A PARAMEDIC from Norway recently spent a shift on a borough ambulance to find out about saving lives across the pond.

Hans Sigvart Hansen joined Dudley Advanced Paramedic, Lee Farley for a 10 hour shift in his rapid response car.

Hans, who was visiting the UK for a third time, works for Vinjes Ambulance Service based in the quiet mountainous region of Hommelvik, Sor-Trondelag, where the nearest hospital is two hours away.

Lee said: “It was really interesting to find out about the differences between the two services. It was clear that the main difference was the shift work; in Norway they do 24 hour shifts and every few weeks of their rota they start on Friday and finish on Monday!

“Hans said they’re trained to use a lot more drugs than our paramedics as they are so remote and miles away from the nearest hospital. With mountains in the area they cover, they’re obviously equipped with snow mobiles and six wheeled ambulances which contain three day survival packs for prolonged rescues and in case adverse weather hampers their journey.”