Custom Consoles has completed a large contract to furnish an emergency control centre for North East Ambulance Service. Based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, the facility handles approximately 1,600 calls per day and assigns responses to emergency ambulance and patient transport services. Each vehicle under the service’s control has a satellite-tracking system enabling staff to determine which can reach the required destination in the shortest time.

“The installation comprises 98 control desks including 25 height-adjustable units,” explains Gary Fuller, Sales Manager at Custom Consoles. “In quantity terms, that makes this one of our largest projects to date. We worked to a concept brief from ergonomic-design consultants Ham Associates. Each desk incorporates robust extruded-aluminium vertical supports and consists of ventilated left and right computer housings with hinged doors; these will house computers. A centre section with dual lift-off doors accommodates power and data cables. The desks are finished in beech melamine with hard-wearing green Marmoleum work surfaces and are co-located to form curved working areas.”

Speed of delivery was an issue as it so often is with major contracts. Custom Consoles was able to complete the installation within six weeks of the order being placed, including 175 adjustable Ergotron monitor arms to hold 19 inch computer screens. All horizontal and vertical panel corners are curved both for safety and to enhance the overall appearance.”

Rapid response units are deployed strategically throughout the NEAS trust’s area, and respond on average to 1,300 cases per month. They work together with staff in conventional ambulances. Some can carry minor injury patients to hospital, freeing conventional ambulances for other work. The service contributes to the achievement of government targets stipulating that 75% of all category A cases be served within 8 minutes.

Founded in 1996, Custom Consoles Ltd  is an independent company manufacturing a broad range of control-room furniture. This includes motorised, manually-adjustable and fixed-height units plus fan-cooled sound-insulated equipment housings. Active worldwide, Custom Consoles has built its name in the design and manufacture of bespoke furniture to a client base that includes major corporations in Britain, mainland Europe and the Far East.

Media contacts:

Gary Fuller, Custom Consoles: +44 (0)1525 379 909

David Kirk, Stylus Media Consultants: +44 (0)1342 311 983