Giles Watling, MP for Clacton, joined representatives from East of England Ambulance Service recently to help launch their new Early Intervention Vehicle (EIV).
This EIV will serve North-East Essex, and the launch, which took place on 4th June at Weeley Ambulance Station, was overseen by Glenn Young, Sector Head of Emergency Operations for Suffolk and North-East Essex for East of England Ambulance Service.
EIVs are staffed by a clinician from the ambulance service and an occupational therapist, and will work with patients who need help and support to avoid falls in the future. This will mean that these patients do not go to hospital unnecessarily, as they will be able to receive treatment, equipment and help and guidance where they are most comfortable. This will, in turn, save the NHS money and reduce pressure in local hospitals.
These vehicles have been successfully piloted in Norfolk, where in the first four months senior emergency medical technicians (EMT) and occupational therapists were dispatched to almost 300 patients in North Norfolk, South Norfolk and Norwich. Other vehicles are currently operating in Hertfordshire, Essex and Norfolk.
Giles said:
“This new EIV will play a crucial role in reducing the pressure on our local health services and double staffed ambulances. This is an innovative development, which will benefit all service users, and I was pleased to be able to help launch this new vehicle. I would also like to thank East of England Ambulance Service for all their efforts to make this a reality.”