A state-of-the-art communications upgrade of ambulances in Wales has begun. The £23 million technology refresh will improve the way information is passed between Welsh Ambulance Service control rooms and the frontline crews delivering care to patients.
Almost 800 vehicles will undergo the installation of the high-tech Mobile Data Vehicle Solution (MDVS), which includes a new vehicle data router and tablet device. The upgrade is expected to be complete by late spring 2024.
The Trust is collaborating with several partners on the upgrade, including Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP), Terrafix, Telent, Panasonic, Centerprise and Ordnance Survey (OS).
The upgrade began by installing and testing the new equipment in a dozen ambulances in Bangor, Newtown, Merthyr Tydfil, Bargoed and Haverfordwest, which have since responded to more than 2,000 incidents. A further 780 ambulance vehicles will be fitted with the latest navigation and mobilisation technology in the coming months.
Work to replace mobile communication systems for all ambulance Trusts in England and Wales is being led by the ARP, who have been instrumental in developing the technology and bringing together all the partners involved.
Telent engineers will upgrade six ambulance vehicles per day, fitting ruggedised Panasonic Toughbook tablets and a vehicle data router capable of connecting to multiple bearers – including the Emergency Services Network – providing a resilient connection to mobile communications networks across Wales.
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