Patient Safety Alert on ambulance dispatch and satellite navigation systems

10 Jul 2015 01:51 PM

A Patient Safety Alert has been issued by NHS England to ensure ambulance satellite navigation systems are up-to-date.

Ambulances are expected to provide a rapid response to life-threatening situations. If delayed, this can impact on patient safety and outcome. Ambulance vehicles should have satellite navigations systems that assist crews to identify the location of the emergency. Ho

wever, reports to the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) suggest some ambulance satellite navigation systems may not be up-to-date with new locations, resulting in delays.

When a 999 call is made, a process initiated by the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD) identifies the source and approximate location of the caller and tracks the nearest ambulance. Dispatchers send preliminary details of the call (including coordinates of location) to the nearest ambulance in order for the vehicle’s satellite navigation system to plot the location. Systems should be up-to-date with the latest road layouts, addresses and new build information.

Read the full patient safety alert on ambulance dispatch and satellite navigation systems.