TheWelsh Ambulance ServiceNHS Trust has signed a £32m contract withO2 Airwave to get on
the same communications network as all other UK emergency
services.
Under the 10-year Welsh contract, O2 Airwave and its partner
SunGard Vivista will supply a range of products and services.
This includes supplying radio terminals to ambulance staff,
providing integrated communications control systems (ICCS) for
three control rooms, and installing radios in 827 vehicles,
including 454 emergency vehicles and three helicopters. A third of
the fleet will have data terminals as well as voice
connections.
The roll-out in Wales has two implementation phases across its
three service areas. The first phase starts in April 2007, the
second phase commences June 2007, and both are due to complete
early 2009.
The new digital technology will provide the Welsh Ambulance
Service with further tools to improve response times through status
messaging, alert paging, resource/incident location and
mobilisation messaging.
The Airwave system, which is Tetra-based, enables paramedics and
control room operators to talk directly with police and other
Airwave users at the scene of an incident when it is operationally
beneficial.
Welsh health minister Brian Gibbons said, "The new
communications system will provide far greater radio coverage
across Wales, compared with about 65% at the moment.
"This will help the control rooms keep in touch with the crew
and will enable the Trust to become more efficient and effective in
deploying its resources, which will ultimately improve response
times and patient care.”
Munich Airport goes for Tetra comms
system
Comment on this article:
computer.weekly@rbi.co.uk