The arrival time of ambulances exceeds applicable standards. Masovia bought additional wagons

The arrival time of an ambulance is one of the key factors determining whether a life is saved. In accordance with applicable standards in cities with over 10,000 inhabitants. residents, the median arrival time should not be longer than eight minutes. According to data from the Central Statistical Office, in 2024 in the Masovian Voivodeship it was 12 minutes and 20 seconds. In response to the increasing load on the system, the region is constantly strengthening rescue services. There will be 10 new ambulances and seven additional teams on the streets of Warsaw and surrounding counties.

– Ten new ambulances for the emergency service in Warsaw are the highest quality ambulances equipped with modern life-saving equipment. They will serve as waiting points in Warsaw and surrounding counties, in the counties of the metropolitan area – emphasizes Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Masovian Voivodeship, in an interview with the Newseria agency.

PLN 9 million for ambulances and additional teams

The Provincial Ambulance and Sanitary Transport Station “Meditrans” SPZOZ in Warsaw purchased modern ambulances that meet the standards of the State Emergency Medical Services system. The investment worth PLN 9 million was financed from the institution's own funds. The ambulances will go to patients in at least four districts of the capital, as well as to several towns outside – Tarczyn, Tłuszcz, Raszyn, Radzymin and Otwock.

Each vehicle is equipped with, among others: with defibrillators with the possibility of ECG teletransmission, transport ventilators, infusion pumps and cardiomonitors, which allows advanced rescue operations to be carried out before reaching the hospital.

– This is equipment that makes work easier. These include hydraulically assisted stretchers that can be used even for the heaviest patients with relatively little work and energy. In this way, we significantly reduce the trauma that occurred with this type of services. These are also state-of-the-art defibrillators that enable a 24-hour online consultation with cardiologists employed at our station, and with their support, a decision on further action is made – says Dr. Karol Bielski, director of the Provincial Emergency Service and Sanitary Transport Station “Meditrans”.

The investment was necessary because – as reported in the announcement – last year ambulances traveled 3.6 million km. Equipment used in emergency medical services is gradually replaced to ensure high operational readiness of teams in the region.

– We already have very modern equipment – as a result of huge purchases related to COVID-19, we bought 95 modern ambulances throughout Masovia, an additional 25 from our own budget. Each improvement in the quality of equipment increases operational capabilities and gives a chance to save human life and health – says Adam Struzik. – After exceeding the appropriate mileage, the ambulances are withdrawn. In their place, new ones are purchased either from the voivodeship budget or from the budget of these units.

Seven additional teams

From January 1, 2026, patients in the Masovian Voivodeship will also have seven additional Medical Rescue Teams available to them, stationed in Marymont, Mokotów, Praga Północ, Ochota, Targówek, Ząbki and Wawer.

– With seven additional teams, we will have nearly 100 ambulances operating in the emergency medical system, so this is a very large increase. Our staff is among the busiest in the country. Less than 6 percent of all emergency medical teams in the country, these are teams in our unit, but almost 9 percent all trips to patients are trips in our unit – explains Dr. Karol Bielski.

Data from the Central Statistical Office show that in 2024, medical rescue teams in Poland completed over 3.1 million trips, and medical assistance was provided to 84 people per 1,000 people. inhabitants. The Statistical Office in Warsaw indicates that the number of people to whom medical rescue teams in the region provided health services at the place of the incident was 452.8 thousand. In 2024, each field medical rescue team accounted for an average of 25.6 thousand. inhabitants of Mazovia. The voivodeship was among the regions with the longest median time for emergency medical teams to reach patients in cities with over 10,000 inhabitants. inhabitants.

– Cooperation with emergency medical services is crucial for us, and having very good equipment in the form of ambulances, equipment and, of course, the work of paramedics are extremely important to us – emphasizes Wiesława Rybicka-Bogusz, deputy director of the Department of State Emergency Medical Services of the Masovian Voivodeship Office in Warsaw.

After launching new teams and strengthening the ambulance fleet, the efficient organization of the State Emergency Medical Services system is also of key importance, especially in periods of increased number of interventions. In winter, paramedics are more often dispatched not only to emergencies, but also to incidents related to difficult weather conditions.

– The most common reasons for calls are sudden fainting, malnutrition, and lack of proper hydration. This is very important not only in summer but also in winter. But also taking into account icing, large layers of snow, traffic accidents, slips and dislocations, there are a lot of these trips now – says Wiesława Rybicka-Bogusz.

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