Today the Manitoba Government announced improvements to patient and paramedic safety by adding 52 replacement ambulances to the provincial fleet.
The new ambulances have been redesigned to include...
· safer seating for paramedics;
· improved access to patient treatment equipment;
· access to patient treatment equipment compartments from the exterior curbside of the ambulance to keep paramedics out of the line of traffic;
· safer ways to secure onboard patient treatment equipment; and
· a liquid spring suspension that improves the vehicle’s ride and can lower the patient loading height.
As a result of requests made by
the MGEU, the Province consulted paramedics and EMS experts in the redesign
process to ensure those who use the equipment on a daily basis have input into
how to make their workplaces safer. The result is a safer and easier-to-use
ambulance, which MGEU President, Michelle Gawronsky, spoke about at a press conference today.
“We’re very pleased that front-line paramedics were consulted in this redesign and even happier to see their recommendations result in improved designs and features,” says MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “They’re the experts. Paramedics use these vehicles day in, day out, so it only makes sense to get their feedback on how to improve them.”
The new ambulances will be delivered to EMS stations across the province, starting this month and estimated to be complete by January 2016. They will be located in all health regions of Manitoba, including four in the northern region, nine in Southern Health – Santé Sud, nine in Winnipeg and 12 in Prairie Mountain Health.