Ambulance UK - June 2021

COMPANY NEWS
VCS to produce
new Volkswagen
Crafter Dual Crewed
Ambulance
The UK’s market-leading
ambulance conversion
specialist, VCS, has
partnered with Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles to
produce the UK’s first Dual
Crewed Ambulance (DCA)
based on a Volkswagen
Crafter.
Akhter Computers, provider
of customised computer
solutions. The partnership
will see Akhter selling
Durabook-based solutions
primarily into blue light and
public safety organisations
across the UK.
Akhter aims to help UK
ambulance organisations innovate
by enabling them to adopt
the latest rugged devices that
can withstand the often harsh
environments they are used.
These devices can improve
patient care and drive efficiencies
• First Dual Crewed Ambulance
(DCA) to be built to Lord Carter
Review Specification based on
the Volkswagen Crafter panel
van.
• VCS has worked diligently to
ensure the vehicle operates
under 4 tonnes.
• Further details to be revealed
when the vehicle is officially
launched later this year.
Using VCS’s ultra-lightweight
Core Capture technology, the
Volkswagen Crafter promises to
have an operational weight of
less than 4.0T, without sacrificing
the strength, quality, and
durability for which both brands
are renowned. In addition, its
operational weight will leave no
need for ambulance services
to compromise on the level of
medical equipment they can
carry (calculated at 285kg plus
90kg per person under the
NHS SLA). VCS’s lightweighting
technologies and manufacturing
techniques means the 4.0T
Volkswagen Crafter DCA can
now be considered for front line
emergency duties.
Paul Croom, Sales Director at
VCS, said: “We are delighted
to be working with Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles on our new
Volkswagen Crafter Dual Crewed
Ambulance. The fact that we can
deliver this new ambulance is
testament to the adaptability of
our Core Capture technology and
the ingenuity of our engineering
and production teams and we
are very excited to be able to
offer the Crafter as an option for
the NHS and private sector.”
- even while budgets are
squeezed. For example, the U11I
is the only rugged tablet available
today with the option of adding
a second smart card reader and
RFID reader via an expansion
module.
This allows for secure user
authentication and the safe
collection and transfer of sensitive
data such as electronic patient
records. This feature has proven
essential in assisting ambulance
crews, by enabling them to
quickly access historical patient
information, which may help
treatment, and record a diagnosis
Designed, developed and
produced at VCS’s facility in
Bradford, West Yorkshire, the
first Volkswagen Crafter DCA will
be officially launched later this
year, when further details will be
released.
to be securely sent to the hospital
before arrival.
Alan Laffoley, CEO & Technical
Director at Akhter comments;
“Akhter has served the Ministry of
Defence clients since 1985 and
so understands the pressures of
AMBULANCE UK - JUNE
Durabook signs
partnership
agreement with
Akhter Computers to
extend reach into UK
Blue Light and public
safety sectors
Durabook, the global
rugged mobile solutions
manufacturer, has announced
a distribution agreement with
sourcing to the ‘best-value’ and
‘price-performance’ stipulations
of government procurement
guidelines. Durabook’s extensive
customisation capabilities
enables us to create more
compelling solutions tailored to
the varied needs of emergency
organisations and deliver them in
a timely way.”
For more information please
contact Akhter on durabook@
akhter.co.uk or visit https://www.
akhter.co.uk/durabook/.
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