Elgin Taylor, Gleaner Writer
A BRANCH of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is now located in Linstead, St. Catherine , Jamaica. The centre which has been in operation for over a month, is housed in the fire station there.
According to D. Cousins, district officer of the Linstead branch of EMS, the range of services offered by the facility includes attending to victims of motor vehicle accidents, emergency deliveries (child birth), persons in diabetic comas, strokes, gunshot wounds, stabbings and other forms of trauma.
AMBULANCE ALSO AVAILABLE
Mr. Cousins added that the service is geared to improve the delivery of health care to residents of Linstead and its environs.
The staff of 12 emergency medical technicians operate four shifts per day, with three persons on each shift. An ambulance is also available.
EMS is a joint venture between the Ministry of Health and the Jamaica Fire Brigade. Both groups collaborate in certain emergencies.
The service, which is in its 10th year of operation, has four other branches across the island.
They are located in Ironshore, St. James; Lucea, Hanover; and Negril and Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.
Another branch is slated to be opened in Waterford, Portmore, St. Catherine, by year-end. The services can be accessed by calling the emergency numbers for the fire services.
