News
Latest information - news announcements and events
Essex Ambulance Service chooses MedAssist™ stretcher trolleys
10/03/2006
Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust has become the latest customer for VW Company’s MedAssist™ stretcher. The ambulance service has placed an order for six examples of the lightweight, practical and easy to manoeuvre lift-assisted stretcher trolley. They will be used in six new emergency ambulances that are due for delivery later this year.
The MedAssist is the only lift-assisted stretcher trolley available in the UK that complies to both BS EN 1789 and BS EN 1865. It is the lightest lift-assisted stretcher trolley available in the UK, weighing only 45kg (excludes mattress and belts), which is important as the lower weight helps to reduce handling strain experienced by stretcher trolley users.
This unique stretcher trolley has a ‘directional lock’ facility that ensures easy manoeuvrability and removes any ‘supermarket trolley’ wheeling effect. Additionally, there is the practical feature of being able to convert the MedAssist stretcher trolley into a wheelchair, so that stretcher trolley users can access confined spaces such as lifts or narrow corridors.
Rob Ashford, Locality General Manager from Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: “We reviewed a number of different trolleys before placing the order with VW Company. The MedAssist’s wheelchair, directional lock capabilities and other features will help make life easier for our staff and reduce still further the risks associated with manual handling.”
“This order means the entire fleet of emergency ambulances will be under three years old. New technology such as these stretchers ensures our staff are able to give our patients the best care possible.”
« Back to news index