Ambulance call-outs reached a record 56,500 last year

Fleet of rapid response cars raised to 11

Ambulance call-outs reached a record 56,500 last year, up 12% on the previous year, Health Minister Joe Etienne Abela said on Monday.

He gave the figures as he announced that the fleet of rapid response cars has been increased by six to 11.

Rapid response cars were introduced on the initiative of the nursing staff at the hospital's emergency department. They are used by nurses, and occasionally doctors, to respond to the vast majority of calls, arriving on the scene before ambulances to stabilise patients as far as possible.

The minister said that apart from the increase in cars, the number of consultants specialised in pre-hospital care had also been doubled.  

The new rapid response vehicles.The new rapid response vehicles.

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