The St John Emergency Ambulance Service has taken delivery of a new ambulance thanks to the generous support of the Guernsey public.

The new vehicle is now operational and has already been deployed to medical emergencies around the island.

The official launch of the new ambulance will take place at the 2019 West Show on Wednesday 14th August, where the public will have a chance to take a tour of the ambulance with clinicians form the emergency ambulance service on hand to answer questions. It will also be on display at the North Show the following week.A fundraising campaign for the new ambulance was launched in December 2017 and saw local businesses, groups and individuals help raise money through a variety of initiatives, including cake sales, school events, concerts and dress down days. Money was also raised through a concert at St James and a CPR marathon organised by the ambulance service. 

The new ambulance replaces a previous vehicle which was more than 12 years old. It is based on the Mercedes/WAS UK ambulance design and has been adapted for Guernsey. It is now kitted with the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment and will be a mobile medical treatment centre crewed by qualified clinicians, allowing paramedics to carry out advanced life-saving procedures in the pre-hospital emergency medical environment.

Chief Ambulance Officer, Mark Mapp said: “I would like to thank everyone who has helped with the fundraising or made a donation to the appeal, be it large of small. The new ambulance will help the emergency ambulance service continue to take the highest standard of emergency medical care to our community, providing clinicians with the best working environment and our patients with the comfort and safety during their treatment and for their journey to hospital.

The St John Emergency Ambulance Service runs a fleet of five ambulances and three rapid response cars, as well as patient transfer service vehicles.

 

Posted: July 25, 2019