Ambulance Services Redesigning for the Obese
Australia’s obesity crisis has forced ambulance services to introduce super-sized vehicles for overweight patients and specially designed air ambulances are also soon to be introduced.
NSW Ambulance was the first in Australia to introduce the ambulances, which cost nearly $100,000 more than a regular vehicle, in 1999.
Now two more multi-purpose vehicles have been added and the weight-carrying capacity of stretchers increased from 180kg to 220kg.
Tasmania’s ambulance service is also buying super stretchers.
About one-third of 100 stretchers will be replaced with stretchers that can carry people up to 275kg (43 stone). New protocols for moving very large people include calling in extra fire and ambulance crews for lifting.
