Ambulances

An article from the Huddersfield Examiner stating that one-man fast response ambulances are not being sent to dangerous situations.

From this, there are two issues to be examined.

Firstly, to send a crew of one to a potentially dangerous situation is foolish. A crew of two is much less vulnerable. So in this respect, the article does make a good point.

Secondly, however, what is the real purpose behind the one-man fast response vehicles? Are they a good thing? As they carry only one qualified paramedic, they can not provide the same service, as they can not transport patients. Any job that a one-man car is sent to where somebody needs hospital treatment thus needs an ambulance.

The ambulance service, not only in Yorkshire, does have its critics regarding this issue. Is the 'fast-response car' a publicity tool? A statistical aid to show that emergencies are being attended quicker?