Keeping Our Ambulances Connected: The Tech Behind NHS’ Life-Saving Upgrades

Under the nationwide Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP), Ambulance Services Trust in England and Wales are implementing a major technology upgrade to enhance efficiency and patient safety. Every trust will deploy Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices in their rapid response vehicles and ambulances.

written by: Will Holmes, Business Manager for Public Sector (Fire, Ambulance & Central Government)

Ever wonder what keeps our ambulances running smoothly and effectively, even in the most chaotic situations? It’s not just the skill of the paramedics or the speed of the drivers. A significant part of it is the technology inside these emergency vehicles. Recently, the NHS Ambulance Service Trusts across England and Wales have undergone a major tech refresh, and at the heart of this upgrade is Panasonic’s rugged TOUGHBOOK.

The Tech Refresh: What’s Happening?

As part of the Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP), all 12 NHS Ambulance Service Trusts in England and Wales are receiving new, state-of-the-art mobile computing devices. This isn’t just a simple update; it’s a complete overhaul designed to enhance efficiency and patient safety. The rugged TOUGHBOOK tablets from Panasonic, available in both seven-inch and ten-inch models, are being installed in over 6,500 dual crewed ambulances (DCAs) and rapid response vehicles (RRVs).

Stuart Murphy, Senior Programme Manager for the ARP, emphasises the positive feedback from ambulance crews. “The crystal clear display and mapping solution have enabled them to pinpoint incident locations with far greater accuracy,” he says. “This upgrade has led to fewer vehicles off the road due to hardware failures, with increased uptime leading to better patient safety.”

The Challenge

The goal was clear but challenging introducing cutting-edge mobile computing devices without disrupting existing patient care. Each Trust needed to seamlessly coordinate with updated Control Room Solutions to improve service efficiency. This meant replacing old mobile communications devices that were reaching their end of life.

The Solution

Terrafix was chosen as the Systems Design Authority for the contracts. From the beginning, deciding to collaborate with several suppliers was fundamental. Based on the specifications and the track record of working with Panasonic over the years, they chose Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices knowing it would provide the best mission-critical system for the UK ambulance market.

Known for their ruggedness and reliability, these devices were chosen because they can handle the rough and tumble environment of emergency vehicles and still function flawlessly. With custom vehicle mounts and the latest radio/router technology provided by Terrafix, these tablets are transforming how ambulance crews operate.

First-Class Connectivity

One of the standout features of this upgrade is the Terrafix Vehicle Router (TVR), which ensures seamless communication between the TOUGHBOOK devices and Ambulance Trust Control Rooms. Equipped with cellular and eSIM connectivity, the TVR works effortlessly with both the current Airwave Network and the future Emergency Services Network (ESN).

Additionally, the National Mobilisation Application (NMA) developed by Terrafix and the ARP, provides ambulance crews with the most up-to-date and detailed mapping of rural and urban areas. This real-time information is crucial for navigating to incident locations quickly and accurately.

Tried and Tested Partnerships

Panasonic’s long-standing collaboration with Centerprise, Terrafix, and Telent has been pivotal. These partnerships have delivered a standardised yet flexible solution across all Trusts.

Customisation and Continuous Improvement

Every vehicle is different, and so is the way technology is installed in them. This project considered the unique needs of various vehicle models and dashboard designs. Custom prototype mounts and cases were developed to ensure stability and ease of use for ambulance crews. Stuart Murphy notes that “the end user was always at the heart of our installations.”

A key consideration in the roll-out was ensuring compliance with the Road Traffic Act. A request from the crews was to provide drivers with voice command functionality when the vehicle is moving. The ARP-led programme is the first to provide this voice-activated functionality to an emergency service.

The Impact

The roll-out has already shown impressive results. Trusts that have completed their installations report nearly zero failures compared to their old technology. The new TOUGHBOOK devices are not only reliable but also user-friendly, enhancing the overall efficiency and safety of ambulance services.

Chris Green, Managing Director of Terrafix, sums it up perfectly: “The system must be as reliable as possible in a very demanding environment. Building the system with the Terrafix TVR smart router alongside the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK running the Terrafix NMA software has provided a complete UK-wide solution that is successfully being rolled out to all Trusts.”

Final Thoughts

This technology refresh is a game-changer for the NHS Ambulance Service Trusts across England and Wales. By integrating rugged, reliable, and highly functional TOUGHBOOK tablets into their vehicles, they are setting new standards for efficiency and patient safety. This upgrade ensures that our ambulance services remain at the forefront of emergency response, ready to save lives with the best technology available.

Learn more about the ARP programme here

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Keeping Our Ambulances Connected: The Tech Behind NHS’ Life-Saving Upgrades

The Tech Refresh: What’s Happening?

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