FTA Van Excellence recognises EMA Patient Transport
Tuesday 25 September 2018
The Freight Transport Association has announced that EMA Patient Transport, a specialist secure ambulance service providing transport to patients suffering from mental health disorders operating just two vans, has been awarded Van Excellence certification.
Van Excellence, an industry-led scheme promoting the safe, sustainable and efficient operation of vans, recognised EMA Patient Transport’s commitment to keeping its drivers, passengers and other road users safe through adoption of best practice and a dedication to compliance. Dorset-based EMA Patient Transport, which ensures the safe and timely conveyance of patients suffering from a mental health condition, was audited under Van Excellence’s Small Fleet Programme, suitable for fleets of 10 vans or fewer.
Barrie Wilson, Van Excellence Regional Manager at FTA, explains the importance of seeking certification for smaller fleets: “Whether a business is operating a fleet of 100 vehicles or a small fleet of one or two, the need for safety remains the same and must not be overlooked. The team at EMA Patient Transport is totally committed to achieving high standards in sustainability, safety and operating competence; their dedication to compliance should be viewed as the benchmark for all small fleet operators. We were thrilled to present this certification to them and look forward to working with them on their ongoing journey to maintaining excellence.”
Sam Easy, Managing Director of EMA Patient Transport commented: “Our vans are a vital part of the service we offer to patients and we’re delighted our commitment to safe and efficient operation has been recognised by FTA’s Van Excellence programme. Our team understands the importance of following best practice and ensuring compliance across all elements of our daily work; I’d like to thank them for their dedication to transporting patients safely and efficiently. This certification is a testament to their hard work. We recommend all van operators, particularly those in the medical sector, seek to attain certification and work with Van Excellence to drive higher standards across the industry and ensure the ongoing reassurance of safety and professionalism that this programme can bring to healthcare providers and patients.”
Rebecca Bamford – HR & Compliance Manager at EMA Patient Transport commented: “As a small company, we are incredibly proud of the high standards we maintain and our dedication to safety. To be recognised under the same scheme which attracts large, well-known companies is for us a huge achievement and one which adds strength to the EMA motto that ‘Excellence comes as standard’!”
Van Excellence is an industry-led scheme run by FTA to promote the safe operation of vans, represent the interests of the sector and celebrate operators demonstrating excellent standards. Van drivers are vital to the UK economy; there are now more than four million vans on UK roads. As this continues to increase, all road users benefit from improved driving standards and maintenance.
Membership of the Van Excellence scheme includes access to training courses, a subscription to the Guide to Van Excellence, operational briefing events and, of course, the option to be recognised by its Van Excellence Operator Certification Scheme. For further information on the Van Excellence Scheme, including how to join, please visit www.vanexcellence.co.uk
