FLEET MANAGEMENT XXXX
What types of in-car technology can really benefit NHS fleets?
Marco Capozzoli, manager of public sector sales at Volkswagen Group Leasing, discusses in-car technology. N
owadays everyone expects cars to include technological advancements, whether that’s an electronic stability programme, reversing sensors or a DAB radio with an iPod connection. However, for NHS organisations where staff use vehicles for their jobs, there are two very useful innovations that can really benefit both the driver and the business: satellite navigation and telematics systems.
These types of technology can come as standard or as plug-and-play systems. Whichever way they have been integrated, to get the most out of them you need to understand what they are able to do and how they can be used. Volkswagen Group Leasing works with over 700 fleets, offering them vehicles that can get staff reliably, safely and efficiently from A to B. However we believe that by using these two technologies, you can get more out of your vehicles and staff.
Satellite navigation comes as standard or as part of a package in many of our vehicle offerings. These systems have been proven to reduce journey times, cut down on wasted mileage and fuel consumption and increase drivers confidence. For staff who have to respond to emergency calls or even make visits to patients in unknown areas, satellite navigation can be a godsend. With emergency services required to attend a call within the NHS eight-minute response time, getting clear directions to a location can save lives and ensure industry standards are met.
However, it seems that the benefits of this type 92 | national health executive Nov/Dec 14
of technology are still only really appreciated by the drivers themselves. Fleet managers can also benefit from sat-nav if they use the systems to routinely monitor journey times and mileage. This will help identify trends that can improve the overall service of the department as well as reduce fleet running costs.
A step on from sat-nav is telematics, sometimes referred to as black box technology. Telematics systems track vehicles as soon as the engine is switched on. This allows fleet managers and operators to accurately locate drivers and send them to the most relevant call-out. This undoubtedly saves time and fuel and improves the service to the community.
In addition, telematics systems can support ‘duty of care’ obligations and enhance driver safety. Managers can identify how long a driver has been on a shift or even if the vehicle is being driven safely or at maximum efficiency. Having accurate details of when and where a vehicle is at a location is also useful if a vehicle is involved in an accident. Often, this data is used for insurance purposes and it can help identify the cause of the accident. Indeed, some public sector fleets have used data from the telematics system when someone has accused a driver of hitting a vehicle for their own insurance benefits. These types of fraudulent claims can be dismissed if a vehicle’s location has been recorded at a different place or at a different time.
Knowing that someone knows where your vehicle
is at all times is also reassuring for lone-workers, especially those working on night shifts. NHS departments have staff who are called out to rural areas or high-risk communities that may compromise an employee’s safety. So, whether a midwife has broken down in the middle of nowhere, or a physiotherapist on a patient call has had the car vandalised, the vehicle’s exact location can be identified and relevant support can be sent immediately.
At Volkswagen Group Leasing, we offer technological solutions that are combined with our specialist value-add services, such as DriverLine 24/7.
This is a round-the-clock service that supports accident and breakdown incidents, and links in to the vehicle’s diagnostics to identify vehicle faults and calculate the next vehicle service.
Together we believe these types of technology, supported by 24-hour vehicle management teams,
should be used
by all medical and health organisations – because despite the proven cost savings, you can put no value on a driver’s safety and the ability to improve the service the fleet provides to the community.
Marco Capozzoli
FOR MORE INFORMATION W:
www.makingleasingsimple.co.uk
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