50 Sandpiper Bags are now linked by a vehicle locator system to the Emergency Services Control Centres, based in Inverness, Edinburgh and Cardonald. The equipment costing £1500 each has been donated by the Trust to BASICS doctors who have expressed a wish to be more directly involved with providing immediate care in areas where ambulance cover is often thinly spread and where accidents are known to occur.

The initiative pioneered by the Sandpiper Trust was designed to ensure that Sandpiper Bags, are used more effectively within the Emergency Care environment and it is encouraging that the Scottish Ambulance Service is now considering a proposal to assume responsibility for funding some aspects of GP pre-hospital care. From data recording VLS activity there is now clear evidence that the system is an invaluable partner for the Emergency Services and an effective first responder aid. In the 3 months up to February ‘09 Inverness control centre 83 call outs were made and a further 105 in the subsequent quarter compared to a mere 20 for non VLS BSICS call outs. Another great Sandpiper Initiative.