2 minute read
Doctors in the ambulance service
from Your Call - Issue 21
by NWAmbulance
This year marks the 10th anniversary of our Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT). We took some time to speak to one of MERIT’s founding members, Dr. Kung-Kim “K-K.” Chan.
MERIT is a team of doctors working within NWAS to support us with clinical decision-making during largescale incidents involving lots of casualties. They work on an on-call basis, available 24/7 to support when needed with incidents across the region.
Bringing together a range of specialties, each MERIT doctor offers expert knowledge and experience in their practice areas. The team provides medical advice on scene and helps us get the right care to patients who need us in difficult circumstances involving lots of casualties.
A GP of over 30 years, Dr Chan specialises in prehospital emergency care. Alongside his work as a GP, he has held senior positions in St John Ambulance and the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS). Through BASICS he trains other doctors and healthcare professionals in caring for patients in an emergency before they get to hospital.
Dr Chan initially volunteered for NWAS as a doctor responding to emergencies across the region, and when MERIT was formed in 2014, he became one of the founding members.
Speaking about MERIT, Dr Chan says: “NWAS has a unique approach to MERIT within the ambulance sector. By working within the ambulance service itself, rather than through external agencies, we’re able to work under the same rules and regulations as other NWAS employees. We attend regular training sessions, including live exercises, which help us to continuously adapt and improve.
“MERIT began as a small team of doctors which has evolved over the years. We support with complex incidents such as chemical releases and work together with other emergency services to provide a joined-up response. Our contribution helps to minimise disruption to business as usual during large scale incidents to make sure that the emergency resources we have available are effectively allocated to those who need them.”
