Phoenix Ambulance Service as was!

[Kili01]

Hi All,

Forgive me if you already know this but:
Just had an email from the above service. They have now gone into St George and Blue Cross Hospital as a seperate department. They are apparently now operating as a seperate unit, under the wing of the above hospitals. They are now based once again at Kissonerga.
John Thomson is now back as operations Manager and there are 2 paramedics on the team, but all attendants are stated to be properly qualified, the drivers are also qualified to drive ambulances which is encouraging! Also their ambulances of which there are 2 at present, soon to be increased to 4, with other support vehicles. All ambulances I was told are properly equipped with life saving equipment.

They also say that every subscriber to their service is visited by their people and their exact address used, and also detailed location maps are prepared for each house, so the driver will know how to get to your address in an emergency. Patients will be taken to hospital of their choice in Paphos, unless in a life and death situation where they may be taken to the nearest hospital.

It sounds as if it will be back to normal and think that I will be rejoining them.

Dee

[trevnhil]

I have a few months to make up my mind.. But I too think I will be re joining when the time comes.
We have used them in the past for transport by ambulance, even as far as Nicosia. We have also used them in a Blues and two's situation. We have no complaints at all..

[Reesy]

Reading your posting it appears at present you are no longer a member of the Phoenix service..but you received an email communication from them. I just wonder why I have not received the same email as I am a paid up member with 5 month to run on my membership...appears pretty inefficient to me! Should I be surprised?

[PaphosAL]

Phoenix was really aptly named, wasn't it? I wish this new venture every success, and it's good to see JT back as OpMan!

Is JT now permanently in Cyprus, or still flitting off to North Sea oil rigs now and again, I wonder? If he is, who becomes OpMan in his absence?

Cheers- AL

[trevnhil]

He has not been on the Oil rigs for a year or two

[Kili01]

Reesy,
You are right, I let my subscription lapse while all the uncertainty was going on.The lady who rang me was going through her records, I think, must have come across my name somewhere as having lapsed. I told her that I would re join.
One of my neighbours had a medical emergency recently and called an ambulance through an emergency medical centre. Tthis ambulance didn't come, so with some help from a friend, she managed to get him into her car and drove him to the hospital in question herself.
Probably better if I don't name the hospital concerned.

Dee

[PaphosAL]

Wise of you not to name, Dee, as it protects Dominic from potentially disasterous law suits... (But you can name and shame via PM safely)

Given that this is a recent event, as you say, it's shocking that the fastest way to hospital is with a taxi, or a friendly neighbour and their car.

It beggars belief that with a serious fall (down a flight of steps for example), where the patient with broken bones, head injuries, etc, should be properly moved onto a stretcher, strapped in and taken to hospital in a proper paramedic ambulance, stands a good chance of dying in the next 10 minutes, thanks to have being mishandled...

Shocking, it really is.

[Kili01]

Al, regret to say that the type of handling of an injured person in the manner which you describe is a real risk when using state operated ambulances where attendants may not be properly trained.
Phoenix or St George&Blue Cross Ambulance is the only company offering proper handling of sick or injured persons, also having ambulances equipped with life saving equipment.
Dee

[trevnhil]

My wife and I were involved in a serious RTA just over 12 months ago. The car was a write off.
My wife was trapped in the front passenger seat as this was the side that took the impact. She had obvious cuts from head to toe and was screaming in agony. Later we found she had broken her ribs and collar bone.
The state ambulance arrived and they wrenched open the passenger door.. They put a restrictive collar on her but then had to get her on a spinal board... Because of the absence of the fire brigade to cut the vehicle open, they pushed the board under her bottom. Then they lifted her legs up and over the gear stick and central console swiveling her round 90 degrees.. They then laid her down on the board and carried that to the ambulance..
It is difficult to see what else they could have done, but it was far from ideal, especially when you have seen rescue programs on UK TV..

[Kili01]

Gosh,that sounds apalling for your poor wife, Trev. Hope that she was OK in the end?
I wonder why the fire brigade didn't come out to what sounds like a very serious accident? I have seen them in attendance at some RTA's.

Its a sobering thought being treated this way in the event of being badly injured...

Dee

[trevnhil]

Fortunately she had no spinal injuries and has mainly recovered from the accident with a few scars to show..

[smudger]

What an experience Trev, so sorry to hear of it, but v glad that Hil is well and recovered. V best wishes.

[trevnhil]

What an experience Trev, so sorry to hear of it, but v glad that Hil is well and recovered. V best wishes.

Thanks for that Smudger..

I will certainly be going in to have a word with John or whoever is in the office when I visit. At the moment my understanding is that I am covered by them and able to call on that ambulance service at any time I have a need of them..