Well Hi there Numpty2012,
"Access Cabs" aren't they taxis?
Yes Eastern states do transport low acuity patients in ambulances because the patient cannot travel in a taxi. There are many reasons why and one need only open their collective eye's.
Yes, they also do charge the same for ambulance transport for the patients that cannot travel in a wheelchair taxi.
I have yet to see a w/c taxi transport a patient who has early post #Noff and possibly #Arm. These patients require a stretcher but not monitoring because they often travel with a family member and a well trained Cert 111 PTO is capable of the transport (as long as the patient is not to heavy to lift). Further if the sending hospital (Rn Dv1, Unit Manager or Dr) deems it appropiate and safe to do so then so be it. It is always what the hospital want and demands, it is not about money, safe patient transport is the name of game if you like.
Taxi's come and go in and out of all places, can be hailed off the street whereas ambulance transport is nothing likke a taxi so if you think that YOU could send all low acuity patients in a taxi, you have rocks in your head, literally. And blonde is not an excuse!
Something SA ambo's have got to understand. One is that the people who man the private ambulances are just as qualified as you if not more qualified and Second, is that the company who employs ambulance staff does so with within hiring strict guidelines.
The answer is not,
The reason the AEA is so hot on the topic of " profit focus rather than patient care driven" tehe SAAS is taxpayer owned as is SAAS staff. .
