The Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW) is once again challenging the status quo in its mission to serve the Drakenstein community. Only, this time the NPO wants to roll-out its very own ambulance transport service.
The DFW deems itself a well resourced private entity that continually expands its services and infrastructure in its mission to “serve the helpless and those left-behind” by existing government services.
In addressing Western Cape government officials, the DFW’s General Commander, Daan van Leeuwen Boomkamp, defined the DFW as a Non-Profit Organisation which is also registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) registered with SARS.
He said: “We have been assisting, amending or temporarily replacing authorities with fire and medical assistance by our volunteers with budget easily reaching R1.5 million per annum on average.”
Van Leeuwen Boomkamp argued legislation and bureaucratic red tape make it impossible for the DFW to complete the required paperwork and additional expensive qualifications to legally roll-out its ambulance service.
“Especially considering the fact that the region is heavily under-resourced in terms of staff and ambulance-response vehicles. Waiting times for emergency medical transport are way over the set minimum requirements, especially for the less fortunate communities.”
To be or not to be? That is the question
The Paarl Post’s media inquiry in this regard was one hot potato the Drakenstein Municipality thought would be better answered by the Western Cape’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Its spokesperson, Deanna February, said to license an ambulance or medical response vehicle the applicant must complete the relevant forms found in the Provincial Notices and submit this to the department.
“The department will issue an invoice that amounts to R10 000 to the applicant, as set out in Provincial Notice 180 for application fees. The Western Cape Ambulance Act makes provision for services to apply for exemption of fees, stating: ‘The minister may exempt a particular ambulance service or type of ambulance service from paying any fee…’.”
February noted it appears the DFW wishes to apply for an ambulance, but the incorrect term ‘response vehicle’ is being used. “This is an important aspect as there are different requirements for an ambulance and a response vehicle.
“It must also be noted that a response vehicle cannot be licensed on its own as set out in Provincial Notice 180, 7(f), which states: ‘The ratio of ambulances to response vehicles in a service must at least be one ambulance to one response vehicle.’
“The Licensing & Inspectorate Unit first engaged with DFW after EMS referred them for licensing. This initial engagement took place on 2 December 2021 and on 3 December 2021 the relevant documents were sent to DFW. To date the Department has not received the necessary documentation for licensing from DFW.”
February added that the department had sent DFW the necessary legislation and Norms and Standards documents on 3 December 2021, and again on 15 December 2021, but DFW had not submitted the required documentation for licensing to date.
Public versus private resources
Van Leeuwen Boomkamp believes that provincial ambulance services are not only understaffed in the Drakenstein area, “but also has only three ambulances available and operational for a population of approximately 300 000 inhabitants, where there should be at least 14 and probably more emergency vehicles (ambulances). This clearly paints a picture of an extreme dysfunctionality.”
February responded by saying: “Nationally, there are currently far too few ambulances (and EMS personnel) to serve the needs of residents of […] the Western Cape. With the current pandemic underway, health budgets have come under severe strain and difficult decisions had to be, and still are, made.”
She confirmed the likelihood that the shortage of EMS staff will not be addressed in the short-to-medium term as it is dependent on the personnel budget.
With this, February confirmed the EMS resource structure entailing “Licensed Services”: Paarl has six ambulances (EMS); one ER24 ambulance; one ambulance and one pool ambulance under Tygerberg Emergency & Support Services (TYGESS).
“Approved Uncommissioned Services” entails: Two paramedics on call in Paarl; one Medlife Paramedic and two Securemed ambulances.
What is the way forward?
In his plea to officials, Van Leeuwen Boomkamp said the DFW looks forward to a solution for the current situation.
“If we are faced with a negative outcome, we will be forced to cease all our free medical assistance to our local community and focus solely on firefighting, transforming our current response vehicle into a firefighting support vehicle.”
He also highlighted that DFW volunteer members are all advanced Level 3 First Aiders and advancely qualified firemen and women trained to use Breathing Apparatus and Evacuation systems.
In response, February explained first aiders were not considered a category of ambulance personnel, and can therefore not staff an emergency medical vehicle.
“First aiders can assist any of the identified ambulance personnel, but they cannot render emergency medical services on a licensed ambulance/response vehicle,” she said.
Furthermore, the Licensing & Inspectorate Unit is able to assist and guide DFW with regard to the licensing process and the request for exemption of fees, February added.
“The legislation does, however, not make provision for fast tracking or bending legislative prescripts as the establishment of licensed services are necessary to protect and ensure that the citizens of the Western Cape receive standardised care and treatment from any ambulance service that may treat them.”
