Telent supports rapid roll-out of NHS Ambulance Radio Programme

Mission-critical communications provider Telent has played a key role in upgrading mobilisation communications for 11 NHS ambulance trusts across England and Wales, as part of the ongoing NHS Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP).

A major element of the programme is the Mobile Data Vehicle Solution (MDVS) initiative. According to Telent, more than 6,500 ambulance vehicles have been fitted with new Panasonic TOUGHBOOK touchscreen tablets and vehicle data routers to improve connectivity on the move.

Telent installed the devices to help paramedics comply with the Road Traffic Act, enabling them to use audio communications rather than interacting with screens while driving. The aim, the company says, is to streamline communication between frontline crews and control rooms.

To support rapid rollout, Telent established 56 temporary installation hubs near each Trust. It says this helped minimise vehicle downtime during the major fleet upgrade.

In ambulance control rooms, Telent is also delivering its Control Room Operator Position Support (CROPS) solution. The company says this has enhanced communications for 839 operators across 33 control rooms, improving information sharing between control rooms and ambulance crews and supporting operators in handling rising 999 demand.

To complete the upgrade, Telent has also taken over operational support for more than 20,000 hand-portable devices used by frontline staff. From September, the company says it will begin deploying over 16,500 new ESN-ready Sepura SCL3 devices across the trusts.

According to Telent, the enhanced systems will help ensure paramedics receive vital information en route to incidents – including potential risks and relevant patient history.

Telent’s delivery on this project supporting ARP to deliver a whole communication upgrade, from control rooms to in-vehicle ambulance technology to paramedic support, ensures that the Trusts are ready for the Emergency Services Network (ESN) transition.

“The NHS is facing many pressures and we are constantly trying to improve both patient care and the services provided for NHS trusts. Telent has been integral to this mission and has supported our journey to complete major ambulance upgrades across a number of key NHS trusts. This technology upgrade project will benefit both paramedic teams within the field, the control room staff and patients. The ARP initiative will better equip our trusts with the right tools to deliver the very best patient care we can offer.”

Tracy Kaczmarczyk, Head of Programmes at Ambulance Radio Programme.

Telent’s Barry Zielinski added: “We are extremely proud to be supporting all NHS trusts across England and Wales as part of the ARP Project.

“At Telent, we are playing a key role in providing the trust with a major fleet upgrade, quickly and at scale, minimising ambulance downtime and disruption for patients. The safety of paramedic teams and patients is paramount, and we will continue to support and manage the ARP initiative, supporting teams in the field and the control room.”

The industry will once again be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Tech Show, co-located with The Emergency Services Show on 17-18 September, check out the full exhibitor list here. You can find Telent in Hall 4, Stand C75.

At The Emergency Tech Show, we’ll be talking to experts about the Emergency Services Network transition as part of our ‘Discover the technology behind the Emergency Services Network‘ panel at 15:00 on 17 September.