tail-lift, hydraulic stretcher, a choice of different wheelchairs and other manual handling aids to move patients from different situations, while minimising risk of injuries to staff.
Paramedic team leader Steve Williams, of Denbigh, welcomed the new ambulances.
He said: “Having the new ambulances in this part of the region is a massive benefit both for staff and the patients we provide a service for.”