Ambulance services a growing need

A new bariatric ambulance, designed to transport heavier patients is now on the streets of Albany.

The St John Ambulance’s Albany sub centre was one of the first bases to receive the new ambulance designed to transport larger and heavier patients.

St John Country Ambulance general manager, Julian Smith, said the ambulance has been designed to make better use of the interior space which now accommodates a specialised stretcher.

“These electric stretchers allow paramedics to transport and treat large patients with greater ease and with a reduced chance of sustaining a lifting injury,” he said.

“The ambulance is able to carry up to 318kg in weight and will provide a safer, more dignified form of transportation.”

“The number of bariatric-related cases has been growing in recent years with an increasing number of obese members of the community requiring transportation due to the higher risk of experiencing health-related issues.”

In the last 12 months, St John attended 980 bariatric cases — a 37 per cent increase on the previous year and 57 per cent rise on the same period in 2016.