Health

A Dozen New State-Of-The-Art ‘SPRINT’ Ambulance Vehicles Hit The Road

The SA Government’s investment in the twelve-strong fleet of Volkswagen Tiguan Proline’s means that senior paramedics can operate individually and get to life-threatening emergencies sooner.

Image of Matt Callaway and Sprint Relief Paramedic Michael Hicks

A dozen new state-of-the-art ‘SPRINT’ ambulance vehicles are now on South Australian roads, helping shave vital minutes off response times to medical emergencies.

The SA Government’s investment in the twelve-strong fleet of Volkswagen Tiguan Proline’s means that senior paramedics can operate individually and get to life-threatening emergencies sooner.

Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade, said this latest investment complements the State Government’s strong plan to protect South Australians during the coronavirus pandemic and will serve our State well into the future.

“The upgraded fleet will further enhance our world-class health service as it treats critically ill patients and provides emergency transport to hospital,” said Minister Wade.

“SPRINT vehicles are manned by single responder paramedics who play a key role in reducing ambulance response times and in delivering life-saving patient outcomes.

“Unlike a regular ambulance, SPRINT vehicles are staffed by one paramedic. They can get to the scene quicker and can commence treatment while a regular ambulance is on its way.

“Sprint ambulances reduce response times, which in April were better than ever before, mean that we can provide exceptional patient care.”

The upgraded Single Paramedic Response INTervention (SPRINT) vehicles add to a long list of recent investments into our Ambulance Service, including major building works to stations across the state, along with a boost of 97 new paramedics to the front-line and 11 new Triple Zero (000) call takers.

South Australian Ambulance Service, Chief Executive Officer, David Place, said the use of SPRINT is a key component in SAAS’ new service delivery model.“SPRINT paramedics are at the frontline saving lives, with the team attending approximately 40 incidents a day,” said Mr Place.

“This model lets us set eyes on a patient, treat them and be off to the next call as soon as possible, while the patient’s care is continued by ambulance crews as they transport to hospital.

“Because SPRINT paramedics are solo-responders, they can help twice as many people as they would if they were only deploying two-person crews. This is about efficiency and effectiveness.

“Earlier this year, a 3-year-old tragically went into cardiac arrest. A SPRINT paramedic was on scene within 4 minutes and thanks to early intervention, the young girl survived and has since made a full recovery” confirmed Mr Place.

SAAS receives approximately 800 Triple Zero (000) calls every day, many of which do not require a full-service hospital emergency department. For some of these calls, a SPRINT response provides patients with fast and effective treatment, leaving the standard emergency ambulances and their two-person crew available for the emergencies that need them.

Volkswagen’s National Fleet Sales Manager, Regine Zschernig said it was an honour to supply those on the frontline of public health and safety.

“Volkswagen’s Passat Proline 140TSI is used by Victoria Police general duties with the Passat 206TSI 4MOTION Proline Wagon deployed by VicPol Highway Patrol and special duties,” she said.

“The Proline brand offered Australian emergency services and law enforcement agencies options they have not previously had – with other emergency services now too considering use of the Tiguan.”

For more information visit www.saambulance.com.au.

More News

To Top