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26/11/2007
'Dirty Ambulances' May Spread MRSA
Ambulances may be aiding the spread of hospital-based infections such as MRSA because they are not being cleaned properly, a union has claimed.
The investigation by Unison found wide variations in cleaning practices at ambulance trusts across the UK and said that poor cleaning arrangements and a lack of resources were contributing to the problem.
Unison said that ambulance crews questioned during the survey said that targets, time and money pressures all contributed to the differences in cleaning practices.
However, the London Ambulance Service was praised for its approach to tackling the problem. The service has introduced on-site cleaners who work nights in order to routinely carry out deep cleans of the entire fleet. They also re-stocked ambulances with fresh kit, so that ambulance crews do not have to carry out the additional task.
Sam Oestreicher, Unison's national officers for ambulance staff, said: "The government recently announced extra money for deep cleaning hospitals, but ambulances seem to have been forgotten."
He said that, in many trusts, ambulance crews were responsible for cleaning their own vehicles and said that this was a waste of both their time and training.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said that the available evidence suggested that ambulances were not a major source of spreading infections, but stressed that tackling the spread of hospital-based infections was an NHS-wide issue.
Mr Bradshaw added that the Ambulance Service Association had issued guidance and that the government expected trusts to follow it.
(KMcA)
The investigation by Unison found wide variations in cleaning practices at ambulance trusts across the UK and said that poor cleaning arrangements and a lack of resources were contributing to the problem.
Unison said that ambulance crews questioned during the survey said that targets, time and money pressures all contributed to the differences in cleaning practices.
However, the London Ambulance Service was praised for its approach to tackling the problem. The service has introduced on-site cleaners who work nights in order to routinely carry out deep cleans of the entire fleet. They also re-stocked ambulances with fresh kit, so that ambulance crews do not have to carry out the additional task.
Sam Oestreicher, Unison's national officers for ambulance staff, said: "The government recently announced extra money for deep cleaning hospitals, but ambulances seem to have been forgotten."
He said that, in many trusts, ambulance crews were responsible for cleaning their own vehicles and said that this was a waste of both their time and training.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said that the available evidence suggested that ambulances were not a major source of spreading infections, but stressed that tackling the spread of hospital-based infections was an NHS-wide issue.
Mr Bradshaw added that the Ambulance Service Association had issued guidance and that the government expected trusts to follow it.
(KMcA)
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26 April 2013
Woman Dies After Mini Bus Collides With A Lorry On The M62
A woman has died and around 25 people are believed to be injured after a mini bus, carrying a group of women to a hen night, was involved in a collision on the M62 in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Paramedics, firefighters and at least six air ambulances attended the scene of the crash which occurred at around 11am this morning.
Woman Dies After Mini Bus Collides With A Lorry On The M62
A woman has died and around 25 people are believed to be injured after a mini bus, carrying a group of women to a hen night, was involved in a collision on the M62 in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Paramedics, firefighters and at least six air ambulances attended the scene of the crash which occurred at around 11am this morning.
03 July 2006
Government announces investment in ambulances
NHS ambulance trusts in England have been given a £25 million boost in order to help improve response times for the most urgent calls.
Government announces investment in ambulances
NHS ambulance trusts in England have been given a £25 million boost in order to help improve response times for the most urgent calls.
02 July 2004
Green light for ambulances on speeding fine problem
Ambulance drivers will no longer be issued with speeding fines when en-route to emergency 999 calls, Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today. The Ambulance Service Association (ASA) estimates that it costs some Ambulance Trusts up to £1million a year to deal with the paperwork involved in proving that vehicles are responding to emergencies.
Green light for ambulances on speeding fine problem
Ambulance drivers will no longer be issued with speeding fines when en-route to emergency 999 calls, Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today. The Ambulance Service Association (ASA) estimates that it costs some Ambulance Trusts up to £1million a year to deal with the paperwork involved in proving that vehicles are responding to emergencies.
09 May 2012
Air Ambulances Cleared To Fly
Air ambulances have been cleared to fly again from Wednesday, after half of the UK's fleet of 32 helicopters were grounded over safety fears. The main operator, Bond Air Services, had withdrawn all 22 of its Eurocopter EC 135 helicopters - including 16 air ambulances - over concerns about possible cracks in the rotor hub.
Air Ambulances Cleared To Fly
Air ambulances have been cleared to fly again from Wednesday, after half of the UK's fleet of 32 helicopters were grounded over safety fears. The main operator, Bond Air Services, had withdrawn all 22 of its Eurocopter EC 135 helicopters - including 16 air ambulances - over concerns about possible cracks in the rotor hub.
11 December 2007
Single-Crewed Ambulances 'Free Up' Resources Says Minister
One-man ambulance crews are to become much more common if the government goes ahead with plans to respond to more emergency calls with one-person ambulance crews.
Single-Crewed Ambulances 'Free Up' Resources Says Minister
One-man ambulance crews are to become much more common if the government goes ahead with plans to respond to more emergency calls with one-person ambulance crews.
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