Select a region
Jersey’s Ambulance Service is being forced to come up with new ways to handle an increasing number of emergency call outs - in total the figures show that islanders called them on average 25 times a day in 2017.
According to the service’s annual report it handled more than 9,000 calls in 2017 – the highest number in recent years.
Despite the increase, the service says its response times compare very favourably with those in the UK. 68% of class A – life-threatening emergencies – are answered within eight minutes locally compared with 75% in the UK, whilst 98% were answered within 19 minutes compared with 95%.
To tackle the increased volume the service says it is “providing alternative methods of care and avoiding the need to dispatch double-crewed emergency ambulances. This work includes a number of work streams such as the ‘See and Treat’ service, using Advanced and Specialist Paramedics, and the Care Hub, which aims to provide a ‘Hear and Treat’ service.”
Pictured: a steady increase in the number of emergency call outs means the Ambulance Service is having to find new ways of handling the load.
The service currently provides three emergency double crewed ambulances during the day from 07:00 till 22:00, and two double-crewed ambulances at night.
To handle the increase more cash has been allocated, and to improve response times the service has standby ambulances at Bel Royal and Five Oaks. Changes also mean five frontline staff are being deployed in cars in addition to the three frontline ambulances in service.
Peter Gavey, Chief Ambulance Officer, said, “...2017 was one of the busiest years that we’ve faced as a service, and there’s been no sign of a fall in call levels thus far in 2018. Our staff have worked very hard to step up to the challenge, working in partnership with colleagues from Health and Community Services, volunteers and third-sector organisations, and the Service is moving towards new ways of working in order to ensure we are fit for the future.”
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.