THE Department of Health’s Ambulance Service has teamed up with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to enhance the ambulance emergency cover in the West of the Island with the provision of an additional facility for ambulance crews.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has made available the old Forestry Building at the entrance to the Department’s new headquarters in St John’s for use by ambulance crews/officers when stationed in the West of the Island on Standby.
The old office block was vacated by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) staff in March of this year following the completion of the purpose built new headquarters at the same address called Thie Slieau Whallian. Subsequently DAFF was disbanded and the new Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture formed with the new headquarters Thie Slieau Whallian now housing all the staff from DAFF as well as the Environment team from the former Department of Local Government and the Environment.
Minister for Health, Mr David Anderson MHK said “This is a real example of excellent partnership working between Government departments to enhance services for the people of the Island. More than ever we need to ensure we approach problems with joined-up thinking and joined-up solutions, utilising skills and resources from across Government. I would like to express my thanks to Minister Shimmin, Mr Crookall and their Officers for making this possible.”
Member for Forestry, Mr Tim Crookall MHK said “The Department is more than happy to offer a room in the office block to the Department of Health. At least the ambulance crew have a rest room to utilise whilst waiting for a call, rather than sitting in the ambulance up the road. Such a facility will be a boon for them, particularly as we are heading into the colder months.”
Chief Ambulance Officer, Steve Sieling said “This new site is a welcomed facility for staff on Standby and is perfectly situated strategically for quick access to Peel, Foxdale, Dalby, Glen Maye and the TT course towards Kirk Michael. It will also be used occasionally as a base for Officers to provide a first response role using a rapid response vehicle. The facilities provide us with an office base in the West so that staff will also be able to carry out administration tasks at the same time as being on Standby.”
The ambulance crew take up residence of one room in the old office block on 23rd October, which also provides them with use of the facilities within the building such as the kitchen and WC.
