As winter looms with its inevitable increased pressure on the NHS, we are launching a new initiative to help ambulance crews deal with call-outs, faster and more safely.
Traditionally, especially with bariatric or severely impaired patients, two crews are required at the call to safely transfer the patient from home to ambulance to hospital. AAT’s innovative C-Max ambulance stairclimber means just one crew member (depending on operating protocols) can execute the transfer, safely without effort and with no need to move the patient from the stairclimber to other means of conveyance.
Thus it releases available crews for other calls, and therefore delay. It also reduces loading and strain on staff, significantly cutting work-related injuries and sickness and consequent costs.
Further, as part of the initiative, AAT will train a nominated team leader, who can then teach all other crew members and new recruits in the Trust in the equipment’s safe operation.
“The business case for using a stairclimber in ambulances is irrefutable. Numerous Services have already adopted the C-Max and are seeing proven, tangible improvements in both customer satisfaction, improved passenger safety during transfer, and staff health & wellbeing. Indeed, users have themselves described our equipment as an ‘uplifting solution to a weighty problem’.”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
“The new stairclimbers will not only help our team to support people with limited mobility, but more importantly will allow us to be to offer a higher level of service for people across Torbay and South Devon which means the world to me. This type of equipment helps our organisation continue to provide quality care to the people of Torbay and South Devon.”
Louis Nicholls, Patient Transport Officer at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, whose League of Friends purchased 2no C-Max stairclimbersnfor the Trust’s Patient Transport Services
The battery operated C-Max unit is capable of safely and smoothly moving a patient up to 230kg (36st). It can ascend and descent steps and stairs, including narrow and/or turned flights, and continue the journey with no need to further transfer the patient into the ambulance and then into hospital. The in-vehicle CEN-approved rear impact securing system enables the patient to remain in the stairclimber during the journey, minimising transfers.
Accessories including holding devices for oxygen tanks and a Universal Back to ensure every patient can be supported and secured during the transfer process are available. When not in use, the C-Max U2 folds to stow compactly away, optimising space.
To demonstrate how the AAT C-Max works, and help potential customers understand the business case, we've produced a short video available on YouTube (https://youtu.be/Wt8MBNzbEZA ).
Full details of the equipment supply and training initiative are also available here: https://www.aatgb.com/c-max-u2 .
Torbay Hospital League of Friends has bought two of our C-Max stairclimbers for Torbay & South Devon NHS Trust’s Patient Transport Services.
These will result in an easier, less stressful and more comfortable journey for people who need help getting to and from hospital and healthcare sites for appointments and treatment.
“The new stairclimbers will not only help our team to support people with limited mobility, but more importantly will allow us to be to offer a higher level of service for people across Torbay and South Devon which means the world to me.
“This type of equipment helps our organisation continue to provide quality care to the people of Torbay and South Devon.”
Louis Nicholls, Patient Transport Officer at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
“We can all imagine how difficult it would be to transport a sick or injured person to and from hospital when flights of stairs are involved. We were delighted to be able to help Patient Transport Services to acquire two fantastic bariatric stairclimbers which we know will make the patients journey less stressful and, at the same time, make the job of everyone in patient transport a little bit easier.”
Roy Tuttle, Chairman of the Torbay Hospital League of Friends
The C-Max stairclimbers can each support a person weighing up to 230kg/ 36st, increasing the Services’ current weight lifting capability by more than 30%. The Trust has seen a growing increase in its obesity-related inpatient admissions, with almost 70% of the local population overweight or obese.
Our C-Max is widely used already among UK ambulance crews, being a compact solution that enables even the slightest crew member to safely and smoothly transport patients- single-handedly if protocols allow, and with minimal transfers.
The battery operated unit is kinetically powered to propel the patient smoothly up and down steps and stairs, including narrow and/or turned flights, and into the ambulance.
The in-vehicle CEN-approved rear impact securing system enables the patient to remain in the stairclimber during the journey, minimising transfers.
Thus loading and strain on staff is significantly reduced, cutting work-related injuries and sickness and consequent costs. The equipment also means patients are transported more safely, and with dignity.
We are Britain’s leading provider of stairclimbers, with units already widely used across the country in diverse health and social care environments.
Our range includes climbers for commercial and domestic use, that incorporate integral seats or that can be attached to a wheelchair. We provide complete support for healthcare professionals, including demonstrations, training, seminars, and regular service & maintenance of the kit.
Full details are available on the website: https://www.aatgb.com/mobility-stairclimbers/.
