ehaat.uk.com winter 2014/2015
CONTENTS
CEO’s welcome I would like to start by welcoming the newest members of our EHAAT Clinical Team – Pre-Hospital Care Doctors Ian, Naomi, Matt and Jonny, and Critical Care Paramedics Chris, Simon, Tony and Philip. I’d also like to congratulate former Critical Care Paramedic Laurie Phillipson who has now joined the Trust as Clinical Manager for the Earls Colne Air Base. And last but not least a big welcome to our new Medical Director – Dr Ronan Fenton. Read more about them all on pages 18 and 19. In November this year we were lucky enough to be shortlisted for three awards at the Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence 2014 organised by the Association of Air Ambulances. Pre-Hospital Care Doctor Rik Thomas was nominated for ‘Doctor of the Year’ for his life-saving actions treating a patient at height in a confined and hazardous space. Critical Care Paramedic Louise Rosson was nominated for ‘Paramedic of the Year’ in recognition of her management of the scene at a gas explosion in Clacton. Finally, the Charity PR Team were nominated for ‘Campaign of the Year’ alongside our partners in the region for a joint initiative to improve the tasking of the Critical Care Resources in the East of England. I am so proud to announce that Doctor Rik Thomas won his prestigious ‘Doctor of the Year’ award! Everyone at the Charity are so proud and pleased for Rik and his tremendous achievement - congratulations! We’ve also had cause for more celebration as Pre-Hospital Care Doctors Ben Clarke, Samy Sadek, Jonny Price and Critical Care Paramedics Jo Lambert and Erica Ley were presented with a Chief Ambulance Officer Commendation Award by the East of England Ambulance Service Trust – find out more on page 9. Congratulations to you all – it’s been quite a year for our Clinical Team! The Charity has had a fantastic year of fundraising with events such as Strictly Air Ambulance, Motorcycle Run, Colne Valley Cycle Ride, Base2Base and the Herts Motorcycle Run all raising much needed funds. As ever, it’s not just our events that generate income - see pages 10 and 11 to read how others like you are supporting us. Once again thank you for your continued support – without you we simply could not keep saving lives. I wish you and your loved ones health and happiness in 2015.
Jane Gurney Chief Executive Officer Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust
Stars of TV!
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Lottery Winner Stories
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Matthew Berry’s Story
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EHAAT Statistics
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EEAST Award and Magnum Footwear
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Corporate/Community Thank you’s 8-9 Matthew Eade’s Story
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Volunteering
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Motorcycle Run 2014 12-13 Enda Byrne’s Story
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National Air Ambulance Week 2014 15 Meet your new HEMS Heroes 16-17 Cambodia Trek 2015
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Post bag
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Contact us Essex General Enquiries: 0345 2417 690 Herts General Enquiries: 0345 504 0055 Email: ContactUs@EHAAT.uk.com Website: EHAAT.uk.com Lottery Hotline: 0345 2417 688 Lottery Website: FlightforLifeLottery.uk.com To advertise in flight for life magazine call: 01787 226118 Published by: Symbian Print Intelligence Editor: Holly Butler Holly.Butler@EHAAT.uk.com Cover shot: Thanks to Elizabeth Shaw
Registered Charity number: 1108989 Branding and selected photography reproduced by kind permission of Perception.Co
Stars of TV! Many of our Pre-Hospital Care Doctors have appeared on television programmes such as 24 hours in A&E and Trauma Doctors... we spoke to Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Clinical Governance Lead Doctor Samy Sadek about his experience...
Which programmes have you featured on and can you explain what happened? BBC 2 - ‘An Hour to Save Your Life’ - in this episode we were treating a critically injured motorcyclist who had a pelvic fracture and was at serious risk of bleeding to death. An innovative procedure
called REBOA was used to stem the bleeding by inserting a small balloon into the aorta from the groin, which was then inflated rather than needing to open the patient’s chest. The procedure had been developed for several years but prior to this incident had not been successfully used in a real life situation. Channel 5 - ‘Trauma Doctors’: Every Second Counts - in this episode a patient had been stabbed in the chest in London. The team feared that the stab wound had punctured the heart however, scans revealed it had missed by millimetres. This was a huge relief but the patient was still in a very bad way.
How did you feel about performing life-saving procedures on camera?
Being part of these programmes makes me feel very proud of the work the Air Ambulance HEMS Teams do
In tense situations where a life hangs in the balance, it makes very little difference whether the cameras are present or not. You have to keep your focus and your commitment to the patient and this over takes any worries you have about looking good on screen! With the BBC 2 programme An Hour to Save Your Life, it was
coincidental that the cameras were there to film the first use of REBOA, and it was a very proud moment for me, so in many ways I am grateful it was caught on film. The programmes were very true to the real events in their editing which I was pleased about. They also followed up and filmed the patients long after they had been treated, which was very rewarding to see.
Did you enjoy being on TV? Whilst I have never sought fame or intentionally put myself in front of the camera, being part of these programmes makes me feel very proud of the work the Air Ambulance HEMS Teams and I do. It’s always embarrassing watching yourself back but I think it’s good publicity for the Charity, plus it’s very important for the public to see the medical innovations and advances that are being made in the Air Ambulance world. My job entails terrible lows and amazing highs but anyone in this profession does what they do because they want to help people as best they can, not because they are after fame and reward. 3
2014
Lottery winners! Stansted Resident Scoops Superdraw Jackpot! In September this year Andrew Soames from Stansted won £21,543 in the Superdraw! He joined the Flight for Life Lottery in December 2013 after receiving a visit from one of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Canvassers, who currently go door-to-door to promote the Lottery and gain new members. Speaking about his win, Andrew said, “So far I’ve been on a camping trip and to Peppa Pig World with my family! I’ll be saving the rest of the winnings until I’ve decided how to spend it. I have family and friends who have experienced first-hand the life-saving work of the Air Ambulance and this has spurred me on to support my local Air Ambulance Charity, as you never know when you might need them.”
Double Win in April for East Herts Residents! Two lucky winners in East Hertfordshire won the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Flight for Life Lottery Superdraw Jackpot within 2 weeks of each other! Mike Conen of Bishop’s Stortford scooped the maximum jackpot of £25,000 and Robert Woollard of Ware won £3,887! Mike and Robert were invited to the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Visitor Centre with their families to meet the Air Crew and see the helicopter. Following the presentation Mr Conen very kindly donated £1,000 of his winnings back to the Charity. Speaking about his win he said, “I had no idea that our local Air Ambulance service received no Government funding. Taking part in 4
the Lottery is a great way to support the service and have a chance of winning a small prize. When I was told how much I had won, to say I was shocked is an understatement!” Mr Woollard said of his win, “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call to say I had won, I thought it was a hoax! I first signed up to the Lottery upon receiving a knock at the door from one of the canvassers and I knew straight away it was a worthwhile charity. The Lottery is a great incentive to support the Air Ambulance as you have a chance of winning a prize; you have to be in it to win it!” The Flight for Life Lottery is a major source of income for the Charity and has approximately 76,216 members playing – 130,564 chances. Since January 1998 it has raised more than £16 million for the Charity. The Flight for Life Lottery offers entry into two draws; Weekly Draw - This has a top prize of £1,000 plus 13 further prizes! For just £1 a week members will receive their unique Lottery Membership number, giving them a chance to win. Superdraw – Win up to £25,000! For an additional £1 per week members of the Weekly Draw are allocated their exclusive four lucky number combination. A weekly jackpot draw is made. Where there is no weekly superdraw winner the jackpot rolls over to the next week until we reach £25,000! If you want to join the Flight for Life Lottery simply visit FlightforLifeLottery.uk.com or call the Flight for Life Lottery Team on 0345 2417 688 now!
Matthew’s Story
On a chilly October morning I set out for my regular training ride in Essex - according to my cycling aid I was thirty-two miles into my ride when disaster struck... ...I attempted to avoid a pothole but ended up steering into another. I hurtled over the handlebars and landed badly on my face. Thankfully I was seen by a nearby resident who alerted the emergency services and stayed with me until an ambulance and the Air Ambulance came to my aid. I don’t remember much about what happened next but Pre-Hospital Care Doctor Ben Clarke and Critical Care Paramedic Louise Rosson performed life-saving procedures on me at the roadside – bringing the hospital to me, the patient. A few days later I woke up in hospital. I was only able to see out of one eye and was told I had been airlifted to Romford Hospital after taking the entire impact of the fall on my face. I had suffered a brain injury and
my right cheekbone had been damaged as well as a nerve serving my right eye. By all accounts I was in a very bad way when I arrived at the hospital. Following a ten day stay I was allowed home to continue my recovery. My wife Joyce was hugely supportive and I cannot thank her enough for all she went through. However, I was soon bored and after two weeks I was desperate to get back to work – mainly to have something to fill the day! After seven weeks my health had improved and I returned to work; my memory was improving too however my right eye was still a problem. Unable to hold off any longer, I set up my indoor turbo trainer and it felt so good to be back on a bike, even if cycling on it was mind numbingly dull! A few months later I’d worked
Matthew Berry pictured centre
out a way to make my vision manageable and was ready to get out on the road again. Weirdly I’d benefitted from the enforced rest, I’d avoided the harsh winter and most importantly, I had a great excuse to buy a new bike! By May I was increasing my distances and was ready for a week’s mountain training in the Pyrenees with my cycling club friends. Aside from a little skewed vision I have made a great recovery. Earlier this year I rode the Essex Air Ambulance Colne Valley Cycle Ride with my wife Joyce. The event was fantastic, the route was demanding and the organisation was great. We rode the event as a thank you to the Air Crew that helped me that day and I will forever make the effort to spread the word about the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust – my life-saving Charity! matthew Berry - London 5
statistics 1st January 2014 – 30th June 2014
HOW MAnY cardiac arrests DID WE ATTEnD
totaL monthLy running costs £480,000 6
monday
HOW MAnY EqUESTRIAn InCIDEnTS DID WE ATTEnD What is our Busiest day of the Week
hoW many rtc’s did We attend
7 Which hospitaLs did We Land at most frequentLy
top 5
rOYAL LOnDOn ADDenBrOOkeS Queen’S BrOOMFieLD COLCHeSter
FUEL FOR ONE HOUR’S FLIGHT - £200
New Footwear for Air Crew Courtesy of Magnum The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Air Crew are now proud owners of state of the art boots thanks to the support of Magnum! The company paid a visit to the Essex Air Ambulance Air Base and Visitor Centre to meet the team and find out more about the work of the Charity. They had the unique opportunity of meeting the Air Crew and seeing the helicopter up close whilst hand delivering new Magnum boots which were gratefully received by the Pre-Hospital Care Doctors and Critical Care Paramedics. Georgina Lees, UK PR & Communication Executive for Magnum, said: “As a company that provide the professional services with comfortable, resilient and certified footwear, Magnum are delighted to announce that we are supporting our local Air Ambulance service by donating Magnum footwear for the clinical team. We are thrilled to become a part of what makes this charity possible and hope to continue our support into the future.” Aderyn Gillett, Trust Fundraising Coordinator for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, adds, “We are tremendously grateful to Magnum for their kind donation and support. We know they have an outstanding reputation and their footwear is able to withstand the extreme conditions in which the Air Crew find themselves on a daily basis.”
PATIENT THANK YOU… “I would like to say a MASSIVE THANKYOU to the crew who pretty much saved my friend’s life after a car vs bike incident last week. You guys really are amazing, keep up the great work you do as you really do make a difference to people’s lives.”
Chief Ambulance Officer Commendation for EHAAT Air Crew On the 9th May 2014 the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) Awards Ceremony took place at Tattersall’s in Newmarket. Two of our very own Air Crew were nominated to receive a Chief Ambulance Officer Commendation. Pre-Hospital Care Doctor Ben Clarke and Critical Care Paramedic Jo Lambert were presented with their award by Dr Anthony Marsh, CEO of EEAST, in recognition of their actions whilst on an emergency mission in Southend. Pre-Hospital Care Doctor Samy Sadek and Jonny Price and Critical Care Paramedic Erica Ley were also presented with their award for attending a cardiac arrest at a Bank in Chelmer Village. We are extremely proud of them all and congratulate them on this amazing achievement.
COMPETITION TIME! WIN Check out our Facebook pages to be in with a chance of winning a pair of brand new Magnum boots – just like the ones our Air Crew use!
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corporate
thank you’s Trust the freemasons of essex and hertfordshire have been supporters of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust ever since the service began in 1998 and to date have raised an incredible £429,000! They have been a consistent part of the Charity’s history, sharing every key milestone along the way including the 10th Anniversary of Essex Air Ambulance, the launch of the Herts Air Ambulance, the introduction of Doctors on board, the unveiling of the new MD902 Explorer helicopter, the opening of our Visitors Centre in Earls Colne and Fundraising Office in Buntingford and the launch of our Extended Service Trial.
Herts Barkway park’s charity golf day smashed last year’s total, raising £17,587 on an incredible day! Men’s Captain Dave Wall also chose us as his Charity of the Year and his fundraising is yet to be counted. Dawn Easby, Herts Air Ambulance Fundraising Manager said, “If you break it down by the average cost of one mission, Barkway Park Golf Club have potentially saved the lives of 7 people through their Golf Day this year and possibly up to 21 lives in total by raising over £53,000 since 2010! This is something to be truly proud of.” motorcycles direct for sponsoring the first Herts Air Ambulance Motorcycle Run and herts police hq
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at Welwyn Garden City for hosting the start of the run. An enormous thank you goes out to the lovely folks at holiday inn – London elstree, who have raised more than £3,250 over the past two years! They achieved this fantastic amount by holding collection tins, raffles, champagne draws, skydives and other various fundraising activities. glaxosmithkline r&d in Ware, have chosen to support Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust as their official Charity of the Year! The team have been busy organising events, including a cake sale, a family fun day and a Christmas tombola.
Essex Huge thanks go to devitt insurance and the Woodland group for being headline sponsors of the Motorcycle Run 2014. The Woodland Group have sponsored our annual Motorcycle Run for the third year in a row and raising over £4,000 through their London to Paris Cycle Ride in 2014. ford dunton for the use of Ford premises to host the start of the Motorcycle Run for over ten years and their help in securing a grant from Ford Global Giving. devitt insurance for sponsoring the pre-reg star prize. ice patch for sponsoring the Essex Motorcycle Show, essex audi group for sponsoring the Acrobatic Day for the third year running and medical aviation services (mas) for sponsoring
patient thank you… “I would just like to say a huge thank you for the quick response my son received from you guys, all the emergency services were great, he has recovered beyond belief, and you wouldn’t even think that he had had a serious motorbike accident” Strictly Air Ambulance, the Aeromedical Conference and the Base2Base Challenge. Thank you to arc Legal for sponsoring our Go Yellow campaign. Last year we raised £21,394 through the Go Yellow appeal! Nine Wilko stores across Essex are supporting the Charity and have already raised £6,806 since fundraising started in May 2014. They have also donated gifts for our Afternoon Tea initiative and taken part in various fundraising events. shirley grigg from make a difference has raised an incredible £25,679 so far from the sale of glo-bands in various pubs in the Southend area. Shirley also took part in Go Yellow last year and raised £624. office property and facilities have chosen us as their Charity of the Year and have so far raised £5,120. seventeen group has lots planned for the year such as dress down days and participation in our various campaigns such as Go Yellow, Christmas Jumper Day and the Christmas Card campaign. One staff member is also hoping to take part in our 2015 Cambodia Trek!
community
events Herts In May 2014, a canvas exhibition was held in memory of Christine Spendley at gravelly Barns, Braughing. Jane davalle and glynnis Bainbridge raised a massive £7,000 from the sale of 450 canvasses for the Charity. In August 2014, susan greenhill hosted an amazing cake sale at Barclays Bank in hertford, raising a huge £1,025 in memory of her son, Christopher Greenhill. The event was such a great success that Barclays have kindly agreed to match fund a further £1,000 so in total an incredible £2,025 was raised. tracy abbott organised a fun day held at the strafford arms pub, Potters Bar in June. The event, held in memory of Tracy’s father Francis Abbott, raised £1,704. A further £707 was kindly donated by friends and family at Francis Abbott’s memorial service. helen rice took on the challenge of jumping out of a plane for the Charity and raised a staggering £855!
Helen loved the sensation of falling through the air at 120 miles an hour. A lovely celebration was held at fanhams hall farm in Ware for mr and mrs Westwood’s 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary. Friends and family donated a total of £300 to the Charity. For the past two years, chris campbell has hosted a Barn dance for the Charity with live entertainment and hog roast. The event is held at Lordship farm in Dane End and this year raised a fantastic £2,200!
Essex In June 2014 Zoe napier & associates held a fantastic wing-walking event at the earls colne airfield. The spectacle included Brightling Wingwalkers and a YAK display and raised an amazing £8,221.31 for the Charity. marks hall garden & country show took place in July 2014 and raised a massive £9,650 for the Charity – what an incredible result for the first year!
patient thank you… “Following my off-road cycling accident I cannot express how pleased I was to hear the approach of the helicopter. When the Doctor and Paramedic arrived they immediately put me at ease and did everything possible to stabilize me. They were incredibly efficient, friendly and comforting. I owe them a huge debt of gratitude for which I will never be able to thank them properly, what a wonderful team.” 9
Critical Care Paramedic Adam Carr who treated Matthew at the scene picks up the story…, “Pre-Hospital Care Doctor Jeff Hooper and I carried out a quick assessment, gained I.V access and sedated Matthew due to his agitation. Matthew was in a very bad way; he had lifethreatening injuries with the potential for huge blood loss. Once he was out of the car we took over his breathing to optimise his vital signs and prevent further injury.” Once Matthew was stable enough to be transported, Pilot Garry Brasher airlifted him to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. On arrival a full body scan confirmed that Matthew had sustained fractures to his pelvis, scapula and ribs. Matthew’s mother Margaret Eade continues the story… “When we arrived at the hospital Matthew was in the Resuscitation Unit and so we waited for what felt like hours in the family room. Eventually the consultant treating Matthew came to explain his injuries and although he was in a very serious condition we were assured he was going to be okay. It was the worst day of our lives but we cannot fault the Air Ambulance Air Crew who were there to help.” Matthew adds, “I have since visited the Herts Air Ambulance Airbase at north Weald as I felt I would like to meet the people involved in my ordeal. The Air Crew made me and my family very welcome and showed us the helicopter and the life-saving equipment it carries. Critical Care Paramedic Adam Carr who attended at my accident was on a day off, but gave up his precious time to come and talk to us and fill in the gaps I was unable to remember. Just a mere thank you does not seem enough when they have saved my life. next year I am hoping to hold a sponsored fishing competition at my Angling Club to raise funds for the Charity. I am now fully recovered from my injuries and I call the tree I hit my ‘lucky tree’. I survived my car accident and a few months later on my way to work I found a £20 note beside it!”
Matthew Eade tells his story of how the Air Ambulance came to his rescue one rainy September day…
“In September 2013 I was travelling home from work in treacherous weather conditions caused by heavy rain falling on dry ground. Unbeknown to me my front nearside tyre had deflated to a dangerous level, causing me to lose control on a bend and collide with a tree. A later police report confirmed that speed had not been a factor leading to my accident. However, upon impact, I was knocked unconscious and am unable to remember anything more of the incident. My injuries were considered life threatening and the Air Ambulance was called.” 10
Volunteering with the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust There are many financial ways that you can support your local Air Ambulance, but have you ever considered how valuable your time is to us? Over the course of one year we can attend over 900 events across the two counties and covering this volume and variety is a massive operation. We have a fantastically dedicated team of volunteers in Essex and Hertfordshire but we desperately need more… could you help us?
Volunteering doesn’t have to take up hours of your valuable time every week. Some of our volunteers help out just once a month, others do something every week; the choice is yours!
What will you be doing? The kind of roles undertaken by volunteers range from selling merchandise at local fundraising events, giving talks about the Air Ambulance, distributing collection tins, hosting tours at
our Visitors Centre and helping out in the fundraising office. You can also help with the charity’s own events including Strictly Air Ambulance, the Motorcycle Run and the Colne Valley Cycle Ride to name a few. By volunteering with Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust you will not only be helping your local life-saving Air Ambulance, you will also find friends, learn new skills and could even be good for your health! The benefits of volunteering are priceless!
For more details or to apply contact Jen Wall Volunteer Manager on Jen.Wall@EHAAT.uk.com or call 0345 2417 690 or complete the application form on the Volunteer section on our website EHAAT.uk.com
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15th Anniversary Essex Air
Over 5,000 bikers turned out to support the 15th annual Essex Air Ambulance Motorcycle Run and Harwich Family Festival on Sunday 7th September. The event, sponsored by Woodland Group and Jack Lilley Motorcycles, was a roaring success, raising in excess of ÂŁ42,200 for the Charity!
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Ambulance Motorcycle Run!
Upon arrival at Ford Dunton Technical Centre The Imps, Britain’s largest motorcycle display team, treated bikers to two exhilarating performances which featured their breathtaking trademark fire jump! The 60 mile run followed its usual route along the A12 and hundreds of people lined bridges along the way to cheer and wave as the bikers rode past. At the Harwich finish line they were greeted by 2,000 spectators including the Town Crier and the Mayor of Harwich. There was a fantastic atmosphere as the 7,000 strong crowds were treated to live entertainment throughout the afternoon. The star of the show was of course the life-saving helicopter and a stream of enthusiastic supporters gathered throughout the day to see their local Air Ambulance and meet the Air Crew. The Essex Police Helicopter also made an appearance, landing on the beach beside the Air Ambulance, giving the public a unique opportunity to view it up close. Wendy Marcon-Knightley, Sponsorship and Events Manager of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance
Trust, said: “I would like to thank all the bikers that took part and everyone that came along and supported the event, helping to raise a staggering amount for the Charity. It really has been an exciting and memorable day, and we look forward to the next Motorcycle Run in 2015!”
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performed other life-saving interventions, whilst I was still on the platform with trains stopped in both directions. I was then taken to the Lister Hospital Cardiology Unit in Stevenage. I was later transferred to the Royal Brompton in London where a state-of-the-art ICD (cardioverter defibrillator) was fitted into my shoulder muscle by Mr Vias Markides, Director of Harefield national Heart Hospital. To my great delight, he assured me that there is no reason
Feeling slightly dizzy as I descended the station steps I sat on a platform bench – this was to be my last memory before waking up in the Intensive Care Unit
Enda’s Story Enda Byrne tells of how he was saved by the Air Crew of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance… It was one of those misty midMarch mornings earlier this year as my wife, Liz, and I arrived at Letchworth Railway Station en route to meet our daughter in London. Feeling slightly dizzy as I descended the station steps I sat on a platform bench – this was to be my last memory before waking up in the Intensive Care Unit at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, two whole days later! My wife recalls that I suddenly fell back against the bench, mouth wide open, eyes closed and no pulse. She immediately started pumping my chest in an attempt to give CPR. Very fortunately Jeff Carter, a station attendant who is also a 14
part-time fireman, phoned the emergency services and continued CPR on the station platform. A land ambulance and two paramedics were quickly on scene and connected me to a defibrillator. They alerted the Air Ambulance Team who were rapidly despatched, landing at nearby Rushby Mead Primary School. I’m sure this was a source of great excitement for the pupils – it must have made their day! Pre-Hospital Care Doctor Tim Webb and Critical Care Paramedic Adam Carr quickly arrived at the railway station where they immediately commenced advanced pre-hospital care. Dr Webb gave me a general anaesthetic, and
why I should not continue my work on post-war reconciliation and peace-making in Bosnia. Professor nicholas Peters, an electro-cardiologist at Imperial College in London, was greatly impressed by the HEMS emergency treatment and commented that “this wonderful management is testament to the excellent cooperation between HEMS and the nHS for emergency care”. This incredible outcome is all due to remarkable treatment by a wonderful combination of medical services, including the Air Ambulance Charity and the land ambulance crew of the nHS. Enda Byrne
From the 22nd to 28th September, the Charity once again looked to the people of Essex and Herts to show their support for their local Air Ambulance by taking part in Go Yellow and Go Red for National Air Ambulance Week 2014. The total raised so far is £29,000, with more money still to come in!
National Air Ambulance Week 2014 Members of the Fundraising Team, Sabi, Jenny and Cristina, joined Dawn at north Weald Airfield to launch Go Red and Go Yellow by taking part in a powder paint fight! Starting off in pure white, they were soon coated from head to toe in yellow and red with the Air Crew cheering them on from a safe distance. Schools, businesses, groups and individuals all across Essex and Herts signed up to take part in the initiative. Local radio station BBC Essex got involved and for the first day of national Air Ambulance Week they featured various interviews with airlifted patients, members of the Air Crew and Carly Duffett, our Head of Fundraising. Meanwhile our Herts Fundraising Manager Dawn Easby dressed up as a tomato with her running club the Ware Joggers! Supporter Elizabeth Shaw was interviewed on DJ Dev’s Radio 1 afternoon show with a mention in a feature called Bamboleo Wednesday – the presenter then tweeted about the Charity to his 262,000 followers!! A huge thank you to everyone who supported us in 2014 – we can’t fly without you!
A huge thank you to everyone who supported us in 2014 – we can’t fly without you!
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meet your new hems heroes! This September we’ve had four new Pre-Hospital Care Doctors and four new Critical Care Paramedics join the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust HEMS Teams! chris haWkins
tony stone
CRITICAL CARE PARAMEDIC
CRITICAL CARE PARAMEDIC
It has always been my ambition to work on an Air Ambulance. This opportunity is allowing me to work at an advanced level as part of a Doctor/Paramedic team, practicing critical care and working with some very clinically focused and extremely dedicated people who are proud to help. Work environments are influenced by your colleagues and I am very lucky to be working with a group of people who truly want to be there and who will strive to deliver the very best care. I can’t deny that flying in a helicopter is also a perk of the job!
phiLip aLmond CRITICAL CARE PARAMEDIC
I can safely say that being offered a Critical Care Paramedic position within the Charity is the highlight and pinnacle of my career. The job gives me the opportunity to provide patients I encounter with the highest level of pre-hospital care available throughout the region. I have always been a patient focused clinician who thrives on the challenges of pre-hospital care for the sickest patients in what can be very difficult situations. 16
It has always been a career ambition of mine to become a Critical Care Paramedic ever since I started my initial Paramedic education. During my training on a land ambulance, I attended an emergency call where the Air Ambulance Team was requested to assist and I was very impressed by the knowledge, skill and teamwork of the Pre-hospital Care Doctor and Critical Care Paramedic. Receiving the call to say I was going to be joining the Charity team was the proudest moment of my career and I am sure that there will be many more proud moments during my time here. I am full of pride to have been selected to work with such a friendly, dedicated and supportive team and a great organisation.
simon proBert CRITICAL CARE PARAMEDIC
Joining the EHAAT team as a Critical Care Paramedic is a great privilege. The challenge of working in such a high pressure environment and to be able to work with and learn from such experienced and knowledgeable Doctors is a fantastic development opportunity for any Paramedic. The proudest moment of
my career so far was being reunited with a twelve year old and his mother after we successfully treated him for a cardiac arrest which occurred whilst he was playing tennis. The emotion on his mum’s face made it an immensely proud and humbling experience as this reinforces why we all do the job we do. I do not doubt that working with the Air Ambulance will bring many more experiences like this.
naomi pritchard PRE-HOSPITAL CARE DOCTOR
Ever since my first clinical placement as a medical student in Bristol I have wanted to join the Air Ambulance HEMS Team. I’ve always felt it is my job to come alongside patients during difficult or frightening times and try to make their experience better than it would have been otherwise. I once had a baby named after me after anaesthetising a woman during a very problematic labour! This job is not only a long held ambition but I also have the privilege of working with a fantastic, experienced and professional team. I am extremely proud to work for the local Air Ambulance Charity who safeguard my family and friends living in this region.
ian tyreLL-marsh PRE-HOSPITAL CARE DOCTOR
Being appointed as a Pre-Hospital Care Doctor is definitely the highlight of my career. Medical training is a bit like a conveyor belt at present, so actually having the guts to get off it and go for something a bit different was a big leap of faith. Luckily for me it paid off this time! It is an absolute privilege to work with such a dedicated and focused team of hardworking individuals, sharing the common goal of providing the highest standard of care to the most seriously injured patients in Essex, Herts and surrounding areas.
patient thank you… “Thank you for attending my father’s accident; the HEMS team saved his life. Thanks to the prompt arrival of the Air Ambulance he was given immediate expert care – I will never be able to thank you enough.”
work! Being given the chance to help the people of Essex and Herts at their greatest time of need is a humbling experience and a real privilege, especially when you find out they have made a full recovery and come back to say hello!
Jonny price
matt o’meara
ronan fenton
PRE-HOSPITAL CARE DOCTOR
PRE-HOSPITAL CARE DOCTOR
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
I am a Senior Registrar in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and qualified at the University of Bristol in 2003. I worked as a full time Registrar in pre-hospital medicine with London’s Air Ambulance in 2014 for six months. My professional interests include critical care management of trauma and anaesthesia for major surgery. I am an elected member of the Association of Anaesthetists’ trainee committee with responsibility for education and events.
I jumped at the chance to join the team and feel privileged to have been selected as a Pre-Hospital Care Doctor for the Charity. This is the proudest moment of my career and the Clinical Team I work with are amongst the best in the country. The care they provide is cutting edge and to be a part of this is an incredible opportunity. Behind the scenes they are always questioning how to make things better for people by introducing new techniques and technologies. I still get butterflies in my stomach when I walk into
I am a Consultant Anaesthetist at Broomfield Hospital; during the 15 years I have worked at Broomfield Hospital I have had managerial responsibilities including Day Surgery Lead, Clinical Director, Service Director and I am currently the Medical Director of the Trust. I am passionate about patient experience, safety and quality of care. I am delighted to be able to contribute to developing the pre-hospital care system in the East of England which is now home to myself, my wife and four children.
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Raise funds for your LOCAL Air Ambulance Charity!
For your FREE info pack call 0345 504 0055 or email Trek@EHAAT.uk.com *Minimum fundraising target required
Registered Charity 1108989
postBag Pitch perfect pre-school Go Red!
Life-savers
we here at the Music tree had a wonderful week raising money for your Go red initiative. we are a preschool music group for babies up to school age children. All our songs during national Air Ambulance week were about the colour red and the children were encouraged to wear red too! Please find enclosed a cheque for £84.23 which was raised via our raffle – we look forward to Go red 2015! Kim Lawrence
A mother’s thank you
i wish to thank the HeMS team for helping the Ambulance Service Crew at the accident where my daughter Martina was knocked over in a hit and run and for all the amazing medical care while airlifting her to Queens Hospital. Martina is still in hospital but is doing well and i have two cheques to donate; thanks once again. Linda Green
My youngest son Oscar, who has learning difficulties, had a severe asthma attack before the age of 2. He was airlifted to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford and was in re-sus for 4 hours with 14 people working on him. thanks to you i have a wonderful 11 year old 'special' boy and i thank you all for saving him. Caroline Nixon
Smarties and cakes!
Bumper Brownie fundraiser!
thank you for a great evening! the 3rd kelvedon Brownies really enjoyed raising money for such an amazing charity and our visit was topped off by seeing the Air Ambulance in action as it landed at the airbase and meeting the amazing Staff and Volunteers. we are pleased to present you with a cheque for £325! Louise Irons
AD
how can you help?
Please find enclosed a cheque for £160.26 which the 1st and 2nd Great wakering Guides have raised for the Charity whilst completing the Air Ambulance Challenge Badge. the guides filled a smartie tube with coins by doing jobs for their family and friends over the summer and held cake sales. we often see the Air Ambulance in action around the skies in this area and we hope this money will help. Sally Baskett
Please help by ticking any of the boxes which interest you and complete your contact details.
Simply return this form to: Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, The Business Centre, Earls Colne Business Park, Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex CO6 2NS. Or email the area(s) which interest you with your contact details to: ContactUs@EHAAT.uk.com or telephone 0345 2417 690. For more information about donating online, please visit us at EHAAT.uk.com. Thank you for your support. name Address Telephone
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I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the Charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I give for current and future years.
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