Yorkshire Ambulance Service Introduces Dementia-friendly Vehicles
New dementia-friendly ambulances have been introduced by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service. How will this amplify the positive impact on patient experience?
The ambulances include a range of features to provide a more calming environment for patients, such as printed blinds showcasing a countryside landscape for a sense of comfort, as well as better contrasting on the seats, floors, and steps to improve visibility.
New additions will help to create a less clinical environment for patients
The ambulances are for both the 999 and non-emergency patient transport services, and the move takes the number of dementia-friendly ambulances for the 999 service up to 13, with a further 21 in the commissioning process.
It has been said by Yorkshire Ambulance Service that an additional 91 vehicles will be delivered by March 2024 and 60 patient transport service vehicles are in development.
Lesley Butterworth, Head of Nursing and Patient Experience at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, explained that the new vehicles will provide a better service for the patients: “Following some challenges along the way, we are pleased to have taken delivery of some of our new dementia-friendly vehicles.
“The printed blinds make the passenger area seem less clinical, and they give a point of focus and conversation for someone who is living with dementia and may be distressed in this environment.”
Continuing, Lesley added: “The new contrasting on the seats, floor and steps of the vehicles also makes the edges more easily identifiable for patients.”
These simple additions to our vehicles will have a positive impact on patient experience.
The vehicles have been part of an Australian research project
Yorkshire Ambulance Service had the opportunity to demonstrate its new vehicles as part of a research project taking place in Australia, to show how the needs of patients with dementia can be met.
In November 2023, it hosted a visit from Lindsay Bent, Intensive Care Paramedic with Ambulance Victoria in Australia, who received a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to research dementia-friendly ambulances.
As part of his research, he has visited a number of NHS ambulance services in the UK to understand the work that has been done in the sector to improve the experiences of people living with dementia.
Ensuring that the patient is put at the heart of the healthcare sector is crucial, and implementing services and infrastructure like dementia-friendly ambulances will make a huge difference to people’s lives and amplify the patient experience.
