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We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
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New vehicles increase patient transfer service capacity
New vehicles increase patient transfer service capacity
09 July 2021
We’re all about doing what is best for our patients and staff here at Wellington Free, so last year we added three 2020 VW Caddys to our Patient Transfer Service (PTS) fleet, significantly increasing the team’s capacity to transport patients in wheelchairs.
Patient Transfer Service Team Leader Sam says this supplements the aging fleet to double our ability to transport wheelchair patients.
“It increases number of vehicles available and helps us continue to transport our patients to and from their appointments on time – this is most noticeable with our dialysis patients who we transport multiple times a week.
“It also means we can transport patients in their own wheelchairs, helping improve comfort and saving time unnecessarily transferring patients between their wheelchair and a stretcher,” Sam says.
As these vehicles are three of the newest vehicles in the fleet, there are many benefits.
“Our Patient Transfer Service team take great care of all patients wherever they’re being transported. Having new vehicles in our fleet helps increase our resiliency, reliability, and capacity to care those who need us every day.”
The Patient Transfer Service has 21 vehicles made up of: two specialised tail lift ambulances – capable of transporting wheelchairs and stretchers, nine ambulances – capable of transporting (electric and manual) stretchers only, six cars for mobile patients, one van – which has a wheelchair hoist, and now the three VW Caddys.
Other perks of the VW Caddy is that it has an electric winch and fold down ramp to assist with loading patients in their own wheelchairs, all while keeping a similar seating layout as a car.