XN000022-1987-06-17 — Page 8

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1987

"WITH THE BENEFIT OF THE INSIGHT OF THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS IN

ANALYSED THE THE SERVICE, THE AD HOC GROUP

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HORU (HEALTH OPERATIONAL RESEARCH UNIT) CONSULTANT REPORT WHICH COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO STUDY THE OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT THE AMBULANCE SERVICE.

WAS OF

"THE GROUP ARRIVED AT 19 POINTS (10 ON THE HORU REPORT AND NINE OF OUR OWN) ON WHICH WE AGREED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE ACTION IN IMPROVING OUR AMBULANCE SERVICE, DR IP SAID.

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ON THE HORU REPORT, THE GROUP LARGELY AGREED WITH ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND OVERALL EFFICIENCY OF THE SERVICE.

THESE INCLUDE:

(A) 95% OF THE EMERGENCY CALLS IN URBAN AREAS AND NEW TOWNS

MUST BE MET WITHIN A 10 MINUTE TRAVEL TIME;

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

INCREASE IN STAFF AND VEHICLES, AMBULANCE DEPOTS AND "TEMPORARY STANDBYS" IN ORDER TO MEET THE ABOVE;

STRENGTHENING THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF AMBULANCE OFFICERS;

A MORE DYNAMIC INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMAND CONTROL;

THE AMBULANCE CONTROL CONSOLES TO BE MANNED BY AMBULANCE STAFF INSTEAD OF SPECIAL CONTROL STAFF;

(F) BETTER CO-ORDINATED ROUTINE TRANSFER SERVICE; AND

(0) TIERING OF THE EMERGENCY AND ROUTINE SERVICES.

IN

HOWEVER, THE GROUP COULD NOT ACCEPT THE LACK OF INITIATIVE CUTTING DOWN THE TARGET TRAVEL TIME IN THE N.T. WHICH NOW STANDS AT 34 MINUTES.

"IT SEEMS THAT THE HORU REPORT DOES NOT AIM TO IMPROVE THIS ASPECT OF OUR SERVICE, DR IP SAID.

"

"WE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE IN DEPTH AND WE FELT THAT THE SERVICE SHOULD STRIVE TO ATTAIN A 20 MINUTE TARGET TRAVEL TIME FOR 95% OF THE AMBULANCE CALLS IN THE N.T.

"THE HORU REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT HOSPITAL CONTROLLERS SHOULD BE UPGRADED TO OFFICER POSTS. WE SUPPORT THIS RECOMMENDATION BUT URGE THE ADMINISTRATION TO NOTE ANY STRESS ON THE MORALE OF THE MORE SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY SUCH CHANGES.

/WE FEEL