New Regulations for Ambulance Services Published in Official Gazette
The regulation regarding vehicles and service delivery has undergone some changes and measures have been implemented to ensure the safety and efficiency of ambulance services. One major change is that only public institutions, private health institutions, and authorized individuals will be able to operate ambulances. This means that ambulances cannot be purchased by just anyone, unless it is for donation to public institutions.
In order to operate an ambulance, one must obtain a certificate of conformity and complete the required number of qualification certificates. Additionally, student interns cannot be employed in place of qualified medical personnel in ambulance services. Ambulance operators must ensure that consultant physicians are available at the call center during all service periods.
Specialized ambulances can be obtained by the Ministry of Health and other public institutions, and ambulances must be equipped with camera devices, mobile devices, and tracking devices that are operational at all times. Ambulances must also have a maximum downtime of 30 days per year.
Patient transport ambulances will be clearly marked with the phrase “patient transport” and cannot be used for transporting patients in need of urgent medical attention. In case of emergency, flashing lights and audible warning systems can be activated with approval from the relevant authorities.
Furthermore, ambulances cannot be used for funeral transportation except in disaster situations. Ambulance services owned by organizations must strictly adhere to regulations and cannot be used for any purposes other than health services.
To prevent misleading promotions and unfair competition, ambulance operators are prohibited from using names similar to those of public institutions and organizations. The word “ambulance” and foreign words cannot be included in the names of ambulance services.
Overall, these changes aim to improve the quality and safety of ambulance services and ensure that patients receive the necessary medical care in a timely manner. It is important for all ambulance operators to comply with the regulations to provide efficient emergency health services.
