Welsh Ambulance Service
Encyclopedia
The Welsh Ambulance Service (also called the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust or Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru) is the national ambulance service for Wales. It was established on April 1, 1998 and has 2,500 staff providing ambulance and related services to the 2.9 million residents of Wales
.
, Denbighshire
and it is divided into three regions:
The service is currently investing heavily as part of a 5 year modernization plan.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) - This service responds to emergency 999 calls and GP's urgent calls. Each ambulance crew consists of a Paramedic
and an Ambulance Technician. Staff may respond in Ambulances, High performance Rapid Response Vehicles or using 4x4 trucks to reach isolated patients. Unlike some Ambulance services, Welsh Ambulance rapid response veichles must have a paramedic on board. The Service uses customised Ford Focus estate cars and Volvo estate cars. The Service has just made a 14 million pound contract with Mercedes Benz to create a very large fleet of ambulances which have been designed by ambulance crews containing only the latest in medical and vehicle technology.
Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) - Wales is served by three helicopters operated by the ((Welsh Air Ambulance)) (Heavily customised Red Eurocopter EC135's). These are based in North, Mid and South Wales (Swansea). Combined, the HEMS units are capable of reaching a critically ill patient anywhere in Wales within 20 minutes of receiving a call. Each helicopter crew consists of an experienced pilot, and two critical care Paramedics. HEMS is NOT operated directly by the W.A.S. however the helicopter carries the Welsh ambulance service logo, equipment and Ambulance service employees.
Patient Care Services (PCS) - This service deals with the planned care aspect of ambulance work. PCS staff usually provide transport between home and healthcare facilities or some inter-hospital transfers. They may provide basic healthcare needs during transit, such as administering Oxygen
.
Community First Responders (CFR) - CFR's are volunteers from the community trained in basic first aid, oxygen administration and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
They are used by the ambulance service mostly in rural areas to provide basic care, such as Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
whilst an ambulance is on the way. As the live locally in the rural communities, they often arrive within minutes despite not having blue lights or sirens.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
Organisation
Its headquarters is located at H.M.Stanley Hospital, St AsaphSt Asaph
St Asaph is a town and community on the River Elwy in Denbighshire, Wales. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 3,491.The town of St Asaph is surrounded by countryside and views of the Vale of Clwyd. It is situated close to a number of busy coastal towns such as Rhyl, Prestatyn, Abergele,...
, Denbighshire
Denbighshire
Denbighshire is a county in north-east Wales. It is named after the historic county of Denbighshire, but has substantially different borders. Denbighshire has the distinction of being the oldest inhabited part of Wales. Pontnewydd Palaeolithic site has remains of Neanderthals from 225,000 years...
and it is divided into three regions:
- Central and West Region based at Ty Maes Y Gruffudd, Cefn Coed HospitalCefn Coed HospitalCefn Coed Hospital is a psychiatric hospital in Swansea, Wales.The hospital is run by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board. As well as general adult and old age psychiatric care, it also supports substance abusers...
, CockettCockettCockett is a community in Swansea, Wales falling within Cockett ward. It is located about north west of Swansea city centre.Cockett, in common with much of western Swansea, was the result of late Victorian and early twentieth century expansion...
, SwanseaSwanseaSwansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands... - North Region based at H.M.Stanley Hospital, St AsaphSt AsaphSt Asaph is a town and community on the River Elwy in Denbighshire, Wales. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 3,491.The town of St Asaph is surrounded by countryside and views of the Vale of Clwyd. It is situated close to a number of busy coastal towns such as Rhyl, Prestatyn, Abergele,...
, DenbighshireDenbighshireDenbighshire is a county in north-east Wales. It is named after the historic county of Denbighshire, but has substantially different borders. Denbighshire has the distinction of being the oldest inhabited part of Wales. Pontnewydd Palaeolithic site has remains of Neanderthals from 225,000 years... - South-East Region based at Vantage Point House, Ty Coch Ind Est, CwmbranCwmbranCwmbrân is a new town in Wales. Today forming part of the county borough of Torfaen and lying within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire, Cwmbrân was established in 1949 to provide new employment opportunities in the south eastern portion of the South Wales Coalfield. Cwmbrân means Crow...
The service is currently investing heavily as part of a 5 year modernization plan.
Services
The Welsh Ambulance Service provides:Emergency Medical Services (EMS) - This service responds to emergency 999 calls and GP's urgent calls. Each ambulance crew consists of a Paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
and an Ambulance Technician. Staff may respond in Ambulances, High performance Rapid Response Vehicles or using 4x4 trucks to reach isolated patients. Unlike some Ambulance services, Welsh Ambulance rapid response veichles must have a paramedic on board. The Service uses customised Ford Focus estate cars and Volvo estate cars. The Service has just made a 14 million pound contract with Mercedes Benz to create a very large fleet of ambulances which have been designed by ambulance crews containing only the latest in medical and vehicle technology.
Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) - Wales is served by three helicopters operated by the ((Welsh Air Ambulance)) (Heavily customised Red Eurocopter EC135's). These are based in North, Mid and South Wales (Swansea). Combined, the HEMS units are capable of reaching a critically ill patient anywhere in Wales within 20 minutes of receiving a call. Each helicopter crew consists of an experienced pilot, and two critical care Paramedics. HEMS is NOT operated directly by the W.A.S. however the helicopter carries the Welsh ambulance service logo, equipment and Ambulance service employees.
Patient Care Services (PCS) - This service deals with the planned care aspect of ambulance work. PCS staff usually provide transport between home and healthcare facilities or some inter-hospital transfers. They may provide basic healthcare needs during transit, such as administering Oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
.
Community First Responders (CFR) - CFR's are volunteers from the community trained in basic first aid, oxygen administration and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Automated external defibrillator
An automated external defibrillator or AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of...
They are used by the ambulance service mostly in rural areas to provide basic care, such as Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure which is performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person in cardiac arrest. It is indicated in those who are unresponsive...
whilst an ambulance is on the way. As the live locally in the rural communities, they often arrive within minutes despite not having blue lights or sirens.