Getting the right ambulance to the right patient at the right time

This paper outlines recent developments in dispatching ambulances according to the clinical needs of the patient. Criteria Based Dispatch (CBD) uses accurate and effective interrogation of the caller, with reference to clinically approved guidelines, to ensure that the appropriate level of ambulance support is deployed. The pattern of calls in Glasgow, UK, was monitored in order to evaluate CBD in this context, and the potential benefits of adopting the system are summarised.