Lleida’s emergency medical service, SEM, has started a new health transport contract that raises its operational ambulance fleet from 57 to 80 vehicles. The service says all ambulances have been replaced with new models, and 23 extra units have been added, a 40% increase on the previous contract.
Eight of the ambulances are staffed by a doctor or nurse and can carry out on-site ultrasounds and blood tests. SEM says this should allow earlier diagnosis in time-sensitive cases. The contract also adds about 50 professionals, including six nurses, and increases urgent transport service hours by 17,060 a year.
José Ramón Ropero, SEM’s territorial head, said the changes are meant to improve care “whether at home or at the scene of an accident”. Montse Navarra, SEM’s territorial sub-head, said all emergency staff now carry individual carbon monoxide detectors and radios with a panic button, to improve safety and communication.
The number of white non-urgent transport ambulances has risen from 31 to 47. These vehicles are now operated by emergency technicians who also carry a first-response kit. SEM has also added two multi-purpose ambulances in Lleida and Tàrrega, with robotic stretchers that can move patients weighing up to 230 kg.
Two health logistics support vans have been added in the Lleida plain area to transport doctors, psychologists and equipment for major incidents, multiple casualties or long services. An all-electric shuttle ambulance has also been introduced for short transfers between Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria hospitals.
SEM has moved one advanced ambulance from Lleida city to Alcarràs and added a 24-hour ambulance in Mollerussa. Ropero said the changes are aimed at areas with longer response times, including Pla d’Urgell, parts of Urgell and Baix Segrià, and they come as the fruit harvest campaign begins. SEM says its new dynamic resource management system is designed to improve double coverage and provide a more even response across the territory.
