BRITAIN --- Bigger ambulances for bigger patients (Obesity)

The Straits Times
Feb 5, 2011 (Saturday)

BRITAIN
Bigger ambulances for bigger patients

A total of 24.5 per cent of adults in Britain are classed as obese.

LONDON: Britain is having to buy new ambulances and upgrade others to cope with a growing number of fat patients as an obesity crisis grips the country, a report said on Thursday.

Every ambulance service in Britain has had to buy extra-strength wheelchairs and wider stretchers while reinforcing existing vehicles at a cost of millions of pounds, the BBC said, citing official figures.

Several fleets have also had to buy specialist ambulances costing up to £90,000 (S$184,000) each, according to the figures obtained by the broadcaster.

'The fact is, patients are getting larger and larger and ambulances need to be able to respond immediately to what could be life-threatening situations,' Ms Jo Webber, director of Britain's Ambulance Service Network, told the BBC.

One service, the South Central ambulance trust, has spent more than £1million in the last three years to upgrade nearly two thirds of its 180-strong fleet, it was reported.

The modifications allow ambulances to carry patients weighing up to 144kg.

Britain has the highest obesity level in Europe, with 24.5per cent of adults classed as obese, according to a study released in December by the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The EU average is 14per cent.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE