Service Operational Policies and Service Standards

AuthorityDepartment of Health and Social Care
Date received2019-08-27
OutcomeAll information sent
Outcome date2019-09-18
Case ID938445

Summary

The request sought Isle of Man service standards for ambulance response times to 999 calls, and the Department of Health and Social Care disclosed the specific prioritization system and target arrival times for different call categories.

Key Facts

  • All 999 calls are graded using the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS).
  • Calls are prioritized using letters A through E and the Greek letter Omega, with Delta and Echo being the highest priority.
  • The Emergency Services Joint Control Room aims to dispatch an ambulance within 60 seconds of call initiation regardless of priority.
  • Delta and Echo calls require a Defib and Oxygen arrival within 8 minutes and a fully crewed ambulance within 19 minutes.
  • Alpha and Omega calls require a fully crewed ambulance arrival within 50 minutes.

Data Disclosed

  • 60 seconds
  • 8 mins
  • 19 mins
  • 50 mins
  • 2019-08-27
  • 2019-09-18
  • 938445

Original Request

Any Isle of Man Service Operational Standards or Procedures and Service Standards relating to Ambulance/Paramedics response times to 999 calls.

Data Tables (2)

Ω), with
delta and echo calls being the highest priority. Regardless of the type or priority of call , the
ESJCR aim to dispatch an ambulance to all 999 calls within 60 seconds of initiation of call.

Full Response Text

Interim Chief Executive: Angela Murray Freedom of Information Team DHSC Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas IM1 3QA

(01624) 642621 dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc

Our ref: 938445 16th September 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on the 27th August 2019 and states:

"Any Isle of Man Service Operational Standards or Procedures and Service Standards relating to Ambulance/Paramedics response times to 999 calls."

Our response to your request is as follows: Response Times to 999 Calls All 999 calls received by the Emergency Services Joint Control Room (ESJCR) are graded using the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS) – grading is achieved by the call handler asking a series of questions which determines the nature of the call and it’s priority. Currently calls are prioritised using the AMPDS prioritisation system which is signified by a letter A through to E (including the Greek letter Ω), with delta and echo calls being the highest priority. Regardless of the type or priority of call, the ESJCR aim to dispatch an ambulance to all 999 calls within 60 seconds of initiation of call. Response times according to call prioritisation are as follows; • Delta and Echo calls Response with a Defib and Oxygen arrival on scene within 8 mins of call received • Delta and Echo calls Fully crewed Ambulance arrival on scene within 19 mins of call received • Charlie and Bravo calls Fully crewed Ambulance arrival on scene within 19 mins of call received • Alpha and omega calls Fully crewed Ambulance arrival on scene within 50 mins of call received (60 seconds call handling times are added to each of these response times)

Please quote the reference number 938445 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely