London anbulance service Unofficial

The LAS employs 3300 staff. More than 2056 are front line Accident and emergency staff, which is divided into EMT and Paramedics.
There are 70 ambulance stations covering 620 square miles. Each call received is attended by the nearest available vehicle. Other resources include motorcycle paramedics, paramedic response cars and HEMS ( Helicopter emergency medical service).Which is available during daylight hours.
The service is one of the biggest in the world. The command and control center being the biggest in Europe. Nearly seven million people live in London and surrounding boroughs of London. One million people commute to London every day. The LAS serves a broad multicultural society, who between them speak 275 languages. It also serves the worlds busiest airport, Heathrow.

A 999 (911) call is received on average every 12 seconds to the LAS Control room. In any one 24 hour period up to 3,000 calls are Received by crews. Rising to 4,000 plus on New years eve/day. In the year 98/99 crews responded to 684,988 emergency calls a rise of more than 5% on the previous year

The service which like other accident and emergency services in the UK is free to all and ultimately anyone can demand an ambulance Performance is measured by the time it takes to reach a call. These times are set by the government as government standards which are 8mins for the more life threatening cases ( Cat.A) and 14mins for other emergency calls. 95% of all calls should be reached within 14mins,and 50% within 8mins

There is also a museum situated at Ilford station and training school which is worth a look. Contains vehicles from the 19th century up to the present day. Artifacts and information history on the LAS and other Emergency services.

Training have had E-mails asking about training and Employment criteria within the LAS. I have written a brief summary below. Any other questions or inquiries You are welcome to E-mail me and I will be glad to help.

All cost of training is paid for by the Ambulance service you are employed with. Alternatively you may apply and attend University and complete course in Paramedic Sciences. This is to degree level with Qualification as a paramedic included. This must be paid for by yourself. Degree courses are offered to Paramedic employed within the LAS the cost of courses is paid for by the service if successful on qualification.

Technician Training
To apply for technician training you must be at least 21 and have 2 years driving experience with a clean driving license. At least two O levels in maths and English, or the equivalent is required. You do not have to have a medical background to apply. You must also live in or close to the surrounding area of London. Once accepted through application stage you are required to attend assessments in English written, driving and lifting. On completion you must then attend an interview. If successful you are then offered a Training course which consists of approximately six months at training school followed by a year as a trainee technician. On completion with final exam you are graded as a QAT (qualified ambulance technician).

You may apply for Paramedic training only after successful completion of qualification as an Ambulance Technician.

You have to be sponsored by your station officer to be accepted for Paramedic training. If accepted you must take a written exam plus practical assessments before a course is offered to you. A training course will be offered to you up to one year after initial assessment You are given reading and home studying material before main course is attended.

The course is residential for around six weeks with exams and assessments, followed by four weeks hospital secondment. You must pass all stages. If successful you are graded as a Paramedic. You must also attend yearly assessments and three yearly exams for paramedic recertifacation.

To conclude the whole process of training could take a MINIMUM of two and a half years from trainee tech to qualified Paramedic.

Please note: Training criteria will differ according to which ambulance service you are employed with. The LAS training is of a high quality, and is more often much longer in duration than other Ambulance services.

If your Qualification is equal to, or more advanced than those of the UK then your status may be transferred. The decision is solely down to the individual service you apply to. You may be asked to take assessments.

After summer 2001, all paramedics must be registered nationally with only approved national qualifications accepted, or the equivalent. If you are a resident outside the UK ,you must then apply for registration through this body. If accepted Paramedic registration will be granted and you will be able to work and practice as a paramedic anywhere in the UK.

London Ambulance Service, NHS Trust.

Headquarters.
220 waterloo rd

Waterloo,

London.

Recruitment Centre Phone.

0207 887 6638

or email

anna.creaven@lond-amb.sthames.nhs.uk

vicki.gardner@lond-amb.sthames.nhs.uk

jay.noor@lond-amb.sthames.nhs.uk