Previously, the ambulances always drove from the hospital. The previous ambulance post of UMCG Ambulance Care was in the old hospital of Isala for more than 25 years. But that place became too small. So a new location was sought and it was found on the Blankenstein industrial estate, right along the A32.
“Here we have extra space for the ambulances. They can all be stored indoors, heated and dry. We have space to check the cars and we now have our own laundry room.” Washing is done with collected rainwater. A large barrel in the washing box can collect 10,000 liters of water.
In addition, there is a reserve ambulance ready in Meppel in case one fails. A total of five ambulances can be stationed at the station, two more than at the previous location. “And the intention is that we will expand next year with another ambulance.”
This extra car is partly necessary because the demand for care is increasing, partly due to the aging population, and the closure of the emergency department in Hoogeveen in 2020 will also lead to more travel. “We have to drive further to take the patient to a hospital.”
Apart from increased demand, the work of the ambulance service has also changed. In the past, an ambulance was used for emergencies, for accidents, resuscitation or disasters, for example. At UMCG Ambulance Care they now notice that nurses are increasingly taking the place of a doctor. “If we don’t know exactly what is going on, we go there to see what the complaints are. Then we have to figure out what we are going to do: whether we leave the patient at home, take him to a hospital or call the GP to come at a later time.”
The new building is a significant improvement for the staff. A sleeping area and a much larger ‘living room’ have been created, including a small kitchen, a large dining table, some smaller tables to sit at and chairs to rest on. “They feel at home there. But they can also reflect and talk about their efforts. And just a warm place for the employees, where everyone can be proud.”