Region Kronoberg is conducting a test to strengthen ambulance presence in Älmhult municipality. During the period March 2 to June 12, a day ambulance is being redistributed from Ljungby to Älmhult on weekdays during daytime. The test means that a day ambulance is placed in Älmhult from 7 AM to 4 PM when it does not have an ongoing assignment, though its work shift begins and ends in Ljungby.
Statistics show that availability in Älmhult municipality is sometimes worse than in other parts of the county. Fredrik Dahlberg, operations manager for the ambulance service, stated that they are aware availability in Älmhult is sometimes a challenge and that thanks to the strengthening of ambulance operations in Ljungby that politicians previously decided on, they can now test increasing ambulance presence in Älmhult. The ambulance will, like other resources, be used where the need is greatest based on the alarm center's priorities.
Priority 1 is used for acute, life-threatening symptoms or accidents, such as cardiac arrest or suspected heart attack, signs of stroke, or severe breathing difficulties, and the ambulance then drives to the location with blue lights and sirens to arrive as quickly as possible. After the test period, the operations will follow up on availability per municipality in the western part of the county, what proportion of the most acute alarms (priority 1) can be handled when an ambulance is in Älmhult, and how the redistribution affects the load on other ambulance resources.