O2 hailed as life-saver

The essential properties of oxygen are well-known to everybody with even a basic grasp of human biology, but now mobile operator O2 is revelling in its own life-saving effects and breathing in the oxygen of publicity in the process.

The UK mobile operator claims its Airwave technology has saved 100 lives which otherwise would have been lost to heart attacks in Hereford and Worcester.

The Hereford and Worcester ambulance service has been using Airwave technology since May 2002 and claims the ability to transmit mobile medical data such as vital signs from ambulance to hospital has saved the lives of 100 patients who otherwise may been lost due to inefficiencies in the previous system - whereby patients weren't assessed until they arrived at the hospital

Alan Goodman, who suffered a heart attack in July this year, said: "I was unconscious by the time the ambulance arrived at my home. I have no memory of the journey or being at the Accident and Emergency department but I woke up in the Coronary Care department."

Goodman's son Alan added: "My father owes his life to the ambulance service staff who were involved in his care. We are extremely lucky to have such a high quality ambulance service."

Russell Hamilton, CEO of Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service said the support and training of staff to use the new technology had been a major factor in reaching the '100 lives saved' milestone.

"Our use of this procedure puts Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service at the leading edge of pre-hospital care in the country," he added.

Airwave, designed specifically for the emergency services, also provides a vehicle location system which enables control centres to immediately ascertain the position and availability of response units the fleet of ambulances.