Private ambulances take to S'pore roads
The next time you dial 995, be prepared to be picked up by a
private ambulance operator. Starting today, 10 private ambulances
and crew will team up with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
to meet the increasing demand for emergency ambulance service
(EAS). Unistrong Technology and Lentor Ambulance will each provide
5 ambulances, fully equipped with qualified crew and equipment
matching SCDF standards.
A SCDF spokesman said: "All private ambulance crew members have
been trained by recognised training centres, such as the Institute
of Technical Education. They have also undergone on-the-job
training for 33 weeks during their course, where they followed
SCDF's ambulances for emergency calls."
SCDF medical auditors will carry out surprise quarterly checks.
"If the private ambulance crew fails to meet the required standard,
it will be suspended from emergency ambulance service duties," said
the spokesman.
The SCDF said it was necessary to engage private ambulance
operators because the demand for its services have almost doubled
in the last 13 years. In 1995, the EAS responded to 60,300 cases.
These had increased to 117,896 last year and are projected to rise
to 235,800 by 2030 due to an increasing population, especially
those aged 65 and above.
Although the number of elderly is projected to form only 18.7
per cent of the population, they are expected to account for 44 per
cent of all calls by 2030 as a result of their medical needs.
"The SCDF has increased its ambulances from 15 in 1995 to 40
currently," said the spokesman. "However, the number of public
ambulances cannot be increased infinitely - contracting private
ambulance operators to participate in the management of medical
emergencies will therefore help to alleviate the stress on current
emergency ambulances."
There will be no change to the charging policy. SCDF and the
private ambulance service providers will continue to ferry all
emergency cases to hospitals for free. But, a $165 fee will be
levied for each non-emergency case sent to hospital so as to
discourage abuse. For non-emergency cases, the public should call
1777.
(this article was extracted from the TODAY newspaper dated
1st June 2009)
