West Midlands Ambulance Service
The West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS) serves as a critical lifeline for the West Midlands region of England, providing essential NHS ambulance services. As one of ten ambulance trusts within the National Health Service, WMAS is entrusted with delivering emergency medical services across a vast geographical area.
Covering counties such as Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and the metropolitan counties of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton, WMAS’s reach extends to the unitary authorities of Stoke-on-Trent and Telford & Wrekin. Additionally, the trust offers non-emergency patient transport services in Birmingham, the Black Country, Arden, Cheshire, and the Wirral.
West Midlands Ambulance Service
The Challenge
In its commitment to providing timely and efficient emergency medical response, WMAS faced challenges inherent to traditional geostationary communication systems. These limitations, including slower speeds, high latency, and fixed location constraints, threatened the agility required for effective emergency response operations across its expansive service area.
The Solution
Recognising the imperative for a transformative solution, WMAS partnered with Clarus Networks Group to overhaul its Command Unit’s communication infrastructure. Leveraging Starlink’s cutting-edge Mobility service, WMAS aimed to unlock unprecedented levels of connectivity, mobility, and reliability essential for optimising emergency response capabilities.
Key Components of the Solution:
- High-Speed Internet: Starlink Mobility’s high-speed internet connectivity enables real-time data sharing and communication, empowering WMAS to make informed decisions swiftly during emergencies.
- Unmatched Mobility: With Starlink Mobility, WMAS’s Command Unit gains seamless connectivity on the move, ensuring operational readiness regardless of location within the West Midlands region.
- Enhanced Reliability: Starlink’s low Earth orbit network ensures consistent and dependable connections, mitigating the risk of communication breakdowns during critical operations.
The Results
The adoption of Starlink’s advanced mobility solution marks a significant milestone in emergency communication technology for WMAS. By transcending the limitations of traditional geostationary systems, WMAS stands poised to provide faster, more efficient services precisely when they are most urgently required.
The partnership between WMAS, Clarus Networks Group, and Starlink Mobility exemplifies a shared commitment to innovation and excellence in emergency medical services. Through the deployment of cutting-edge technology, WMAS reinforces its dedication to safeguarding the health and well-being of the communities it serves across the West Midlands region, ensuring that critical emergency communication capabilities evolve in tandem with the ever-changing demands of modern healthcare.
✓ Remarkable speeds of 220Mbps download and 40Mbps upload, even whilst in motion
✓ Latency of just 20-99ms
✓ Reliable coverage even in rugged terrain and remote valleys
✓ Instant communication possible with emergency personnel and other stakeholders
✓ Future-proofed primary and backup internet solution