Three little words code could be Mull lifesaver
Bizarre but true .... these three little words ‘Stir, lake, geek’ could save someone’s life on Mull.
A unique combination of words put together is actually part of a new supercode system now being used by GPs, ambulances and first responders navigating the island in emergencies.
The words are pinpoint markers and can be used to describe an area as tiny as 3m x 3m.
Mull is the first place in the UK to take on the unusual address coding system, helping houses in the most remote spots with no street names to be found more easily.
When Mull GP Dr Prendergast first heard about the system, developed by British technology company What3words, he wanted to ‘embed’ it into island life.
In agreement with What3words, he received help from retired Tobermory music teacher and IT whizz Alan Parker who took about 120 hours using the special What3words geocode to label the 2,236 houses on Mull and produce an island-specific database to help GPs get to patients quicker.
Jaguar Landrover also got onboard at Dr Prendergast’s request and sent a team of volunteers and expert drivers to deliver wooden plaques to each of the island’s addresses with their individual identifying geocodes. They called it Addressing Mull and made a film about it.
Not only will the What3words codes help get medical help easier to remote islanders, but it will also help with deliveries and holidaymakers trying to find their way about or give directions to others.
‘We are very grateful to What3words and Land Rover for putting Mull on the map in this way. I want to see the code embedded into all aspects of island life. It’s genius. It should catch on everywhere eventually,’ said Dr Prendergast.
He also hopes media coverage about Mull’s geocode system and the film made by Landrover showing off the island’s dramatic scenery will bring the added benefit of encouraging other GPs to come and work and live there.
‘I’m hoping it will have a positive effect on recruitment which we are struggling with at the moment and encourage more GPs to want to come and work and live here,’ he said.
To view the video, visit https://youtu.be/ O1VnMqj2pvc