Spotlight On "Blue Light" Driver Training

Our answer is a very definite "No, we won't give you a one day course", and anyone who has completed the IHCD D1/ D2 Ambulance Driving course will understand why. Only the IHCD D1/D2 relates specifically to ambulance driving standards at either PTS or A&E front-line level. The course is well established, and based on the police “Roadcraft” system of driving. It has been developed as ambulance staff training to national proficiency levels, and gives BTEC level 3 national certification. It is the only driving course recognised by the UK NHS Ambulance Service Trusts.

Ambulance driver training is not about speed – it is about
progressive driving with safety being paramount at all times,
and unlike police vehicles or fire appliances, ambulance
drivers have to take into consideration that in the back of the ambulance there may well be a paramedic or technician working on a patient whilst the vehicle is travelling. The IHCD D1 course is 5 days followed by a further 10 days for the D2 course, and the complete course ensures that the driver has a high standard of driving ability focusing on the practical application and also the physiological, sychological, and attitudinal aspects of driving practices. Drivers are taught to recognise their own limitations, the vehicle characteristics, their attitude, and to stay within safe limits.

The emergency driving element (commonly called “blue-light” driving), is built into the latter stages of the course and these drives are not simulated exercises on quiet roads. They are a number of drives using blue lights and audible warning through major city centres, urban and rural areas, dealing with real driving situations, coping with all road users and using the exemptions for road traffic laws where justified. The driver and instructor in the ambulance know that this is a training exercise, but of course the public don’t what they see is an emergency vehicle driving with blue-lights and sirens on, and their reactions are real, and sometimes unpredictable. The ambulance driver needs the D1/D2 training and the increased skills developed through the course in order to deal with such situations and manoeuvre safely, smoothly and precisely, and still make progress. They need to know road traffic law exemptions, non-exemptions, and their attitude to driving must be focused correctly. The D1/D2 course ensures that even experienced ambulance drivers are competent to drive safely on blue lights.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards include the
requirement that staff development training is fit for purpose, and this includes ambulance driving. The IHCD D1/ D2 driving course is the “industry standard” used by all NHS Ambulance Service Trusts, and it is this standard that the independent sector must attain. Some of the better independent ambulance services have recognised this and are already getting their drivers trained. Furthermore in any court action brought against an ambulance driver relating to standards of driving, the measurable driving standard for ambulance drivers would be taken to be that of the NHS Ambulance Services, i.e. the IHCD D1/D2 national qualification. Ambulance drivers not meeting this industry standard with the relevant qualification could well find that their defence in court is weakened. Lifeskills Medical runs regular IHCD D1/D2 driver training courses from the Emergency Medical Services Training Centre in Stafford., and has its own full-time fully qualified driving instructors operating modern driver training dedicated vehicles.

As NHS Ambulance Service Trusts are turning more to independent ambulance provision, they are insisting that the independent drivers hold the required IHCD D1/D2 qualification in order to meet the CQC requirements. In exceptional cases there may be allowance of accreditation of prior learning (APL) for part of the D1/D2 course, but this has to “map” very closely the IHCD course, with proof by way of documented and correctly assessed portfolios clearly showing the learning outcomes and the standard attained.

Drivers who have completed the IHCD D1/D2 through Lifeskills Medical will tell you that they now understand why just a one day blue-light course without the full D1/D2 course is a dangerous thing to do. Driving on blue lights is not a "jolly", and should not be offered by any organisation either as a money making venture or as a thrill for the drivers. Ambulance drivers are legally accountable for their actions, so special training is required to enable them to drive safely in emergency conditions. Without the D1/D2 it puts not only the drivers life at risk, but those of the crew member on board, the patient they are transporting and are responsible for, and also the lives of other road users.

Along with the increased skills, the certification, and the BTEC Level 3 qualification of the D1/D2, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) offers a further benefit for those taking the course. The IAM is the UK’s leading road safety charity, dedicated to increasing skills for all road users, raising driving and riding standards and helping to save lives on our roads. They recognise the D1/D2 as a special qualification. Full IAM membership is usually offered only to applicants who have passed the IAM’s Advanced Driving Test, a challenge that can take several months. However, if you hold the IHCD D1/D2 qualification you are eligible for full membership of the IAM without taking a further test. This is in recognition of the high driving standards required to achieve this qualification, and for the contribution to maintaining these safe driving standards on our roads.