This service has been introduced after consultation with the hospital and will allow greater ease of access to ITU Transfer Resources for the hospital. To meet our obligations to the Trust, EMS purchased a new dedicated Intensive Care Ambulance. The ambulance, based on a Renault Master LWB Chassis has been built and converted to specification by O&H Facilities has been designed to accommodate both the Ferno Critical Care 6 Trolley and also Paediatric ITU Transfer Trolley's currently in use by several NHS Hospitals. Fitted with the latest in invertor technology the ambulance will provide both 12V and 240V electrical outputs which are able to power all the ITU equipment in use on the CT6 Trolleys. In addition, the ambulance is fitted with an extensive selection of infusion pumps, ventilators, PCA Pumps and the new LifePak 15 Defibrillator/Monitor.

The standard fit stretcher EMS has chosen is the Easi-Lite from Paraid Ltd of Birmingham. It is based on the Ferno Falcon 6, however is lighter than the Ferno Trolley, easier to manoeuvre with patients onboard and is fully CEN tested and certificated to the same high standards as Ferno.

Staffing for this unit consists of a DMC (Double Manned Crew) which typically would be Paramedic led, along with Extended Skills Technicians who have received specific training in Critical Care & Paediatric Intensive Care. This additional training covers Emergency Paediatric Advanced Life Support, IV Access and Management, specific ITU drug therapy as well as training in Rapid Sequence Intubation which has been provided via the NHS. The ambulance crew are also backed up by Specialist ITU Nurses who will provide "hands on" care in addition to our own in house Paediatric Specialist Registrar.

The service will operate 24/7, 365 Days A Year with a dedicated resource based onsite at Addenbrookes Hospital. When the ambulance is not being used for ITU/PICU patients the service has been extended to cover our EUC Contracts offering a high level of clinical support for High Dependency and Cardiac Care patients.  Richard Brown, Managing Director of EMS said "We have been working in conjunction with Addenbrookes now for over 3 months systematically planning the design and features of this ambulance so it may meet and exceed the needs & budget of the Trust. The input and feedback from Addenbrookes has allowed us to provide a unique solution to their needs that I hope will benefit patients and staff alike for a long time to come."