Improved emissions and road safety with Lightfoot

E-zec is delighted to have invested in a pioneering telematics system that will help us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and allow us to continuously improve the way that we operate our vehicles. 

Lightfoot has been installed in each and every one of our 500 ambulances across the UK, which measures live data from the engine, allowing us to clearly identify areas where we can improve fuel efficiency and drive even more safely.

The system aims to achieve a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to introducing 52 new EV vehicles into the business. It also aims to reduce road risk by increasing awareness of driving performance and behaviours, which has already seen a reduction of Road Traffic Accidents by a huge 20%. 

Ryan, one of our Ambulance Care Assistants, said: “I can definitely see an improvement in the way that I drive through the Lightfoot system. I’m not idling as much, I’m pulling away from junctions and switching gears more smoothly, and it provides me with a daily score for how economically I’ve driven. It’s become a bit of a friendly competition internally too!” 

To find out more and to hear what our ambulance crews have to say, watch the video here.

Falls Service pilot scheme launches in Shrewsbury

Specialist crews caring for patients who have fallen

This week sees the launch of our exciting new pilot service aimed at helping to reduce demand on frontline ambulance services, to ensure patients are seen in an even more timely manner.

Our new 24-hour ‘falls’ service has been launched from our Shropshire contract, where our trained staff can quickly attend and assist patients who’ve suffered a minor fall. Supported by the local ICB, this service is intended to drastically lower the time that service users are left lying on the floor and needing attention, while in turn helping to reduce the strain for frontline medical staff and enable them to prioritise life-threatening and high-priority category 1 calls.

Mark Rawlings, Midlands Regional Manager at E-zec, said: “We’re all aware of the current pressures that frontline paramedics are facing across the UK, and of the fact that many people who have fallen can be left for hours before being seen.

“Having to prioritise care is extremely challenging. While many people who fall don’t necessarily need to go to hospital or need medical care straight away, longer waiting times often mean that by the time they are seen, their care needs have escalated to a point of needing to be treated in a hospital or by paramedics. This pilot service aims to address this, reduce pressures, and ensure that those who need care are seen quickly.”

E-zec’s Shrewsbury hub is helping to bridge this gap, with 16 Ambulance Care Assistants (ACAs) qualified in the Falls Response, as well as being fully trained on standard lifting procedures and care.

Mark added, “We’ve invested in specialist training and lifting equipment to quickly step-in and support vulnerable service users who have suffered a fall, which will in turn help to prevent avoidable hospital admissions. Our two-person crew will attend falls, undertake a thorough risk assessment of the situation using the well-recognised ISTUMBLE assessment tool, and determine whether the patient can be supported back to their usual position, or whether they do in fact need medical attention from the frontline NHS. In the case of the latter, we can make them as comfortable as possible while waiting for NHS staff or help to transport them to the nearest hospital.”

Our specialist 4×4 vehicles also have all the necessary lifting equipment including a Mangar Elk Lifting aid – training for which was delivered by Wincare.

Wayne Spedding, Relationship Director at E-zec, commented: “We’re delighted to have launched this pioneering trial in our Shropshire bases. We truly believe that this will provide a long-term solution to the communities we serve – both those who have fallen and who may not be prioritised until their condition has escalated, as well as frontline NHS workers who are feeling the strain of such high demand.

“The service – if rolled out nationally – would significantly help to reduce many avoidable hospital admissions, and ensure those who are most in need of urgent frontline care are prioritised and cared for quickly.”

E-zec Shrewsbury has collaborated and integrated with the local Rapid Response Team via Shropdoc to introduce this trail service.

Ambulances equipped with all the latest equipment to assist with falls

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we’re shining a light on the benefits that apprentices are bringing to E-zec.

We’ve partnered with Basegreen Academy, an approved apprenticeship training provider in pre-hospital care, to provide colleagues with an opportunity to learn and train while also receiving on-the-job experience. 

Jack Alexander, Contract and Compliance Manager at E-zec, is currently overseeing three apprentices at E-zec’s Hereford operations. He said: “Our apprentices started in January 2023 – despite being only a few weeks in, we anticipate that this will bring huge value to the business, including in-house progression routes and staff retention.

“Successful completion of the 12-month apprenticeship will see individuals achieve a QA Level 3 Diploma in Ambulance Emergency and Urgent Care Support (RQF). The course consists of online working, practical learning, and fortnightly two-hour review meetings.”

The 6th to 12th February 2023 is National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), which focuses on how national collaborations between businesses and apprentices positively impact individuals, companies, communities and the wider economy.

Simon Pill, Head of Learning and Development at E-zec, added: “This year’s theme of NAW is Skills for Life, and that’s exactly what we’re endeavouring to provide. We recognise that the future of E-zec, and the industry, is the next generation, and so we want to support individuals however possible to provide a truly overarching insight into the industry, and a clear and supportive career path. E-zec currently has 71 live learners on the apprenticeship programme, the vast majority of these being ACAs.”

Pictured below: Sarah Young and Marvin Benjamin – both apprentices at E-zec’s Hereford Operations.

E-zec merges with ERS Medical

E-zec has merged with ERS Transition Ltd (t/a ERS Medical), creating the UK’s largest provider of specialist transport services to the NHS and local authorities. Together, we will be best placed to partner with more than 50 commissioning bodies with the support of over 2,500 colleagues across 55 operational sites nationwide.

ERS Medical provides patient transport, medical courier and GP out of hours services to over 40 NHS and healthcare customers across the UK. In 2022, it completed approximately 700,000 patient journeys and transported over 10 million pathology samples. E-zec provides patient transport, mental health and specialist transport services to local authorities and in 2022, delivered over 720,000 patient journeys. 

This partnership is strategically important to both companies and given the breadth of service expertise, is highly complementary. It delivers considerable geographical expansion, with near national coverage, and creates the unequivocal industry leader. This offers a unique opportunity to drive innovation and future growth. By combining operational best practice, expertise and high standards, the enlarged business will deliver further opportunities for employees, customers and most importantly, better support for those in its communities who need it the most.

Andrew Pooley, ERS Medical’s owner and Chief Executive leaves the business to pursue other interests. Jeroen van Os, remains with the business and is appointed as Group Chief Commercial Officer, working with Craig Smith, Group Chief Executive Officer and the wider executive team to support the two businesses and realise the growth potential that this partnership offers.

Jeroen van Os said, “The team at ERS Medical set out to be the leading healthcare transport provider in the UK and have achieved significant growth over the last 5 years. To help unlock our future potential, we have taken the decision to partner with E-zec. Both businesses are specialists in non-emergency transport services and share a commitment to deliver high quality, people-oriented services. This naturally creates the foundations for a strong partnership, enabling the delivery of best-in-class services to our customers, patients and provides further opportunities for all colleagues. I look forward joining the executive team and delivering our next phase of growth.”

Craig Smith, E-zec’s Chief Executive Officer added, “We are delighted to welcome ERS to our family. The health and social care sectors are undergoing rapid change and our partnership will truly help us to better support those in our communities who need us the most.  We have much in common with a shared ethos and culture of care.  This is an obvious partnership that strengthens our offering to our employees, customers and patients, while also giving us a platform for further growth.  We have much to learn from each other and are excited about the next phase of our growth.”

Media queries: comms@e-zec.co.uk