Telent in a collaboration with Terrafix has completed the installation of next-gen Mobile Data equipment for the first test ambulances in the North East Ambulance Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service as part of a nationwide project to replace existing mobile communication systems with new digital services for every ambulance and rapid response vehicle in England.
Announced in April, the major contract – managed by the Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP) on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) – will upgrade mobile communications devices for all 11 NHS Ambulance Trusts across England. This involves the installation and maintenance of advanced radio and data equipment in more than an estimated 6,500 ambulances.
The North East Ambulance Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service are two pilot trusts to benefit from the major communications upgrades. Supported by emergency service vehicle expertise from Telent, the upgrade will improve communications for frontline ambulance workers during emergencies.
Senior representatives from the 11 Ambulance Trusts in England plus Wales were brought up to speed on the progress of the project at an ARP-hosted forum, held at the Ardencote Hotel in Warwick on November 16 and 17. Supported by Telent, the forum discussed the procurement and logistics of the roll-out and demonstrated the ARP Mobile Data & Vehicle Solution (MDVS).
The MDVS was showcased at the forum, with Telent supplying its own ambulance fully equipped with the solution for demonstration and test purposes. The Trusts’ senior representatives also took part in Q and A sessions as part of the event.
The Ambulance Radio Programme would like to thank all attendees taking the time out to attend the MDVS User Forum, your participation helped to make this event a great success.
Telent Operations and Services Director Barry Zielinski said: “We are thrilled that the programme is now underway, and the first installations mark the start of a rigorous process for Telent and its partners in upgrading radio communications for every ambulance in England. Telent is honoured to be playing its part in installing these crucial, potentially life-saving upgrades that will lead to faster critical communications, and a seamless transition to the Emergency Services Network.”
Maintained by Telent, the ARP MDVS Programme provides resilient mobile data communications suitable for ambulances, rapid response and other critical emergency vehicles. Replacing the existing hardware solution with improved future proofed solutions, the MDVS installation is a ‘smart’ mobile vehicle router that is capable of connecting to multiple mobile communications bearers for resilience, including the Emergency Services Network (ESN).
Ambulance Radio Programme Head of Programmes Duncan Bray said: “This represents significant progress in a highly complex programme. The successful early installation of a new Mobile Data Solution will give the first two Trusts an ideal opportunity to be ‘hands on’ before the commencement of a live operational pilot in early 2022. Mobile data is an absolutely critical element in dispatching an ambulance to respond to patient care, and this programme will implement new hardware, software and vehicle integration on a national scale for more than 6,500 front line ambulances.”
The Terrafix solution also comes fully equipped with a ruggedised touch screen platform, running the National Mobilisation Application software installed by Telent. The advanced upgrade provides a powerful communications tool that services a secure and reliable critical communications system for all English Ambulance Trusts and Services.
Find out more about Telent’s work with the emergency services and the nationwide ESN transition here.