Rahael announces new ambulance service body

Legislation will be coming which will make it mandatory for ambulances in the public and private sector to have a stretcher, linens, emergency medical supplies, oxygen and other life saving medical equipment. These “minimum requirements” form part of standards governing the licensing and certification of emergency medical transportation vehicles which will be undertaken by an Emergency Ambulance Service Authority (EASA). At a ceremony marking the handing-over of seven new ambulances to the Emergency Health Services (EHS) yesterday, Health Minister John Rahael said “very soon it will be a legal requirement that any vehicle intended to be used as an ambulance must be designed and equipped to respond to medical emergencies and non-emergency situations.” Vehicles must also have warning lights, sirens and telecommunication equipment. The ambulances must also be staffed by at least two certified medical technicians.

Rahael said the Government is proposing the establishment of an EASA governed by a Board of directors which will be appointed by the President. He said the Authority will be responsible for providing a national emergency service which will include air and sea transport at no cost or subsidised cost. The Authority will also have overall responsibility for developing: An emergency medical service system plan to oversee all aspects of the National Emergency Management Sys-tem, a coordinated trauma care system, and risk management system. It will also maintain a national registry of individuals competent to practise and deliver quality emergency services.

Rahael said there will be two types of air ambulance service — fixed wing (airplane) and rotary wing (helicopter). To be licensed as an ambulance transport service, providers must meet established requirements. Commenting on the airlifting of patients from Tobago to Trinidad, Rahael said with completion of the Scarborough Hospital by the middle of next year “this undesirable situation will no longer exist.” Rahael told the media he hoped the legislation for the emergency health service would go to Parliament by June/July.

Last December, the Health Ministry entered into an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme for the procurement of 40 ambulances at a cost of $18.5 million. The agreement also includes training of emergency medical technicians. United Nations resident representative Dr Inyang Ebong-Harstrup said 16 more vehicles will be delivered by mid-March and the rest by June. She said a “key” factor in acquiring the ambulances was their “appropriateness” for the local environment. Ebong-Harstrup said they are right hand vehicles, whose size and weight allow easy manoeuvrability on local roads. She said economies in operating costs with gas consumption and maintenance were also achieved. Training of EHS workers was also part of the agreement. Ebong-Harstrup said 130 EHS personnel would receive training in preventive maintenance of vehicles, and efficient use, maintenance and servicing of medical equipment on board. Thirty facilitators will also be trained.