Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

PART II

AMBULANCE RESPONSE TIMES

1. The Hampshire, Southampton Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Health

Scrutiny Joint Committee received a presentation from South Central

Ambulance Trust Service Development, Estates and Standby's,

Community Responders and general performance of the Ambulance

Service in Hampshire.

2. Details were given on the current ambulance times and actions which

    were being taken to improve them. The main factors currently influencing performance were:

      · Demand - this was currently 6% higher than at the same point last year.

      · Recruitment - Significant recruitment was underway within Hampshire

        - 100+ operational staff including Paramedics, Technicians and Emergency Care Assistants.

        - 40+ Emergency control room staff

1. There would also be an increased number of rapid response vehicles and front line ambulances. There would be improvements to internal training so increasing the number of paramedics and emergency care practitioners and a one week primary assessment skills course had been planned for all technicians and paramedics.

      · Changes to reporting - In April 2008 new measurements will be introduced and response time will move from being measured from once the address and chief complaint being ascertained to when the caller is connected to the emergency operations centre, before the call is even picked up - this will result in a reduction of approximately 120 seconds in the time to respond based on current measurement standards.

2. There will be a movement to new service delivery models which

      would see patients receiving faster and more appropriate care which would include an increased number of rapid response vehicles with skilled clinicians to make initial assessment to all incidents, increased number of doubled crewed ambulances with paramedics supported by technicians and care assistants to transport to hospital or alternative care pathway and increased cover on Category C desk to provide appropriate triage to callers.

                    DR. R.J. ELLIS

                    Chairman.