Volume 29 No. 4
August 2014
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In this issue Reducing Risk/Improving Safety Responding to Child Abuse Paramedics In Peril
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS 177
EDITOR’S COMMENT
178
FEATURES
178
Reducing Risk/Improving Safety
180
The paramedic duty in recognising child abuse
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Paramedics in peril
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EDITOR’S COMMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENT Welcome to the August edition of Ambulance UK, and already we are 8 months into 2014, a year which is witnessing the continuation of significant pressures on all ambulance services, with no sign of any ‘let up’ in the continuing escalation of demand levels as we approach further increases associated with the normal ‘winter pressures’ period. Additionally, we are also only 10 months away from a general election, where once again, the NHS and the ambulance services will be the subject of ‘political debate’, and no doubt the endless discussion on the need for potential future policy change. Despite best endeavours, I would venture to suggest that no real ‘in roads’ into addressing the core issues of demand v resources v finance have been made, as evidenced by the general under-performance on the key response targets and the financial challenges facing many services.
“Within this edition, we still read with, considerable pride, the various developments and remarkable achievements being made by staff throughout all the services, which naturally and quite rightly should be celebrated”
I have often referenced the need to undertake a paradigm shift in operational policy for services, and unless the ambulance service ceases to be the ‘default setting’ for both the general public and the rest of the NHS, then the direction of travel will unfortunately be one of continuing pressure and decline. Perhaps, it is time for the service, in whatever organisational model is appropriate, to only focus on those emergency calls classified as Red 1 and Red 2, as well as critical care transfers, and allow a variety of other ‘approved agencies’ to undertake and assume responsibility for all other calls. Ambulance Trusts could also become a ‘Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO)’ responsible for monitoring the performance of the other agencies and providing the quality and compliance assurance role for the NHS. Another developing aspect of the service, is the delivery of the medical response to serious trauma, and the increasing movement towards the provision of a ‘doctor + critical care paramedic’ helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) response, in which the emergency treatments of the emergency department, theatre and the intensive care unit are being delivered directly to the patient at the point of incident – perhaps this raises more sharply the question of considering a different model of provision, whereby the HEMS service becomes a more integral part of the dedicated trauma unit, managed and directed by the Acute hospital Trust. Such considerations are necessary in order to obtain serious engagement, preferably of a cross party nature, that will set out a ‘road map for change’, otherwise the current position will result in a ‘more of the same’ mentality, and the service will continue to operate within its repetitive annual cycle of operational and financial pressures. Within this edition, we still read with, considerable pride, the various developments and remarkable achievements being made by staff throughout all the services, which naturally and quite rightly should be celebrated, but should be done so in a manner that doesn’t lose sight of the wider and deeper organisational, cultural and financial challenges that continue to be applied. This need for change is also perhaps evidenced by the fact that Sir Stuart Rose, former boss of Marks & Spencer, has been asked by the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt, to review the failings of the NHS and report on ways to improve the service.
Barry Johns, Co-Editor Ambulance UK AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
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FEATURE
REDUCING RISK/IMPROVING SAFETY: SAFE MANAGEMENT PLANS Dr Paul Silverston
Introduction In the first two parts of this series, the author emphasised the need to place the consultation within the context of the illness, along with the principles and practices involved in performing a safe clinical assessment. The final article discusses methods of reducing risk and improving safety through the use of safe clinical decision-making and management planning.
Safe Decision-Making Clinical assessment is the diagnostic tool that connects the symptom that the patient presents with to the diagnosis and management plan that the patient leaves with. Once the clinical assessment phase of the consultation has been completed, the next step is to decide upon a management plan for the patient and their symptoms. The clinical decision-making process needs to balance the needs and concerns of the individual patient with the standardised approach to patient care that is often recommended in patient management guidelines. There are a number of factors that may influence this decision, such as whether or not it is possible to make a firm diagnosis so that one can follow a diseasespecific management plan. Other considerations that may influence this decision are the existence of co-morbidities, the age of the patient and psycho-social and medico-legal concerns. There are symptom-specific and disease-specific management plans that can be implemented, following standard management protocols and most of these have built-in safety features, so that alternative management pathways can be implemented if the primary management plan is unsuccessful. The decision to initiate and implement these management protocols is guided by the symptoms that the patient has presented with, or the diagnosis that has been reached during the clinical assessment.
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One of the most difficult clinical situations to manage safely involves decision-making in a situation where diagnostic uncertainty exists. Diagnostic uncertainty usually arises because the symptoms that the patient is presenting with are common to several different diseases, such as a fever, or a headache. In some cases, diagnostic uncertainty will be the result of the patient presenting so early in the course of the illness that a diagnosis cannot be made, as the specific diagnostic criteria required to formulate a diagnosis have not yet developed. In other cases, a diagnosis may be possible following a more complex clinical assessment by medical specialists with diagnostic skills and equipment not available in primary or pre-hospital care. In such situations, ambulance staff (and GP’s) are often required to make what is known as a “judgement call”, so it is important that this is based upon sound principles and practices, rather than idiosyncratic decision-making, wherever possible. In the modern NHS, ambulance staff require specific training not just in how to assess and manage patients with specific diseases but also in what the criteria are for admission to hospital; the referral pathways to use; and the admission avoidance strategies and systems that are available in primary care. The lack of such a joined-up approach is what
often leads to patients being taken to hospital who could have been cared for at home and other patients being left at home who are subsequently admitted to hospital. For example, there needs to be a more joinedup approach to the assessment and management of patients with exacerbations of chronic illnesses, such as COPD, as many areas now have Acute Respiratory Teams who can be mobilised to care for patients at home. Ambulance staff also need to be aware of new guidelines that involve clinical decision-making, such as the NICE guidelines for the assessment and management of the feverish child, or the assessment and management of patients with newly-diagnosed atrial fibrillation.
Managing Diagnostic Uncertainty Safely It should be recognised that illness is a dynamic process and that at the point that the patient is seen and assessed all illnesses will, have a past, a present and a future. When patients present with established disease, there is sufficient past to be able to elicit positive findings in the symptom history and to discriminate between “Red Line” and “Blue Line” illnesses. Similarly, at the point that the patient is seen, the present, the clinical findings will be positive and will be discriminatory between these illnesses. As such, the future course of the illness is likely to be predictable, with or without treatment. On the other hand, when a patient presents early in their illness, the discriminators in the symptom history and clinical examination may not have evolved, leaving diagnostic uncertainty and an unpredictable future, which needs to be managed safely. Safe management plans take advantage of the relationship between illness and time by arranging for the patient to be seen again after sufficient time has passed for the illness to have progressed to the point where we can discriminate between a “Red Line” and a “Blue Line” illness either through a change in the symptom history, or through the presence of positive findings in the clinical examination, tests and investigations. This can take the form of advice for the patient to return for a re-assessment after a specific period of time, depending upon the suspected “Red Line” illness. A short period of time is chosen for a “Red Line” illness that is expected to progress rapidly, or a “Blue Line” illness that is expected to resolve within that time frame. A longer period of time may be required to distinguish between slowly progressive, or resolving illnesses. Another option is to arrange for the patient to be admitted to the Emergency Department, for further re-assessments to be made over a period of time. This option is appropriate when rapidly progressive “Red Line” illnesses are suspected, or when a medical re-assessment is required. The patient can then be observed until sufficient time has passed to be confident that the patient is not going to develop a “Red Line” illness. The third option is to safety-net the patient, such that the patient is told to seek a further medical re-assessment if either the symptoms worsen, or if the symptoms do not lessen after a period of time. Safety-netting is used, for example, when patients sustain what initially appears to be a minor head injury. The patient is assessed for the presence of the symptoms and signs of a “Big Sick” injury and once this is excluded advice is given as to what to look for should a “Red Line” head injury begin to develop.
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FEATURE Safety-Netting Safety-netting is a skill in itself and should be approached as such, particularly in cases where a patient is not being transported to hospital immediately. The components of safety-netting are as follows: Firstly, a formal assessment of the patient’s, or relative’s, ability to understand the information that is being imparted to them must be conducted, incorporating the standard competency and comprehension guidelines for imparting medical advice. An assessment of their intellectual, emotional and practical ability to follow the instructions that are being given must always be performed. It should always be borne in mind that the patient, or their relative, is being asked to perform a clinical assessment, which they may not be competent or capable of performing. Safety-netting is a very complex process and is fraught with danger, so it must be performed well, if tragedies are to be avoided. Nothing must be assumed, such as the patient having access to a thermometer, or a phone to call for help. It is helpful to have a checklist of the components required for safety-netting and to record that these have been assessed, with one copy being given to the patient and another to be held as a record of this. At a time when there are political pressures within the NHS to reduce the workload within A&E Departments, thought needs to be given as to how to develop safe management plans that incorporate specific medical advice on how to safety-net effectively. This is what “Protective Medicine” is all about. Ambulance personnel need training and written guidelines relating to the criteria required for making a clinical decision not to take a patient to hospital, along with symptom-based, patient safety focused, patient advice sheets for common medical conditions. In the past, ambulance crews were required to arrange for patients to sign a simple statement whenever a patient was not conveyed to hospital. This needs to be replaced with a brief checklist that adheres to the principles of safety-netting and the patient, or relative, should counter-sign that this information has been imparted by the ambulance crew and understood by the patient, or relative. The “3 C’s” checklist can be helpful for this.
Safe Treatment Plans In drug prescribing and administration, the concept of “First, do no harm” involves adopting a patient safety-focused approach to this through first
For Advanced Paramedics who are treating patients with drugs such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, a careful assessment of the potential for these drugs to do harm is required, not just in terms of immediate anaphylaxis and allergy but also how these drugs will impact on other co-morbidities that the patient might have and with other medications that the patient may be taking. Recent warnings on the hazards associated with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and the drug interactions associated with use of macrolide antibiotics should serve as a warning to all who prescribe them. Paramedics should have access to the latest guidelines and warnings that relate to the drugs that they are carrying, such as the NICE guidelines on antibiotic prescribing and publications such as the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, so that they can make informed decisions with regard to the prescribing of drugs.
In Summary Throughout this series of articles, the author has stressed the need to take a symptom-based, patient safety-focused approach to the consultation, both during the assessment phase and also during the patient management phase. This is underpinned by the fundamental principle that there is a relationship between illness and consulting. Pre-hospital care is a dangerous environment in which to practice medicine, given its highvolume, time-constrained, consultations, often performed when the patient is in the early phase of an illness. The diagnostic uncertainty that exists in such situations must be managed with patient safety uppermost in our minds, if tragedies are to be avoided. A symptom-based, patient safetyfocused approach to information-gathering and processing is required and safe management plans must be implemented, particularly where there is diagnostic uncertainty. Hopefully, this series of articles will stimulate discussion and debate surrounding the way in which risk is managed and safety improved for ambulance personnel and their patients.
Supplementary Material The 3 C’s checklist for safety-netting: Capability: Assess the person’s mental capacity and mental competence to follow the safety-netting instructions that you are providing. Compliance: Assess the person’s ability to comply with instructions, in terms of the equipment that they have available; their knowledge base and any psycho-social or logistical factors that may influence their ability to comply with your instructions. Comprehension: Assess the person’s comprehension of the information that you have imparted, both in terms of the clinical re-assessment that you are asking them to perform; the decisions that you are asking them to make; and the actions that you are asking them to take in response to their findings. Dr Paul Silverston, Director of Primary Care Education and Hon.Visiting Senior Lecturer, The Postgraduate Medical Institute and Senior Lecturer in Clinical Assessment Teaching, Dept of Primary Care and Public Health, Anglia Ruskin University. Visiting Senior Fellow in Medical Education, University Campus Suffolk.
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
We must also do our very best to ensure that patients who are safetynetted understand that they need to seek medical help at point B in the Model of Illness and not at point C, when it may be too late to avert a tragedy. Whilst this may sound straightforward, it is not always the case. For example, you are called to see a 4yo child who has had a fever for a few hours. Your clinical assessment reveals that the child is well, other than for a slight fever and there is nothing in the history, or the clinical examination, to enable you to locate the source of the infection. In safety-netting this child, the symptoms and signs at point B in the Model of Illness that you are asking the relatives to watch for will depend upon which “Red Line” illness you are suspecting. However, these will differ depending upon whether the child is being safety-netted for influenza, meningococcal disease, croup, a quinsy, or urosepsis, to name but a few causes. In other words, safety-netting must include information on the symptoms and signs related to specific diseases but also changes to or the development of new, non disease-specific symptoms and it should address the intuitive concerns of both patients and relatives. In this case, there are NICE Guidelines on the management of feverish illness in children, against which the performance of a health care professional will be measured, so it is important that these guidelines are made available to ambulance personnel. Similarly, most Emergency Departments have Patient Advice Leaflets on the management of feverish children, which could also be used by ambulance crews.
making an assessment that the drug is indicated for the condition that is being treated and also that there are no medical contraindications to its use. A risk/benefit analysis must be performed whenever a drug is given, which may be straightforward when one is treating a life-threatening condition and there is only one drug available to treat the condition but which becomes more difficult when less serious conditions are being treated and also when there is a choice of different drugs. A checklist prior to drug administration should also include considerations such as selecting the appropriate drug dosage and route of delivery.
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FEATURE
THE PARAMEDIC DUTY IN RECOGNISING AND RESPONDING TO CHILD ABUSE IN THE PRE-HOSPITAL SETTING Presented by Mr Andrew Ormerod Paramedic North West Ambulance Service Social Care referrals regarding child abuse, are rising (Munro, 2010) suggesting the reality of childhood for many children is far from pleasant. For some children in the UK it appears their future depends on shaky foundations, where child abuse and neglect are common experiences
‘classist’ (Jones & Gupta, 1998). Turney & Tanner (2001) suggest that some professionals may become ‘desensitised’ to the effects of neglect contributing to defensive practice, with professional responses becoming routine; factors leading to an inability to act. With particular reference to Paramedic practice, Sibson (2009a) discusses features and signs to prompt Paramedics in considering neglectful parenting, this includes: severe and persistent infections; non administration of prescribed medication; parental failure in accessing
In attempts to define this experience The World Health Organisation (WHO, 1999) describe terminology of ‘Child mistreatment’ as; ‘All forms of physical and emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, development or dignity’.
health care; poor child presentation; failure to thrive and lack of supervision. Furthermore, Sibson (2009a) suggests that abuse should be suspected in all cases whereby medical attention is not sought; the child is persistently dirty and smelly and there are observations of poor hygiene, inadequate provision of food, and an unsafe living environment. As previously mentioned neglect is often a complex form of abuse occurring over time, it is therefore necessary that the
Despite being the most prevalent form of child abuse, neglect rarely captures headlines, with media attention restricted to extreme cases (Dubowitz, 2007) and those of severe physical (e.g. Baby Peter) and sexual abuse. The lesser reported issue of neglect is generally accepted to have more far-reaching consequences on the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of children than that of physical abuse (Berry et al., 2003; Tanner & Turney, 2003; Crittenden 1999), with resultant harm extending into adulthood (Sheehan, 2006). Neglect affects children of all ages (DfES, 2006), permeating every aspect of their existence (Bovarnick, 2007), yet it is the ‘most understudied and ... least understood type of child maltreatment’ (McSherry, 2007, p.607), a phenomenon often referred to as ‘neglect of neglect’ and a problem that professionals struggle to deal with effectively within the child safeguarding guidance. (Stone 1998; Daniel 2006; Turney & Tanner, 2001).
Paramedic uses their professional judgment in whether the situation is chronic, aided by a thorough account of history taking. Paramedics are often in the privileged position of witnessing and noting, first hand, the home conditions from which a child lives, this environment may have changed by the time other professionals, such as Social Workers, visit. Paramedics often have the opportunity to observe the home in an unprepared state. Greaves, Hodgetts and Porter (1997) comment that the initial story given to Paramedics offers an opportunity to appraise inconsistencies, whereas ‘stories’ may be better ‘thought out’, given the time taken to transport the patient to hospital. In the detection of abuse, namely neglect, Sibson (2009b) recommends
For the frontline Paramedic, establishing that neglect is present can
that the Paramedic considers four tools to assist, these being, ‘listen
prove problematic, for example, a Paramedic working as part of a crew
and observe’, ‘seek an explanation’, ‘record’ and ‘consider, suspect or
may have a different perspective on the presenting situation to their
exclude abuse’ as described by the National Institute for Health and
colleague, a differing opinion to their patient and a conflicting view to
Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2009).
other professions. Listening and observing involves listening to the parents or carer and AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Paramedics generally concur that a lack of food, clothing, shelter,
consideration of whether the history matches injury. ‘What to do if
affection, and attention or supervision is generally considered
You’re Worried a Child is Being Abused’ (DoH, 2003, 10.8) suggests
inadequate care, however, establishing minimal thresholds in practice
communication between professional and child should take place and
is extremely difficult (McSherry 2007; Turney, 2000), it may therefore be
be appropriate to their age, understanding and preference. It could
necessary for the Paramedic to make a professional judgment about
be argued that it is crucial that the Paramedic speaks with the child,
what is ‘good enough’ parenting.
whilst observing the child’s general appearance and behaviour may indicate possible neglect. In seeking an explanation the Paramedic
Judgments about ‘good enough’ parenting can create dilemmas for
should access the ‘Redbook’ or any other health related records held
those working in the child protection arena. That is Paramedics, may be
by the family, whilst appraising the history, presentation and possibility
reluctant to pass judgments on vulnerable and disadvantaged parents
that illness or injury has been perpetrated. It is then vital that all
(Rose & Selwyn, 2004; Stevenson, 1998) and may fear being labelled
observations, examinations, actions and outcomes undertaken are
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FEATURE thoroughly recorded, as they may be called upon as clinical evidence in
High profile cases of child abuse tragedies, such as those of Victoria
safeguarding proceedings.
Climbié and Peter Connelly have instigated changes in legislation and national/localised policy, which has ultimately changed the way
Moulton and Yates (1999, p.277) offer the Paramedic a list of possible
in which professionals work in cases of child abuse and have placed
indictors that neglect is occurring and state that the Paramedic should
safeguarding children under increased scrutiny. Lord Laming (2003)
actively look out for; shortness in stature and underweight for age; cold
made a number of recommendations following the inquiry into Victoria
mottled and discoloured extremities; poor skin condition (especially in
Climbié’s death; some specifically targeted at health care professionals.
the nappy area); dry sparse hair; diarrhoea; vicarious appetite; flat affect and unresponsiveness and lack of energy and failure to play. However,
Recommendation 64, states that, ‘When a child is admitted to hospital
some of the indictors described could also indicate genuine illness. It
and deliberate harm is suspected, the nursing care plan must take
is therefore the task of the Paramedic to distinguish between genuine
full account of this diagnosis’ (Laming, 2003, p.378). Translating this
illness and possible neglect.
recommendation to reflect the responsibility of Paramedics perhaps highlights the need for thorough recording and documentation, pre-
Further discussion of neglect, examples and indictors, have been offered by Blaber (2008) who describes the child’s ‘needs not being met’ (p. 144), through: neglect of physical care such as warmth, nourishment and safety; hygiene poor and an unkempt presentation; rashes on body or nappy area; insect bite marks; scabies; a failure to encourage development; impairment of intellect; poor attachment (unfeeling, ignoring); an unhappy child (miserable continually crying, hiding in corners); and finally, unusual behaviours i.e. head banging or rocking.
hospital, whereby a full account can be included in the child’s care plan. Following transportation of the child to hospital, the importance of a clear, accurate and detailed ‘handover’ is stressed between the Paramedic and the receiving practitioner, such as a Nurse (Sibson, 2009b). Recommendation 68 (Laming, 2003 p.379), discusses the importance of raising concerns with the medical team so that comprehensive and contemporaneous notes can be made of such concerns, this may be done by alerting the Nurse or Sister of the
The Paramedic should also consider wider factors and employ a holistic approach to assessment. Consistent with research, it has become apparent that there are several circumstances in which neglect is more likely to occur, including; extreme poverty; young or/and lone mothers; mental health issues; learning difficulties; social isolation, attachment relationships; domestic violence and substance misuse (Stone 1998; Lewin & Herron, 2007). Some groups like children born prematurely, of low birth weight, those ‘in care’ or with disabilities and black and ethnic minorities seem particularly vulnerable to neglect. Nevertheless, it is important to note, that families sharing similar disadvantages, do not neglect their children and there is currently no way to identify the child who will come to be neglected from the child in virtually identical circumstances who will not (Lewin & Herron, 2007), thus making neglect difficult to evaluate. Indeed, professionals have often been criticised for imposing middle-class standards of ‘good enough’ parenting (Brandon et al., 2008; Stowman & Donohue, 2005). In assessing possible cases of neglect, Social Workers in a ‘Section 47 Enquiry’, Children Act 1989, categorise the outcome of the enquiry as: Concerns are not substantiated; Concerns are substantiated, but there is no continuing risk of significant harm, or Concerns are substantiated, and there is a continuing risk of significant harm. Similarly for the Paramedic,
Emergency department to child safeguarding concerns, however this is an informal handover of information and does not require the completion or handover of safeguarding written material. The Department of Health (2002) suggest there are four main processes of safeguarding children, these being, assessment, planning, intervention and reviewing. In summarising the role of the Paramedic in safeguarding children, perhaps ‘observe’, ‘record’ and ‘report’ best describe activities and role, however it appears more complicated than transference of information. Neglect is a serious and seemingly growing problem that can have catastrophic consequences on children and families. It is diverse and complex, making it difficult to define. Definitions regarding abuse and neglect can be politically, culturally, historically and socially constructed. Professionals hold different views about what constitutes neglect, often depending on their discipline, be this medical, social, legal or educational. This can create tension in practice, although, collaborative working and information sharing may help overcome many problems. Collaborative working is enshrined within the Every Child Matters agenda and the 2004 Children’s Act, together with the 2007 Children’s Plan (Leonard 2009). Yet, concepts of ‘reasonable’ or ‘good enough’
of abuse, these being: child abuse is considered a factor, child abuse is
parenting are difficult to define, often leading to conflicting professional
suspected and child abuse is excluded, the first two of which requiring
viewpoints (Rose and Selwyn, 2004). Such discrepancies can strain
an immediate safeguarding response.
professional relationships (Rose and Selwyn, 2004), albeit highlighting the importance of collaborative practice, as required by Working
Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfES, 2006a) places a
Together to Safeguard Children (DfES, 2006a).
responsibility upon all professionals working in situations whereby a child may be subject to significant harm to act in order to ‘safeguard
In practice, neglect exists on a continuum, with care ranging
and promote their welfare, and where necessary, to help bring to justice
from excellent (needs fully met) to grossly inadequate (needs
the perpetrators of crimes against children’ (p.32: 1.14). To this end,
completely unmet). Exactly when care becomes inadequate is
the policy places a responsibility on those registered professionals,
difficult to pinpoint, not least because assessing neglect demands
including Paramedics, to adhere and promote the welfare of arguably,
consideration of many variables, including the child’s age,
the most vulnerable demographic in society.
development, physical and mental health.
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
there are three possible decisions and outcomes to potential situations
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FEATURE Krane and Davies (2000) point out, that Social Workers and debatably
References
Paramedics, must be prepared to make judgments and to intervene where necessary, and that to do so requires them to draw on a wealth of evidence-based knowledge to inform practice. There is a wealth of knowledge regarding the recognition of neglect (i.e. Sibson 2009a & Bovarnick, 2007), however, it appears that Paramedics are unsure of, and absent from collaborative Safeguarding processes. Arguably, all Paramedics should have an understanding of the Framework for Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (2000) and the CAF Process (2009) to assist in the assessment of children. Similarly higher management discussions should take place regarding the Ambulance Services role and contribution to Child Protection processes and plans. Paramedics as professionals, registered by a governing body, should be accountable and responsible for Safeguarding children, to this end; it is imperative that education and training considers the recognition and response to childhood abuse. Similarly education and training should consider collaborative working in cases of abuse, whereby the Paramedic is not just an absent, invisible source of information, but an active participant in Child Protection planning and intervention. McCallin (2005) suggests safeguarding teams need to learn skills together, assumptions regarding roles; language and values need to be explored, therefore multidisciplinary training such as that offered by Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCB) may be beneficial to Paramedics. A Paramedic may be the first professional to observe a child in their home environment and witness to the failure to meet the child’s physical and/or psychological needs. Arguably, the most crucial response to witnessing an abusive situation is to ‘do something’, however, it is this ‘doing something’, that requires greater explanation, through policy, training and research to assist the Paramedic in safeguarding children. Paramedic’s require understanding of National and Local policy and legislation surrounding safeguarding children in order to fulfill their professional responsibility.
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Paramedics generally concur that a lack of food, clothing, shelter, affection, and attention or supervision is generally considered inadequate care, however, establishing minimal thresholds in practice is extremely difficult (McSherry 2007; Turney, 2000), it may therefore be necessary for the Paramedic to make a professional judgment about what is ‘good enough’ parenting.
Berry, M., Charlson, R. & Dawson, K. (2003).Promising practices in understanding and treating child neglect. Child and Family Social Work, 8, 13–24. Blaber, A. (2008). Foundations for Paramedic Practice: A theoretical Perspective. Berkshire: Open University Press. Bovarnick, S. (2007) NSPCC Child Protection Research Briefing: Child Neglect, London: NSPCC. Brandon, M., Belderson, P., Warren, C., Garner, R., Howe, D., Dodsworth, J. & Balck, J. (2008). The Preoccupation with Thresholds in Cases of Child Death or Serious Injury through Abuse and Neglect. Child Abuse Review, 17, 313-330. Children Act (1989). London: HMSO. Children Act (2004). London: HMSO. Children’s Workforce Development Council (2009). Early identification, assessment of needs and intervention, The Common Assessment Framework for children and young people: a guide for practitioners. Children’s Workforce Development Council. Crittenden, P. (1999). Child Neglect; Cause and Contribution. In: Dubowitz, H. (ed) Neglected Children: Research, Practice and Policy, Thousand Oaks: Sage. Daniel, B. (2006). Operationalizing the concept of resilience in child neglect: case study research. Child: Care, Health and Development, 32, 303-309. Department for Education and Skills (DfES). (2004). Every Child Matters: Change for Children in Social Care. London: TSO. Department for Education and Skills (DfES). (2006). Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. London: TSO. Department of Health (2000). Framework for the assessment of children in need and their families. London: TSO. Department of Health (2002). Working with Children in Need and their Families: Draft Consultation Document. London: The Department of Health. Department of Health (2003). What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused. London: Department of Health Publications. Dubowitz, H. (2007). Understanding and addressing the “neglect of neglect:”Digging into the molehill. Child Abuse & Neglect, 31, 603-606. Education Act. (2002). London: HMSO. Greaves, I., Hodgetts, T., Porter, K. (1997). Emergency Care: textbook for Paramedics. London: Elsevier. Krane, J. & Davies, L. (2000). Mothering and child protection practice: Rethinking risk assessment. Child and Family Social Work, 5, 35-45. Jones, J. & Gupta, A. (1998). The Context of Decision-Making in Cases of Child Neglect. Child Abuse Review, 7, 97-110. Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liason Committee (2006). Clinic Practice Guidelines. Assalt/Abuse- Safeguarding Children. October 2006. The Lord Laming (2003). The Victoria Climbié Enquiry. Norwich: HMSO
182 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
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The Lord Laming (2009). The Protection of Children in England: A Progress Report, London: TSO.
Sibson, L. (2009a). Safeguarding Children: role of Health Professionals. Journal of Paramedic Practice, 1 (12), 493-500.
Lewin, D. & Herron, H. (2007) ‘Signs, Symptoms and Risk Factors: Health Visitors’ Perspectives of Child Neglect’, Child Abuse Review, 16 (2): p.p. 93-107.
Sibson, L. (2009b). Safeguarding Children Part 2: Reporting and Acting on Abuse. Journal of Paramedic Practice, 1 (13), 539-544.
Leonard, M. (2009). Children’s agency in politically divided societies: The case of Northern Ireland. In: D.A. Kinney & L.E. Bass (ed.) ‘Structural, Historical, and Comparative Perspectives’ Sociological Studies of Children and Youth, 12, 115-138.
Stone, B. (1998). Child Neglect: Practitioners’ Perspectives. Child Abuse Review, 7, 87-96. Stevenson, O. (1998). Neglect: Where Now? Some Reflections. Child Abuse Review, 7, 111-115.
McCallin, A. M. (2005). Interprofesssional practice: Learning how to collaborate. Contemporary Nurse, 20, 28-37.
Stowman, S. A. & Donohue, B. (2005). Assessing child neglect; A review of standardized measures. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 10, 491-512.
McSherry, D. (2007). Understanding and addressing the “neglect of neglect”: Why are we making a mole-hill out of a mountain? Child Abuse & Neglect, 31, 607-614
Tanner, K. & Turney, D. (2000). The Role of Observation in the Assessment of Child Neglect. Child Abuse Review, 9, 337-348.
Mouton, C. and Yates, D. (1999). Lecture Notes on Emergency Medicine. London: Blackwell Publishing. Munro, E. (2010), The Munro Review of Child Protection. Part One: A Systems Analysis. London, Crown Publications. Rose, S.J. & Selwyn, J. (2004). Child Neglect: An English Perspective. International Social Work, 43, 179-192
Turney, D. (2000). The Feminizing of Neglect. Child and Family Social Work, 5, 47-56. Turney, D. & Tanner, K. (2001). Working with neglected children and their families. Journal of Social Work Practice, 15, 193-202. World Health Organisation (1999). Report of the Consultation on Child Abuse Prevention, 29–31 March 1999. Geneva: World Health Organisation.
Sheehan, R. (2006). Emotional Harm and Neglect: The Legal Response. Child Abuse Review, 15, 38-54.
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The FUTURE
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THE IMPORTANCE OF COOLING A BURN INJURY IN THE PRE-HOSPITAL SETTING By Patrick Bourke
The Importance of Cooling a Burn Injury in the Pre-Hospital Setting Claudius Galenus (Galen) AD 129 – c. 200, was a prominent physician and surgeon to the Roman Emperors of his time. During his lifetime Galen influenced the development of numerous scientific studies covering anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology and pharmacology, he is considered by many as one of the founding fathers of these medical disciplines. Interestingly, one of the oldest recorded references to the use of cool water to alleviate the pain of a burn injury is credited to Claudius Galenus who used water as a method of stopping the pain and ongoing damage of burn injuries. Albubecar Mohamed (Rhazes) AD 852 -923 considered to be the Galen of his time was a very important physician in Arabia who went on to become the resident chief of medicine in the renowned Hospital of Bagdad, advocated the benefits of cooling with water to relieve pain and stop the burning process.
So what has changed since then? Not a lot except... Serious burn injuries continue to be devastating events that leave patients with long term physical and psychological challenges that are recognized by paramedics worldwide as one of the most horrific and challenging injuries known to the emergency medical and rescue services (11). According to Adam J. Singer et al, One of the earliest and most often used therapies for burns is surface cooling. Cooling of burns has many potential benefits, including pain relief, reduced edema formation, reduced infection rates, reduced depth of injury, more rapid healing, reduced need for grafting, reduced scarring, and reduced mortality. Although cooling should begin as soon as possible, Delayed cooling also may be beneficial (16).
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Today there are numerous clinical papers written worldwide by respected emergency burn professionals advocating and debating the perceived correct use of cool running water as a means of first response to cool a burn injury (1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10 22). The depth of analysis by these distinguished authors is exhaustive in their efforts to provide the perfect circumstance in the use of cool running water for the initial management of a burn injury, taking into consideration the ideal temperature, quantity, source, time of application, optimum time, hypothermia, infection, evaporative or convective cooling etc, all with an ongoing desire for successful reepithelialisation (23). The list goes on and on, as each attempt to put forward their thinking on an internationally recognized simple solution to a potentially devastating injury. If water is readily available in sufficient quantity, the use of cool clean running water applied as soon as possible for a period of 20 minutes is the recommendation for immediate burn injury management by many
of the world’s leading professional emergency burn injury organizations (4). Unfortunately this 20 minute marker is seldom achieved (15) as the desire for higher clinical intervention becomes paramount in the mind of the patient/responder combined with a concern for infection and causing hypothermia. Interestingly it is reported in papers by Singer et al and Lonnecker et al (6,7,16) that pre hospital cooling does not appear to contribute to hypothermia in the pre hospital setting. As stated by De Boer et al (17), Burn pain is unlike any other pain and may require considerable analgesia (17), at the time of the burn injury the primary desire of the burnt patient is to alleviate the pain (superficial and partial thickness burns (17)) and stop their skin being damaged further, it is the natural reaction of any human being to immediately seek a source of cooling to alleviate the pain and damage from a burn injury, bearing in mind that the skin structure of children and the elderly is much thinner, their potential for serious damage is higher, and it has been shown that the threshold temperature for cutaneous pain sensation in adults is quite low at about 43°c (109.4°F) (3), partial thickness burns will be incurred at temperatures of only 60°c (140°F) (11, 17). Should the burn damage be such that it requires attendance at a hospital emergency department (ED) or Burn Unit for further evaluation and treatment, then the initial response (pre-cooling history) is very relevant to the patient’s outcome. As shown by Cuttle et al, Many people only apply first aid for the analgesic effect (and this should also be taken into account when determining the duration of first aid treatment), however first aid definitely also provides wound healing benefits and for this reason it should be widely promoted (14). Unbeknown to the patient their action or that of the responding emergency medical professional may have significantly influenced the burn outcome and assisted in decreasing morbidity and healthcare costs by limiting the degree of tissue damage, reducing the possible need for surgery and further reconstruction (1) with a reduction in post burn hyperthermia, inflammatory and microvascular changes and less tissue necrosis and fibrosis. There is also a reduction in the release of histamine, prostaglandins and thromboxanes, as well as reduced aerobic metabolism and less lactate production and metabolic acidosis (3,5, 18). Cooling may also promote catecholamine function and cardiovascular homeostasis (24). All of the aforementioned benefits will assist in reducing the number of days as an in hospital patient. According to Baldwin et al (9) if there is a delay between the termination of the burn and the initiation of the cooling a great portion of the damage occurs either during the burn process or within the first few seconds after the termination of a burn. Whereas Venter et al (19) shows that cooling of fresh burn wounds is beneficial to relieve pain and was shown clinically and histologically in this study to limit tissue damage and allow more rapid healing in deep dermal burns. Delayed cooling of up to 30 min is effective in limiting tissue damage to the burn wounds. The wounds that were cooled with tap water for 3 hours showed the least tissue damage. The temperature of the water used to cool the burn wounds is important.
184 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
FEATURE In the Pre-Hospital setting, the ideal emergency response cooling medium for burns needs to be easy to use, non evaporative, readily available, efficient and effective, adult and child friendly, acceptable to all modes of emergency transport, easy to apply, water based, water soluble, non adherent, sterile, easily transported, supporting the maintenance of a clean burn site, have an ability to absorb high temperatures without a concern for inducing hypothermia, conforms to any and all areas of the body and burn tissue and does not require any further supportive application of water with an extended optimum usage time without drying out (12,13,21).
Conclusion: With all the clinical evidence now available from around the world advocating and supporting the benefits of early cooling of burn injuries (25), there are still those who continue to promote the use of a “no cooling with the application of a dry dressing only” protocol, or insisting that the area that may be cooled does not extend beyond a TBSA ranging anything from <10% to <50% with even less clinical support as to why these particular percentages are selected, the reasoning put forward is one of a concern for the onset of hypothermia, this concern has been evaluated and evidenced in more than one paper not to be the case (6, 7, 16), yet these same recommendations fail to address the concern for dry dressing adhesion to burnt tissue and the fact that they should not be applied circumferentially with the use of tape, as this may restrict the oedema taking place on site. Any supporting evidential clinical papers for this dry dressing protocol are at best scarce, against the weight of ongoing international evidence supporting a controlled cooling protocol. It is interesting to note from all of the available research studies that advocate the benefits of cooling with cool running water, the potential for infection from unknown water sources is not discussed in detail. There are recent clinical papers available from distinguished authors addressing this new concern in the Prehospital and In-hospital setting (26, 27, 28, 29). Note: As this article is relating only to the necessity for efficient and effective Pre Hospital cooling of the burn injury, it is important to state that the complete management of the burn patient may involve much more than what is covered in this article. References
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1. Reduced Hospitalisation of burns patients following a multimedia campaign that increased adequacy of first aid treatment Adrian M. Skinner, Tim La H. Brown, Bruce G. Peat Michael J. Muller ISBI Burns 30 (2004) 82–85 South Auckland Burn Service, C/- Department of Plastic Surgery, Middlemore Hospital, P.O. Box 93311, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand 2. Nguyen NL, Gun RT, Sparnon AL, et al. The importance of immediate cooling a case series of childhood burns in Vietnam. ISBI Burns 2002;28:173–6. 3. Prompt cooling of burned areas: a review of benefits and the effector mechanisms J. W. L. Davies ISBI BURNS 1982 University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow 4. The Australian and New Zealand Burn Association Limited (ANZBA) British Burn association (BBA).Emergency management of severe burns (EMSB) course manual. 4th ed. Australian and New Zealand Burn Association Ltd.; 2001. 5. Jandera V, Hudson DA, de Wet PM, Rode H. Cooling the burn wound, evaluation of different modalities. ISBI Burns 2000;26(3):265–70. 6. The Association Between Hypothermia, Pre Hospital Cooling and Mortality in Burn Victims Adam J. SingerMD, Breena R> Taira, MD, Henry C. Thode Jr, PhD, Jane E. Mc Cormack, RN, Mark Shapiro, MD, Ani Aydin, MD and Christopher Lee, MD. 2010. Journal for the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
7. Lonnecker S, Schoder V. Hypothermia in patients with burn injuries: influence of prehospital treatment. Chirurg 2001;72(2):164–7. 8. Cooling in the Emergency Treatment of Burns. Michael F. Epstein and John D. Crawford. Paediatrics 1973;52,430 American Academy of Paediatrics. 9. How to Cool a Burn: A Heat Transfer Point of View Anne Baldwin,* Jie Xu, PhD,† Daniel Attinger, PhD‡ ABA Journal of Burn Care and Research 2012 10. First Aid Treatment of Burn Injuries Cuttle L & Kimble RM Wound Practice and Research 18:1 2010 11. Severe burn injury- Pre hospital paramedic response- if it goes wrong: PM Bourke & KW Dunn: UK Journal of Paramedic Practice 5:10 2013 12. Monitoring Of Temperature While Cooling Burn Injuries Dr Th. Castner Association for the practical treatment of Accidents Continued Education, Rescue Service 1:23:2000 Germany 13. Cooling – Out of the bag Dr. Med. Thomas Castner et al 2002, AGAN Institute for Emergency Medicine, Merkdorf Germany. 14. The optimal duration and delay of first aid treatment for deep partial thickness burn injuries Leila Cuttle a,*, Margit Kempf a, Pei-Yun Liu a, Olena Kravchuk b, Roy M. Kimble: ISBI BURNS 3 6 ( 2 0 1 0 ) 6 7 3 – 6 7 9 15. An Audit of First-Aid Treatment of Pediatric Burns Patients and Their Clinical Outcome Leila Cuttle, BSc (Hons),* Olena Kravchuk, PhD,† Belinda Wallis, BBEnv,*Roy M. Kimble, MBChB, MD*(J Burn Care Res 2009;30:1028–1034) 16. The Effect of a Commercially Available Burn-cooling Blanket on Core Body Temperatures in Volunteers Adam J. Singer, MD, Brenda Freidman, MD, Prachi Modi, BS, MD, Harry H. Soroff, MD: ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2006; 13:686–690: by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine. 17. Prehospital and emergency department burn care: Scott DeBoer et al. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America. 16 (2004) 61-73 18. The Totality of Burn Care: Leigh Ann Price and Stephen M Milner: Trauma 15 (1) 16-28 , 2012 19. Cooling of the burn wound: The ideal temperature of the coolant T.H.J. Venter, J.S. Karpelowsky *, H. Rode BURNS 3 3 ( 2 0 0 7 ) 9 1 7 – 9 2 2 20. Burn Care in EMS: Emergency Medical Services: 33.2.2004 Scott DeBoer, Craig Felty, Michael Seaver 21. Quo Vadis…Where Are We Going With Burn Care? Richard A. Clinchy, PhD, EMT-P 22. World Health Organization “BURNS” Fact sheet number 365 May 2012 23. Miller School of Medicine University of Miami Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Wound Healing Research Laboratory PRELIMINARY STUDY REPORT Second-degree Burn Wound Study 2010 24. Emergent Management of Thermal Burns. Jamie Angela Jenkins MD: Medscape Reference Dec 17 2013 25. Pediatrie: 1990; 45(4):237-9. Immediate cooling with water: emergency treatment of burns J.Latarjet [Article in French] 26. Burn Wound Infections Deirdre Church,1,2,3* Sameer Elsayed,1,2 Owen Reid,3 Brent Winston,4 and Robert Lindsay3 CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS, Apr. 2006, p.403 – 434 Vol. 19, No. 2 0893-8512/06/$08.00_0 doi:10.1128/CMR.19.2.403–434.2006 Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. 27. Incidence and bacteriology of burn infections at a military burn center§Edward F. Keen IIIa, Brian J. Robinson a, Duane R. Hospenthal a,b, Wade K. Aldous a, Steven E. Wolf c, Kevin K. Chung c, Clinton K. Murray 28. INFECTION CONTROL IN BURN PATIENTS Authors: Joan Weber, RN, BSN, CIC Infection Control Coordinator, Shriners Burns Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Albert McManus PhD, Senior Scientist (retired), U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, Texas; Nursing Committee of the International Society for Burn Injuries. 29. Burn wounds infected by contaminated water: Case reports,review of the literature and recommendations for treatment Noel F.F. Ribeiro a, Christopher H. Heath b,c,*, Jessica Kierath c, Suzanne Rea d,e Mark Duncan-Smith d, Fiona M. Wood BURNS 36 (2010) 9 – 2 2
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FEATURE
ALTERNATIVE PARAMEDIC ROLES MY YEAR OUT..... In October of last year James Davies (HCPC Paramedic) decided to take some time out from the NHS and explore alternative Paramedic roles.
I’ve been a paramedic for nearly ten years now. I have to admit the last couple have been difficult. The relentless increase in call volume and poorly implemented plans to combat this have taken their toll on my motivation. That and my time in Afghanistan have skewed my idea on what an ambulance service is actually here for. Time for a change.
We sit watching through the windscreen of our armoured SUV, engines running. Through a gap in the blast walls appears my team leader and
Two years previous I was sat in the back of a helicopter flying over
the client. In this case an oil worker returning home on leave. As the
Helmand Provence. As a RAF reservist I was lucky enough to serve on
client struggles to pull open the heavy door of the vehicle to my front, I’m
the MERT. We regularly attended to the most critically injured people
reminded of the B6 level armour we’re encased within.
I have seen or am ever likely to see again. A daily flow of traumatic amputations, GSW and associated battlefield injuries made up my tour
Everyone in. The radio crackles to life. “Radio check”. We all reply. I turn to my Iraqi driver and tell him the destination. We tend to leave to the detail late for security reasons. We stop just before the main gate. We debus the vehicles into the searing heat. Move to the loading bay and attach a magazine to our AK-47 rifles.
of duty. During the tour I got to perform many interventions outside my normal scope of practise. As a team of two paramedics, a nurse and Doctor. We gave blood products pre-hospital on the aircraft. Regularly used Intraossesus access. Had access to extended range of drugs ie
Then our convoy rolls out through the security gate. Gone is the relative security of our compound. We turn on to the main road and head south toward the airport. We’re surrounded by open Iraqi desert. We’re exposed now. The constant radio traffic between the vehicle convoy is reassuring.
Ketamine, Midazolam, TXA and often assisted with RSI. We got to use some amazing new innovations such as Fentanyl lollipops. These are exactly what they say they are. A lollipop impregnated with a dose of Fentanyl. The patient simply sucks on the lollipop for analgesia. We used to tape them to the patients thumb for
The environment couldn’t be more different to home. It was only a
safety. If they had too much they’d pass out and out comes the lollipop.
few months ago I was sat in a dreary Hampshire lay-by on yet another
These would be ideal for pre hospital use. Being privy to all these
standby. How did I get here? Working as a close protection medic?
alternatives made me realise that there is more out there to be learned. Ambulance services seem to have a narrow mind set, this is even noticeable between different trusts. As they say there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Knowledge should be shared. Meanwhile back at the lay-by. My phone rings and old army mate asks me if I’m interested in a job in Iraq as a Close Protection Medic. “What’s that?” “We need Paramedics for our close protection teams in Iraq. Get yourself on a CP course and the jobs yours, buddy” Unless you are ‘in the know’ you’ll need an Security Industry Authority (SIA) recognised Close Protection licence. Mine lasted 3 weeks. The first
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
part was UK based and the hostile environment/firearms package was abroad in the Czech Republic. All courses follow the SIA curriculum including foot drills, vehicle drills, route planning, venue recce, anti surveillance training and so on. The days were long with a considerable amount of written work to complete also. If your idea of close protection is big guys in suits then think again. It’s essentially a lot of planning to avoid trouble and actions in the event of. Fig 1 – MERT Afghanistan 2010 – With fellow Paramedics (L-R, Me, Tommo, Twisty)
The firearms package although not essential for the license is a definite for those without military backgrounds. Weapons safety around a ‘client’
186 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
FEATURE is very important. Accidently discharging a weapon anywhere near a client will be career ending.
• Tier 2 medics are clinicians i.e. Paramedic, Nurse (with trauma experience), Combat Medical Technician 1 (or other service equivalent) • Tier 3 facilities are remote medical clinics – often manned by a doctor
You don’t need FPOS if you’re a paramedic. You can be accredited for FPOS in order to gain your CP qualification. An FPOS element is included in all CP courses. Find one that will let you sit that part out so
(not always though!) • Tier 4 facilities are definitive care facilities i.e. Often a hospital in another country. Aeromedical evacuation is often required to achieve this.
you can save some cash. Check with the training provider. The Tier system represents the evacuation chain in a remote environment and forms the basis of any MERP (Medical Emergency Response Plan). So if the client becomes a casualty they are initially rendered first aid by the Tier1, then you (the Tier2) get involved and enhance treatment as required and make a clinical decision. Can you manage on site or go to your nearest Tier 3 facility. Serious casualties are stabilised at Tier 3 and then aero medical evacuation is arranged. Security companies utilise their Tier 2’s in different ways. Some have them as a member of the Private Security Detail (PSD), some have them in a central location with an emergency response vehicle, ready to respond if a PSD requests them. My contract involves me being a team member. So I’m primarily there as a close protection operator and secondly as a medic should anything arise. However when back at camp you will be seen as a point of contact for all things medical. You’ll Fig 2 – CP Course Czech Rep. (2013) – Live Fire vehicle anti ambush drills (Author on right)
Fig 3 – Debriefing after Vehicle Anti Ambush drills Czech Rep – (Author on center)
be amazed as to what problems people will approach you with!
Fig 4 – Example of a Tier 3 Facility
The bigger security companies generally have another medical These courses are not cheap. You’re looking in the region of £3000.
company i.e. Prometheus to look after the Clinical Governance and
However you need to way this up against potential earnings of $475
equipment supply chain issues. You have to report back to them weekly
a day. On the right rotation that’s $120000 a year (Tax free).
with equipment checks and any Patient report forms generated. They with a doctor. You are essentially a remote practitioner also. You may find yourself dealing with all kinds of primary care needs, lower back
Oil and gas industry companies will be your main clients. They often
pain, UTI’s, toothache, diabetic problems etc. People are people they
have written into any security contracts that they require Tier 2 level
will have issues at some point. Remember you’re it. You can’t just
medics to accompany their staff. What’s a Tier 2 medic I hear you say?
take people to the local A&E here. You are in a hostile environment. You also have to accept there are limitations and that patients may not
Well the security industry has a Tier system for their medical support.
get the best care. You could also be managing them for prolonged
It is loosely based on the military system and goes as follows;
periods while aero medical evacuation is arranged. While this may seem
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
So what’s the actual job?
also provide a useful reach back service if you need to discuss a case
daunting it can be strangely rewarding as you rapidly become a key • Tier 1 medics are qualified to FPOS/MIRA level
figure in your little community.
187 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.
FEATURE Ok so it all sounds very exciting but there are some harsh realities. It’s potentially dangerous. You could potentially be shot, blown up, kidnapped or involved in a RTC (driving standards appalling). So you still want to do it?
Fig 5 – My Iraqi driver and me
I’m fairly well kitted out here. You get all the obvious pre hospital equipment as well as a range of primary care equipment and drugs. However you have a limited amount of equipment. A couple of serious casualties will deplete your stock rapidly. In my role everywhere the client goes the med kit goes too. In my vehicle will be a trauma bag, primary care bag, O2, AED, folding spinal board and scoop. You have to be prepared to convert your 4x4 to a mini ambulance quickly. This involves dropping the seats on one side and lashing the board/scoop down. We also have cords running around the interior roof grab handles for hanging fluids etc. Not ideal, but improvisation is the name of the game out here.
On top of the CP course you will need an ALS qualification. But I’m a paramedic I do that for a living I hear you cry! Every job I’ve seen has it as a requirement. PHTLS is a close second. Most contracts are American and these are there standards. Ideally you will have a military background although this not always the case. If you haven’t join the reserve forces. This will help massively.
What will you gain from it? Exposure to different cultures. Most of my team are Iraqi’s. This is an interesting experience. Work ethics and time management in Iraq are, how shall we say different. Working with locals will thoroughly test your man management and diplomacy skills. You will work with other security contractors from a variety of countries such as South Africa, Australia, Canada, USA and Fiji. It is truly a multi cultural society. It’s well worth talking to other Tier2 medics from these different countries. They’ve all got there quirky ways of doing things and its useful to build contacts for arranging foreign work experience. The South African paramedics are only too happy to show you some real trauma back home! Being in a foreign environment you will come a across some more exotic medical conditions. Such as leishmaniasis and frightening array of things that bite and sting. I don’t remember the section on the management of neurotoxic snake envenomations in JRCALC.
Fig 6 – The Med Bags (Trauma and Primary Care) AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Ok so it all sounds very exciting but there are some harsh realities. It’s potentially dangerous. You could potentially be shot, blown up, kidnapped or involved in a RTC (driving standards appalling). Living conditions are far from perfect. You may be sharing a room, your
The job will improve your medical planning skills. You’ll do a lot of ‘What if?’ thinking. You may be asked to brief new arrivals/management on the current MERP. Training is often a role you’ll be expected to take on. First aid training will be delivered to other security staff and clients. Thus improving presentation skills. You have to ask yourself whether it’s a viable long term option. At times there is the minimal patient exposure. As a serious clinician you need to be getting some extra patient contact whilst on leave either through a bank contract or private work. You need to be on top of your CPD requirements also. Subscribe to journals, do an online course and definitely complete some reflective practise on all patient contacts.
internet may break down and the food might not be great. It varies a lot from site to site. There’s also the reality of long periods away from home. Not so bad if you’re single but difficult with a family. This all needs serious consideration before embarking on your little adventure.
As for me I’m half way through my year out now and have taken on a new contract. I’m leaving the security side behind and heading off to Baghdad to work in a remote site clinic. I’ll let you know how it goes.
188 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
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189
FEATURE
PARAMEDICS IN PERIL REDUCING ASSAULTS ON LONDON AMBULANCE SERVICE CREWS Introduction The London Ambulance Service (LAS) plays a massive role in the
Assault
protection of Londoners. Responding to thousands of incidents a month,
Even worse than LAS crews being verbally abused while trying to
they are the frontline of healthcare for our city. However, through Freedom
provide emergency medical treatment is an act of violence against
of Information (FOI) requests it has been found that abuse and assaults
these first responders. Assault has risen 23% in the past year with
against the people manning this frontline service are increasing. More
582 reported incidents. Over the past three years it has become more
than three LAS frontline responders are abused or assaulted every day.
dangerous to be on an LAS crew in terms of assault.
Changes need to be made to lessen the toll this is taking on LAS crews and the financial burden this is placing on the service itself. This report will recommend a costed way to help reduce these unacceptable attacks against our frontline responders. Borrowing successful systems used by other emergency services could make the LAS the first ambulance service to trial body-worn cameras to deter these crimes.
“This is wholly unacceptable, and it is all too often becoming a regular part of the job.” - Waltham Forest Ambulance Operations Manager Michael Pearce1
The top 5 most common themes recorded3 Category
2011
2012
2013
Total
Physical assault by a patient or third party (no weapons involved)
435
363
434
1232
Verbal Abuse (general)
219
250
309
778
Verbal Abuse (with threats)
190
255
268
713
Antisocial Behaviour (e.g. s5 POA)
237
131
92
460
Spat on by a patient or third party
49
41
46
136
Current Safety Precautions The LAS puts a great deal of effort towards mitigating and avoiding abuse and assaults against its frontline workers. Using a mixture of preventative
Wholly Unacceptable Risk
measures, informational campaigns, and harsh prosecutions, the LAS has made an effective start but their work could be strengthened by the
It may seem hard to believe that an individual providing emergency medical
recommendations set out in this report.
help would become a target of abuse and violence, but more than three LAS frontline responders were abused or assaulted every day of 2013.
Dangerous Residences List The LAS employs a system of marking problem residences in a private
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Abuse
database that helps crews to prepare their responses for violent or
Abuse of LAS crews seems to be a relatively common occurrence, with
abusive patients, which may include wearing a stab-proof vest or bringing
749 reported instances of abuse in 2013. What is most shocking is that
police with them to the response.4 In 2013, the list - compiled using an
threats of violence have increased by 29% over the past three years.
information sharing scheme with the Metropolitan Police - included 390 residences across London. Of these 226 are classed as serious and require the need for police assistance.5
The numbers of incidents of assault and abuse2 Calendar Year
Assault
Abuse
Total
2011
541
894
1435
2012
446
805
1251
2013
582
749
1331
Information Campaigns In the past the LAS, and the National Health Service (NHS) as a whole, have provided information campaigns to help prevent violence, such as their “No Excuse” campaign that reminded the public to treat first responders with respect, and that prosecutions for violence and abuse against first responders have increased.6
190 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
FEATURE Prosecution as a deterrent
A direct staffing toll to the LAS
Prosecuting those who commit assaults against first responders is the
There is a clear measurable effect on staffing following an assault. In one
NHS’s major deterrent, and with co-operation with the Met, prosecutions
case a shoulder injury due to assault led to three weeks off the job for one
are made easier. Punishments for assault have included community
crew member,13 in another eight weeks off for a severely sprained wrist.14
service, fines of several thousand pounds, probation, and even prison
Through a LAS Freedom of information (FOI) request it was found that an
sentences.7 Of course this deterrent can be costly not only in terms of
estimated 633 working days are lost a year as a direct result of assaults,
the time needed to properly report crimes, but also in the time it takes for
averaging 1.167 work days lost per assault. With that volume of days lost the
these criminals to reach court.
LAS would need to have more than three extra frontline workers just to make up for the time lost every year.15 The severity of these assaults varies and this
A Cost of Wellbeing
adds to the number of days needed to recover to a working state. After being
With these levels of abuse and assault there are four major concerns
1.6% took over 10 days. These figures do not even cover cases where
principally regarding the health of LAS crews, but also the cost to the
attacked, 5.5% of LAS staff took more than 5 days off work, while another members of staff are absent at later dates due to the cumulative effects of
entire LAS.
injury, so these numbers are most likely higher in actuality
Ambulance personnel physical wellbeing
The suspected cost
Cases of severe assault can have life-changing results for LAS staff. One member of staff suffered permanent injuries when they lost the partial movement in one finger after being so savagely bitten by a drunken patient that surgery was required.8 Another member of staff, whose wrist was so severely sprained while restraining a violent patient, found that long after the incident they still had “twinges of pain every now and then”. These crimes which cause permanent physical injuries are being
The LAS have calculated that an average lost day of work for their staff costs £231.16 With 633 days lost to assault a year, this costs the LAS an estimated £125,700.17 Over the past three-year period an estimated £377,100 was lost from sick days due to assault. These figures are conservative estimates, not taking into account the costs of therapy, taking the assailant to court, or other cumulative effects of injury.
9
punished by harsh penalties, nevertheless better ways to prevent these incidents from recurring need to be explored.
A Modern Approach Visible deterrents
The mental wellbeing of staff
Two very viable options to significantly reduce abuse and assault against LAS
The mental toll on the ambulance crews has been explored by the NHS
frontline staff would be to either implement on-vehicle CCTV or body worn
and LAS. The average ambulance attendant in the UK takes 14.7 sick
cameras. Both would act as visible deterrents to individuals whose intent is to
days a year, which is much higher than 2.8 days taken by doctors.10
assault frontline responders. Vehicle CCTV is now quite commonplace with
Whilst this is only partly due to cases of assault it illustrates how difficult
other ambulance services across the UK. Some ambulance services, such
and physically demanding the job can be. Studies have shown that 34%
as those in Merseyside and Cheshire, had CCTV as far back as 2004.18 The
of ambulance drivers in the UK have suffered from post-traumatic stress
equipment uses straight forward, user friendly technology which allows staff
disorder (PTSD), and the LAS have put precautions in place to reduce the
to quickly activate the system at the first sight of trouble by hitting a “panic
occurrence in new recruits.11
strip” that extends across the length of the vehicle.19
- Paramedic Leo Nakhimoff, 29, was assaulted in 2012 by a drunken patient12
Cameras could be placed not only inside the vehicle, but facing outwards, as most assaults have been found to occur away from the ambulance.20 The East Midlands Ambulance Service estimates the cost of CCTV systems at £400 per vehicle in 2013, including inside and outside cameras and video storage systems.21 Further to this point - as crews will be far away from the vehicles when initially responding to incidents - body-worn cameras (much like some UK police forces wear) could be given to first responders. Much like the on-vehicle systems they are only activated by staff when an incident is either in progress or when entering a dangerous environment. The Staffordshire police trial of police body-worn cameras led to significant reductions in disorder and anti-social behaviour.22 After the successful trial the Staffordshire police rolled out 550 cameras at a cost of £660 per camera, and the associated equipment to access the footage.23 Better Prosecutions As discussed earlier, prosecutions are a significant deterrent to abuse and assault against LAS crews. On-vehicle CCTV and body-worn cameras enable easier reporting of crimes against staff as they do not require lengthy descriptions of the crime, just a short description with the
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
“When you’re going about your daily job treating patients you don’t expect to get attacked with a fence post – it was completely unprovoked. It affected me quite badly at the time and I questioned whether I wanted to continue working as a paramedic. It’s now at the back of my mind when I get called to similar incidents. At the end of the day, we’re here to help people and we don’t want to be in fear of being attacked.”
submission of the video evidence. The recorded evidence also results in shorter trials as there is less chance of dispute over the events in question.
191 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.
FEATURE Implementation Implementation of on-vehicle CCTV or body-worn cameras should first be explored through a trial of the technology before significant investment is made. A trial might consist of body-worn cameras being given to crews visiting any of 390 residences marked as violent/abusive. With one or more cameras available in each of the LAS’s 70 ambulance stations24 many of the dangerous call-outs could have surveillance available. The cost of a rollout of 100 cameras, if similar technology to the Staffordshire police were used, would be £66,000 which is approximately half the average annual cost of sick days due to assault. Other distributions of the camera technology should be trialled as well to fully test the viability of the technology in a myriad of circumstances, such as crews stationed at busy times on high streets, or during large public events in London. If the trial of the body-worn camera proves successful, a pilot of 100 onvehicle CCTV systems could be initiated. Using a similar priced system to that of the East Midlands Ambulance Service, a trial of 100 vehicles would cost approximately £40,000, which is less than one-third the financial total of the yearly sick bill due to assault. It is the expectation of this report that these technologies, if proven feasible, would pay for themselves though the time saved in prosecuting assault cases. This technology would also act as a visual deterrent with the aim of reducing the number of assaults, which would have various savings.
References 1. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_ statements/assault_sentence_welcomed.aspx 2. London Ambulance Service, Freedom of Information request data March 2014 3. London Ambulance Service, Freedom of Information request data March 2014 4. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/ screaming-blue-murder-we-join-a-london-ambulance-crewforthe-busiest-nightshift-of-the-year-1850007.html and http://www. dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2382076/London-ambulance-servicesblacklisted-households-inhabitants-pose-danger-paramedics.html 5. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_ statements/ambulance_workers_assaulted_da.aspx?lang=en-gb 6. http://www.prweek.com/article/109405/campaigns-publicawareness---no-excuse-ads-strive-cutassaults 7. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_ statements/ilford_man_who_punched_ambulan.aspx?lang=en-gb and http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_archive/ ambulance_service_welcomes.aspx 8. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_archive/ ambulance_service_welcomes.aspx
“At the end of the day, we’re here to help people and we don’t want to be in fear of being attacked.” - Paramedic Leo Nakhimoff, 29, was assaulted in 2012 by a drunken patient25
9. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_ statements/assault_sentence_welcomed.aspx 10. http://www.nhsemployers.org/HealthyWorkplaces/LatestNews/ Pages/StaffSicknessFiguresReleased.aspx 11. http://www.kcl.ac.uk/iop/news/records/2008/11November/PTSD-inambulance-workers.aspx 12. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_ statements/ambulance_workers_assaulted_da.aspx?lang=en-gb 13. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_ statements/ilford_man_who_punched_ambulan.aspx?lang=engb
Conclusion
14. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_ statements/assault_sentence_welcomed.aspx
The London Ambulance Service despite its work on reducing the volume
15. 633 (days lost) / 181 (average number of LAS work days a year) = 3.5
of abuse and assault on staff still faces a problem. The toll that such
16. London Ambulance Service, Freedom of Information request data March 2014
assaults take on crews both physically and mentally is unacceptable. It is clear that reducing assaults has the potential of paying for itself. In light of this we recommend the London Ambulance Service:
17. Ibid. 18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/3925661.stm
1. Immediately begin a year-long trial of 100 body-worn cameras. Distributing the cameras in varied settings would help evaluate the effectiveness of this technology in reducing assaults and speeding up AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
the prosecution of future crimes against staff. 2. Begin an information campaign to highlight the use of body-worn cameras by crews, and the increased ability to prosecute assailants. 3. Following the body-worn camera trial, the LAS should trial 100 onvehicle CCTV systems to further improve the chances of prosecuting criminals and reducing future assaults. The capital cost of the 200 CCTV camera pilot would be an estimated £106,000 – less than just one year of the annual £125,700 sick bill caused by attacks and injury.
19. http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/content/homepagefeature/assaults-on-ambulance-staff-on-the-increase.ashx 20. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22356712 21. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/information_139 22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/stoke/hi/people_and_places/ newsid_8439000/8439390.stm 23. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2459991/Police-force-equipofficers-body-worn-video-cameras.html 24. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/working_for_us/career_ opportunities.aspx 25. http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_ statements/ambulance_workers_assaulted_da.aspx?lang=en-gb
192 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE 4x4 Ambulance fleet boost for WMAS
will come into their own during
Devonshire said “We are
the winter months and will add an
again delighted to be able to
extra dimension to the ambulance
show our support to Devon Air
service when responding to
Ambulance with this donation
emergency calls.
of £4000. A great many lives would be lost without the swift
A fleet of new 4x4 ambulances
First ever Ambulance Aid (Technician) IHCD 6 week course
is set to hit the region’s roads
“A number of ambulance staff
life-saving help provided by
after West Midlands Ambulance
recently attended the Prodrive test
the air ambulance doctors
Service (WMAS) took delivery of
facilities in Warwickshire along
and paramedics. That is why
Thames Training and
with Mercedes training staff to
Freemasons are passionate
Development part of the
use the vehicles off road. WMAS
about supporting the air
Thames Group are pleased
driver trainers also attended and
ambulance services in England
to announce that our
will be passing on their knowledge
and Wales. Air ambulance
well established Training
to all frontline staff who will all be
charities are reliant on voluntary
establishment will be running
vehicle replacements and the
trained to use the vehicles over
donations to operate, and we
its first ever Ambulance Aid
new 4x4 Mercedes ambulances
the coming months.”
hope that our contributions will
(Technician) IHCD 6 week
help them to continue saving
course, delegates will be trained
lives in the future”
alongside NHS and Private
16 of the new specially designed emergency vehicles. The ambulance trust is continuing with a ‘significant’ investment in
will give the Trust much more capability to get to patients in
The cost of one of the new
difficult weather and muddy off-
4x4 ambulances is £140,000
road conditions.
compared to £100,000 for a normal new two wheel drive
WMAS currently has one of the
ambulance.”
most modern 999 fleet of any ambulance service in the country with over 300 ambulances and
DAA
as an everyday ambulance.
Saving lives: Freemasons support Devon Air Ambulance Trust with £4000
Craig Cooke, WMAS Support
The Freemasons’ Grand
Services Director, said: “The new
Charity has announced that
vehicles will mean that for the
it is granting £192,000 to air
first time we will have a full size
ambulance charities nationally,
ambulance with 4x4 capabilities.
£4000 of which is being given to
This investment in new vehicles
the Devon Air Ambulance Trust
will help us provide high quality
(DAAT). Freemasons are regular
clinical services to people who
supporters of the air ambulance
suffer serious injuries or medical
charities and since 2007 have
conditions when they are out and
donated £1.5 million in total to
about on uneven and difficult
the twenty two rescue services
to access terrain. This should
in England and Wales.
200 rapid response vehicles. It is planned that one of the 4x4 vehicles will be based at each ambulance hub around the region, able to be used the same
sector colleagues following Caroline Creer, Fundraising
a set syllabus and resulting
Director of Devon Air
in the Nationally recognised
Ambulance Trust said “We are
Ambulance Technician Award,
delighted to once again receive
the course Directing Staff are
this generous donation from
all IHCD HPC Paramedics and
the Devon Freemasons and
Tutors, plus guest presenters
would like to thank them for
on specialist subjects such as
their continued support. This
Paediatrics, Emergency child
donation really does mean a
birth, and ECG interpretation,
great deal and will go a long
the six weeks will comprise of
way to helping Devon’s two
Module D / E and F of the IHCD
Air Ambulances flying. Since
programme.
2007 over £35,250.00 has been donated by generous Devon
After the six week classroom
Masons.”
based study the students will
improve the comfort and care to patients and offer a much better
Air ambulance charities rely on
working environment for our staff.
voluntary donations to operate, Support from grant-makers
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Assistant Area Manager, Nigel
like The Freemasons’ Grand
Wells, said: “The new Mercedes
Charity means that doctors and
4x4 sprinter has been developed
paramedics reach patients in
with staff and Mercedes to ensure
emergency situations as quickly
they meet all the requirements
as possible – saving lives in the
of both the patient and the staff.
process.
The fully automatic 4x4 system is very simple to use and will give
On making the donation R.
staff greater access to patients
W. Bro. Ian Kingsbury, the
in challenging conditions. They
Provincial Grand Master for
Caroline Creer, receiving the cheque from R.W.Bro. Ian Kingsbury
194 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
be set operational assignments
to secure employment in the
and portfolio work in order to
Independent Ambulance Sector,
gain evidence (750 hours) of
for further details of these or
Clinical Placements, these will
any other of our extensive
be based on the needs of the
range please contact one of our
individual learners and their
Training Team on 01268511151.
ability to gain such evidence in
Or by email: training@
the workplace clinical patient
thamesambulance.co.uk.
focused exposure environment,
Visit our web site:
please contact the Training
www.thamestraining.co.uk.
Manager Ashley Harrison to
If you think we can help you we
discuss your own personal
probably can!
requirements. Exciting opportunity If you place your name on our expression of interest list for the February 2015 course we will give you a 10% discount on the course fee and secure the 2014 cost now, that offer will then stand for the whole of 2015, just for adding your name to our waiting list of potential delegates, if your circumstances then change and you end up not needing the place then there will be no obligation, but by expressing an interest now at least you have secured this years prices plus a 10% discount. Perhaps you are not ready for the full IHCD Course yet? Perhaps you are new to the independent ambulance sector? If so we can also offer basic initial training in a wide range
EEAST
Extra training allows paramedics to treat at home Specialist paramedic training has seen hundreds of patients able to be treated in their own homes rather than in hospital according to latest figures. In 2013/14, more than 400 patients received wound closure treatment in their own homes from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST). One of EEAST’s Clinical Operations Managers, Jori Krijgsman said: “The treatment ultimately means better care for patients and saves them a journey to hospital. The wound can be treated quickly and effectively
portfolio of courses to help you
thorough the use of adhesive
get started:
stitches or dissolvable glue.”
• First Aid at Work 1. 2. 3 Day Course
After successful feedback from patients and paramedics, the
• Safer Manual Handling
training has now been introduced
• Infection Prevention
to the new student paramedic
and Control • Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children
course. The ambulance service is continuing to recruit 400 students; more than 200 people have now
• First Person on Scene
received offers, and 100 have
Intermediate (IHCD)
started their training across the
• First Person on Scene
region.
Enhanced (IHCD) • 3 week IHCD Ambulance Driving D1 / D2
The campaign to recruit more student paramedics is still ongoing and more information is
A combination of these courses
available at
could help the right person
http://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/
O2
NEWSLINE EMAS
Outstanding achievement award for Dr Woods Our annual Values and Recognition Awards celebrate colleagues for their outstanding achievements within our service. One of the award categories is contribution, this award identifies staff that have gone above and beyond their duty and made a significant contribution and commitment to provide the best service to our patients. Dr Matt Woods from East Midlands Immediate Care
of a patient after they have been
and local knowledge of the area
For more information about
admitted to hospital.”
are among their many assets.
the work of Community First Responders or to become one
Matt has been with EMICS for three
CFRs will be called by the
yourself, contact West Midlands
years and is one of the most active
ambulance service’s control room
Ambulance Service Community
of the team of doctors, attending
to medical emergencies in their area
Response Manager Noel Orbell
typically around 5 incidents each
while an ambulance is en-route.
on 07980 094808, or the CFR
week to support EMAS.
They are vital in life-threatening
Admin office on 01384 215855 or
situations, particularly in the case of
email CFRAdmin@wmas.nhs.uk
EMICS Doctors are all volunteers
a cardiac arrest, stroke and trauma
who are fully trained in trauma
when every minute counts.
work. They are equipped with a
WMAS
Civic role for Paramedic Adam
wide range of specialist equipment
Community Response Manager
to perform life-saving interventions
Noel Orbell said: “Volunteers
at the scene of an incident such as
come from all walks of life. When
industrial or road traffic accident
they make themselves available
A Birmingham paramedic has
or rail crash. This equipment is
to respond they can continue to
been named Consort to the Mayor
funded by EMICS and can range
go about their daily lives, but if an
of Dudley.
from a defibrillator costing £2,000
emergency call is received by the
to protective boots costing £80.
ambulance service within a five or
Adam Aston, based at Aston
six mile radius, they are sent and
Ambulance Hub in Birmingham,
always backed-up by an emergency
has worked for West Midlands
ambulance service vehicle.
Ambulance Service for the past
Scheme (EMICS) has won our Contribution award after being nominated by three of our
ten years and is a Staff Governor
paramedics for his ‘calm nature’
“To volunteer, you must be aged
and ‘extreme professionalism’
at the Trust.
18 or over, have a full driving
when providing support on a
When he’s not saving lives in his
traumatic jobs.
licence and lots of enthusiasm.
Dr Matt Woods is a Registrar
“Help will be provided in obtaining
Councillor for Dudley Metropolitan
Anaesthetist at the Leicester Royal
the necessary equipment and no
Borough Council serving the
Infirmary and volunteers for EMICS
previous experience is necessary
Upper Gornal and Woodsetton
in his own time. EMICS doctors are
as West Midlands Ambulance
Ward and was named as the new
trained in specialised trauma work
Service will provide the training.
Mayor’s consort on the 5th June.
“Applicants will attend a
For the next 12 months, Adam
nationally recognised training
will attend civic engagements
course covering Basic Life
and official duties with his mum,
Support and Defibrillation,
Councillor Margaret Aston, who
Medical Emergencies, Traumatic
is the borough’s new Mayor and
Emergencies and Preparing for
was formerly the Deputy Mayor.
Active Duty. They will then train
Adam was consort to the Deputy
alongside ambulance crews
Mayor in the previous 12 months.
and are dispatched from our control centre to provide assistance with
day job, Adam is also a Labour
EMAS Chairman, Pauline Tagg, presented Dr Matt Woods with his award on Wednesday 9 July
the most serious emergencies. Those who nominated Matt praised his encouragement, enthusiasm and confidence when providing support.
WMAS
Appeal for volunteer lifesavers in Worcestershire
One nominator said: “All of our frontline staff in Leicester
before going ‘live’”. Adam said: “It’s a real honour
An appeal has been made for Community First Responders
Michelle Brotherton, West Midlands
and a privilege to be, once more,
(CFRs) in south Worcestershire.
Ambulance Service General
working in the Mayoral team as
helping people. His attendance,
Manager for the West Mercia area
it’s a fascinating role. I’m really
experience and advanced skills
Volunteers are particularly needed in
said: “We really support Community
looking forward to meeting even
and around Malvern, Upton-upon-
First Responders and call upon
more people in our communities
Severn, Tenbury and Broadway.
them to help their local community.
who make a real difference to the
Community First Responders are
borough.
are hugely appreciative of the dedication Matt gives to
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
at traumatic incidents is always invaluable to crews. He is always calm in his approach and always gets EMAS staff fully involved
CFRs are everyday members
an integral part of the ambulance
in advanced techniques whilst
of the public who are trained in
service. The work they do is
“West Midlands Ambulance
explaining his decisions. Dr
lifesaving techniques including the
outstanding and is greatly valued.
Service has been really supportive
Woods also makes a point of
use of a defibrillator, a device used
It’s about giving something back
in my role as a Councillor
getting in touch with crews after
to restart the heart of someone
to their local community. In a
and I hope I can serve as an
a particularly traumatic job and
who has suffered a cardiac arrest.
life-threatening case every minute
ambassador for the trust in my
is able to explain the diagnosis
Their availability, close proximity
makes a difference.”
new role as the Mayor’s Consort.”
196 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE LAS
World’s first balloon surgery for internal bleeding performed on roadside London’s Air Ambulance at global forefront of medical innovation London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers a 24/7 advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, has performed the world’s first roadside balloon surgery to control internal bleeding. Use of pre-hospital Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA), a technique used first in the UK at The Royal London Hospital, to control haemorrhage in trauma patients is a ground breaking move by London’s Air Ambulance. On average the charity is called six times a day to deliver its life-saving medical interventions to people seriously injured in the Capital. Many of these patients are suffering from catastrophic bleeding. Tragically some die at the scene as a result of their severe blood loss and never make it to hospital. London’s Air Ambulance can now perform REBOA on patients suffering severe pelvic haemorrhage, an injury most commonly associated with cycling incidents and falls
number of patients who quite
continue to evaluate and develop
The Mayor of London Boris
simply bleed to death before they
the technology into the future.”
Johnson said: “London’s Air Ambulance delivers a world-class
have the chance to get to hospital where there are highly developed
Having treated over 30,000
service for a world-class city. It’s
systems for stabilising and
people in the Capital, London’s Air
astonishing to see how these
preventing blood loss.”
Ambulance has an international
stunning advances in medical
reputation for pioneering
care are helping people survive
REBOA works by controlling or
medical procedures which
serious injury in London, injury
preventing further blood loss.
have been adopted across the
that they probably wouldn’t
Blood carries oxygen which
world. London’s Air Ambulance
survive elsewhere in the world.
is delivered to major organs
pioneered thoracotomy (open
That change is being pioneered
including the heart and the brain.
heart surgery) at the roadside
and delivered by an incredible
Starved of blood our organs
and in 1993 produced one of the
group of men and women - the
stop working effectively and can
World’s first survivors from this
doctors, paramedics, pilots and
become permanently damaged.
procedure.
support staff of the London Air Ambulance.”
The balloon is fed into the bottom end of the aorta, the largest
Dr Gareth Davies continues:
blood vessel in the body, and
“We have always provided highly
then inflated, temporarily cutting
trained, expert teams to care for
off blood supply to damaged
injured Londoners and today we
blood vessels. The patient is
are pleased to further improve our
then transported rapidly to the
service by adding this innovation.
Royal London hospital to undergo
As a charity, it is only through
further vital interventions.
the support of the community
London’s Air Ambulance has
of seriously injured people in
worked closely with The Royal
we serve, that we can save lives London.”
>>>
London Hospital to deliver REBOA safely in A&E before embarking on the surgery outside of hospital. Speaking about this partnership,
CLIMATE ConTroL
Professor Karim Brohi, Consultant Vascular and Trauma Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust said: “We have to stop people bleeding to death - it’s one of the world’s biggest killers. Over 2.5 million people bleed to death from their injuries each year around the world. The Royal London
from height.
Hospital Major Trauma Centre and
Commenting on the use of
together led the way in developing
REBOA to treat trauma patients,
new strategies and treatments to
Dr Gareth Davies, Medical
reduce this death toll.
London’s Air Ambulance have
Director for London’s Air “While it sounds relatively simple it
to provide our patients with the
is an extremely difficult technology
world’s most innovative and
to deliver in the emergency
effective pre-hospital care. Being
department in hospital, never
able to effectively manage blood
mind at the roadside. This
loss at the scene is a significant
successful deployment of REBOA
advancement in pre-hospital
represents nearly 2 years of
medicine.”
development work by our staff. We are excited about the potential
“We believe the use of REBOA
for REBOA to reduce death and
can lead to a reduction in the
suffering after trauma and will
A comfortable environment whatever the weather Quality assured, regulated installation and local service.
A world of CoMforT
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Ambulance, said: “Our aim is
w w w. e b e r s p a c h e r. c o m – 0 1 4 2 5 4 8 0 1 5 1
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197
21/01/2014 10:04
NEWSLINE At the present time, REFLECT
educational and it has changed
The new centre is one of four
REFLECT – on the consequences of alcohol
has one referral route which will
my views on alcohol and the
applications the Trust has recently
be following arrest and detention
way actions can be devastating
submitted to create purpose-built
within a custody office and is the
to others. I learned a great
Make Ready Centres. The other
final step of a conditional caution.
deal. I’d like to thank you for
three applications, which have all
the opportunity to learn about
been given the green light, are for
25 June 2014 saw the official
The course, which is already
the services and how badly it
centres in Brighton, Crawley and
proving to be successful, also
affects others.
Polegate. The Trust has already
launch of the REFLECT initiative at
developed two purpose-built
Burnley Fire Station.
offers and insight in to the emergency resources available
The findings from the project will
centres in Ashford and Paddock
The multi-agency initiative,
in the areas across the night time
be shared and used as evidence
Wood, Kent.
and weekend period; examples
of good practice to inform the
of first-hand experience in dealing
future development of a uniform
SECAmb’s Programme Director
with incidents where alcohol is
Drunk and Disorderly Disposal
for Estates, Geoff Catling, said:
the primary contributory factor
across Lancashire.
“These facilities will not only
involving Lancashire Police, Burnley Council, Lancashire Fire and Rescue and Inspire, aims to address alcohol related disorder in the Burnley area and reduce repeat offences of drunk
ensure that our clinical staff are
and the legal aspects of alcohol consumption.
and disorderly. It also raises awareness of the danger of
An agreement has now been
alcohol and the effect it has on
reached with the Lancashire Police
the town and its public services.
to deliver the project to all drunk and disorderly offenders throughout
SECAMB
Trust to develop a Make Ready Centre in Chichester
REFLECT offers a restorative
East Lancashire, with approximately
South East Coast Ambulance
approach to offenders through the
60 attendees per month.
Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has submitted a
delivery of a multi-agency themed
freed up to do the job they are trained to do – treat patients, there will be the prospect of job opportunities as our Make Ready contractors look to recruit make ready operatives from the area.” Traditionally ambulance crews have been responsible for cleaning and restocking
Paramedic Caroline Hargreaves,
planning application to create a
who is involved in the delivery
purpose built Make Ready Centre
The hard-hitting course
the course said: “The project is
in Tangmere, near Chichester.
shifts. Within the Make Ready
predominantly provides an
excellent and I am delighted to
insight into the consequences of
be involved. Alcohol related
The Trust recently submitted the
are employed to clean, restock
an individual’s behaviour where
incidents undoubtedly put
application to create the centre
alcohol is the primary contributory
additional pressure on the
on a site at Chichester Business
factor. This is done through
ambulance service, and part of
Park, Tangmere.
These teams are responsible
case studies and the testimony
our contribution to the course
of the professionals tasked with
demonstrates how dealing with
If approved, the new centre
and swabbing vehicles for the
dealing with the situation and
avoidable incidents may delay an
will not only be a place where
the aftermath. It also offers
ambulance attending a genuine
ambulances are made ready
advice on how an individual can
emergency.”
for crews before every shift,
educational course.
consume alcohol in a way which
but also provide training and
is less damaging to themselves,
A participant recently gave
meeting for facilities for staff
their family and their community.
this feedback: Excellent, very
working in the area.
ambulances before and after system specialist teams of staff and maintain vehicles.
for regularly deep-cleaning presence of micro-organisms including MRSA and CDiff. They restock ambulances to a standardised specification, checking and servicing equipment on regular basis. To reduce the risk of vehicle breakdowns, on-site vehicle maintenance experts are also on-hand to undertake routine checks and maintenance. It is expected that crews currently reporting to Chichester, Midhurst,
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Bognor Regis and Pulborough will relocate to the new centre. The staff will begin and end their shifts at the centre but during their shift will respond from a network of Ambulance Community Response Posts. They will be Representatives of each of the agencies involved in the REFLECT initiative
198 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
located based on patient demand but it is expected that posts will
NEWSLINE be found in towns currently served
Both of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s
Without any direct government
his role as President of the
by ambulance stations.
aircraft have state-of-the-
funding, the only help the
Ambulance Service Association.
Decisions regarding the closure
art medical and helicopter
charity receives is through the
David will enlighten delegates
of ambulance stations will be
specification. They can reach
secondment of its paramedics
of the changes now taking
made on an individual basis
speeds of up to 160mph and
from the Yorkshire Ambulance
place within the CQC and the
and on whether they are in the
together provide a life saving
Service NHS Trust.
impact that this will have on all
best location to respond to
rapid response emergency
patients. However, the closures of
service to 5 million people across
ambulance stations will only take
4 million acres of Yorkshire.
place once a response post is operational – thus protecting and
In November 2012, the charity
enhancing the service we provide
became the first air ambulance
to patients.
in the UK to acquire its own JAROPS Air Operators Certificate,
YAA
Yorkshire Air Ambulance one of first to get Euro compliance Yorkshire Air Ambulance has become one of the first air operators in the country to achieve compliance with new European air safety regulations. The emergency rapid response charity – which operates two MD902 Explorer helicopters – has revised all its operator manuals to meet new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements that come into force on October 28. It now becomes just the third out of nearly 70 UK operators to be awarded a new Air Operators Certificate by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for ensuring compliance with EASA regulations.
employing all its own pilots. Extended daily flying hours now ensure the service is operational for up to 14 hours during daylight, with the aircraft operating from air support units at RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk and a new, purposedesigned and developed base at Nostell, near Wakefield. Andy added: “For many people the paperwork involved may seem onerous, but proper safety can only be achieved through the implementation of robust procedures that comply with published regulations. I am fortunate that the charity has provided support to ensure we achieve compliance so early.” Yorkshire Air Ambulance has carried more than 5,500 people in its 13year history directly to hospital for treatment. It needs to raise £9,990 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air and maintained - equivalent to £3.6 million each year.
ambulance services in the UK. AOAA
First high profile aero medical pre hospital care speakers announced The first of a prestigious line up of expert speakers have confirmed their attendance at this year’s National Air Ambulance Conference run by the Association of Air Ambulances, which takes place on Monday 17th November at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London. The event, which has become a firm fixture in the events calendar for the European air ambulance community, is open to members and non-members. It aims to inform, incite debate and provide a platform for the air ambulance industry to come together, share
The key colleges of Clinical, Charity and Air Operations are all present in an agenda which is comprehensive and packed with experts within their fields. Additionally, group debates and further presentations will be made in many of the workshops taking place throughout the day. More exciting news on conference speakers will be announced over the coming months. Last year’s conference saw a total of 22 speakers and over 25 sponsors with over 330 delegates attending. Clive Dickin, National Director of the AAA said: “This year’s event offers even more to our delegates, from high profile expert speakers and
ideas and build partnerships.
advanced practises, to more
Professor Keith Willett, Director
workshops that will challenge
for Acute Episodes of Care NHS England, will provide an update on Urgent and Emergency Care Review, explaining developments, findings and the likely impact
opportunities to network and and inspire. As a member, delegate rates are exceptional value and as a non-member extremely competitive for the level of specialist information you will
on pre-hospital aero medical
receive. Don’t forget CPD points
care. Winner of last year’s AAA
will be available.”
Lifetime Achievement Award More information on the
Yorkshire Air Ambulance Chief Pilot
Ambulance, Dr. Gareth Davies
programme of events and to
Andy Lister said: “We were very
will deliver a presentation on
register online for the conference
aware that we would be moving
Resuscitative Endovascular
or the gala dinner early bird
from a UK to a European system
Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta
(before 1st September), please
of governance and so have re-
(REBOA) in the pre hospital
visit: www.aoaa.org.uk.
written all our operating manuals
environment for which he recently
in accordance with the new
carried out the first pre-hospital
procedures laid down by EASA.
procedure in the UK. David Griffiths, Care Quality Commission
“That has now been approved
(CQC) National Professional
by the CAA and we are delighted that we have become one of the first air operators in the country to achieve this.”
Advisor (NPA) for Ambulance and Andy Lister, Chief Pilot with Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Emergency Care has previously influenced the development of NHS ambulance services through
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
and Consultant at London’s Air
>>> 199
Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
NEWSLINE WMAS
Students go ‘behind the nines’ for work experience week A group of teenagers have been learning about life behind the nines with West Midlands Ambulance Service this week. Health service savvy students from schools in Warwickshire, Birmingham, the Black Country and Staffordshire have spent the week at Erdington Hub in Birmingham as part of the Trust’s work experience programme. The 11-strong group of teenagers met a range of operational staff, including paramedics from the Trust’s Hazardous Area
for thought to apply for future jobs
comment on the ideas of others
Clever Together, said: “ We’re
with us.”
and vote the best to the top.
really excited to be working with so many organisations across
Jack Dudley, 17 from Leamington
An NHS England event bringing
London on this ground-breaking
Spa, is a student at Myton School
together staff is taking place this
project, which values the voice of
in Warwick and said: “I’ve really
week to encourage engagement
those that deliver services in the
loved this week as I’ve wanted
with the project and officially
community.
to be a paramedic since I was
launch the crowdsourcing
young so it’s been inspiring for
process at www.transformldn.org.
me. To learn about the different
responsibilities. The students discovered how 999 calls are handled, the work of community first responders (CFRs), the management of trauma patients and how the Midlands Air Ambulance help patients. They also got to grips with the back of an ambulance and had a go
The project is designed to
crowdsourcing model means that
incredible. I always thought you
produce a ‘co-created’ vision and
all staff, rather than just senior
had to go to university to become
set of principles to help inspire
managers and commissioners,
a paramedic, but I’ve found out
commissioners and providers
will be able to help shape future
you can apply directly with West
of community health and social
improvement for services users
Midlands Ambulance Service
services in London to look at ways
across the capital,” he added.
so I’m now counting down the
of making their services more
days until I leave college. HART
integrated, patient-centred and
were definitely the highlight for
efficient. Contributors can click a
me as they’re so specialised; it’s something I’d love to be a part of one day.”
restart someone’s heart when
LAS
Community staff sought to transform London health & social services
button to vote for an idea, but can also click a ‘thumbs-down’ button keen on.
EMAS
£6m of savings to be made by ambulance service Ambulance service bosses will have to find savings of £6 million
NHS England London Chief
in the next financial year to make
Nurse Caroline Alexander said:
ends meet.
““I am personally championing the creation of a shared vision for
The news comes ahead of
London’s community services.
a board meeting at the East
This is a key priority for me this
Midlands Ambulance Service
year. With a clear and shared
today to discuss finances of the
inspire service transformation
direction, I strongly believe our
past and coming years.
Nurses, physiotherapists,
lead a positive transformation in
The service has drawn up a plan,
our capital’s health and social
which would see £6.2 million of
care.
savings made in a range of areas
Crowdsourcing project to collect frontline ideas to
occupational therapists and all
they’ve suffered a cardiac arrest)
frontline and support colleagues
to test their life saving skills.
across health community services in London are being invited to
Diane Pittom, the Trust’s
Facebook-style ‘Like’ thumbs-up
to demote an idea they’re not so
at using an automated external defibrillator (a device used to
their ideas anonymously, our
job roles available has been
Response Team (HART), to find out more about their roles and
By allowing everyone to present
take part in a ground- breaking
services in the community can
– including modernising vehicles, “I also passionately believe
decreasing fuel and insurance
in unlocking the expertise
payments and sharing or twinning ambulance stations.
project to develop ideas to help
and creativity held within our
Officer, said: “Engaging with
organisations transform health
workforce. So throughout
young people is an important
and social care services in the
July 2014 I am asking nurses,
This is where stations are either
capital.
physiotherapists, occupational
shared with other emergency
further enhance the quality of our
therapists and all frontline and
services or merged with nearby
future workforce. This opportunity
A network of London health and
support colleagues across health
stations.
has allowed the students to
community organisations are to
and social community services in
see beyond the blue lights and
use innovative crowdsourcing
London to join me in a ground-
Despite the savings in its £140
explore the service ‘behind the
methods to engage as wide
breaking project.
million budget, ambulance
scenes’ to discover to broad
a variety of staff as possible.
range of roles that make up the
Powered by Clever Together,
This unique crowdsourcing
no adverse impact on front-line
ambulance service.
who specialise in facilitating
approach will enable us to
services” and pledged to hit
innovation and change by
capture the collective wisdom of
response times.
“Their enthusiasm to learn,
engaging and empowering staff
frontline staff from across London
John Barber, EMAS director
confidence to ask questions and
and stakeholders, the process will
to create a shared vision that we
of finance, said: “Our cost
unique personalities have made
encourage community workers
can all aspire to,” she added.
improvement programme is about
this week incredibly successful
to submit ideas anonymously
and I hope it’s given them food
via a social-media style website,
Organisational Development
investment for us and helps to
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
bosses said the aim is to “have
us making the best use of our Dr. Peter Thomond, founder of
200 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
finance and resource.
NEWSLINE “The savings we will make as a
protect the NHS budget. As a
local charity partner for this
She added “In return for their place
result will help us to continue to
result, the NHS is performing well
year’s Exeter’s Great West Run,
on our team, we are asking our
despite rapidly rising demand.
which takes place on Sunday 19
runners to pledge to raise a minimum
Patients have a right to high
October 2014.
of £200 in sponsorship. Of course
protect our main assets – our staff and vehicles.
if you have already secured your
quality, reliable, urgent and “All the cost improvement
emergency care. We are clear
As part of the partnership the Charity
place we’d also still love to hear from
programme schemes are
that East Midlands Ambulance
has 50 places up for grabs for keen
you if you would like to also raise
reviewed by the director of
Service must meet their statutory
runners who would like to raise
sponsorship for us. In return we can
nursing and medical director to
duty to balance their books,
funds for Devon Air Ambulance
help by providing sponsor forms/
ensure there is no adverse impact
whilst making sure patient
Trust. Could that be you?
online sponsorship area, general
on the quality of care.”
safety and quality care are never compromised.
The ambulance service said it
fundraising advice and of course a Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director
running vest to wear on the day.”
of Devon Air Ambulance Trust said
intends to cut costs in a number
“We expect East Midlands
“We are asking anyone who would
The deadline for applying for one
of ways over the coming year,
Ambulance Service to work with
like to be considered for one of our
of our bond places is Friday 6
including: implementing a new
the local CCGs to ensure services
50 places to get in touch with us as
June at 5pm.
continue to meet the needs of
soon as possible. You can do this
senior leadership team; reducing sickness levels; reducing the number of private ambulances paid for; and reducing management costs in back-room operations like IT, finance and human resources. A Department of Health spokesman said: “The difficult
local people.”
DAA
Exeter’s great west run names local charity to support for 2014 event
economic decisions this
by emailing fundraising@daat.org
Lucy Perry, Partnerships Manager
or by writing to me at 5 Sandpiper
at GO2 Events said “We chose
Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter, EX4
Devon Air Ambulance Trust this
8NS marked ‘GWR ballot’. You
year as our local charity partner
should include your full contact
because they truly are at the heart
details and a short explanation of
of the community. They are here
why you would like to run for Devon
for everyone whatever the age.
Air Ambulance Trust. Maybe you
We recognise that Devon is a
are looking for a personal challenge
very remote county and therefore
or have had personal experience of
being able to get essential
Government has taken have
Devon Air Ambulance Trust has
the charity funded service and want
emergency treatment to the ill or
meant we have been able to
been announced as the official
to give something back?”
injured quickly is important.”
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
201 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE Warwick Area Manager, Martyn
WMAS
From Hong Kong to the Midlands
Scott, who organised the visit to West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “It was really interesting to hear more about the
Two of the top officials from the
way that the ambulance service is
ambulance service in Hong Kong
run in Hong Kong and exchange
have been visiting West Midlands
ideas.
Ambulance Service as part of a fact finding mission to the UK.
“Our visitors were very interested to see the seamless approach
Shun Kwok-leung is the Deputy
within the hubs with regard to
Chief Ambulance Officer for
command structure, resourcing,
the Hong Kong Fire Service
training, operations and fleet.
(HKFS) and together with Dawn Shui Ching Lee, who is the
“We were able to demonstrate
Superintendent of the Kowloon
the high quality of cleaning,
East Sector, they were given a tour
preparation and staff support that
of the new Coventry and Warwick
they bring.
hubs on Thursday last week. “It was a pleasure to meet our The HKFS has a fleet of around
visitors and hear about how
350 ambulances and deal with
ambulance services are run in
almost 2,000 calls a day. The pair
Hong Kong. There was a lot of
were in the UK to look at the way
interest amongst staff at the hubs
ambulance services operate in the
in a trial they are about to run
UK and to see if there are any ideas
using an electric, one person use,
they can take back to Hong Kong.
ambulance stretcher.”
LAS
Ambulance workers proud to be part of Pride London Ambulance Service is once again proud to be taking part in this year’s Pride event – with a large crew of medics and civilian staff parading three emergency vehicles through central London. Thousands of people from all parts of London’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community are expected to take part in the parade which culminates in a rally in Trafalgar Square. This year, London Ambulance Service will also be on hand offering medical cover to Pride revellers. London Ambulance Service LGBT Forum Chair, Steph Adams, said, “Pride is just a fantastic, joyful day. We all go in our own time but we are proud to be seen in our uniform
© AirWair International Ltd. 2014. All Rights Reserved.
COMFORTABLY THE TOUGHEST WORK BOOT SINCE 1960
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
NEW TRENT STEEL TOE AVAILABLE FROM MAY 2014
# STANDFORSOMETHING DRMARTENS.COM/SERVICERANGE
202 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
to show the public ‘this is us, this is who we are’ and that we’re part of an accepting organisation. We always get a good reception from the crowds.” The Service is ranked in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2014, the definitive list of Britain’s most gay-friendly workplaces. Spectators who feel unwell or with minor injuries or illness on the day are being urged to make their own way to one of the treatment centres. This will be the quickest way to access medical help. The service is asking people to bring waterproof clothing or sun cream depending on the weather and to drink plenty of water. The annual Pride event has been going since 1972, and is now the second largest public event in the capital after the Notting Hill Carnival. Conchita Wurst, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in May, will headline the main stage.
NEWSLINE
WORKING IN ‘PARTNERSHIP’ WITH THE UK’S AMBULANCE TRUSTS IN DELIVERING MORE EFFICIENT AMBULANCE PREPARATION MODELS Today, Churchill MakeReady™ (formally Lightbridge Support Services)
Having highly skilled medical staff wash vehicles, carry out infection
is delivering high efficiency service models to several of the UK’s NHS
control cleaning and then repack medical consumables along with
Ambulance Trusts and providing infection control services to many
testing all medical devices is no longer an economically viable solution.
private ambulance providers who assist the NHS in delivering either full accident and emergency services or patient transport solutions.
In addition, the management of stock and its control is often left to unqualified staff who just happen to be chosen to look after the stores
However the question that is continually asked is whether or not,
on a station. This is clearly not best practice and is why many Trusts
either a once day vehicle preparation programme (VPP) or a full ‘Make
spend more than is required on consumables and often end up with
Ready’ system (MR) is actually needed; or can it indeed be worth the
high disposal rates. In either of the two systems we provide (VPP or
investment. The final question that is asked is whether or not it should
MR), stock management is a critical component. Setting the correct
be delivered as an in-house solution or as an outsourced service.
stock levels and managing those levels both in station and within the vehicles / response bags can bring about further financial benefit
In the first instance, we should examine whether or not either of the models deliver any real benefit to an Ambulance Service or whether the money they cost could be better allocated within the Trust. There is no easy answer to this. Having now worked in this sector developing and implementing both once a day VPP systems and full MR systems it is difficult to give a definitive answer as much of the information needed to be able to establish the cost benefit is not available (as the current management systems used within the Trust’s is unable to provide data that would be of real use). In truth, if we look at the facts then we could in all likelihood establish the financial benefits of the systems. Firstly, the reduction of lost time at the start of shift for oncoming crew staff. The MR system ensures that for all shift starts there is a fully functional prepared and serviceable double manned / crewed ambulance or response car available for duty. This clearly reduces lost time. The crew are immediately available for control to assign tasks to them and thus time wasted carrying out checks and dealing with vehicle issues are all taken away.
to the Trust as waste is reduced to an absolute minimum. This can thus become a clear cost reduction for the Trust and assists in the justification for the implementation of the system. Both systems require the introduction of a standard load list or packing list for both the vehicles and response bags. This results in additional major benefits for the Trust or private provider as it tackles several problems. Firstly, it reduces the overstocking problem that we have found in every ambulance service we have audited. There is no real need today to carry an overstock of medical consumables on each and every vehicle. It has always been argued that “you never know when we are going to be called to a major incident”. This argument is fundamentally flawed as in a modern ambulance service other resources are immediately deployed to any major incident such as the HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) and with them are the incident tenders which carry additional medical stock and medical equipment. Therefore, there is no requirement for vehicles to carry more than is needed for the shift plus
We know that within a traditional ambulance service model without either VPP or MR, oncoming crews can spend up to 20 minutes checking and preparing their vehicle for duty and if they find a vehicle fault this time
a small buffer stock. So by implementing either VPP or MR, a standard packing system is put in place and again this brings significant benefit as stock rotation and date management can be fully implemented.
factor can go beyond an hour (whilst fleet deal with the problem and/or another serviceable vehicle is found). It is argued by some that the crew returning should clean and restock possible given overruns and duty time with all crews now being fully utilised throughout their shifts. The oncoming crew is often faced with a stark situation – go out and respond without having done a thorough check of the vehicle or delay response when calls are stacking up whilst they take the time to re-stock and check all items in the vehicle. So whilst we cannot quantify the exact saving that can be achieved from
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
their vehicle for the oncoming crew; however, in reality this is often not
the introduction of either system, it is clear that systems ‘do’ deliver increased performance for the Trust or private provider.
203 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE
An additional benefit is the introduction of standard packing for the
Where we have operated this close working partnership for over ten
response bags. This has two benefits: firstly, the weight of the bags
years with Fleet, the reduction in lost unit hours for crews has been
can be managed and thus reduce the risk of injury to crew staff and;
significantly reduced. There is also a significant reduction in the
secondly, the Trust can be confident that the correct medical devices
number of ‘moody defects’; defects that are not real but created as
and medical consumable is packed within the response bags so the
the crew would prefer a different vehicle for their shift. In this system,
crews are able to deliver competent patient care.
this possibility is eliminated as the vehicle would have been checked thoroughly prior to issue and thus these events rarely take place in a
This removes the issue of crew staff putting their own medical devices
VPP or MR centre.
into the response bags; often bought cheaply and not certified by the
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Trust as safe for use on a patient and thus placing the Trust at risk.
Now on to the last part of the process, should either VPP or MR
Recently, we have removed several Pulse Oximeters that crew staff
be provided as an ‘in-house service’ or ‘outsourced’ to a private
purchased from the web which were made cheaply and which were not
contractor? Over the ten years I have worked in this sector, I have
for professional medical use. Whilst we cannot quantify the cost benefit
audited many of these systems. In the main, the in-house systems are
on this part of the service model, the reduction in the potential for claims
more costly and less effective than the outsourced services. I am often
from patients’ families when things go wrong due to missing equipment
asked by Trusts “why this is the case” and I have to concede my bias
or device failure is significantly minimised.
given that I work in the contracted part of the sector.
Finally, linking VPP or MR with the Fleet team is a critical component
However, I am also fully committed to helping my colleagues within the
of bringing about significant benefits to the Trust and private provider.
NHS deliver a better service; to assisting them to deliver better patient
Through integrating the two teams together, VOR (vehicle off road –
safety; and more importantly, in assisting them become more financially
through mechanical failure) can be better managed and minor issues are
efficient. Therefore my bias does wane as I or my family could need their
dealt with by both teams prior to any crew being allocated the vehicle.
services, so I have a vested interest in those services being the very best.
MR or VPP staff are able to work with fleet to ensure that when a shift
The main issue that I have found over the years with in-house solutions
starts, serviceable vehicles are available; and when we do get a crew
are that they are both expensive (due to the much enhanced terms and
breakdown mid-shift a prepared vehicle is able to be deployed by an
conditions of employment which have a higher cost than those provided
MR / VP Operative to the crew. Therefore crew are able to return to duty
by the private sector) and secondly, the in-house service is not normally
and become available for dispatch whilst the non-clinical Operative is
as focused on service delivery as they are bound by or tied into penalty
able to await recovery back to the centre.
clauses for failure on service delivery.
204 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE
The contracted service is normally more focused. There is no drain on internal Trust resource for recruitment, training or assessment. Issues are managed quickly and disciplinary systems are designed to deliver results more expediently. On the other hand, Trusts who have issues with staff members can have to deal with paid absence for months and thus the MR / VP Centre can be drained of vital resource and thus fail due to these issues. These are but a few of the reasons, but I have found that it in the main it is better to outsource this element of the service to a professional provider as their sole focus once committed, is to provide the benefits set out in the contract and to enhance the service the Trust provides by working together as a team. I have worked now with four of the Trusts and have advised several other Trusts; working continually towards finding ever better systems and solutions that help and assist them. This is our key goal.
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
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205 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE
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206
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NEWSLINE DAAT
Off the starting line for Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Devon based Tozers Solicitors It’s been quite a few weeks for Devon’s Air Ambulance charity. Not only was it was named as the official local charity partner for this year’s Exeter’s Great West Run, which takes place on Sunday 19 October 2014 but it has also been chosen by main sponsor Tozers Solicitors as their charity of the year! Rachel Elliott, Business Development Manager at Tozers Solicitors LLP said: “The partners at Tozers Solicitors LLP decided to nominate Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) as their charity of the year for 2014, not least because one of them had been previously airlifted as a result of an equestrian accident. Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director
of Devon Air Ambulance Trust said “We are delighted to be working with Tozers as their charity of the year and also as part of Exeter’s Great West Run.” She added “It really does mean a great deal to be chosen as Tozers’ charity of the year because it gives us an opportunity to work alongside those right at the heart of business and community. We are able to build relationships and work together so that everyone gets the best experience whilst getting the feel good factor of raising funds for a local good cause.” Tozers’ staff are getting involved in fundraising through lots of different ways. For example they have already held the “Great Tozers Bake Off” with staff competing against each other for the prestigious title. Staff are also taking part in Exeter’s Great West Run, the Charity’s Motorcycle Ride Out and the Commando Challenge, as well as. Tracy Lambert who is a partner at Tozers is running the New York Marathon in aid of DAAT on 2 November 2014 and Tozers’
Wills and Probate team has offered to write Wills in the week of 22-26 September 2014 (to coincide with national air ambulance week) in return for donation to DAAT. Tozers will be asking for a minimum donation of £100 for a single Will and a minimum donation of £150 for a double Will.
WMAS
Frankly, they save lives ASDA in Belmont has become the first of the supermarket chain’s stores in Herefordshire and Worcestershire to be fitted with lifesaving equipment. Defibrillators are being installed in all of ASDA’s stores throughout the country in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation. On Wednesday 11th June it was the turn of the superstore in Hereford where 14 members of staff were trained in its use by West Midlands Ambulance Service.
June Thurston, Community Life Champion at ASDA in Belmont, explained that their defibrillator has been given a name: “His name is Frank because frankly he is going to save lives!”. Noel Orbell, West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Community Response Manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “It is a lifesaver. When the patient hits the ground they have an eighty per cent chance of survival with a defibrillator as long as we can get there within the first two minutes. For each minute that goes by the chance of survival diminishes. Having June and other first-aiders at the store, the patient’s chance of survival will be greatly increased.”
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
The Power from Stryker
The machine, which can restart the heart of someone who suffers a cardiac arrest, will be placed in four other stores in the two counties over the next fortnight and West Midlands Ambulance Service will be training their staff.
207 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
NEWSLINE Each EFR has been trained
to have world class levels of
by Andrew Percy MP, who
Blue light services join forces to launch Yorkshire’s first Emergency First Responder scheme
in basic life support,
survival from cardiac arrest and
himself volunteers for YAS as
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
the launch of this initiative is one
a Community First Responder.
(CPR) and oxygen therapy.
more important element in saving
Andrew commented: “I have
They are equipped with a kit
more lives.
worked closely with local NHS
Successful pilot sees scheme
YAS
rolled out across Humberside and the East Riding More than 70 fire fighters across 7 fire stations in Humberside and the East Riding will soon be responding to selected emergency calls at the same time as an ambulance, thanks to the launch of the county’s first Emergency First Responder (EFR) scheme. The scheme is a joint initiative between Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) and officially launches on Friday 16 May 2014 with the support of Andrew Percy MP.
which includes oxygen and an
Trusts and others for some time
automated external defibrillator
“Humberside and the East
now to look at ways to improve
(AED) to help patients in a
Riding are already served by
patient outcomes and response
medical emergency such as a
our award-winning Community
times. We have some great CFR
heart attack, collapse or breathing
First Responder teams who do
schemes across the area, with
difficulties.
a fantastic job as volunteers in
hard working volunteers, and I
their local areas. The addition of
hope that this will complement
An EFR will be despatched at
Emergency First Responders will
those schemes to ensure that we
the same time as an ambulance
further strengthen our response
reach as many calls as possible
and will not replace the usual
in these communities and the two
as soon as possible.
emergency medical response
models will work side-by-side to
from YAS. However, their location
save more lives.
within local communities could
“As an active Community First Responder myself, I know the
mean they are nearer to the
“We are also working with health
value of these schemes and
scene in those first critical
partners, local MPs, Councillors
hopefully the linkup between
minutes of a medical emergency,
and the British Heart Foundation
Humberside Fire and Rescue and
delivering life-saving care until an
(BHF) to increase the number of
Yorkshire Ambulance Service will
ambulance clinician arrives.
public access defibrillators in the
increase the hours responders
area and further improve cardiac
are available and that could save
David Whiting, Chief Executive
arrest survival rates in the East
lives.”
at YAS said: “We have a
Riding.”
responsibility to ensure we explore
YAS Chief Executive, David
every available option to improve
Emergency First Responders are
Whiting, summed up the move
clinical outcomes for people in
only available for dispatch when
by adding: “The demand placed
Humberside and the East Riding
staffing levels at their Fire Station
upon blue light emergency
and we are delighted to be
allow and the scheme will not
services increases every year and
working in partnership with HFRS
impact fire cover.
our approaches to providing the
The scheme was trialled at
on the launch of the county’s
Pocklington Fire Station during
first Emergency First Responder
2013 and volunteer fire service
scheme.
staff have now received training at Market Weighton, Howden, Goole,
“We have a very clear ambition to
Driffield, Brough and Snaith Fire
improve the survival rate for those
Stations with additional locations
people who suffer from a cardiac
planned for later in the year.
arrest in the community. We want
best response and best patient Chief Fire Officer, Dene Sanders
outcomes available are continually
at HFRS said: “I am delighted that
evolving. By exploring innovative
the trial at Pocklington was such
and alternative ways of working
a success and that the scheme
with all partners, together we
will now be rolled out across more
can ensure our service remains
of our stations in the East Riding.
responsive and safe and leads to
Our fire fighters have received
more lives being saved.”
exceptional training from Yorkshire Ambulance Service and are
Yorkshire Ambulance Service
looking forward to offering their
NHS Trust covers almost 6,000
assistance to patients through the
square miles of varied terrain from
scheme.
isolated moors and dales to urban areas, coastline and inner cities
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
“The overriding aim of
and provides 24-hour emergency
Humberside Fire and Rescue
and healthcare services to a
Service is to protect our
population of more than five
communities and reach and save
million people. The organisation
those in danger who are in need
receives an average of 2,180
of our help as quickly as possible.
emergency and urgent calls per
This joined-up approach can only
day and employs over 4,600 staff.
enhance the service we provide
Our Patient Transport Service
and will improve patient outcomes
makes just under one million
across the East Riding.”
journeys per year transporting patients to and from hospital and
The scheme has been praised
208 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
treatment centre appointments.
NEWSLINE WMAS
Ambulance and Fire Service at home in Aston Ambulance staff moved in with their fire service colleagues in Aston last week, marking the start of a new and exciting era of joint partnership working. After more than 60 years of calling Henrietta Street Ambulance Station home, ambulance staff based there moved one and a half miles away into a newly refurbished hub on the site of
West Midlands Fire Service
into at jobs for years! The hub
space of time, from a tired and
has provided the Trust with the
is fresh, clean and modern with
empty building into a really smart
temporary accommodation whilst
comfortable facilities for staff
hub for the ambulance service.
negotiations continue to build
and is a world of difference their
a new joint hub in Aston which
previous home which was in a
“I’ve already formed strong
could be up and running in about
state of disrepair.
relationships with Tony and his colleagues during the
three years’ time. “Thank you to West Midlands
refurbishment and I’m excited
Tony Iommi, the Trust’s Assistant
Fire Service for providing this
about the future. Personally, I
Area Manager for Birmingham
fantastic facility, they’ve done a
like busy stations as it’s good
Central, said: “The move from
fantastic job and have pulled out
to see lots of people about so
Henrietta Street to Aston couldn’t
all the stops. It’s a privilege to be
I’m looking forward to our two
have gone any better. It’s a real
sharing a site with our emergency
services getting to know each
testament to the meticulous
service colleagues. We were very
other and hopefully, learning from
planning, hard work and
grateful for the warm welcome
one another along the way.”
professionalism of everyone
provided by Station Commander
involved in the project, both from
Rob and his fire colleagues on
the fire service and ambulance
Wednesday morning. Bringing
service.
the services together on one site
Aston Fire Station on Wednesday
is definitely the way forward and
21st May. The hub is on the 1st
“It goes without saying that
we’re already planning some joint
floor of a building adjacent to
moving out of Henrietta Street was
exercises to further improve our
the fire service facilities and is
emotive, as it’s been part of the
interoperability.”
self-contained comprising a mess
Trust for such a long time, but I’m
room, dining room, kitchen, locker
confident staff will settle in well at
Rob Woolley, West Midlands Fire
rooms, toilets, showers, office
Aston. For many staff, it’s going
Service’s Station Commander in
space and car parking bays for
to mean working alongside the
Aston, said: “The facility has been
ten ambulance vehicles.
firefighters they’ve been bumping
transformed, in a relatively short
>>>
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
209 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE medical corp. The group
KM Ambulance Life write-up
attended services at CollevilleMontgomery, Ranville, Bayeaux and Arromanches as well as many other smaller services
Many of the veterans who
and were delighted to meet
attended this years Normandy
members of the royal family and
D-Day anniversary in France
well known politicians.
were looked after by a small team of volunteer Kent ambulance medics. Clive Goddard and Peter Butler from South East Coast Ambulance along with Chris Jones, Barrie Hall, Barrie Hoare and Mark Blackwell from Medicar European, all travelled to Normandy to assist the Normandy Veterans Association with what was to be their last pilgrimage before being disbanded later in the year. It was a comforting sight for the veterans to see English
Two ambulances and a motorhome were supplied by Medicar European, Chris
WMAS
Mental Health Scheme awarded for ‘excellence’
to 999 calls to help people
A mental health scheme involving the ambulance service, police and mental health service was recognised for its partnership working at an awards ceremony last night.
Rob Cole, West Midlands
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust’s ‘Quality and Excellence’ awards, held on Wednesday 11th June, recognised staff who provided exceptional care to people who use their service. West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Police and mental health colleagues scooped second place in the ‘Working in Partnership’ category for their involvement in the successful mental health triage team.
In Birmingham and the Black
Jones from Medicar stated that it was a fantastic experience working with the Pompiers, (French state ambulance service) the Army allowed us to give close medical support to the veterans, and to the best of my knowledge all the events we attended suffered no significant medical problems. These veterans are wonderful
ambulance uniforms in a foreign
people and along with their
country.
families they are a wonderful example of what the British
Working alongside the local
Bulldog mentality is. It has been
Pompier’s (State ambulance
a privilege and an honour to be
service) and Samu (Hospital
with them these last few days
ambulance service) and also
and we all wish them the best
alongside the British army
for the future.’
paramedic. The team respond who need mental health care and provide them with the right support.
Ambulance Services Head of Clinical Practices for Vulnerable Person’s, said: “Every day this team responds to our most complex patients who are suffering mental health issues. Country we are able to deliver a world class response from a team of professional staff to provide those patients with the highest level of care possible. We are genuinely leading the way in the provision of high quality mental health care and we should all be very proud.” Krystle O’Brien, the Trust’s Education and Training Officer, said: “I’m extremely proud to be part of the team of paramedics
The mental health team, which has been running for six months, operates a car with a police officer, mental health nurse and
that work on the mental health car. It’s allowed me to both gain and provide knowledge and experience to improve patient outcome. This award has come after six months of hard work and I am truly impressed with the dedication of all of the team and the positive outcomes we have achieved.” Chief Inspector Sean Russell of West Midlands Police said: “This collaborative approach in Birmingham and Solihull has already helped more than 1,100 people in the last 20 weeks; and has reduced the number of people being detained under section 136 of the Mental Health
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Act by some 50 per cent. “The pilot has helped establish a really strong partnership, which is resulting in a very high quality of care and service being provided to those who suffer with mental ill health. Picking up the award From L-R – Clive Goddard (SECAmb), Barrie Hall (Medicar), Chris Jones (Medicar), Barrie Hoare (Medicar), Peter Butler (SECAmb).
210 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
last night is recognition for the contribution that our staff and partners have made in this
NEWSLINE complex arena and our work now
Commenting, Erfana Mahmood,
“As a charity delivering many
who work or volunteer within the
continues to replicate what is an
a Non Executive Director with
services across Leeds including
sector to submit nominations
already successful model across
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS
drug and alcohol treatment, we
for this year’s Air ambulance
the wider West Midlands.”
Trust and Chair of the Yorkshire
feel the Community Medical Unit
Awards of Excellence.
Ambulance Service Charitable
is a valuable facility to have in
Fund Committee, said:
city centres. This scheme is an
After winning last year’s Special
excellent example of charities
Incident Award, the charity
“We are very excited about this
working together to ensure that
is hoping that the doctors,
new vehicle which can be used
their assets continue to provide
paramedics, staff, trustees and
to support healthcare initiatives
essential services to the people of Leeds and across the county.
volunteers will receive even
across different communities and
YAS
Ambulance Charitable Fund donates Community Medical Unit Thanks to funding from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund, a new Community Medical Unit has opened its doors to provide additional clinical support at busy locations. The vehicle will initially be used to provide a static ambulance facility in busy town and city centres on Friday and Saturday evenings and other key dates including bank holidays.
make a real difference to people who need care and treatment for
“Members of the public who have
minor injuries and illnesses.
concerns about their drug use are able to call our single point
“A member of our Emergency
of contact on 0113 242 1161 and
Care Practitioner (ECP) team has
this information will be available
worked extremely hard to get this
on the vehicles.”
initiative off the ground and put forward a detailed proposal to
Yorkshire Ambulance Service
obtain the funding required for the
NHS Trust regularly uses
vehicle. It is very rewarding to see
Community Medical Units in
the idea become a reality thanks
Leeds, Sheffield and York on
to the valuable contributions and
Friday and Saturday evenings
fundraising efforts of many people
and bank holidays.
who have come into contact with the ambulance service in some
Patients can self-refer and
way and wanted to support the
ambulance clinicians see patients
work it does.
with a minor injury or illness.
“Residents will see the Community
Between 1 April 2013 and
starting in Yorkshire during July.
Medical Unit out and about in busy
31 March 2014 a total of 765
town and city centres and at large-
patients were seen at the Leeds
Staffed by an Emergency Care
scale events across the region.
location, saving an estimated 351
It will also be used to provide support at large-scale events in the region including this summer’s Tour de France cycle race which is
more nominations this year and become finalists in one or more of the nine categories. Tracey Bartram, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Communications Manager said: “Because the Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence are judged and awarded by our peers and those who know the sector well, it makes them extremely special. “This year, in addition to submitting nominations ourselves, we hope patients who have needed the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, the public who have attended our events, those who have experienced our volunteers at work and members of our
ambulances which were made
staff and crew will submit
“We very much appreciate the
available for patients with more
nominations themselves.”
donations which are made to the
serious illnesses and injuries.
Charitable Fund and the Community
The most common presenting
The awards are organised
Medical Unit is an excellent example
clinical complaint is a soft tissue
by the Association of Air
injury and the majority of people
Ambulances and honour the
help many people.”
seen at the unit are male and in
contributions of staff and
the 18-30 age group. A third of
volunteers within the UK’s air
It aims to provide on-scene
The unit is the second to be
patients require an assessment
ambulance community.
medical treatment for patients
donated to the Trust, after Leeds-
with minor injuries and illnesses
based charity Barca donated a
an assessment and wound care.
The finalists in each category
to free up ambulances to deal
further vehicle earlier this year.
The remaining third are also given
will be invited to attend the
medication primarily for pain relief
Air Ambulance Awards of
relieve pressure on busy hospital
Mark Law, Chief Executive at
and to control infection.
Excellence gala dinner in
emergency departments.
Barca added: “Barca-Leeds
Practitioner and Emergency Care Assistant, the mobile unit has been developed to incorporate a clinical assessment/treatment area and waiting area for patients. It is equipped to the same level as an ambulance.
of how these funds can be used to
with more seriously ill patients and
only with a further third requiring
where the winners will be
DAA
It is the most significant project
Yorkshire Ambulance Service
to be supported by the Yorkshire
by donating a vehicle to be
Ambulance Service Charitable
used as a Community Medical
Fund which receives donations
Unit and it’s great that two units
DORSET:Air ambulance crews in line for excellence awards
and legacies from grateful patients
are now on the road thanks
and their families, members of the
to the further support of the
Dorset and Somerset Air
website, www.aoaa.org.uk/
public and fundraising initiatives
Yorkshire Ambulance Service
Ambulance is calling on
aaae/ and the closing date for
throughout Yorkshire.
Charitable Fund.
Bridport residents and those
nominations is September 1st.
announced. Anyone can nominate an individual or team via the Association of Air Ambulances
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
London on November 17th
are delighted to support
211 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE SECAMB
Trust achieves Equality Gold Standard South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has been awarded top marks by a national equality and inclusion organisation. SECAmb was awarded the Gold Standard by the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI) in the organisation’s 2014 benchmarking exercise. As an NHS Employers Equality
Other recent work saw the Trust launch a series of alert cards designed to support people with learning disabilities. SECAmb Inclusion Manager Angela Rayner said: “We’re really delighted to have achieved this standard and performed well against the already excelling fellow organisations involved. “We’re proud that we work hard to ensure that we engage with all sections of our local population so all our patients receive the service they expect and deserve and so that SECAmb is a place where our staff can be confident they can be themselves.”
and Diversity Partner SECAmb took part in the process and submitted supporting evidence. Its score was then ranked against other participants and fellow partners with SECAmb being one of only five organisations to achieve the Gold Standard. The Trust was also the only ambulance service involved in the exercise which recognises the commitment of organisations to achieving diverse and inclusive workplaces and which celebrates the teams and individuals who are making a difference. Recent work has seen SECAmb promote Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month which runs throughout June. Representatives
A World Record Achievement On the 21st of June, 281 skydivers took the jump through Skydive UK to set a new Guinness World Record for the most tandem parachute jumps at a single venue in 24 hours. A dozen of those participants leapt from great heights for Devon Air Ambulance Trust. The clear sunny weather was ideal, and the longest day of the calendar year set the stage for this shattering number of participants to achieve greatness. From 5am through sunset, Dunkeswell Airfield was filled with
people heading into the sky and coming back down, all with family and friends cheering them on. Linda Bulpin, Charity Coordinator for Skydive UK, said, “Amazing thing is that most people who participated in the world record raised money for charity”.
Creer, Director of Fundraising at Devon Air Ambulance Trust, “We would like to congratulate the participants of the World Record Skydive on their achievement; we are endlessly grateful to those who jumped for the Charity, and used their accomplishment to give back in a big way”.
The participants who chose to raise funds for Devon Air Ambulance Trust, all had their own reasons their support. Will Thornton wanted to give back to the Charity he had seen in action. “I chose to support DAAT because I’ve seen how the helicopters save people in areas that no one else can get to and therefore wanted to help keep the helicopters in the sky”. Nathan Hutchinson (pictured) was thankful for all those who helped him support the Charity and allowed him to have the experience of a lifetime. “The feeling was indescribable; the rush of air in my ears and eyes was incredible. I was speechless, it was a feeling like no other and I loved every minute of it. I am thankful to everyone who sponsored me and helped me raise roughly £600 for DAAT”. It’s truly remarkable that individuals who had such an intimate personal experience achieving a skydive, would share their journey to give back to the community. Caroline
WMAS
Pitmaston Defibrillator There are calls for all schools in Worcestershire to be equipped with a potential lifesaving machine. A defibrillator could restart the heart of someone who suffers a cardiac arrest. On Wednesday 18th June, Pitmaston Primary School in Worcester took delivery of its defibrillator and twelve staff are to be trained in its use. The school agreed to get a defibrillator when it was revealed one its pupils, 9 year old James Vinson has a heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. The cost of the machine was covered through fundraising by the school and by James’ mother Alison Vinson, who is also a paramedic with West Midlands Ambulance Service, and with help from ‘Redditch Heart Safe’, a charity founded by a couple following the deaths of two
from the Trust attended the
of their children who had suffered
Epsom Derby to meet members
cardiac arrests. The charity
of the local Gypsy, Roma and
campaigns for defibrillators to
Traveller community, which attend
be placed in schools and public
the popular Surrey event in large
places.
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
numbers. All three would like to see other The day provided an ideal
schools in the county follow
opportunity to engage with the
Pitmaston Primary School’s
Gypsy and Traveller communities
example. Alison is also offering to
– a group which often experiences
help train the staff of any school
significant health inequalities.
that does.
Paramedics carried out a large number of mini health checks
Alison said: “I know how
and signed up more than 70 new
important it is. My elder brother
members.
who (also) suffered with the
212 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE condition collapsed and died at
Scottish Ambulance Service
being taken to hospital for a fall
100 Volunteer Responders
the age of 14. There was no quick
said:
where there was no injury.
schemes across Scotland
So, knowing James will have that
“During the year we responded
“The new national retrieval
assistance to patients while
gives me great peace of mind
to more life threatening
service, ScotSTAR, was
the ambulance is on its way.
because I know that he stands a
incidents than ever within 8
launched this year, representing
Responders provide an
much better chance of surviving if
minutes, reaching 105,200,
an annual investment of £9.5
invaluable community service,
it were to happen.”
which is an increase of 8,285,
million, providing a single
as an addition to existing
or 22 more every day. We
integrated national service with
ambulance teams, that is often
Kate Wilcock, Deputy
achieved this while maintaining
a sustainable multidisciplinary
life saving.
Headteacher of Pitmaston Primary
a national average response of
medical and clinical team to
School, said: “For us, it’s hugely
6.5 minutes for these cases.
make best use of the range
“The National Resilience team
of road and air transport
has spent much of the year
resources.
preparing detailed operational
that provide essential early
access to CPR or a defibrillator.
important that we’re not only supporting James’ needs, but we
“Ambulance crews used their
are supporting the needs of all
clinical skills to save the lives of
pupils in our school and parents
509 patients in cardiac arrest.
“ScotSTAR brings together the
Games this year. There will be
and the community.”
The continued development
three transport and retrieval
240 ambulance staff dedicated
of the 3RU (Rapid Response
services; the Scottish Neonatal
to providing medical cover
Rob Underwood, founder of
Resuscitation) initiative to
Service (SNTS), the Transport of
at Glasgow 2014 using a
Redditch Heart Safe gave this
improve survival from out of
Critically Ill and Injured Children
variety of vehicles, including
message to other schools: “Get
hospital cardiac arrests was
Service and the Emergency
36 ambulances and a number
a defibrillator. It’s not necessarily
recognised with a national
Medical Retrieval Service, with
of motorbikes and bicycles, in
for the children, it’s there for the
award from the British Medical
the Scottish Ambulance Service.
order to respond immediately to
teaching staff, members of the
Journal.
plans for the Commonwealth
any medical emergencies. “The scheduled care service,
public walking past the school, workers and families who are on
“Emergency teams answered
which transports over 1 million
“Our teams work closely with
school premises at any one time.
over 850,000 calls to our
patients with medical need to
other emergency services
It’s going to help hundreds and
control rooms and responded
their healthcare appointments,
every day across Scotland
hundreds of people every day
to more than 650,000 incidents
improved punctuality for
and the exemplary response
when the school is open.”
across the country. All calls are
appointments from 52% last
to the Clutha Bar tragedy
prioritised so that those with the
year to 71%. This aligns with a
was the result of our ongoing
For more information about
greatest clinical need receive
5% improvement in punctuality
multi agency planning and
Redditch Heart Safe visit
the fastest response.
for pick up after appointment
preparation for major incidents.
to 78%.
www.redditchheartsafe.com
“We continued to manage
“The air ambulance service flew To arrange training, email Alison
3,427 missions, an increase of
“Continued investment in
resources effectively for the
Vinson via
6% on the previous year, mainly
control rooms to develop
benefit of patients and once
alison.vinson@wmas.nhs.uk
serving island and remote
“virtual’ call handling capability
again met financial targets for
communities across Scotland.
resulted in a significant
the year, achieving efficiency
improvement in 999 calls being
savings of £7.1 million to
“We continued to safely treat a
answered in 10 seconds to
be reinvested into front line
significant number of patients
88%, against 66% the previous
services.”
at scene (77,399) reducing
year.
SAS
Ambulance Service maintains 6.5 minute average response to life threatening emergencies
A&E. As greater integration
“Our staff recognise that
within wider NHS and social
the patient is at the heart of
care agencies continues to
everything that we do and
develop more care pathways,
continue to demonstrate their
this figure will increase.
dedication and commitment to patients, delivering care with
Ambulance Service maintained its average response time of 6.5
“The Service continued work
sensitivity and understanding
minutes to the most serious life
with NHS Boards to embed
in what are sometimes very
threatening calls, despite a 10%
the national framework for frail
challenging situations.
increase in these incidents.
and elderly patients who have fallen, with around 23 active
“The Service has continued
Speaking at the Service’s
partnerships in place. This has
to strengthen community
Annual Public Review today,
resulted in a 12% reduction in
resilience, building its network
David Garbutt, Chairman of the
the number of patients over 65
of volunteers. There are over
“Emergency teams answered over 850,000 calls to our control rooms and responded to more than 650,000 incidents across the country.”
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
In the last year the Scottish
inappropriate attendance at
213 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE allow student paramedics to
The borough’s binge drinkers are
by freeing up prison cells and
Students on road to success
fully participate in disaster and
costing the ambulance service
emergency rooms for London’s
accident scenario days with
£302k, as Hackney ranks as the
real problems.”
other emergency services which
fifth worst borough for drunken
are already fully integrated
call outs.
Student paramedics at
within paramedic training at
Staffordshire University will
Staffordshire University.
WMAS
A Freedom of Information request shows that alcohol cost the
be able to experience patienthandling and care skills in a
Mark continued: “Our students
capital’s ambulance service
fully-operational ambulance,
are often young people straight
£16m every year, with 1,304 such
which has been kitted-out to bring
from school and also people who
incidents in Hackney last year.
the highest level of reality to the
have worked in related roles such
student experience.
as ambulance technicians. Our
Conservative campaigners are
new ambulance, together with
backing plans to bring a ‘booze
The ambulance, previously in
our existing practice facilities at a
bus’ to the borough, where nurses
operational use with the West
fully functional ‘ordinary’ house on
can deal with people under the
campus will give these students
influence without the need to call
fresh opportunities for realistic
out hard-stretched ambulance
simulation training, and make
services. They are also calling for
them even better paramedics.”
the doubling of fines for drinkers
Midlands Ambulance Service, has been purchased by tutors for the two-year Foundation Degree in Paramedic Science in order to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Aimee Trimbee, Organisational
Mark Garratt, Senior Lecturer
Placements) for West Midlands
Paramedic Science in the School of Social Work, Allied and Public Health, at the University, said: “Our students learn lifesaving and patient care techniques in the classroom to the highest standard, but a classroom is not where a fully trained paramedic works. This ambulance will allow our students to really understand the reality of patient care in the community, and to learn and improve their techniques for moving patients and maintaining treatment in a small, cramped
Development Officer (Practice Ambulance Service said: “The new vehicle will provide students with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of working within this environment and provide a chance for them to familiarise themselves with their surroundings before they take on their student placements out on the road. We work extremely closely with Universities and students to ensure they get the best training possible; helping them on their way to a career within the service.”
to “hit those who repeatedly abuse our NHS.” Admissions relating to alcohol in London’s hospitals have tripled in the last decade - from 56k in 2002 to 156k in 2011, putting a heavy burden on the city’s already struggling accident and emergency centres. The cost to the public purse for emergency hospital admissions relating to alcohol is around £45m. GLA Conservative London Assembly Member, Andrew Boff said: “Many people like a tipple but our public services should not be catering for bingers who can’t handle their drink.
area. For ambulance transport, our students must learn how
John Surtees OBE presents £75,000 to Air Ambulance Charity Motorsport Legend John Surtees OBE, has presented a £75,000 cheque to charity Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, on behalf of the Henry Surtees Foundation. The presentation, which took place at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey was made to the Air Ambulance Chief Executive Adrian Bell; the money will be used for ‘High Fidelity Simulators’. Presented by John Surtees OBE, the £75,000 will be used to fund ‘High Fidelity simulation manikens for the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust (KSSAAT). High Fidelity manikens are the very latest in simulation technology, helping the clinical teams to practice their skills, learn new techniques and improve patient safety by creating situations that are as close to ‘real life as possible. Speaking of the charity, John Surtees OBE, said “With a background in motorsport, I know that every second counts and none more so than for the
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
to prepare their patients
“Our ambulances, prison
Air Ambulance Services; I am
appropriately, how to access and
cells and A&Es are designed
honoured to present the cheque
treat their patients from one side
for medical emergencies or
to such a fantastic charity. The
only, how to move equipment
dangerous criminals, yet we are
idea that this money will contribute
about inside an ambulance safely
seeing London’s drunks hogging
to saving lives is outstanding! The
and perform resuscitation whilst in
these services, costing the capital
Air Ambulance already offers an
a moving vehicle.”
millions of pounds.
exceptional service, but if we can help them reduce risk even further
The ambulance will not be used
LAS
for high-speed driver training but
Rise in big boozers cost ambulances £302,000
occasionally it will travel around the Staffordshire University campus at slow, safe speeds while students learn on board.
“We need to deal with drunks
then we have done a good thing!”
in a more appropriate way. Purpose-built Sobering Centres
Motorsport enthusiast and
and Booze Buses, manned by
Hollywood legend Sir Patrick
nurses, can provide low level
Stewart, said “I am disappointed
treatment such as blood pressure
not to be present this evening.
Believed to be the first fully
Drunks are costing ambulances
and blood sugar checks as
My admiration of John for his
operational learning ambulance
in the borough £302,000 per year,
well as a bed for the night. This
dedication to the Foundation
at a UK university, it will also
new figures reveal.
will deliver significant savings
goes without saying and I
214 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE Nineteen initiates are preparing to
It follows the appointment of four
join the Patient Care Service, which
Nurse Advisers and five Call Handlers
provides non-emergency transport
at Swansea’s Clinical Contact Centre
to routine hospital appointments for
earlier this year, and coincides with
4,000 patients a day in England and
the recruitment of more Dental Health
Wales.
Advisers, also in Swansea.
Staff will undergo training in basic
Iwan Griffiths, Clinical Manager at
life support, moving and handling,
NHS Direct Wales, said: “We are
customer care and specialist driving,
pleased to welcome the new nurses
and will operate from Dobshill,
to NHS Direct Wales. They will
Wrexham, Rhyl, Denbigh, Colwyn
integrate into the service, ensuring
Bay and Bangor in North Wales.
callers are advised on the most appropriate care for their needs.”
Steve Williams, Locality Manager must congratulate them on
the service to provide nearly 70
for Conwy and Denbighshire, who
Nine Emergency Medical Service
the marvellous sum raised. Air
transfusions in its first year. The
helped lead the recruitment process,
Call Takers have also been recruited
Ambulances do an outstanding
Foundation has also donated
said: “We are pleased to welcome
in the Trust’s Clinical Contact Centre
job and this donation will have a
£131,000 to Headway to help
these new staff on board, and
in Cwmbran and five have been
significant impact on their ability to
people with brain injuries.
look forward to strengthening our
recruited in the Clinical Contact
dedicated teams across North Wales
Centre in Llangunnor, and all are due
This year, both John and his
and further improving our service to
to be operational by August.
KSSAAT Charity Chief Executive,
machines will be at some of the
patients.”
Adrian Bell said “We are
most prestigious classic racing
overwhelmed to receive such
events and venues across the
Meanwhile, 24 recruits are gearing up
controllers and planners will have
a fantastic donation; The Air
country, raising funds for the
to join the Urgent Care Service, crews
also been recruited in Cwmbran by
Ambulance Service is a charitable
Henry Surtees Foundation.
trained to care for and transport
the end of August.
trust and without funding we
George Barber, owner of the
urgent and non-urgent patients who
are unable to deliver the service
Barber Museum which holds a
require basic care, such as pain relief
Finally, 23 paramedics across Wales
that’s so sorely needed! The
collection of cars and motorcycles
are preparing to join the Emergency
High Fidelity Maniken Simulators
from John Surtees’ life, has
on their journey to hospital.
will mean we can develop our
made a title-winning Ferrarri 158
education and training programme
available for these events. He
to ensure that our crews are able
has also committed to matching
to provide the highest possible
£50,000 with a donation, if
care to our patients, 24 hours a
the Henry Surtees Foundation
day, in any situation.
manage to raise it.
respond to emergencies.”
Our thanks go to John Surtees for his time and effort, to the Henry Surtees Foundation for their fundraising and to Sir Patrick Stewart for his support.”
WAS
Dozens of new recruits join Welsh Ambulance Service
In addition, five Patient Care Service
Medical Service, nine of which went All of the new recruits will be trained
operational in June and 14 of which
at the Trust’s training facility in Cefn
are scheduled to start in September.
Coed, Swansea, and will work across Wales.
A number of HEI (Higher Education Institute) paramedics, due to
Assessments are currently underway
graduate in July, are also expected to
to recruit a further 26 people into the
be operational from December.
Urgent Care Service. In 2011, the Trust launched its Six Nurse Advisers have also been
five-year modernisation and clinical
appointed at NHS Direct Wales, the
transformation programme Working
health advice and information service
Together for Success, and pledged
available twenty four hours a day,
to recruit, train and retain the right
The Welsh Ambulance Service has
every day, when someone is feeling ill
staff, in the right roles and with the
£75,000 to KSSAAT for the
recruited more than 80 extra staff into
and is unsure what to do.
right skills.
simulators, the Henry Surtees
its workforce.
Foundation has also previously
The service joined the Welsh
The Welsh Ambulance Service
supported the provision of a
The candidates have been offered
Ambulance Service in April 2007, and
employs more than 3,000 staff across Wales and is supported by
blood transfusion service for
roles in the Trust’s Emergency
is staffed by Call Handlers, Health
KSSAAT. This support included
Medical Service, Urgent Care Service,
Information Advisers, Nurse Advisers
more than 3,000 volunteers, including
vital equipment such as
Patient Care Service and NHS Direct
and Dental Health Advisers who offer
Community First Responders and
thermostatically controlled boxes
Wales following a large-scale, all
confidential advice about health,
Ambulance Car Service drivers.
and blood warmers, and the
Wales recruitment drive.
illness and the NHS.
vehicles for SERV (Service by
Most embarked on their official
The new Nurse Advisers will work
www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk if
Emergency Rider Volunteers)
duties in June, while others will go
from NHS Direct Wales’ Clinical
you would like to work for the Welsh
to transport blood, enabling
operational later in the year.
Contact Centre in Bangor.
Ambulance Service.
purchase of two Honda CR-V
Search for ‘Vacancies’ at
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
As well as raising and donating
215 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
NEWSLINE One of Your 12 A Day Often, on hearing what you do for a living, people will say “I don’t know how you can do what you do every day. I certainly couldn’t do it, not for any amount of money.” I suppose it’s just not in some folks. This then inevitably leads to the question of “Why do you do it?”
These inspirational posters also began life in Alnwick railway station, in Northumberland.
It’s taken a while for me to narrow it down but my standard answer to the standard question is now... In one, 12 hour shift, you can get 12 or more different calls. Just one of those calls might be resuscitating a baby or stopping granny from having a massive M.I.
My thinking is that the 12 A Day message may be best conveyed by an inspirational poster... Or maybe...
Just one of those 12 A Day calls might just send you home with a smile on your face and a feeling that money just can’t buy. You honestly can’t get that feeling in any other job because the ambulance service is not like, any other job. I feel a slogan coming on...
“Make Saving a Life One of Your 12 A Day”
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
The ancient town of Alnwick is world famous for Quidditch and a particular railway station... Please send your comments on a postcard to Martin Jackson c/o Alnwick Ambulance Station, Northumberland. Thanks for doing what you do.
216 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE WMAS
School defib scheme welcomed Bosses at West Midlands Ambulance Service say a decision to help every school in the region get a defibrillator could make the difference between life and death for pupils. The Department for Education has announced plans to allow schools to purchase defibrillators at a reduced cost in time for the start of the autumn term. Head of Community Response, Emma Wilkins, said: “For every parent in the region, there is nothing more important than keeping their children safe at school. “There is no formal data on the number of deaths of pupils under the age of 18 in schools, but the Department of Health estimates around 88 children per year die of sudden cardiac arrest. “Thankfully it doesn’t happen very often, but it can literally happen to anyone whether they have been diagnosed with a cardiac condition or not. “We know from the work that we do every day just how important such machines can be in saving lives. It would be great if every school in the region had a look at the scheme.
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AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
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217 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE EEAST
Have a ‘summer to remember’ urges ambulance service The ambulance service is urging people to have a ‘summer to remember, not one to forget’ with an increase in demand on the horizon. Warmer weather and school holidays contribute to the seasonal increase in 999 demand, according to the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST), especially in a region which attracts many tourists every summer. And with more people enjoying sporting events like the upcoming World Cup and Tour de France, EEAST Locality Director Matt Broad said people need to ensure they’re being safe and help keep emergency calls down.
added: “Simply put, 111 is for
It provides additional capacity to
of care provided in Cardiff city
when it is less urgent than 999 -
help the accident and emergency
centre.
for those who think they have a
department at the University
medical condition which needs
Hospital of Wales in Cardiff deal
Paul Schanzer, Head of NHS
treating, but who don’t need
with people who have drunk too
Leadership and Development,
emergency care or even a trip to
much alcohol.
Academi Wales, who judged
hospital. It is there to help people Cardiff Locality Manager Greg
embodies multi-agency working
condition but to also support the
Lloyd, who helped to lead the
and ensures that the right patient
999 service so that our frontline
project, said: “It’s a privilege to
is diverted to the right treatment
staff can respond to the very
be at the awards ceremony and
at the right time according to their
seriously ill who need more care.”
a wonderful feeling that we have
need. The impact on police time
For advice on a safer summer,
been recognised in this way.
and waiting times in A&E was truly
visit eastamb.nhs.uk. Follow @
of calls to people enjoying the
inspiring.”
EastEnglandAmb on Twitter and
“We have worked hard to make
follow #999summer, and visit the
the alcohol treatment centre the
The annual NHS Wales Awards
service’s Facebook page to post
success it is and it has certainly
celebrate the work of healthcare
your comments or queries about
made a difference to ourselves
staff across Wales whose innovative
having a safer summer.
and our partners in terms of better
work is improving the quality and
use of resources and the freeing
safety of care for patients.
WAS
Centre to treat alcohol related injuries wins NHS Wales Award The creation of a special centre in
“In the summer we see increases
this award, said: “This project
who are worried about their
Cardiff to treat people with alcohol related injuries and reduce
outdoors such as coastal areas
demand on the local emergency
and open waters and, with
services has won an NHS Wales
up of resources which would otherwise have been engaged
Nine awards were given to NHS
in the city centre attending
organisations and a full list of
unnecessary and low-priority calls
winners is available at www.
and incidents.
nhswalesawards.org.uk
“We’ve heard of many innovative
NHS Wales Chief Executive Dr
and excellent projects from
Andrew Goodall, who presented
organisations across Wales, and to
the awards at the ceremony, said,
have come out on top is a reward
“The NHS Wales Awards are a
to the partnership as a whole.”
great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the wonderful
Award.
Evidence shows that 70%
achievements that healthcare staff
soon, many of these will be
of accident and emergency
are making in improving services
children. We also host events
The partnership project, which is
admissions at peak times are
and care for patients across Wales.
schools closed for the summer
like the V Festival and Latitude
ensuring the right care is delivered
where people suffering from
at the right time, scooped the
drink, substance use and heat exhaustion could have prevented a problem with more care.
Working Seamlessly Across Organisations Award, supported by Welsh Local Government
due to alcohol, increasing the potential for anti-social behaviour
“I was also impressed that so much
and violence, as well as increased
of the healthcare improvement
demand which means people
had co-production at the heart of
have to wait longer to be seen.
it, showing the real difference that can be made when we work with
Association, in a ceremony at the “Please use common sense if spending a day out in the sun,
SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff on
It was launched as a year-long
patients to design services that
Wednesday 2 July.
pilot in September 2012 and
really meet their needs.
made a big impact by providing
think about drinking sensibly by having plenty of water and
The Alcohol Treatment Centre
soft drinks, and watch out for
(ATC) is provided by Welsh
more efficient care.
“The NHS Wales Awards ensure improvement stays at the forefront
Ambulance Services NHS Trust,
It is open at peak times such as
of all that we do. It is also an
Cardiff and Vale University Health
weekends and when big sporting
opportunity to challenge ourselves
be busier than usual on a good
Board, Cardiff Council, Vale of
events are taking place.
as to whether we are learning
summer’s day. Once you have to
Glamorgan Council, South Wales
hazards or unsafe areas around AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
crowds and on roads that might
ring 999 because of something
Police and Cardiff Street Pastors.
from and implementing these Less than 25% of people treated
areas of good practice.
were referred onto accident and
you could have prevented, you turn your summer into something
It builds on the work already
emergency for further care and
“I would like to thank today’s
memorable for all the wrong
carried out by the Welsh
many patients said the care they
winners and everyone who
reasons.”
Ambulance Service and
received had helped them to stop
entered - your improvement work
emergency nurse practitioners
drinking to excess again.
is making a real difference to the
Adrian Maasz, EEAST’s Regional
in setting up mobile medical
Lead for Primary Care and 111,
response units in the city centre.
quality and safety of care being The centre is now an integral part
218 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
delivered to patients.”
NEWSLINE The awards are organised by 1000
NEC, Birmingham), comprising
and organisations will be
important for our paramedics,
Lives Improvement, part of Public
a mix of 30-minute lectures and
showcasing the latest solutions
so I hope the judges recognise
Health Wales, which supports
workshops. Topics covered
in communications, emergency
this and the nomination is
organisations and individuals
will include burns, paediatric
medical care, protective clothing
progressed further.”
to deliver improved health,
assessment, mental health,
and uniforms, vehicles and
healthcare outcomes and user
emergency childbirth, stepwise
fleet, vehicle equipment and
Leanne Sheppard, CQUIN
experience in NHS Wales. They
to airway management and
outsourcing.
Project Manager, has worked
were launched in 2008 to celebrate
paediatric ALS. All attendees will
the 60th anniversary of the NHS
be provided with CPD certificates
The NEC is physically linked to
years: “I saw the HSJ awards
and recognise and promote best
for inclusion in their portfolios.
Birmingham International Station
as a perfect opportunity to
and Birmingham Airport and is
showcase the hard work
Martin Berry, Executive Officer,
directly accessible from the UK
undertaken by our frontline
College of Paramedics, says:
motorway network. Parking for
staff.
practice across Wales. More than 140 entries were received from organisations, with
on the project for the past two
visitors and exhibitors will remain
24 making the finals, revealing a
“The College of Paramedics are
high standard of innovative and
once again attending this year’s
diverse work that is transforming
Emergency Services Show. As
To register and for more
for this award is a fantastic
patient care.
always we are working hard to
information visit
achievement and a true
provide as many of our popular
www.emergencyuk.com
reflection of the dedication
Welsh Health Minister Mark Drakeford, who attended the ceremony, said: “I have been very impressed to hear of the number and standard of entries to the
free of charge.
involved and to be shortlisted
of frontline staff who have
free high quality CPD workshops to visitors attending the show as possible. Come and say hello when you find us.”
NHS Wales Awards this year,
“I feel extremely proud of all
EEAST
Ambulance service award shortlist
given their time, expertise and passion to this project.” The HSJ Value in Healthcare Awards seek to recognise and
which demonstrate just how much
A project to help 999 patients
reward outstanding efficiency
innovative and diverse work is
receive quicker care for minor
and improvement by the NHS. A
being delivered across Wales to
wounds has reached a crucial
successor to the HSJ Efficiency
enhance patient care.
stage in a national awards
Awards, the scheme continues
scheme.
to recognise excellent use of
“This year I have been
resources but also seek out
emphasising the role prudent
The East of England Ambulance
examples of demonstrable
healthcare can play in the NHS so
Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has
improvement in outcomes, both
I was delighted to see so many
been shortlisted for its wound
within back office functions and
entries carry this theme in their
closure training in the 2013
clinical initiatives.
submissions.
Health Service Journal (HSJ)
“The NHS is held in high regard
Value in Healthcare Awards
The shortlisted organisations,
innovation category.
chosen from a record number
by the people of Wales and part of that regard is based on the work being showcased through the
of entries, will now complete Martin Berry, Executive Officer, College of Paramedics
presentations and interviews to
received wound closure care
a specific judging panel made
in 2013/14 thanks to the extra
up senior and influential figures
The National Ambulance
training paramedics received
from the health sector.
Resilience Unit (NARU) has also
to use a special glue on cuts
confirmed it will exhibit at the
and wounds, which can mean
For more on wound closure,
show in the popular Emergency
patients do not need hospital
visit the EEAST website:
Response Zone which features
treatment. The project was
http://bit.ly/1pMPHMR
over 80 support responders,
funded by Commissioning for
voluntary sector partners and
Quality and Innovation (CQUIN)
NGOs, and is designed to
money from commissioners.
NHS Wales Awards process.”
College of paramedics workshops and NARU confirmed for Emergency Services Show 2014
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
More than 400 patients
promote multi-agency working. Trust Chief Executive Dr Now in its ninth year the growing
Anthony Marsh said: “It’s
The College of Paramedics will be
Emergency Services Show is
fantastic news and I’m very
running a series of free Continual
free to attend for all staff levels
proud of what the team have
Professional Development (CPD)
within the Ambulance Service
been able to achieve so far.
sessions at The Emergency
and private ambulance operators.
Giving the best care to patients
Services Show (24-25 September,
Over 400 exhibiting companies
in innovative ways is very
>>> 219
For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE saving lives that could be lost
HELP Appeal An ambition for every Major Trauma Centre to have a helipad County Air Ambulance Trust established the HELP (Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads) Appeal with an ambition that every Major Trauma Centre have its own helipad facility. Since its creation, the HELP Appeal has provided funding to improve helipad facilities at eight hospitals across England. A three further helipad schemes attached to Major Trauma Centres have come to fruition this year. Two are rooftop helipads: at St George’s Hospital in Tooting and Bristol Royal Infirmary, while a third is a ground level helipad with covered walkway at Bristol Southmead hospital. Pipeline helipads are planned for hospitals in Sheffield, Hull, Nottingham, Liverpool and Plymouth. Robert Bertram, chief executive at County Air Ambulance explains: “We know that many Major Trauma Centres and key A&E hospitals would benefit from a safe on-site helipad facility. When a critical injury or accident takes place, every second is vital in getting the patient to the often life-saving treatment they require. With a helipad on-site, which has direct access to the hospital’s A&E department, transfer times are significantly reduced thus
through secondary road transfer. “Work to open these facilities is well underway across the country and HELP is working with a number of hospitals to help fulfil this requirement.” Their work includes upgrading existing helipads, providing extra equipment such as lighting to enable night flights between helipads, as well as the construction and opening of new helipads, with each project St. George’s London
requiring its own assessment and planning permission. Mayor of London officially opens St George’s helipad Mayor of London Boris Johnson
many vital minutes off transfer
helicopter for cardiac treatment.
times. A ground level helipad at Bristol Robert Bertram, chief executive,
Southmead hospital became
HELP Appeal, says: “It is always
operational in April and the HELP
satisfying to see a project from
Appeal has donated £250,000 to
concept through to completion.
a total build cost of approximately
The helipad at St George’s has
£450,000. A covered walkway
taken over two years to plan
partly funded by a £1 million grant
linking the hospital to the helipad
and build with transfer times for
from the HELP Appeal.
is currently being planned.
critically ill patients now being
officially opened the helipad at St George’s Hospital in April – this is the second helipad in London and first south of the river. The £5 million life-saving helipad was
significantly reduced, ensuring Located on the roof of the St
life-saving treatment is received
James Wing of St George’s,
by patients far quicker.”
patients with serious injuries, such as those caused by road
Bristol helipad takes first flights
accidents, shootings, stabbings,
In Bristol the construction of a
major burns and falls from
£3 million helipad on the roof
height, can now be treated more
of the Bristol Royal Infirmary is
efficiently, landing directly on the
part of a wider programme of
Future plans
roof of the hospital rather than
redevelopment and refurbishment
A new fundraising manager,
being taken to locations further
currently underway by University
Sally Booth, has recently joined
afield. From the helipad patients
Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation
the HELP Appeal to boost
will be transported directly to the
Trust. A grant of £500,000 was
revenue income, identify new
Emergency Department saving
provided by the HELP Appeal to
opportunities and develop new
support the construction of the
supporter relationships. A
helipad.
particular focus will be to increase revenue for the charity from Trusts
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
A total of six air ambulance
and Foundations and to build
providers in the region will use the
relationships with organisations
helipad to transport seriously ill
from the corporate and financial
and injured patients to hospital.
sectors to support its work to
The 25 x 25 metre aluminium
build helipads at hospitals across
helipad connects directly to
the country.
services within the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children as well as
Robert Bertram says: “We have an
the adult emergency department
ambitious target for raising funds
at Bristol Royal Infirmary. The
needed to construct or update
Bristol Heart Institute will also
existing helipads around the
receive patients transferred by
country. The HELP Appeal relies
220 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE solely on charitable donations and
to respond to real emergencies,
“Our staff work incredibly hard
WMAS has been running 111
does not receive a single penny
involving genuine patients who
across the three counties and I’m
since November 11, 2013, after
in government funding or from
may have been suffering from life-
privileged to have this chance to
previous providers NHS Direct
the National Lottery, which is why
threatening conditions.
work with them, support them,
decided to step out of their
and ultimately help us deliver the
contract. A lot of hard work has
very best patient care.”
been carried out since then to
Sally’s appointment is so crucial “We hope that the joint working
to our work.”
between the ambulance service
improve it; including revamping
He concludes: “Our dream is that
and the police sends out a
Chief Executive Dr Anthony
the training programme and
every Major Trauma Centre across
clear message that this type of
Marsh said: “I am delighted that
making changes to the way the
the country has access to a life-
behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Matt has been appointed to this
call centre operates.
saving helipad. Any hospital that would like to discuss its helipad requirements should get in touch with us.”
WMAS
Hoax caller issued with fine A man from Staffordshire has been fined after making a hoax 999 call to the ambulance service. Ambulance crews rushed to the scene of what they thought was a serious life-threatening 999 call at a property in Meir, Stoke-onTrent only to arrive at the address to find no such incident and the occupant of the property completely unaware that a call had even been made.
role. His wealth of experience is pivotal to the role, as well as
NHS 111 providers have a
good understanding of the three
number of key targets they are
counties and the different needs
measured against, including the
of the communities. I look forward
number of calls answered within
to working with him as we make
60 seconds and the number of
changes, better support staff and
calls that are abandoned by the
improve services to patients.”
caller.
Matt, who has recently completed
Across the 500,000 calls, WMAS
a 999-mile charity cycle ride
has answered 96.8 per cent
moving in the right direction.
as a member of the Pedalling
within 60 seconds against a
Paramedic team, will sit on the
national target of 95 per cent,
Matt Broad has been appointed
Trust Board to ensure his counties
whilst just 0.4 per cent have been
are represented at the top level
abandoned, against a national
of the Trust and the communities
target of achieving less than five
the East of England Ambulance
have a direct link to the Board.
per cent.
Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and
The next Trust Board meeting is
is tasked with running the 999
tomorrow (28th May) at Harlow
NHS 111 (West Midlands) Director
service in the three counties.
Leisure Zone, at 1.30pm.
Daren Fradgley said: “Landmarks
EEAST
New Director aims to continue making ‘great strides forward’ at ambulance service The ambulance service’s newest director has spoken of his determination to keep patient care
as Locality Director for Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire with
such as this provide us with a chance to reflect on how far we
He has worked in the ambulance
have come since taking over the
service for 17 years, beginning his
The incident was reported to Staffordshire Police and following further investigations police officers were able to track down the caller at an address in Tunstall. The individual was issued
111 service and there are a lot of
career in London before a move
good things to look back on.
to Suffolk where he was based at Newmarket station. Having
“We initially managed to stabilise
qualified as a paramedic, his
the service in a short space of
career took him into the training
time ahead of the busy Christmas
and education arena followed
period and our performance levels
by the Essex Clinical General
with a £90 fixed penalty notice for
Manager role and, from March
malicious communications which
last year, the service’s General
caused a nuisance and distress.
Manager for Norfolk.
have remained high ever since. “A lot of people have put in a lot of hard work to help restore the
A West Midlands Ambulance
“I know the area well because
public’s faith in the service, for
Service spokesman said: “We
of my previous roles within the
which I am extremely grateful.
are extremely pleased that
service and I’m pleased to have
this individual has received a
been given the opportunity to
fine. All 999 calls to the service
help move the service forward
are received in good faith.
in these particular counties,”
Unfortunately this call turned
he said. “We’ve already made
out to be a hoax which wasted
great strides; recruiting hundreds
valuable resources from an
of student paramedics and
Seven months to the day since
already busy ambulance service.
deploying more ambulances to
stepping in as providers of the
the frontline, and I’m determined
NHS 111 (West Midlands) service,
“While crews were responding
to ensure that the service
West Midlands Ambulance
to this hoax incident on blue
continues to move in the right
Service (WMAS) received its
lights, they were not available
direction.
500,000th call on Wednesday.
Landmark call made to 111 service
“As we look ahead to the next 500,000 calls we will strive to continue making improvements and providing the best service possible for patients.”
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
WMAS
>>> 221
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Record number of volunteers want to be lifesavers More volunteers than ever want to help save lives according to latest figures. Last month, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) received a record 110 applications to become a community first responder (CFR), a figure that has doubled compared with June last year. The success comes off the back of National Volunteers’ Week in which EEAST celebrated the work of CFRs via its website and social media. Regional Lead for Community Partnership, Lorna Hayes said: “Our community first responder scheme has gone from strength to strength and it’s wonderful to see so many people wanting to get involved. Our volunteers do a fantastic job and make a great contribution to their communities.” The latest figures have brought the total number of applications to 565 so far this year. There are 266 responder groups in the east of England and around 40 newly
Charity urges support professionals to ‘be prepared’ with child bereavement seminars Brake, the road safety charity, is encouraging anyone who works with children or young people to have the right support in place in case of bereavement. Brake is running two seminars for educators and support professionals to help them build on their understanding of how children and young people experience and express grief, and develop skills to enable them to support children and young people through their bereavement. The ‘Supporting suddenly bereaved children and young people seminars’ are run by Sudden, an initiative by Brake. These essential seminars will give a vital insight into how children and young people can be helped through the shock and grief of sudden bereavement.
practitioners working with bereaved children and young people • Case study from a Brake bereaved volunteer Attendees can register for these seminars online, by calling +44 (0)1484 559909, or emailing professional@brake.org.uk. The cost to attend is just £71 +VAT. Ellie Pearson, Brake’s senior professional engagement officer, says: “Sudden bereavement is a horror that many children and young people have to face, and one that can have catastrophic consequences, particularly if they don’t get the support they need. If properly prepared and informed, educators and support professionals can play a vital role in making sure bereaved children are well supported through the shock and grief. I would encourage anyone who works with children or young people to attend one of our seminars and learn from experts and practitioners about providing
support during this emotional time.” Deborah Johnson, principal lawyer and national head of road collision at Slater & Gordon Lawyers and Brake trustee, says: “As a lawyer specialising in representing bereaved families, I am all too aware of how the death of a loved one can affect a child. It is all too easy for them to get forgotten when there is so much else going on, making everything even more bewildering and frightening. This seminar brings together not only different experts and specialists working in the field but also those who are brave enough to share their own very personal experiences with the aim of making sure that bereaved children get the best possible support as they try and come to terms with what has happened to them and move forward towards a brighter future. I am proud that Slater and Gordon are supporting these two very important days.”
The seminars, sponsored by Slater & Gordon Lawyers, will take place in Manchester on Tuesday 21 October 2014 and London on Thursday 27 November 2014.
trained volunteers every month. The CFRs respond to 999 calls in their local area and can get to patients in life threatening conditions within three minutes. They are trained by EEAST but raise money for extra equipment and oxygen themselves. Many of them teach others first aid skills and have campaigned for public access defibrillators in their areas. The volunteer applications were made via the EEAST website where there’s more information about the CFR takeover week.
• Insights into how children and young people experience and express grief • A common-sense approach to helping children, young people and families deal with the horrendous shock of sudden death • Practical provision of long-term empathetic support to children, young people and families to aid their recovery • The range of services and resources available for
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
they need such as a defibrillator
Practitioners and academics specialising in sudden bereavement will discuss:
223 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
IN PERSON was highly commended after being nominated
News
for his ‘leadership, drive and dedication’ which
Paramedic receives Police National Bravery Award
has carried the CFR scheme. Ian has spent his entire working life in public
A South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS
service, his first career was serving in the Royal
Foundation Trust (SECAmb) paramedic has
Navy and then latterly as a fire fighter at East
been awarded a prestigious bravery award for
Midlands Airport.
his actions in disarming a man in Hailsham, After officially retiring from full time work, Ian
East Sussex, last year.
joined Castle Donington’s CFR team as a Gary Criddle, a paramedic based at Hailsham Ambulance Station in East Sussex, was presented with the Association of Chief Police
Gary Criddle, a paramedic based at Hailsham Ambulance Station in East Sussex
from strength to strength and now boasts a
ceremony in Harrogate on 19 June.
News
It was on driving back to base in the early
Award for Community First Responder
Gary and his crewmate were stopped by a man who suddenly leapt in front of their
The Values and Recognition Award ceremony
ambulance. When winding down the window
recognised staff that had gone above and
to check what he wanted, the man suddenly
beyond and the volunteers who give their own
produced a gun and pointed it at Gary. They
time to respond to emergency 999 calls.
team of seven responders.
WAS News
Team thanked for cardiac arrest survival A Cardiff grandmother has thanked the Welsh Ambulance Service and other healthcare staff
quickly drove to a safe position and put in a Ian Beard, scheme coordinator for Castle
call to the police.
co-ordinator in 2009. Under his guidance the scheme has gone
Officers (ACPO) National Bravery Award at a
hours of the morning in June last year that
responder in 2008 and took over as scheme
for saving her life.
Donington Community First Responders was Gary said: “A regular part of our job is calming
highly commended in the Volunteer Award
The 50-year-old, from Pentrebane, suffered a
people down and persuading them, so I
category at East Midlands Ambulance Service’s
cardiac arrest whilst with her daughter on the
walked back to the man and did just that.
annual Values and Recognition Awards.
school run seven months ago, but thanks to her daughter’s life-saving skills, ambulance
Despite the man’s threats, fortunately, he calmed down and dropped the gun to the
A Community First Responder from Castle
crews, and several days in the University
ground.”
Donington was among the award recipients at
Hospital of Wales (UHW), Annette Sexton is
an annual East Midlands Ambulance Service
now recovering well and back to enjoying the
ceremony.
company of friends and family, including her
Gary’s bravery had not gone unnoticed,
nine grandchildren.
when earlier this year he was nominated by SECAmb Senior Operations Manager James
The Values and Recognition Award ceremony
Pavey to receive a SECAmb Chief Executive’s
recognised staff that had gone above and
“When people ask how I am,” said Annette, “I
Commendation which he collected in March.
beyond and the volunteers who give their own
tell them I’m very well thanks considering I was
time to respond to emergency 999 calls.
‘dead’ back in January.
when others, given the same circumstances,
Ian Beard, scheme coordinator for Castle
“I can’t remember anything about the cardiac
may not have done so, therefore upholding the
Donington Community First Responders (CFR),
arrest or for days afterwards, and I didn’t even
James said: “Gary acted selflessly and bravely
feel ill before it. All I can remember is hearing
very highest standards of public service.”
the voices of my nine grandchildren calling SECAmb Chief Executive Paul Sutton added:
‘Nanny’, but I’m told only one of them was
“Gary’s actions were extremely brave and well
anywhere near me when it happened.
beyond what we would expect of him. He deAMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
escalated the incident quickly and calmly and
“I’ve got so many people to thank. I’m just so
we are very proud that he has received such a
grateful to my daughter Amanda and my son
high profile award.”
Anthony who kept me going with CPR for a short while.
Chief Inspector Gary Pike of Sussex Police, Wealden District, said: “We admire this example
“Then a big thank you to the paramedic Paul
of the initiative and courage of our colleagues
who arrived minutes later and shocked me
in other emergency services, with whom we are proud to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, helping to protect our communities.”
Ian Beard, scheme coordinator for Castle Donington Community First Responders
three times to bring me back from the ‘dead’, and ambulance crew Angela and Lynda who rushed me to the right place in UHW to get the
224 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON first and taking every opportunity to promote the service throughout the UK and beyond as a world class leader. On joining Sussex Ambulance Service in 1980 after training as a nurse he became one of the first NHS Paramedics and put these pioneering skills and abilities to use to save lives and bring advanced treatment to patients in the pre-hospital environment. He also made a major contribution to bystander intervention in an emergency as one of the first ‘Save a Life’ instructors. Joining the Scottish Ambulance Service in 1989 allowed Mike to move to operational management roles, with his visionary ideas leading him to manage the ‘scenes’ of many significant incidents and develop the training correct treatment straight away, and finally the
survivors have done once they’ve gone into
needed to pass on these skills to others. He
staff on the wards in UHW.
hospital, so it’s fantastic to be able to meet
has been the Gold Commander for the Service
Annette once again and know that the work we
at many incidents and events, including the G8
“They were all fantastic and I’ll be forever
did was successful and that she can carry on
Summit, Glasgow Airport bombing, Royal and
grateful to them.”
enjoying her life, family and grandchildren.”
Papal visits and extreme weather challenges.
Amanda had just gone to pick up her mother
Annette remained in a coma for three days
He works with absolute passion at national
to join the school run when Annette slumped
in UHW’s intensive care before moving to
level to develop new concepts, designs,
in the car.
the high dependency unit, but was able to
systems and ideas, which, have resulted
celebrate her 50th birthday with a party on the
in the successful introduction of Special
ward just seven days after the episode.
Operations, extending the skills of paramedics
“Mum got into the car outside her house and I was in the driver’s seat. I heard a gurgling
to enter and treat patients in environments
noise, Mum’s eyes rolled and she suddenly
“I can’t thank the ambulance crew enough,”
previously considered too dangerous. Many
slumped onto my shoulder,” said Amanda.
she added.
of his original ideas – new equipment, skills,
“My training as a youngster with St John kicked
“Their actions have given me more time with
in and I started doing CPR on Mum by my side.
my family. It’s lovely to meet people who do
But then the ambulance call-taker, Irene [Taylor]
such a great job. The ambulance service
Mike has been integral to major developments
who was brilliant, told me I needed to get her
needs to be given credit for the many positive
at a UK and Scottish level, working closely
flat so Dad [Michael Sexton] helped me get
things it does.
with Government, including post 9/11
systems and training plans have now been
her out of the car and my brother Anthony then
implemented across the UK.
procedures, crowd event guidance, marauding
joined me to do CPR to keep Mum going. But
“What’s a life worth? Whatever it is, these
terrorist firearms, CBRN response and at the
if I’m honest her colour looked so bad I wasn’t
wonderful ambulance staff have given me a
Home Office Emergency Planning College,
too hopeful at the time.”
chance to live and enjoy life a little longer.”
Easingwold.
Advanced Paramedic Practitioner Paul Burrows added: “It was a typically cold and
SAS News
Mike is now serving his third term as a member
Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal for Herriot
of the British Red Cross Board of Trustees,
brilliant job and they continued whilst I set up
Mike Herriot, General Manager, National Risk
Pauline Howie, Chief Executive, Scottish
the defibrillator.
and Resilience Department, has been awarded
Ambulance Service said:
wet January day and when I arrived Amanda and her brother-in-law were performing CPR
and also chairs their Clinical Governance and Patient Safety Committees.
the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal. “It took three shocks to bring Annette round.
“I am delighted that Mike’s dedication and
The ambulance crew arrived soon after and
Mike is known as a visionary, innovator, quality
service has been recognised with this honour.
informed UHW they were on their way and
champion and initiator of leading edge patient
Over his many years of service his focus has
required intensive care on arrival.
centred ambulance services. His career
always been on patient care and he has been
has been epitomised by devoted service,
instrumental in the development of our special
considering new ways of putting the patient
operations and major incident capabilities.”
“We rarely get to know how cardiac arrest
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
at the side of the road. They’d both done a
225 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
IN PERSON busy motorways to remote hilltops, seaside
News
cliffs to industrial estates.
Steve flies into sunset after 10 years as Air Ambulance pilot
“We are part of a close team and we each respect each other’s roles within that team,
The pilot who flew BBC presenter Richard
“ he added. “You can pick someone up who
Hammond to hospital after his horror high-
seems fine and then next day you hear that
speed crash has retired after a decade with
they have passed away, and then someone
the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
else, who doesn’t look like they have a chance, comes through.
Capt Steve Cobb has flown hundreds of missions for the rapid response emergency
“I remember one of the first jobs I went to was
charity, many as its Chief Pilot – but none as
a girl who had been in a phone box when a
high profile as the 2006 rescue of the Top
car came off the road and smashed into it. The
Gear host who was fighting for his life after
scene was chaotic, and they were carrying her
sustaining serious head injuries in a 280mph
on the door which was all that was left of the
jet car crash at Elvington Airfield.
phone box. She had just a broken nose. It was incredible.
The father-of-two went on to make a full “I thought it would be hard seeing people
recovery, in large part because of the speed he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary. Steve, 59, said: “The Richard Hammond
Capt Steve Cobb has flown hundreds of missions for the rapid response emergency charity, many as its Chief Pilot
of the easiest jobs I’ve done. “But landing on that airfield ended up being one of the biggest events for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance – leading to enough money being raised to put a deposit down for our second helicopter G-CEMS.”
such fantastic paramedics and people on the ground are always very pleased to see us. This job is literally the best single thing you can do
incident was certainly the one that generated the most interest, although it was actually one
badly injured, but it is amazing to work with
including the opening credits for Emmerdale – and would rapidly transport components for
with a helicopter.
car companies using just in time production.
“It’s been amazing meeting those people
“I really enjoyed the work, you never knew
for what we’ve done for them - people are so
who want to come back and say ‘thank you’
what was coming in from one day to the other.”
grateful for what the air ambulance does and it
His move into emergency service flying
is so appreciated and valued.”
has been very special to work for a charity that
again came by chance, after the Yorkshire His flying career got off the ground by chance
Air Ambulance helicopter landed at Steve’s
Steve who recently moved to Scarborough, is
in 1986 when Steve – who was enjoying a
heliport on a mission.
now enjoying his retirement with wife Christine walking and cycling on the Yorkshire coast.
successful career in contract IT - spotted a roadside advert for a helicopter trial lesson.
“I got chatting to the pilot and about a week
Steve also hopes to have the time to restore
later saw an advert for an emergency service
Lambretta scooters and a VW camper van.
“I really enjoyed the lesson and after getting
pilot for the North of England. It was for the
my private license I spent the next five years as
police in Newcastle but was then told they also
He added: “The over-riding thing that sticks with
a self improver, building up enough flying time
needed a contract pilot in Yorkshire.
you from the job is how quickly your life can change. One minute you’re doing something
to be able to fly commercially – working three months in IT and then a month flying.”
“I started doing ten days a month for the
completely normal and the next, because of
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Because I’d always
something out of the ordinary, it can be over. It
Steve got his commercial license in 1992 and,
flown out of Leeds I knew the area really
certainly makes you appreciate life.”
after three years of working on the ground
well and because I’d done a lot of aerial
during the winter and in the air during the
photography work I was very used to flying the
summer, became a full-time charter pilot in
aircraft at the right speed and height.
1995, based by Leeds Bradford Airport. “It becomes almost second nature, you can
EEAST News
National award for staff communications
“It was really busy, a time when there was
hear and feel the aircraft, so you can then
a lot of money around and we were flying
concentrate on finding the right landing spot,
A first-of-its-kind for ambulance staff
businessmen and wealthy people to major
making sure the crew can get to the job
communications has won a national award just
sporting events, weddings and functions,”
quickly and safely.”
months after it was set up.
Steve was appointed Chief Pilot in 2005 and
Rolling news site ‘Need to Know’ went live
has since flown to hundreds of incidents
in the East of England Ambulance Service
across the county – landing everywhere from
NHS Trust (EEAST) in March, following staff
added Steve, who worked for Northern Helicopters and then Helijet. “We also did a lot of aerial filming for TV –
226 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON feedback about using a more easily accessible and regularly updated form of communication. Internal Communications Manager Tara Crabtree, Internal Communications Officer Sophie Taylor and Digital Officer Gail Huggins worked with existing web site providers Sitekit on the project from inception to launch, and it was announced on 17th July that it’s won an Institute of Internal Communication Award of Excellence for a new channel. Tara said: “It’s an incredible achievement to win a national award for Need to Know and I’m immensely proud of the team. Developing the site took a lot of hard work and creativity and it’s really satisfying to see that come to fruition; now we have a 24/7 rolling news channel that’s more interactive, engaging and accessible – and most importantly it works better for our staff.” The site works in a similar way to news websites with daily updates, a scrolling ‘Bitesize’ feature, and even a Twitter feed. Staff can also access it off-site (e.g. mobile devices) and it’s also printable for those who want it. Chief Executive Dr Anthony Marsh added: “I am very proud of the team for winning this award, and for coming up with an easyto-use but dynamic and effective way of communicating with staff.”
Excellence by Coleg Cambria’s Principal and
of evidence to support the hard work and
Chief Executive, David Jones.
dedication he has offered to the role.
The Lion Awards celebrate the most inspiring
Chris Jones, Chief Executive of the City and
achievers who have accomplished extraordinary
Guilds Group, said: “It’s a huge achievement
results through skills-based learning.
to win a Lion Award, and Melfyn should feel really proud of his accomplishment. It’s
The annual ceremony is a culmination of City
inspiring to see how he is changing his life
and Guilds’ Medals for Excellence awards
through skills education.
programme, which has run since 1879. “We’re all about helping people get into a job, Each year, City and Guilds invite all Medals for
progress on the job and move on to the next
Excellence winners from across the UK and
job, and it’s amazing to celebrate those people
Was
Republic of Ireland to London to celebrate their
who are really living this. I wish him the very best
Trust’s Welsh Language Officer scoops prestigious ‘Learner of the Year’ award
achievements together.
of luck for the future, wherever it may take him.”
Melfyn, of Ruthin, Denbighshire, said: “Winning a
David Jones, Principal of Coleg Cambria, with
Lion Award is a very proud moment in my career.
whom Melfyn completed his course, added:
I hope to always use the skills that I employ
“We wish to congratulate Melfyn on winning this
through my course to benefit the community.”
prestigious award. We are extremely proud of his
The Welsh Ambulance Service’s newlyappointed Welsh Language Officer has
achievement; his professional attitude, dedication
collected a prestigious ‘Employee Learner of
Judith Hardisty, the Trust’s Executive Director
and hard work has clearly demonstrated
the Year’ award.
of Workforce and Organisational Development,
excellence in learning and development.”
added: “This is a very prestigious award and Melfyn Hughes collected a City and Guilds
we wish to congratulate Melfyn, and we are
The Welsh Ambulance Service recognises that
Lion Award during a red carpet ceremony
very pleased that he has chosen to continue
many people can only communicate their care
hosted by television presenter Heather Skelton
his career with the Welsh Ambulance Service.”
needs effectively through their first language, which for approximately a fifth of our population is Welsh.
Melfyn, who joined the Trust in April, embarked Melfyn, who is based in St Asaph,
on a 12-month learner journey in January 2012
Melfyn’s role at the Welsh Ambulance Service
Denbighshire, was shortlisted for the award
to discover how to quality assure an education
is to ensure that the communication needs
after completing Coleg Cambria’s Level 4
and training programme which was supported
of Welsh-speaking patients are met, and that
Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality
by his previous employers at North Wales Fire
the Trust continues to offer a patient-focused
Assurance of Assessment Processes and
and Rescue Service.
service which respects people’s cultural identity.
He spent many hours researching and
Melfyn Hughes (centre) with television
studying the role of an internal quality
presenter Heather Skelton and Chris Jones,
assurer and produced an extensive portfolio
Chief Executive of City and Guilds.
Practice while employed by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. He was subsequently awarded a Medal for
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
at Camden’s Roundhouse in London.
227 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
IN PERSON News
Charity role for injured Burton Paramedic
John Eames will also take up the role of
of ambulance personnel who have shown
Ambulance Service Representative at the
exceptional devotion to duty, outstanding
Foundation. He joins David Allsopp who is Fire
ability, merit and conduct in their roles within
Service Representative and Trustee and Bob
NHS Ambulance Services.
Aynsley who is Police Service Representative A Paramedic who was injured whilst on duty
and newly appointed Trustee.
helped him after his accident.
SECAMB News
John Eames, 41, from Burton on Trent was
Paramedics named in Queen’s Birthday Honours
badly injured in a road traffic accident in February 2011 when a Polish lorry crashed into
The number of nominations for a QAM in any one year may never exceed ten and includes
is to become a Trustee of the charity which
up to four Medals for England each year. For more than 30 years Andy has played a major role in establishing the high reputation of paramedics in their current pre-hospital role
the Ambulance he was travelling in.
Two South East Coast Ambulance Service
and has been a leader in practice, education
NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) paramedics
and management in the profession.
After 22 weeks in hospital, John was finally
have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s
able to go home thanks to a grant from the charity set up to help injured Emergency Services personnel. The grant enabled vital home improvements meaning John could continue his recovery in the comfort of his own home. PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation was set up after David Rathband was shot whilst on duty in Northumberland in July 2010. John was the recipient of the first ever grant from the charity after it was set up in October 2010. Since then John has been an active fundraiser for the charity and is already a charity champion representing the West Midlands Ambulance Service. John said: “I was both surprised and delighted to be invited to become a trustee, it was a great privilege for the grant to be presented by David. It is so pleasing to be able to help spread the word about the Blue Lamp Foundation in memory of David.”
Birthday Honours list which was announced at
He led the way in helping establish telephone
the weekend.
triage in NHS ambulance services. His commitment to education has been
The Trust’s Director of Clinical Operations and
unparalleled and instrumental in the growth
Consultant Paramedic, Professor Andy Newton
of programmes across the UK and led to the
has been awarded the Queen’s Ambulance
formation of the first paramedic degree course
Service Medal (QAM) for Distinguished Service
at the University of Hertfordshire.
while Paramedic, Philip Wadey, from Hastings receives the British Empire Medal for his
The country’s first consultant paramedic, Andy
voluntary service to First Aid.
has been heavily involved in the development of specialist paramedic roles at SECAmb
Andy is one of just a handful of paramedics
including the introduction of Paramedic
to have ever received the QAM which was
Practitioners and Critical Care Paramedics.
introduced in 2012. He was among the first paramedics to qualify in the UK, one of the
He now mixes his senior academic role
first to fly with the London Helicopter Medical
with his management position as Executive
Service and has been at the forefront of
Paramedic Director with SECAmb, with
developing the paramedic profession in the UK.
responsibilities for Professional Standards and Innovation. He chairs the College of
SECAmb has had a recipient of the medal
Paramedics and remains clinically active.
each year since its introduction with Andy now becoming the third SECAmb paramedic in as
Andy, who lives in Surbiton, Surrey said: “I’m
many years to be recognised.
delighted to receive the Queens Ambulance Medal and regard it as recognition for both the
The QAM honours a very small, select group
Peter Sweeney, Chairman of PC David
ambulance service and paramedic profession as a whole. I feel both fortunate and privileged
Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation, said: “It
to have been involved in the ambulance
was a very proud day for David Rathband
service for so many years and regard the
when he met John for the first time and
constantly improving clinical care that can
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
handed over the charity’s inaugural grant
now be routinely be provide to patients as
cheque. Since that day we believe John has
the single most significant advance in the last
repaid the grant many times over in all that he
three decades. With every prospect that the
has done to raise awareness of the work we
role of paramedics and the ambulance service
do, despite the fact that the treatment for his
will continue to expand further I look forward to
injuries is still ongoing.
being involved in future developing the role we play in improving patient care and outcomes.”
“For us it was a fitting tribute to John’s continued involvement with the charity and his
Philip Wadey was recognised primarily for his work
dedication to make his role official. We look
as a trainer with the British Red Cross. Originally
forward to working with him to help shape the future of the charity going forward, from his position as someone who the charity was set up to help.”
Paramedic, Philip Wadey, from Hastings received the British Empire Medal for his voluntary service to First Aid
founded in 1917, the medal was re-introduced in 2012 to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It is now awarded annually to around 300 community volunteers across the county.
228 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON On Tuesday, Sam, accompanied by his mum Lynda and his baby brother Elijah, travelled to Nursling Resource Centre where he chatted to some of the emergency frontline staff who treated him at the scene. During his visit to Nursling, Sam presented staff with a thankyou card before having a tour around the vehicles and kit at the ambulance station. Sam said: “It was lovely to see the paramedics and crew who helped save my life. Although I have no memory of the day, it was nice to put faces to the stories I have been told, and to hear about the day from their perspective. They will have my eternal gratitude, I don’t even know if I would be here without them.” Lynda explained: “On that day I remember Professor Andy Newton has been awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal (QAM) for Distinguished Service
having complete and utter faith that Sam was in the best hands as the crew put tubes down his throat and did what they needed to do. They even managed to reassure and calm us,
Philip has worked for the ambulance service
Both Andy and Phil will be formally presented
despite the gravity of the situation. It was really
for nearly 30 years and for around 40 years
with their medals at an investiture ceremony
with the British Red Cross. He also trains
a pleasure to meet the crew and say thank you
later this summer.
to these wonderful people for what they did -
volunteer crews with the Red Cross and has seen a number of the first volunteers he trained go on to become paramedics for both SECAmb and the air ambulance service. Philip is also one of only around 150 British Red Cross volunteers to have received a Special Service Cross for his actions in trying to save a person’s life in 2007. He said: “It was a surprise to find out but really nice to be recognised for my work and the work
making the decisions and taking the actions SCAS News
Romsey Teenager Reunited with SCAS Staff Who Helped Save His Life
that ensured Sam not only survived, but did so with no lasting damage. I know paramedics are professionals - but they are people too, and I think it’s so important to acknowledge the wonderful work they do and the part they play in creating miracles every day. My
Romsey teenager Sam Mangoro kept a very
husband, and I, and everyone who knows and
special appointment this week during his
loves Sam will be forever grateful.”
school holidays by meeting South Central The reunion was equally as special for the
save his life.
SCAS crews.
Sam, 16, a student at The Mountbatten
Sue May, SCAS Emergency Care Practitioner,
School, suffered a cardiac arrest during a PE
admitted: “It was brilliant to see Sam looking
lesson in March this year. His teacher began
so fit and well after everything that happened.
CPR on him before being joined by colleagues
I am very pleased to have had the chance to
to give Sam shocks from the school’s recently
meet up with him, he seems a lovely young
installed defibrillator.
man and I wish him well for his future.”
paramedic profession over the years has been
SCAS emergency crews including quickly
Perry Roles, SCAS Technician, explained:
outstanding. Phil’s role both as a committed
arrived on scene and continued to treat Sam
“It was great to meet Sam looking so well
SECAmb paramedic and as a volunteer trainer
and stabilise him before transporting him
and to speak to his mum. We don’t often get
with the British Red Cross is also something he
to Southampton General Hospital where he
the chance to be reunited with patients post
should be very proud of. I would like to thank
spent several weeks. Sam was initially put in a
cardiac arrest so the meeting was very special
both of them for their continued hard work and
medically induced coma before being treated
in that respect. Attending and treating Sam on
commitment and I am delighted that SECAmb
in intensive care and a cardiac ward. He has
that day so quickly and effectively was thanks
will once again be represented at the highest
since has an internal defibrillator fitted to help
to fantastic teamworking not only from the
level with these awards.”
prevent another cardiac arrest.
bystanders but all the SCAS crews.”
the ambulance service or volunteering for the recognition but appreciate being nominated. I enjoy my work and I’m looking forward to receiving the medal later this year.” SECAmb chief executive Paul Sutton added: “Both Andy and Philip are extremely deserving of this recognition. Andy’s dedication to both SECAmb and his drive to develop the
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Ambulance Service (SCAS) staff who helped
of all Red Cross volunteers. I’m not involved in
229 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
IN PERSON News
News
News
BASICS and SAVES doctor receives MBE
Rachel Morrison joins EMAS team
Knightirst responders get award
A Somerset-based GP who also carries out
The NHS Trust Development Authority (NHS
Knighton Community First Responders have
work on behalf of South Western Ambulance
TDA) has confirmed the appointment of Rachel
received the NHS Direct Central and West
Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT)
Morrison as a Non-executive Director of the
Regions, volunteers of the year award for their
under the umbrella of the British Association
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
work in Knighton and the surrounding area.
for Immediate Care (BASICS) and Somerset
(EMAS). The Knighton responders started eleven years
Accident Voluntary Emergency Service (SAVES) has been recognised in the Queen’s
Rachel is a highly accomplished senior
ago and currently have a team of fourteen
Birthday Honours.
executive with experience at board level in a
volunteers who in 2013 received 288 calls. The
variety of roles within complex organisations.
responders are called to patients when the
Dr James Hickman, GP in North Curry,
Rachel, who has lived in the Rutland area most
ambulance cannot get to the scene within four
has been awarded an MBE for services to
of her life, is currently a Director within the
minutes.
healthcare, particularly emergency medical
Finance division at Santander UK. The responders are trained to treat people with
care.
breathing problems caused by heart attacks, Among the incidents Dr Hickman has attended
strokes, angina, asthma or panic attack and to
alongside the Trust include the multi-vehicle
reassure and comfort people in times of need.
crash and fire on the M5 in 2011 and in 2012 he helped rescue a patient by amputating
If anyone is interested in joining the team the
their arm whilst high in the roof space of an
next training session is in August.
industrial building. For more information contact Brian Jones on 01547 528031.
Speaking about receiving his award Dr Hickman said: “I am delighted, not just for the personal recognition, but also for the charities that I work with and the work that all our members do in the field of pre-hospital
Rachel Morrison joins EMAS team
emergency care. “There are so many deserving people out
Commenting on her appointment, Rachel
there, so it is a great honour to be singled
said: “I’m delighted to be taking up this role.
out. I am very touched that somebody, or
My initial impression is that EMAS’ Better
some people, have thought to put my name
Patient Care improvement plan will allow it
forward.”
to enjoy a much brighter future. It certainly has highly skilled and dedicated staff which
Ken Wenman, Chief Executive of SWASFT,
is an essential ingredient for any successful
added: “I am exceptionally pleased to see
organisation. I’m looking forward to playing a
that Dr James Hickman has been awarded
part in helping the service to progress.”
an MBE for services to healthcare, particularly emergency medical care.
EMAS’ Interim Chairman, Pauline Tagg added: “Our Non-executive directors have skills and
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
“Dr Hickman has a special interest in pre-
expertise in the public and private business
hospital emergency care and, as a member of
sectors which complement those of our
SAVES he has attended hundreds of incidents
Executive Directors. I’m delighted that Rachel
in support of the Trust.
has joined us and am sure she will be an asset to the team.”
“Oh behalf of everyone at the Trust I would like to thank Dr Hickman for all his hard work and
Non-executive appointments to NHS Trusts
support and would like to congratulate him on
made by the NHS TDA are subject to the Code
receiving a very special honour.”
of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
For more information about BASICS and SAVES visit www.saves.org.uk and
Rachel has been appointed from 1 July 2014
www.basics.org.uk.
until 30 June 2016.
230 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
Some of the Knighton Community First Responders with the award. Adie Preece, Helen Carter, Brian Jones, Kay Morris and Ian Carter.
IN PERSON Midland’s Air Ambulance Charity and have been
last year. Looking back on the event, Poppy
Interest from members and non-members alike in National Air Ambulance Awards
blessed by a terrific level of support from local
Young, Outstanding Young Person of the Year,
fundraisers and donors, so I accepted the award
said: “I like making a difference and informing
on behalf of everyone who gave their time and
people about my local Air Ambulance and what
money to the life-saving service.”
it does. When I help the Herts Air Ambulance I
Winners from last year reflect on their
Anyone can nominate an individual or team
AAAE News
feel proud and very happy that I have helped a
experience
so the sector’s most inspirational people get
The Association of Air Ambulances (AAA) is
are judged by a panel of experts, chaired by
the recognition they deserve. The Awards
calling on those who work in the Air Ambulance sector to act now and nominate the people they believe deserve recognition at this year’s
Guy Opperman MP, and the winners will be announced at the Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence gala dinner in London on 17th
Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence. The
November. Nominations are sought in the
Awards are operated by the AAA and are open
following categories:
to all air ambulance operations in the UK.
worthwhile cause. I used to be shy and reserved but all this has made me more confident, outgoing and determined to succeed. I will continue to do everything I can to help raise money for the Herts Air Ambulance and I don’t think that I will ever stop raising money for them. This is only just the start.” Janice Flower, Charity Staff Member of the Year added: “I was thrilled and honoured to win this
Nominations are welcome from AAA members
• Outstanding Young Person Award
and non-members alike who wish to honour the
• Charity Staff Member of the Year
exceptional contributions of staff and volunteers
• Air Ambulance Paramedic of the Year
within the UK’s air ambulance community. The
• Air Ambulance Doctor of the Year
strict deadline of 1st September 2014 is fast
• Air Ambulance Pilot of the Year
approaching.
• Air Ambulance Campaign of the Year
The closing date for nominations is 1st
• Charity Volunteer of the Year
September 2014. Further information, together
Jenny Ashman was one of the winners last year.
• Special Incident Award
with a nomination form can be found at:
The Charity Volunteer of the Year, who works with
• Lifetime Achievement Award
http://www.aoaa.org.uk/aaae/
prestigious award. I am extremely lucky to work alongside a great team who have been incredibly supportive.”
Midland’s Air Ambulance Charity, said: “I was honoured to be shortlisted, so to actually win
The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust were
A brief review of last year’s Awards can be found
was truly overwhelming. I love volunteering with
lucky enough to have two winners in their ranks
at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ3Kz2n_Sjw
on et re el.n mo erj ad at Re w.w ww More information
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
Professional burn care – around the world
231 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
PRODUCT SHOWCASE ZOLL Medical Awarded 3 Year Contract to Supply X Series Monitor/ Defibrillators to West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust The prestigious award for the supply of pre-hospital defibrillators to the West Midlands Service NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded to ZOLL® Medical UK Ltd. The decision was made after a thorough evaluation of the ZOLL X Series® monitor/ defibrillator by the clinical team at West Midlands Ambulance. The award will see the ambulance service replace all of its existing monitors with the latest technology from ZOLL.
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
232
Weighing less than 6 kilograms, the X Series is half the size and half the weight of most fullfeatured defibrillators, yet powerful and built to the most rigorous standards for ruggedness. The X Series has every advanced monitoring and communication capability required by a leading ambulance service. Andrew Carson, Medical Director, West Midlands Service NHS Foundation Trust said “The X Series monitor/defibrillator allows clinicians to provide improved clinical care and treatment at the patient side. These defibrillators offer the very best in clinical diagnostic tools and provide our patients optimal care in the community, before making the decision to convey them to hospital. The high specification devices will enhance the clinical treatment through EtCO2 monitoring, highquality 12-lead ECG acquisition, and robust telemetry.”
Richard Knell-Moore, ZOLL UK Country Manager, said “We are delighted to be to continuing our partnership with the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. The trust is one of the highest profile services in the UK and we are proud to say that they will continue to use the very latest ZOLL technologies. The Trust serves a population of 5.36 million people covering an
area of more than 5,000 square miles and provides some unique challenges. The fact that the Trust chose the X Series to meet their clinical requirements and the operational demands that they face every day, is a testament to the design and functionality of the device.” For more information on X Series please visit www.zoll.com or call 01928 595 160.
PRODUCT SHOWCASE Saving your life is a way of their lives The Saviour Medical Rescue Stretcher is the latest versatile rescue stretcher to be available to the emergency, resilience and rescue services as a single product solution. Ideally suited for work in confined spaces, rescue, hazardous and water based environments, the stretcher is an innovative design likened to being the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Swiss Army Knifeâ&#x20AC;? of rescue stretchers. This lightweight device (5kg) with its polyethylene skin and removable straps is infection control compliant. The stretcher is neutrally buoyant making water based rescue possible and the sand and waterproof design of the fixings further support such use. The stretcher, fixings and strap system are load rated to 200kg (31 stone) making it suitable for most patients. The integral headblock and double skin in the spinal area assists in the management of patients with potential spinal injuries.
The stretcher is supplied as a rolled device in a robust carry bag, making it compact and aiding access to confined spaces as well as requiring little storage space. The device is also X-Ray translucent and CT friendly. The simplistic, colour coordinated strap system ensure there is little additional training requirement. The stretcher is CE marked and manufactured in the UK.
The Saviour Medical Rescue Stretcher has been designed and developed by a group of highly skilled and experienced rescuers. The stretcher is manufactured in the UK and distributed through DS Medical, a Hampshire based medical supplier.
The Saviour Medical Rescue Stretcher has already been rigorously tested across the UK by a renowned water based rescue organisation. The tactical variant of the stretcher is also in
Mr Jason Warrener: 07872 039998
use by the military.
Hackett Way Fareham PO14 1TH Tel.: 01329 311451 Fax: 01329 829276 Email: info@dsmedical.co.uk Web: www.dsmedical.co.uk
The UK emergency services, local Government and national rescue organisations have experienced increased demand for suitable rescue equipment to ensure emergency preparedness and resilience.
Contact Mr Richard Bourke: 07960 866335
Data Southern (Enterprise) Ltd (T/A DS Medical) Unit 6 Fareham Enterprise Centre
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
233 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
THE CLASSIFIED SITE For further information or to make a reservation please contact
Maggie or Rachel Tel: 01322 660434 Fax: 01322 666539
AMBULANCE VACANCIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN The East Midlands, and the North East of England for the following grades:
email:
IHCD Ambulance Technicians
Emergency Care Assistants
info@mediapublishing company.com or by post to: Media House, 48 High Street Swanley Kent BR8 BQ
For an application pack please email: vacancies@thamesgroupuk.com Supplying our Human Resources department with your name and address
fe Connections 2014 Exmed Study Day PARAMEDICS
Regional Operations – Centres £25,783 – £34,530 per annum cult Airway Course EMS™ An introduction Coxheath, Lewes & Banstead
(+ up to 25% Shift Premium)
Thursday 15 May 2014 ng Conference Centre, Kettering NN15 6PB TH
It’s not only our clinicians in the field who provide first class care to the people of Surrey, Sussex and Kent. We have a professional team of Nurses and Paramedics who work in our regional control centres providing advice and guidance to members of the public accessing healthcare through the 999 system.
PRESENTATION Registration AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
on & History of the Course
y Algorithms of the Difficult Airway
Laryngoscopy
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PRESENTATION TheseTIME: roles play P.M an essential part in helping ensure we maximise the use of our resources, signposting callers to the appropriate service and providing urgent or emergency healthcare advice when required. 12.00 - 12.30
Skill Stations
The role will include providing clinical supervision and coaching to non-registered staff. Successful candidates will have access to excellent career development and ongoing promotion opportunities.
Rotation 2
If you are a registered Nurse or Paramedic and would like to have an informal discussion please contact Lucas Hawkes-Frost, NHS Pathways Clinical lead on 0300 123 0999 or Dave Hawkins, Senior 12.30Manager - 13.30 Lunch, Exhibition Operations on 01622 740403. To apply, please visit www.jobs.nhs.uk quoting job reference 278-EOC-2029-LW. 13.30 - 14.00 Skill Stations Alternatively visit our website www.secamb.nhs.uk @SECambRecruit
14.00 - 14.30
tions 234(4 rotations/30 min. each)
Rotation 3 Recruitment SECAmb Skill Stations Rotation 4
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
14.30 - 14.45
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