Health Minister Jim Wells today visited the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) Headquarters in Belfast to view preparations ahead on one of the busiest nights of the year. Afterwards the Minister praised the commitment and dedication of NIAS staff who on average attend over 400 emergency 999 calls every day. Outlining the important role that the organisation is playing in easing pressure on local EDs, the Minister said: NIAS is playing a key role in the reform and modernisation of unscheduled care pathways and has a wide programme to achieve this, including supporting more patients at home rather than transferring them to hospital and maximising the skills of paramedics to provide a wider range of clinical care and treatment. NIAS has also been working with Trusts to ensure that patients who can go to a minor injuries unit are transported there rather than going to an Emergency Department (ED). For those patients who are transported to an ED the NIAS are ensuring that they are handed over promptly and ambulances turned around in the shortest possible time, thus enabling the ambulance crews can get out of the ED and back out on the road to deliver care. During his visit, the Minister was given an overview of recently introduced ‘Dashboard’ system, which while in the early stages of development, it is hoped will ultimately help ambulance crews to better manage demand and improve flow of patients across EDs. The Minister used his visit as an opportunity to remind people that the ambulance service is there to respond to serious emergencies and people should only call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. He said: This week I launched the ‘Choose Well’ campaign which aims to help people gain a better understanding of the range of services available, from self-care at one end right up to 999 and Emergency Departments at the other. There are a number of options they can consider before dialing 999. These include talking to their local pharmacist; visiting or calling their GP or GP out of hours service; or making their own way to an ED. Especially in these busy winter months I would urge people to be aware of these options. Liam McIvor, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Trust said: We are dealing with increasing demand year on year which stretches resources and personnel on the streets and in the control room. We are delighted that the Minister is visiting our hard working and conscientious staff and welcome his appreciation of the efforts of ambulance personnel and his endorsement of the Choose Well message. There are many ways we can help ourselves and others over the festive period - considered and appropriate use of the 999 ambulance service could save a life.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 15:43:29 +0000