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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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Wellington Free Ambulance is ACE once again
Wellington Free Ambulance is ACE once again
22 April 2021
Wellington Free Ambulance has been recognised by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) as an Accredited Centre of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical call taking and dispatch.
This is our Clinical Communications Centre’s second consecutive accreditation, putting our centre in the top 4% of all centres worldwide and makes New Zealand one of only eight countries who are fully accredited.
IAED is the standard-setting organisation for emergency dispatch and call taking services worldwide. Accreditation from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centres.
Over 3000 emergency communication centres worldwide use the medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage protocols developed and maintained by the IAED.
The protocol-based system—known as the Priority Dispatch System—is recognised as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch, and is used in 46 countries.
Centres who earn ACE status are the embodiment of dispatch done right, and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.
Executive Director of Clinical Communications Centre and Patient Co-ordination, Kate Jennings says our Emergency Medical Call Takers are a critical part of the Wellington Free team, connecting our patients to the help they need and our Dispatchers make sure the right help gets to the right people, in the best possible time.
“It’s an incredible achievement and it is all down to everyone’s amazing hard work, constantly striving for the best outcomes for our patients.
“Maintaining such high standards is only possible when we work together as a team. The work we do is often the difference between life and death for some, and it humbles me every day to work with such a group of dedicated and remarkable people in our Clinical Communications Centre. I couldn’t be prouder,” Kate explains.
Accreditation Board Chair at , Christof says the accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement.
“We applaud the dedicated call takers, dispatchers, and leadership team at Wellington Free Ambulance for their commitment to quality, and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first responders to do an outstanding job,” Christof says.
IAED will present Wellington Free Ambulance with an Accreditation plaque that commemorates their achievement later this year.