FIVE new high dependency ambulances, fitted out with hi-tech equipment, have been unveiled by ambulance trust chiefs.
The £30,000 vehicles will help ease pressure on front-line paramedics and cope with a range of patients from mini-stroke victims to asthmatics.
Included in the all-purpose ambulances is a computer tracking device which can find a street anywhere in Britain if needed.
The ambulances also contain defibrillators, aspirators, a stretcher, plus back-up stretcher and other medical devices.
Members of Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust had a mini-tour of one of the vehicles at their Bransford headquarters yesterday.
The ambulances will be based at Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, and Worcester, and will operate from 8am to 9.30pm.
"We'll be monitoring it very closely to assess its benefits," said Nigel Lawrence, patient transport services manager.
"The first signs are that it's very helpful. They will be taking work off paramedic units and putting them back into the system for patients that really do need an emergency response in emergency situation."
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