Cartwright cares

The company putting the customer at the heart of its innovative ambulance conversions

It’s been just two years since Steve Shaw took over as Commercial and Operations Director at the renowned British vehicles manufacturer Cartwright Conversions. It’s hard to believe that so much has already been achieved in such a short time. Below we take a look at some innovative new additions to the Cartwright portfolio and catch up with Steve as he tells us about how Cartwright is staying at the cutting edge of ambulance engineering by ensuring that the focus of their design and build is on creating a 21st century patient treatment space which meets the needs of increasingly highly-skilled frontline ambulance crews – and all this while maintaining their commitment to putting the customer first!

Vehicles built to meet specific clinical needs

Steve Shaw explains: “At Cartwright we are constantly designing and redesigning and trying to develop new products. Our team of engineers are the key to what we do.”

The vehicle needs of emergency services differ greatly to that of the general population, and as such, the design and engineering that goes into an ambulance conversion needs to be bespoke to each service’s needs. Cartwright’s account managers and engineers work closely with their customers, from the design stage right through to the final sign-off, making sure that the end-result fully meets their customer’s unique clinical needs. It’s this careful and dedicated approach to their quality products and aftercare that keeps Cartwrightcustomers so loyal to them as manufacturers.

The range of options available is vast and Cartwright manufactures:

•   Frontline A&E

•   RRV/FRV (Rapid/Fast response units)

•   High Dependency Ambulances

•   Neonatal/Paediatric Ambulances

•   PPV (Paramedic Practitioner Vehicle)

•   ECP (Emergency Care Practitioner)

•   Control Vehicles

• Special Incident Units

• Mountain Rescue Vehicles

•   PTS (Patient Transport Services)

•   Specialist and Custom Applications

• Hire Fleet

PTS Vehicles

Like many countries, Britain’s demographic is increasingly comprised of an ageing population making the provision of patient transport vehicles more important than ever. PTS vehicles come with a wide-range of options, from specialist bariatric capabilities, light-weight floors and accessibility ramps. If it doesn’t exist yet Cartwright’s team are always up for the challenge of identifying and building the design solution presented by their customer’s individual requirement. Cartwright’s larger PTS vehicles have the option of a High Dependency Unit (HDU) or seated stretcher, while smaller vehicles like the Ford Connect and Custom offer great wheel-chair accessibility within a more modestly-sized vehicle. Cartwright PTS vehicles have the option of a range of loading solutions, from tail-lift to ramps; exclusive flexible flooring systems (see RolliBox below); a variety of base vehicles from a range of suitable vehicle makes/models and wheelbases; and unaided patient entry options including folding side door hand rails.

Full Wipe Down for Improved Infection Control

An important clinical innovation in ambulance builds is the introduction of full wipe down panel sets designed to improve infection control throughout the vehicle by making cleaning easier and more thorough. Cartwright ambulances have smooth, crevice-free interiors, with waterproof finishes that can be cleaned easily to reduce the risk of infection. It’s also important that ambulance interiors are robust enough to keep driver and passengers safe with no equipment becoming loose.

Hire Fleet

Cartwright’s fleet of hire vehicles continues to be a huge success with over 30 vehicles running at around 90% utilisation and further plans to build an additional 45 in the coming financial year. The fleet ranges from small WAV (wheel-chair accessible vehicles) to larger HDUs. One massive advantage of hiring a vehicle directly from such a well-established British manufacturer as Cartwright’s is the resource of after-care maintenance. Vehicles that are hired enjoy the support of both of their build facilities, as well as the support of teams of expert engineers from all over the UK where specialist parts needed urgently can quickly be provided for any Cartwright’s vehicle. No matter where you are in the UK, if you’re driving a Cartwright’s hire vehicle you’re never left on your own.

The Cartwright Team

As such a long-established and well-trusted brand, Cartwright not only attracts loyal customers but also the cream of the crop of the British ambulance build industry. Veterans of the industry will quickly recognise names such as Sales Managers Toby Carter and David Kenyon, Hire Fleet Manager Angela Walker and Quality & Aftercare manager Ian Schofield - to name but a few! Quality recognises quality, and it’s no wonder that so many of the sector’s best and brightest end up at Cartwright. Apart from its innovative range of new vehicles, its world-beating engineering and its unique level of aftercare, what is it that really sets Cartwright Conversions apart from the competition? Steve Shaw insists: “At Cartwright we care! I really believe that. Cartwright really is here to do the right thing. The Cartwright group has been around for over 60 years and we will certainly be around for a long time to come. Our customers truly have confidence in what we are doing and at the end of the day, I think that’s what really matters.”

The RolliBox System

A great example of Cartwright’s continued innovation in the PTS market is the RolliBoxSystem, a seating system produced by German manufacturer, Schnierle, and sold exclusively for the PTS market in the UK by Cartwright Conversions.

The system for PTS vehicles has space for a stretcher, multiple wheelchairs and seated passengers. The layout can be quickly changed on the move without the need to take out seats or use a toolkit. Restraints for each wheelchair are concealed within side panels that can be easily unfolded at floor level. When wheelchairs are not being used, these restraints tuck back away making room for a stretcher or additional passenger seats, all of which can be done in seconds. Head rests and seatbelts can be found at each of the wheelchair positions making this seating system one of the safest and efficient available.

The flexibility of the RolliBox system opens up the potential of PTS vehicles to accommodate many different seating arrangements, potentially reducing the number of journeys needed and therefore contributing to a more efficient and cost-effective ambulance fleet.

To learn more about Cartwright Conversions and their innovative range of vehicles, please visit their website: www.cartwrightconversions.co.uk