The Island’s Ambulance Service has taken delivery of a vehicle to provide a base for treatment at large scale events and to assist with Health Promotion activities across all parts of the Health Services.

The vehicle will also be used as a forward Ambulance Command and Control Vehicle for major incidents.

The vehicle will be used for the first time during, March supporting No Smoking Week, and then the Careers Exhibition at the Villa Marina. 

Its main purpose, however, is to take the Ambulance Service, together with their Primary Health Care colleagues, out into the community to offer various diagnosis and treatment support to the general public, notably the 'FAST' Stroke campaign to support rapid detection of strokes, and the 'Know your Blood Pressure' campaign.

The vehicle will also, act as a mobile ambulance station from which to respond, and as a mobile base for communication with Isle of Man, residents on a wide range of topics and consultations, including the services currently provided by the Ambulance Service and where improvements can be made.

Chief Ambulance Officer Steve Sieling commented, "There has been a great deal of interest in the new vehicle which, although new to us was, in a former life, a mobile Job Centre. 

"Many useful ideas have come forward on its potential use from several other Services as well as ourselves and, as we are keen to develop new partnerships working with other community healthcare staff. 

"This vehicle will open up new opportunities that will allow us to develop more joined up working in a number of areas around the Island, providing more multi-agency services to local communities as well as enhancing our own ability to deal with more serious and complex incidents."