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ISIDA Logo AMBULANCE PERSONNEL
There are two possible scenarios
regarding the Ambulance Service:


Situation (i) -
An emergency call from the Family Doctor

  1. When a call is received that a child is seriously ill or possibly lifeless and urgently in need of an ambulance, ascertain from the Family Doctor:
    1. The telephone number of the family;
    2. The name and address of where the child is located;
    3. The nature of the illness (i.e. Sudden Infant Death);
    4. The child's name;
    5. the hospital that will receive the child.
  2. Advise the personnel who will respond to the call of this information, particularly the nature of the case and the need for a sensitive and caring approach. Ensure that they know the child's name.
  3. On arrival, the ambulance crew should ascertain the full facts from the family doctor before conveying the child to hospital.
  4. Always refer to the child by his/her name.
  5. Offer the parents, or family members or in their absence, other adults present the opportunity to travel with the child to the hospital, and if possible allow them to hold the child during the journey.
  6. Tell the parents, family members or other adults present which hospital the child is being taken to.
  7. Advise the hospital (Emergency Department) of the intended arrival and the nature of the problem.
  8. Under no circumstances should the infant be taken to the mortuary.
  9. On arrival at the hospital the ambulance crew will make a verbal report to the hospital staff and submit any standard report forms.
 Situation (ii) -
An emergency call from the Family
  1. When a call is received that a child is seriously ill or possibly lifeless and urgently in need of an ambulance, ascertain :
    1. The telephone number of the family;
    2. The name and address of where the child is located;
    3. The nature of the illness (i.e. Sudden Infant Death);
    4. The child's name;
  2. Suggest to the family that they should also call the family doctor but tell them that you will immediately dispatch an ambulance.
  3. Advise the personnel who will respond to the call of this information, particularly the nature of the case and the need for a sensitive and caring approach. Ensure that they know the child's name.
  4. On arrival, the ambulance crew should assess the situation, administer emergency life support as appropriate and convey the child to hospital. Always refer to the child by his/her name.
  5. The ambulance staff should explain the emergency procedures to the parents, family members or adults present.
  6. It is important to remember that, while the ambulance crew may suspect that this is a case of Sudden Infant Death, based on their training and experience, they cannot presume such to be the case. Sudden Infant Death can only be determined following a thorough medical examination and post mortem.
  7. Offer the parents, or family members or in their absence, other adults present the opportunity to travel with the child to the hospital, and if possible allow them to hold the child during the journey.
  8. Tell the parents, family members or other adults present which hospital the child is being taken to.
  9. Advise the hospital (Emergency Department) of the intended arrival and the nature of the problem.
  10. Under no circumstances should the infant be taken to the mortuary.
  11. On arrival at the hospital the ambulance crew will make a verbal report to the hospital staff and submit any standard report forms.


Remember that the sudden death of an infant or young child normally affects all who com into contact with it. If you feel that you would like to talk to someone, ISIDA provides a confidential Nationwide Helpline 1800 391 391 where you can contact someone who understands and is willing to listen - you do not have to be a parent or relative.

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