Five RRVs on call in west

FIVE emergency Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) are currently operational in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area depending on the time of day.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Jul 2010, 11:53 BST

The smaller car or jeep type vehicle - staffed by one experienced paramedic and attending emergency calls only - responds to a 999 emergency call-out and then assesses the urgency of a call-out and whether or not an A&E ambulance is required.

From April 2010 a total of 4,085 hours core staff ambulance hours were removed by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) in Londonderry with the reduction filled by 7,300 hours of Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) cover.

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Health Minister Michael McGimpsey explained that emergency cover is provided on a "dynamic deployment basis" across the WHSCT area.

In response to a query tabled by UUP MLA tom Buchanan he commented: "There are currently up to five RRVs operational in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area depending on the time of day.

"RRVs provide emergency response cover every day between 7.00am and 2.00am on mixed 10 to 16 hour shift pattern and are staffed by permanently assigned paramedics and some relief staff on overtime hours.

"Emergency cover in Northern Ireland is provided on a dynamic deployment basis therefore the response to an urgent call for help is not restricted to those emergency resources based within a particular area."

Related topics:UUP