Well maybe not quite, yet Stanford Coachworks secured a fantastic opportunity in autumn last year to be part of a 6 part documentary reporting on the issues faced by a bariatric hospital department.
In October a Fiat Ducato L3 H2, 3 litre 160 dci turbo, commissioned by the Bariatric Department of Thames Valley hospital, was delivered.
Bariatric is a branch of medicine concerned with obese patients and this particular vehicle was the subject of several weeks filming for the programme. The series will commence on Wednesday 22nd February on Channel 5 at 8pm.
The bariatric ambulance conversion is the Tenth to be produced by Essex based Stanford Coachworks and one of over 50 ambulances converted and supplied to Thames Ambulance.
The ambulance has been manufactured to mobilise individuals weighing up to 50 stone. The interior is fully wipe clean for hygiene purposes with an 18mm WPB ply floor with non-slip blue lino, roller blinds and LED lighting throughout.
Two single 425mm Pheonix tip and fold seats with age belts and one Pheonix tip up seat are fitted inside the vehicle, all with isle side support armrests. Two full lengths of centre floor tracking allow for secure wheelchair provision. A reinforced vehicle tail-lift and heavy duty wheelchairs ease the strain on ambulance and hospital support workers and improve the comfort for the patient.
Emergency and safety equipment include piped oxygen store and outlet, Ferno Harrier XL stretcher with extendible sides, two fire extinguishers, one PSV first aid kit, a 1 ton winch, storage for scoop board, carry chair and spinal board, 12 volt incubator sockets, multiple grab handles and storage compartments.
So remember to tune in and see how the boys perform. There’s certainly some trepidation here, hoping of course to create the right impression!
Let us know what you think, they’re all sitting here with bitten nails and stampeding right feet!
