Two bespoke ambulance vehicles designed to support both our patients and our frontline crews have been rolled out in Derbyshire thanks to donations from the public.
The Volkswagen Transporter conversions, one based at Chesterfield Ambulance Station and one at Raynesway Ambulance Station in Derby, will primarily enable our managers to support members of staff during protracted incidents and following difficult emergencies.
However, the 4x4 vehicles also have the capability to transport patients a short distance if they are in a challenging location, such as in a place inaccessible to ambulances due to snow, flood or terrain.
The £60,000 vehicles have been paid for by donations and legacy money from residents across Derbyshire and will benefit both patients and our frontline staff.
Craig Whyles, Service Delivery Manager for Derbyshire, has been working with Clinical Support Managers Dave Clarke and Lee Reid, and the Fleet team, for the last two years to ensure the design was right.
Craig said: “We are excited to see these purpose-built vehicles introduced in Derbyshire as we have never had anything like this before.
“They are ideal as not only will they support patients in rural areas, but also provide welfare support to our frontline crews.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone in Derbyshire who has contributed to these vehicles, either through making a donation or leaving a legacy to our service.
“They will help to support our patients and our staff in some of the most difficult situations they will ever experience.”
In each of the vehicles, the driver’s seat and passenger seats rotate to enable incident debriefs to take place in the back of a vehicle, and there is also the capability to provide hot drinks in certain circumstances, such as following a challenging incident.
Steve Farnsworth, General Manager for Fleet, said:
“It has been a delight to be part of the introduction of these vehicles.
“They look very smart, and if the concept is successful I would like to see them introduced in all divisions for our managers to use.
“I hope this is the start of a new type of vehicle in our EMAS fleet.”
If you would like to make a donation to the ambulance service to help us support patients and our ambulance crews, you can do so at our website: https://www.emas.nhs.uk/contact-us/charitable-donations/