Case Study – Ambulance

Lightbridge Support Services is the service provider of the UK's only professional 'Make Ready' scheme which meets all of a modern ambulance services needs.

The past twelve months has seen the Company secure Make Ready contracts with South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust and South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and the award of further contract extensions with the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Additionally we have assisted North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust in their response to the Care Quality Commission report into ambulance infection control.

Currently a completely new and innovative handheld computer programme has been introduced to improve the collection of information from the teams. Information on vehicle status, asset capture and location, stock levels and critical engineering data is now being collated on the system throughout the operational hours. The net effect is that Ambulance Officers are able to log onto the system and obtain information relating to:

• Vehicle Availability
• Vehicle Location
• Stocking Levels
• Asset Location
• Engineering Status
• Vehicle Damage

This new and dynamic approach to capturing daily information helps assist the service in more accurately deploying spare assets to areas of need. Keeping track of vital equipment is key in today's fast moving emergency medical environment, trusts need to have the confidence that expensive critical equipment is not only being serviced and maintained in accordance with clinical guidelines but also where it is at any time day or night.

Capturing vehicle damage is also key to ensuring the fleet is kept in a roadworthy condition, equally keeping track of the vehicles servicing program is vital given the dynamics of operating a 999 service.

Ensuring that consumables are always in the right place at the right time is key especially following the London Bombings on July 7th 2005, a major incident for the service, LSS's new system helps trusts ensure they are prepared and all vehicles are fully stocked and ready to deal with any emergency no matter how large.

Electronic stock captures helps in ensuring that stations are never short of the vital stock needed for the operation of an effective service. Thus the new system will further enhance the service LSS already provide.

LSS also provides a highly effective 'Deep Cleaning' programme for South East Coast Ambulance Trust, additionally a deep clean service is also being provided in several sites in the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Working in partnership with the trusts LSS has developed a true partnership approach. During the London Bombings on July the 7th 2005 the 'Make Ready' teams in London assisted the service in re-stocking vehicles and retuning crews to the scene with the confidence that they were able to deal with whatever they came across. Vehicles were cleaned and re-stocked, equipment was recovered and returned to the stations, which had been depleted during the incident, and by 7 am the following morning the service was back to normal operational effectiveness.

Only by working as a team and by having the same objectives of improved patient care can such a service work, LSS's team is providing an integral component which assists the ambulance services in delivering primary care services.

We are constantly seeking ways of improving the services we provide and enhancing the packages available for the Trusts.

The 'Make Ready' Scheme can be tailored to meet the financial and operational needs of any service, a selection of the components can to be used dependent upon the individual trusts requirements.

The benefits of the scheme are:

• Standard packing layouts
• Controlled stock levels
• Asset Control
• Clinical cleanliness
• Infection control process
• Vehicle defect reporting
• Reduced crew downtime
• Improved staff morale
• Reduced costs
• Potential fleet reductions

All of these are key components but each can be added or subtracted from the service dependent upon need.