Coping with Increasing Demand for Ambulance Service

Debated in Parliament on 16 Sep 2013.

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Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef questioned how the Emergency Ambulance Services are handling the rising number of calls and what plans exist to manage future increases, as well as how public education on proper ambulance usage will be promoted.
Teo Chee Hean reported that ambulance call volumes have risen by 8.4% in the first half of 2013, with SCDF expanding its fleet by engaging more private ambulance operators and cross-training firefighters as first responders.
SCDF emphasized that emergency ambulances are for life-threatening situations only, urging the public to use 995 for emergencies and 1777 for non-emergencies, and plans to enhance public education through community events and hospital posters.

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Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how are the Emergency Ambulance Services coping with the increasing number of emergency and non-emergency calls received and what are the medium and long-term plans to handle an increasing load; and (b) what are the Ministry's plans to publicise and educate the public

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on proper ambulance usage.

Teo Chee Hean

SCDF's Emergency Ambulance Service (EAS) responded to 76,024 calls for the first six months of 2013. This is an increase of 8.4% from the 70,129 calls for the same period last year. If this continues for the rest of the year, it would be the highest annual rate of increase in five years.

Since 2009, SCDF has engaged the services of two Private Ambulance Operators (PAOs) to augment its fleet of emergency ambulances. There are currently 10 private emergency ambulances from the PAOs in operation. SCDF will be increasing the number of private emergency ambulances to 20 in October 2013. These private emergency ambulance operators are subject to stringent requirements and audits by SCDF to ensure compliance with clinical and service standards.

Apart from ambulances, SCDF has deployed fire bikers equipped with Automated External Defibrillators as first responders. SCDF is also cross-training its firefighters as Emergency Medical Technicians so that personnel in its fire vehicles can provide the first line of medical response until paramedics arrive.

The purpose of the Emergency Ambulance Services is to deal with life-threatening situations. In an emergency, every second counts. The public should thus call 995 only during medical emergencies. For non-emergencies, members of the public should call 1777.

SCDF will continue to raise awareness of the appropriate use of EAS. Information on what constitutes emergency and non-emergency situations is listed on SCDF's website and Facebook page. SCDF will run public education activities on proper ambulance use at constituency-level Emergency Preparedness Days and other SCDF-related activities. SCDF will also work with MOH to display public education posters at Restructured Hospitals.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef questioned how the Emergency Ambulance Services are handling the rising number of calls and what plans exist to manage future increases, as well as how public education on proper ambulance usage will be promoted.
Teo Chee Hean reported that ambulance call volumes have risen by 8.4% in the first half of 2013, with SCDF expanding its fleet by engaging more private ambulance operators and cross-training firefighters as first responders.
SCDF emphasized that emergency ambulances are for life-threatening situations only, urging the public to use 995 for emergencies and 1777 for non-emergencies, and plans to enhance public education through community events and hospital posters.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Coping with Increasing Demand for Ambulance Service

Debated in Parliament on 16 Sep 2013.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef questioned how the Emergency Ambulance Services are handling the rising number of calls and what plans exist to manage future increases, as well as how public education on proper ambulance usage will be promoted.
Teo Chee Hean reported that ambulance call volumes have risen by 8.4% in the first half of 2013, with SCDF expanding its fleet by engaging more private ambulance operators and cross-training firefighters as first responders.
SCDF emphasized that emergency ambulances are for life-threatening situations only, urging the public to use 995 for emergencies and 1777 for non-emergencies, and plans to enhance public education through community events and hospital posters.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef

Page: 103

on proper ambulance usage.

Teo Chee Hean

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef questioned how the Emergency Ambulance Services are handling the rising number of calls and what plans exist to manage future increases, as well as how public education on proper ambulance usage will be promoted.
Teo Chee Hean reported that ambulance call volumes have risen by 8.4% in the first half of 2013, with SCDF expanding its fleet by engaging more private ambulance operators and cross-training firefighters as first responders.
SCDF emphasized that emergency ambulances are for life-threatening situations only, urging the public to use 995 for emergencies and 1777 for non-emergencies, and plans to enhance public education through community events and hospital posters.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Coping with Increasing Demand for Ambulance Service | PAPERCUTS

Coping with Increasing Demand for Ambulance Service

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef

Teo Chee Hean

Summary

Questions Identified

Coping with Increasing Demand for Ambulance Service

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef

Teo Chee Hean

Summary

Questions Identified