Mr David Grant1, Dr Nicholas Scott1
1Ambulance Tasmania
Biography:
biographies to come
Ambulance Tasmania’s Critical Care and Retrieval unit have introduced a Critical Care Team (Physician/Paramedic) responding to the North and Northwest of Tasmania within a 90-minute isochrone of Launceston Airport. This team provides enhanced pre-hospital critical care services by road response mirroring capability from the south of Tasmania, but with a distinct time advantage.
Abstract:
Methods:
But how do you establish such a service without increases in workforce or budget? The unmet need is clear with inequity of access to lifesaving skills of a critical care team. A core team has worked extensively with executive and department of health decision makers to make plans a reality. Remained flexible and prepared to learn rapidly as a team. Intensive training days, new kits and procedures have been rolled out and ensured a well trained and equipped team.
Results:
The establishment of this service has provided a much-needed higher level of care to the community of Tasmania. It has not been without setbacks and certainly has a way to go before the service is available 24/7 and able to reach more remote geographical areas Tasmania
Conclusions:
The team continues to evaluate the model searching for improvements to the service. We are doing more with what we have and making a difference to more patients. Innovation, motivation and creativity are key to development of new services.