BRADES – The new ambulance purchased for use by the Ministry of Health and Social Services is expected to be put into operation soon.
According to a statement from the ministry, released on Friday, May 1 2015, an Emergency Response Committee was set up by MoHSS to conduct a full assessment of the new Toyota Landcruiser Ambulance.
Based on the report received from the Committee, the custom built, fully equipped ambulance was procured by Crown Agents on behalf of the Government of Montserrat with Funding from the Department for International Development (DFID).
Plans are on-going for the commissioning of the ambulance which will include inspection, testing and training of Nurses, Doctors and fire officials on the operation of the installed medical equipment.
The Ministry says that the manufacturer will soon be on island to conduct the necessary tests and commissioning of the ambulance
which is expected to be completed by the end of May 31 2015.
Currently the Montserrat Fire Service operates emergency ambulance services on behalf of the ministry.
Residents had been put off by the look of the vehicle but officials close to the project state it is a vast improvement over the previous people carrier, which did not have the proper equipment and facilities necessary to save a patient enroute to the hospital.
The MoHSS says it is committed to strengthening Emergency Ambulance services on Montserrat in response to increasing incidences of medical emergencies such as accidents, injuries and critical illnesses which from time to time require transportation to the Glendon Hospital.
The ambulance, which was manufactured by Autocar International in the Netherlands, arrived on island on 13th April, 2015.
