London Ambulance Service scoops top awards
Monday, 11 April, 2011
The London Ambulance Service has won the 'outstanding service' and the 'control room' awards at the first Emergency Service Awards.
The Service, which was also commended as the ambulance trust of the year, beat three other finalists from across the emergency services to scoop the accolades at the event at the Emirates Stadium yesterday. Presented by BBC journalist Nicholas Owen, the awards have been set up to commend emergency service staff for their work.
The Service received the top award - 'outstanding service' - for its winter planning which ensured staff continued to provide a robust service to Londoners even when demand was up by 15 per cent compared to the same time last year.
Initiatives, such as a field hospital at Liverpool Street station and a walk-in centre in Soho, helped to deal with the unprecedented demand and alleviate pressure on A&E departments.
The main reason cited for recognising the control room as the best in the UK was the setting up of a clinical coordination desk. The desk is staffed by experienced paramedics who provide support and advice to both call handlers and operational staff. The move has helped to improve patient care and has contributed to the Service achieving the Category A target of responding to 75 per cent of life-threatening calls within eight minutes for the eighth year in a row.
Director of Operations Richard Webber said: "I was honoured to represent the Service and accept the award on behalf of all staff. It's a fantastic recognition of our hard work over the last year."
