Provision of Pre-Hospital Care

Abstract

The provision of pre-hospital care in this country primarily rests with the ambulance service. This, however, does not apply to all countries. In the US most pre-hospital care is provided by the fire department, though some states use the police, voluntary groups, and in a few, a recognized third emergency service that can be compared to the acute activities of British ambulance services. Many countries on the continent use medical and nursing teams as the first line response; in France the system of medical and nursing teams that respond to the scene of accidents or sudden illness is called Societe d’Assistance Medicale Urgence (SAMU). This system is based on districts. Each district is given a SAMU number and the complete system is based at the district hospital.