Ambulance UK April 2016

Volume 31 No. 2

April 2016

DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS

In this issue A concise history of ambulance services in Britain What would the ambulance service look like in 2020?

31 years in the ambulance service

www.ambulanceukonline.com

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 44

EDITOR’S COMMENT

47

FEATURES

47 A Concise History of Ambulance Services in Britain

56 What would the Ambulance Service look like in 2020 - ‘perfect vision?’

Ambulance UK This issue edited by: Barry Johns c/o Media Publishing Company 48 High Street SWANLEY BR8 8BQ ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION: Media Publishing Company Media House, 48 High Street SWANLEY, Kent, BR8 8BQ

58 31 years in the ambulance service – a personal perspective 60

NEWSLINE

84

IN PERSON

87

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COVER STORY Everything you need in an emergency SP Services (UK) Ltd have been awarded Approved Supplier Status on the NHS Ambulance Procurement Group Framework Agreement for Minor Medical Equipment, Consumables and Associated Products. The Framework Agreement provides UK Ambulance Trusts with a fully compliant route to market so that they can purchase with confidence from a reputable and approved supplier in the knowledge that they are receiving the best value for money.

PUBLISHERS STATEMENT: The views and opinions expressed in this issue are not necessarily those of the Publisher, the Editors or Media Publishing Company.

Next Issue June 2016 Subscription Information – April 2016 Ambulance UK is available through a personal, company or institutional

Steve Bray, Managing Director stated “We have been supplying the NHS Ambulance Service for many years and being part of the Framework Agreement means that procurement is now even easier. It allows us to supply our entire portfolio of products to the 12 NHS Ambulance Trusts who can purchase safe in the knowledge that they are fully compliant with EU Procurement Regulations, local Standing Financial Instructions and eliminating the need for multiple quotations and the utilisation of systems such as MultiQuote. Being a part of the Framework Agreement reinforces our position as one of the leading UK suppliers of emergency medical equipment and consumables and allows us to deliver even better value for money to our NHS Ambulance customers.

subscription in both the UK and overseas.

Steve added “We are also able to offer additional volume discounts based on pallet order quantities to Trusts that are able to handle bulk deliveries, thereby passing on even greater savings.”

cards. Please ask for details.

UK: Individuals - £24.00 (inc postage) Companies - £60.00 (inc postage) Rest of the World: £50.00 (inc. surface postage) £75.00 (airmail) We are also able to process your subscriptions via most major credit

payable to MEDIA PUBLISHING.

Since the Framework Agreement went live at the end of 2015 we have seen a significant increase in enquiries from the Ambulance Trusts which has in turn has lead to increased orders and increased savings for the Trusts.

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Steve and the team look forward to continuing to serve all of our customers, old and new, throughout this exciting year ahead.

43 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.

EDITOR’S COMMENT

EDITOR’S COMMENT Welcome to the April 2016 edition of Ambulance UK, and although we are coming into lighter evenings, spring like weather and a new financial year, it would appear that the pressures within the NHS will continue to dominate the ‘headlines’.

The 2016 Budget, whilst warmly welcomed, in terms of the granting of £4.5 million towards the introduction of a new air ambulance service in Northern Ireland (making this the 38th dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in the UK), it did little else in easing the financial pressures and concerns that are, or will be, facing Ambulance Trusts in the year ahead. The announcement of redundancies within the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS), as part of a £20 million savings package, is perhaps a stark illustration of the ‘difficult waters’ that lie ahead.

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“The tragic incident in Brussels on the 22nd March 2016, serves as a constant reminder of how the emergency medical services, and other blue light services, must be in a state of constant readiness, in order to respond effectively to the human impact of such atrocities.”

As we enter a new financial year, it provides the opportunity to look forward to 2020 and consider, despite the continuing presence of fiscal and operational pressures, what developments and opportunities, will present themselves to the Ambulance Sector, as the NHS strives to introduce a true 24/7 Health Service and continue the paradigm shift to providing more integrated, or converged care, within the community setting.

Three feature articles ‘within this edition, look at firstly, the re-produced ‘Concise History of the Ambulance Service in Britain, secondly, a ‘personal reflection’ by the retiring CEO of the North West Ambulance Service, Bob Williams, on his 30 year service career, and thirdly, an interview with NHS Providers on the future role and direction of the service.

Of course, all articles indicate what a significant transformation has taken place within the service over the past 40 years, and illustrates how it can now play a pivotal role in the future delivery of a clinically effective and cost efficient pre-hospital care services.

The tragic incident in Brussels on the 22nd March 2016, serves as a constant reminder of how the emergency medical services, and other blue light services, must be in a state of constant readiness, in order to respond effectively to the human impact of such atrocities. We are fortunate to read within each edition of Ambulance UK the numerous day to day ‘heroics’ of the modern day ambulance service, and therefore, we must ensure that we continue to deliver a service that is fit for purpose’ both in the public safety, as well as the public health, environment.

It’s really difficult to see how the next twelve months will feel any different, as sustainability remains key, and no doubt, the ambulance service landscape will continue to evolve and change, as politicians and key influencers continue to search for those policies that will facilitate the shift in the way that the providers of pre-hospital emergency and community care can effectively respond to the needs of all the patients.

However, as commented at the beginning of the editorial, April marks the beginning of a new period, and therefore, let us focus on what represents best operational and clinical practice, and develop a service wide cultural attitude that embraces and values the role of the service, and one which is totally focussed on improved patient outcomes by delivering the right level of care in the right place at the right time.

Barry Johns, Co-Editor Ambulance UK

44 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

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PENTHROX 3mL inhalation vapour, liquid: Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) before prescribing. Abbreviated Prescribing Information. Presentation: Each vial of PENTHROX contains 3mL of methoxyflurane 99.9%, a clear, almost colourless, volatile liquid, with a characteristic fruity odour. Each PENTHROX combination pack consists of one 3mL bottle, one PENTHROX Inhaler and one Activated Carbon (AC) chamber. Indications: Emergency relief of moderate to severe pain in conscious adult patients with trauma and associated pain. Dosage and administration: PENTHROX should be selfadministered under supervision of a person trained in its administration, using the hand held PENTHROX Inhaler. Adults: One bottle of 3mL PENTHROX to be vaporised in a PENTHROX Inhaler. On finishing the 3mL dose, another 3mL may be used. The dose should not exceed 6mL in a single administration. Methoxyflurane may cause renal failure if the recommended dose is exceeded.

The lowest effective dosage to provide analgesia should be used. Onset of pain relief is rapid and occurs after 6-10 inhalations.

Patients are able to titrate the amount of PENTHROX inhaled and should be instructed to inhale intermittently to achieve adequate analgesia. Continuous inhalation provides analgesic relief for up to 25-30 minutes; intermittent inhalation may provide longer analgesic relief. Administration on consecutive days is not recommended and the total dose to a patient in a week should not exceed 15mL. Children: PENTHROX should not be used in children under 18 years. For detailed information on the method of administration refer to the SPC. Contraindications: Use as an anaesthetic agent. Hypersensitivity to PENTHROX or any fluorinated anaesthetic. Patients with known or genetically susceptible to malignant hyperthermia or a history of severe adverse reactions in either patient or relatives. Patients who have a history of showing signs of liver damage after previous methoxyflurane use or halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthesia. Clinically significant renal impairment. Altered level of consciousness due to any cause including head injury, drugs or alcohol. Clinically evident cardiovascular instability. Clinically evident respiratory depression.

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45

FEATURE

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FEATURE

A CONCISE HISTORY OF AMBULANCE SERVICES IN BRITAIN

By M L Burr, MB, BS, DPH, DObstRCOG Medical Officer of Health, Stone Urban and Rural Districts, Assistant County Medical Officer, Staffordshire

Preface: This account of the history of ambulance services in Britain was originally published in April 1969 in ‘The Medical Officer’ (vol 121: 228-35).

It is reproduced by kind permission of its author, Dr M L Burr, a former Medical Officer of Health in Staffordshire and through the good offices of Professor Douglas Chamberlain.

Early methods of conveying the sick and wounded Primitive Forms of Sick Transport The ambulance services in any country usually spring from two main sources – the conveyance of wounded soldiers in wartime, and the need for specific transport for infectious patients to avoid infecting the healthy.

The first specific provision for the wounded in Britain was probably in the Roman army, which employed eight or ten strong men in each troop of 200-400 to ride behind the fighting line and pick up the injured. They were provided with bandages and water-bottles, and received a piece of gold for every life they saved (Bird 1913). The defeated Britons – according to Tacitus (Agricola 38.1) – dragged away their wounded at night after the battle of Mons Graupius.

In Anglo-Saxon and medieval England invalids of rank used the horselitter when travelling, humbler patients being conveyed in a cart if one was available. Bede refers to both these methods of sick transport being used in the seventh century (Eccles. Hist, III 9, IV 6; Lives of Abbots 22), and many other examples occur throughout the Middle Ages. The Anglo-Saxons also used a hammock suspended in a wheeled frame,

This was unheeded, however, and in the 17th century Civil War there was still no proper ambulance service. The victorious soldiers would remove their wounded colleagues after a battle in such wagons as were available, and the local inhabitants were ordered to care for the enemy’s casualties.

The Pest-coach During the outbreaks of plague in the 17th century “pesthouses” were erected outside the towns for the isolation of patients. One of the earliest references to a feverambulance is by Godskall (1603): “In the time of plague, there is appointed a Waggon or Coache to carrie the sicke to the Pest-house, and there to be healed.”

Pepys in his Diary (3rd August, 1665) describes one of the pestcoaches, with curtains drawn, taking a maid suspected of having the plague back to the pest-house from which she had escaped.

Many patients were still conveyed in unsuitable ways, however, so that Mead (1722), in outlining measures to be taken to control plague, advised that “all possible Care should be taken to provide such means of Conveyance for the Sick, that they may receive no Injury.”

Conveyances for General Hospitals

but how widely it was available is not known.

Some of the provincial hospitals founded in the 18th century were

The 14th century chare and the 16th century coach were sometimes

ambulances. For example, the Staffordshire General Infirmary’s first

used by the more affluent invalids, but owing to the state of the roads

over a hundred years ahead of those in the larger towns in providing Annual Report in 1767 records:- “The Trustees have provided a Carriage

they must have had most uncomfortable rides.

hung upon Springs, to be drawn by one or more Horses, for the

At the surrender of Malaga in 1487 a field hospital, conveyed in 400

that the Patient may either sit up or lie at length. It is always in Readiness

“ambulancias”, was provided by Isabella of Castile. This “Queen’s

when applied for.”

conveyance of the sick or maimed from any distance, in such a manner,

system was advocated for England by Digges(1590) :-

Sick Transport during Epidemics In 1783 hospital wards were first set aside for fever patients by Haygarth

“It were convenient to appoint certaine carriages and men, of purpose to

in Chester. He issued a set of Rules of Safety for preventing the spread

give their attention in every skirmishe and incounter, to carry away the hurt

of typhus, then very prevalent. Patients were to be immediately carried to

men to such a place as Surgions may immediately repayre unto them.”

the hospital “in a sedan chair of a peculiar colour, to be employed solely for this purpose, with a moveable linen lining, which is always to be taken

This, he said, greatly encourages the soldiers, relieves them of the

out and shaken in the fresh air after it has been used, and to be frequently

distraction of attending to the wounded during the battle, and conceals

washed.” This chair was so constructed that it could be adjusted to

their losses from the enemy, “a matter of no small importance”.

provide a recumbent or semi-recumbent position (Haygarth 1818).

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hospital” appeared again at the siege of Granada in 1489, and a similar

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FEATURE These measures were so successful that when “Houses of

A British branch of the Red Cross, then known officially as the National

Recovery” opened in Manchester (1796), London (1802), and

Society for aid to the Sick and Wounded, was founded through the

elsewhere, a sedan chair was installed at each for the free transport

efforts of Furley and others of the Order in 1870. This did important

of patients (Ferriar 1810, London Fever Hospital 1803).

work during the Franco-Prussian War, although Furley was arrested and almost shot as a spy.

A fever hospital was provided in Glasgow from March 1818 to July 1819 owing to a severe epidemic of what was probably relapsing

The experiences of the wars aroused an awareness of the need for a

fever. “At first, Sedan Chairs were used for conveying the sick to the

regular ambulance service in civil life. The Order of St. John became

Hospital; these were replaced by a low hung Chaise, and latterly a

very concerned about this, and in 1872 it attempted to obtain the co-

covered Litter on springs was substituted.” (Cleland 1820).

operation of the London hospitals in establishing ambulance training for laymen (Fletcher 1949). It was suggested that a three months’ course

Similar method were used for transporting smallpox patients. Later

in surgery could be arranged by the hospitals as part of a training

the “smallpox cab” appeared, often kept with ordinary cabs and

scheme for ambulance staff, but the hospitals were not interested and

sometimes interchanged with them, so that it fell under suspicion of

the scheme came to nothing. It is strange to reflect that nearly a century

spreading the disease.

later there is still no national course for training ambulance workers.

Temporary hospitals were provided in many places during the

The large number of accidental injuries occurring in the mines and factories

cholera epidemic of 1832. In Bilston a horse and covered carriage

led to the establishing of ambulance stations in the industrial areas. The first

were obtained to convey patients to the hospital, but the driver

to be opened was at Burslem in 1873, and was soon followed by others.

succumbed to the disease.

Each was equipped with a two-wheeled litter and other ambulance material, being manned at first by staff trained in the Army.

“He had been repeatedly warned... on no account to ride with the sick but walk by the side of his horse; the advice was not followed,

In 1877 the St. John Ambulance Association was founded with two main

and he perished in the fortieth year of his age” (Leigh 1833).

objects – instruction in first aid, and spread of useful ambulance material.

Patients placed in the Manchester cholera van were so terrified

Classes were started all over the country for teaching of first aid, and

by its hearse-like appearance that their condition was said to

gradually Ambulance Corps sprang up. “Ambulance Crusades” were held

deteriorate noticeably (Gaulter 1833). These various forms of sick

in different areas to promote the spread of the Ambulance Movement.

transport were thus mostly of a temporary nature, discontinued as One of the principal medical pioneers in this field was Dr. James Cantlie,

soon as each particular epidemic was over.

who helped to write the first textbook on first aid in 1880. The following The start of regular ambulance services

year he organized the first public demonstration, which was witnessed

It is to the wars of the 19th century that we really owe our

by doctors from Germany, Spain, and Russia, and led to the introduction

ambulance services. Throughout the Napoleonic wars the British

of civilian ambulance work into those countries.

had no light ambulance* carriages like Baron Larrey’s voitures Early Ambulance Equipment

d’ambulance in the French army.

Furley designed a strong lightweight stretcher to replace the Disturbed by the primitive condition of sick transport, a veterinary

cumbersome devices then in use. When attached to a two-wheeled

surgeon named Cherry designed a collapsible dual-purpose cart; it

undercarriage and fitted with hood and apron it became the two-

was fitted with springs, which were used when it carried stretchers

wheeled litter or hand ambulance.

or sitting patients, but not when conveying heavy goods. A prototype was sent for trial to Chatham Hospital in 1820 and found

One variety could also be drawn by a donkey or pony, while another

to be quite satisfactory. Other conveyances were similarly invented

type could be fixed between two tandem bicycles. Various horse

and tried out in various British hospitals (Longmore 1869).

ambulances 1 existed, from small ones taking only one stretcher with attendant to the “four-in-hand” smallpox ambulances used at one time by the Metropolitan Asylums Board (MAB) in London.

The Red Cross and the Order of St John An international conference was called in 1863 by Henri Dunant,

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

who had been greatly influenced by the work of Florence

In 1884 Furley recommended the formation in London of a permanent

Nightingale in the Crimean War, and by his own experiences at

“Ambulance Museum” containing displays of ambulance material, under

the battle of Solferino in 1859. This resulted in the founding of the

a committee to recommend selection and changes in design. This

International Red Cross movement, and the formation in many

was not carried out, and the ensuing absence of standardization has

countries of national societies affiliated to it.

persisted ever since.

The English branch of the order of the Hospital of St. John

The Liverpool Ambulance Service

of Jerusalem had been revived in 1831. Having had an

In 1881 Reginald Harrison, a surgeon, visited the United States to

ancient tradition of hospital work it was represented at this

investigate ambulance services there. He found that certain American

first conference by John (later Sir John) Furley, under whose

cities had developed a service of horse-drawn ambulances, well

leadership it developed its important role in the ambulance

equipped for first aid, which was quite unlike anything in this country.

services of Britain.

The New York service had started in 1869 and was based on the

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FEATURE hospitals, from which a surgeon always accompanied the ambulance

Ambulances for Infectious Patients

on its calls. It was kept ready for immediate use, and thus could be at

The 1866 Sanitary Act permitted the Nuisance Authorities to provide

the scene of an accident within a few minutes of being called.

carriages to take infectious patients to the hospitals set up under the same Act. The Local Government Board issued an official memorandum

On his return Harrison addressed the Liverpool Medical Institution

in 1876 containing advice on the type of ambulances needed. In 1893

and urged the necessity of establishing a similar service in Liverpool.

the County Councils were empowered to set up Isolation Hospitals and

The result was that in 1884 a horse ambulance designed by Furley

required to attach ambulances to them.

was installed at the Northern Hospital, Liverpool, constantly ready for emergencies. During its first year this service conveyed 580 patients to

A marked stigma was associated with these ambulances, however;

hospital, the average time between call and departure of the ambulance

the urchins ran behind them shouting “Fever!”, and patients refused

being two minutes (day) and four minutes (night). This appears to have

to travel in them. This “extreme sensitiveness of public feeling”

been the first municipal ambulance service in this country and was a

(Parsons 1914) was so widespread that vehicles were built resembling

great success, gradually increasing its scope. The vehicles belonged

broughams externally but opening at the back to admit a recumbent

to and were driven by the police, but were attached to the Liverpool

patient, whose feet went under the driver’s seat. These “broughams”,

hospitals for many years (Harrison 1904).

having no outward indication of their nature, became the usual fever ambulances, ultimately giving way to motor broughams constructed on

Other towns followed, so that by 1902 there were at least 16 English

similar lines.

towns providing a horse ambulance service, run either by the police, the fire brigade, or the hospitals, while many others had hand ambulances

The formation of the London Ambulance Service

installed at police stations (LCC 1902).

Perturbed by the inadequate ambulance services available in London, the London County Council (LCC) set up a sub-committee under Sir

The St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association

William Collins to investigate. It reported in 1902, the situation being

In 1882 the St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association was formed in

then as follows:-

Glasgow, and started work there with an ambulance wagon bought by public subscription.

A. Infectious diseases

The MAB had first used ambulances for smallpox patients,

The secretary at once publicized the service by having the ambulance

who were conveyed to wharves on the Thames and then taken

driven furiously so as to attract attention. “At all times of the day it could

downstream by special steamers to recuperate in an old warship.

be seen careering through our streets on imaginary journeys at a break-

In time the service had expanded, and by 1901 the Board had 100

neck speed, the secretary himself not infrequently accompanying it,

horse ambulances, which could take any infectious patients from home to a suitable hospital.

seated beside the driver or standing up on the footboard, gesticulating wildly, and blowing a shrill-sounding whistle... Its performance... became

B. Non-infectious invalids

a matter of notoriety and got on the public nerves... the result being that

Vehicles available for hire were owned by the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the Boards of Guardians, hospitals, railway companies,

a less demonstrative attitude was taken up” (Beatson 1910).

and private persons.

Gradually the work spread to other Scottish towns, and in 1905 the

C. Accidents and sudden illness in the street

Association pioneered the use of motor ambulances in its Glasgow service.

(1) The St. John Ambulance Brigade provided wagons at public gatherings or on hire. They possessed 25 stations with litters and first-aid equipment but only three of these were staffed.

Rural Services In country districts the provision of ambulances depended largely on

(2) The Bischoffsheim or Hospitals Association Street Ambulance

local enthusiasm, sometimes being supplied by an individual of private

Service was founded in 1889 by the Secretary of St. Mary’s Hospital

means. One such service was organized by Sir Thomas (later Lord) and

and Mr. H. L. Bischoffsheim, being equipped and conducted solely

Lady Brassey, who provided an ambulance centre at Battle, Sussex,

at the latter’s expense. This service provided wheeled litters and

connected by telephone with 12 outlying parishes at each of which were

first-aid appliances in weatherproof sheds, situated at cab-ranks,

posted various appliances (Evatt 1884).

street corners, fire and police stations, and hospitals. At its peak there were 80 such stations, at which over 2,000 cases were treated

The St. John Ambulance Brigade

annually. No attendants were supplied, the object being to provide

The transport of patients to and from hospital has always been a

the means of first aid and transport for the use of the cabrank

the inauguration by the St. John Ambulance Association of “Invalid

(3) The Volunteer Medical Staff Corps, founded by Cantlie, was

Transport Corps” in 1882, which conveyed the poor free of charge and

a military reserve force formed mainly from medical students. It

others for a small fee. These existed in various parts of the country and

assisted the police at special occasions only.

were manned by paid staff or volunteers.

(4) “The London Ambulance Service” – an imposing title which at this time represented a dismal story of failure to start a regular

In 1887 the various Corps of certificated pupils of the St. John

ambulance service in London. In 1882 money was raised by public

Ambulance Association banded together to form the Brigade. This

subscription to provide three small horse ambulances, under a

provided a horse ambulance, equipment, and staff for Queen Victoria’s

committee whose President was the Duke of Cambridge; the

Diamond Jubilee, which took place the same week as its inauguration.

Secretary of the London Hospital acting as Secretary.

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

attendants and the police.

major part of ambulance work. The need for such a service led to

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FEATURE

The intention was to form a service run by the hospitals as in

Bischoffsheim died in 1908, and the service he had provided

Liverpool; the hospitals, however, would not support the scheme.

immediately declined through lack of support and ended two years later.

The three ambulances were therefore given to the police and housed at police stations at Stoke Newington, Fulham, and

Formation of an Accident Ambulance Service

Lambeth, together with a hand ambulance of the pony type which

In 1909 the committee reported on the grave defects of the ambulance

was put in the charge of the Vicar of Stepney. Total failure of this

services in London: 70 per cent of casualties arriving at hospitals were

enterprise resulted, firstly because it was not advertised and its

in entirely unsuitable conveyances,and the number of street accidents

existence was unknown to most people; secondly because the

had risen by 60 per cent while it had been sitting. The majority of the

charge for use of an ambulance (five to ten shillings) was more

committee recommended the provision of a unified service by the MAB;

than that for a cab; and, thirdly, since neither horses nor drivers

this was opposed by Collins, who was a member of the committee and

were provided, being obtained when required from contractors.

the LCC and also an MP. He successfully piloted through Parliament a

Thus the ambulances were never ready for immediate use, and it

Bill conferring the requisite powers on the LCC. It was not able to obtain

is not surprising that they were infrequently employed (Evatt 1884,

the existing ambulances of the MAB and the Boards of Guardians,

Fletcher 1949).

as Collins intended, so ultimately it started an independent service for accidents and emergencies. This was opened in February, 1915,

Collins’ Recommendations

with the gift by the Grand Duke Michael of Russia of a new motor

Collins included in his Report a summary of the excellent services

ambulance, which was installed at Fulham under the control of the Chief

available elsewhere in the country and abroad. He drew attention

Officer of the Fire Brigade. Five other ambulance stations were opened

to the unsuitable ways in which casualties were arriving at London

later that year, and in December the service dealt with 566 calls (Collins

hospitals, and gave startling numbers of those who were brought in

1920, Daley 1949).

vans, carts, harrows, and bath-chairs, often with disastrous results.

He recommended the provision of a complete ambulance service in London with special staff, where possible attached to hospitals and accompanied on calls by senior medical students.

Consolidation and progress The First World War At the outbreak of the First World War the British Red Cross Society and

In 1903 the enterprising MAS acquired a steam ambulance, which

the Order of St. John set up a Joint War Committee to integrate their

contained eight stretchers and was driven at 5 m.p.h. It was so

work. Large numbers of ambulances were acquired, mainly for military

uncomfortable to travel in that it was disposed of the following year, when

use abroad. Others were kept in Britain and used to form “ambulance

a petrol-driven ambulance was obtained, which travelled at 15 m.p.h.

columns” to transport wounded soldiers to various English hospitals.

Gradually motor vehicles replaced the horse ambulances, which were

Since 1912 there had been a “College of Ambulance” in Newcastle

discontinued in 1912. Otherwise the ambulance services in London

upon Tyne where first aid and related subjects were taught.

went from bad to worse. The “London Ambulance Service” wagons wore out and were not replaced, while the Collins Report was entirely

In September, 1914, Cantlie founded a similar College in Vere

ignored (MAB 1904, Powell 1930).

Street, London, independent of both the Red Cross and the St. John Ambulance Association and unconnected with the Newcastle College.

The Metropolitan Street Ambulance Association

He had begun simply by teaching emergency first aid to public classes,

In 1904 the medical profession for the first time became corporately

but saw in his College a national centre for the training and examination

concerned about the first-aid treatment and transport of injured

of ambulance students. During the war the College flourished, about

persons. As a result the Metropolitan Street Ambulance Association

14,000 students being trained in its first three years. It was moved to

was formed, with Harrison (founder of the Liverpool service) as

Queen Anne Street, where Cantlie collected into a Museum all kinds of

President; its members included Lord Lister, Sir Thomas Barlow, the

ambulance models and equipment.

Presidents of the Royal Colleges, and almost all other prominent

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doctors in London. It urged the formation of a unified horse ambulance

After the war ended, Cantlie, now knighted for his services to

service run by the LCC and summonable by telephone, its accident

ambulance work, did his utmost to perpetuate the existence of

work being organized in areas each in connection with a hospital. The

the College and endeavoured to raise funds for this purpose. The

Association obtained considerable publicity, and acquired the support

wartime enthusiasm for first aid had passed, however, and many

of almost all candidates in the LCC elections, and of the City Police

believed that ambulances would not be needed in peace-time

(Harrison 1904).

(Ferrier 1951). Furthermore he had to contend with some suspicion on the part of his colleagues in the Red Cross and the St. John

Clauses were included in a Bill in Parliament to effect this scheme,

Ambulance Association, who to some extent regarded this venture

but the Home Office opposed them on grounds of expense and

as a rival. In 1923 the College was sued by a disaffected donor, and

suggested a conference with the LCC. As a result a committee was set

although the case failed Cantlie felt it impossible to advertise further

up to consider the matter. Faced with the prospect of indefinite delay

for funds, so in 1925 the College closed (Cantlie and Seaver 1939).

the Corporation of the City of London started its own highly successful

In retrospect the failure of this College of Ambulance to become

service in 1907 with an electric ambulance, increasing to three when

permanently established seems especially regrettable in view of the

a second station was opened. These were kept in constant readiness

absence of standardization in training and equipment which has

day and night, summonable by telephone from 52 call-boxes.

persisted until the present day.

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FEATURE

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51

FEATURE Formation of a National Ambulance Service

Finance

During the war a large number of ambulances had been acquired

During the inter-war period the financial arrangements were as varied as

for use on the battlefields, and a substantial sum of money had been

the provision of the ambulances. The public services were supported by

collected for their support. With the end of the war these resources

the rates, charges for use being levied to a varying extent and waived

became available for civil purposes, so in 1918 “The Order of St. John

for the very poor.

and British Red Cross Society Act” was passed to allow this change of Some voluntary hospitals provided a service for their own purposes

use.

which was run by their contributory funds. The St. John Ambulance The result was that the two bodies set up a joint Home Service

Brigade charged for the use of their ambulances; one such scale just

Ambulance Committee, which promptly started a scheme for a national

before the Second World War was at 1 shilling (5p) per mile up to 50

ambulance service for England, Wales, and Ireland. The large fleet of

miles, with a minimum of 3 shillings (15p), and other rates for longer

ambulances at their disposal enabled them to plan ambulance stations

journeys.

15 miles apart throughout the land (Fletcher 1949), and in 1920 a Register of Ambulance Stations was printed and circulated nationally.

In some areas an ambulance was paid for by subscribers, each paying

The vehicles were regarded as loaned from the central headquarters

a contribution according to his means which entitled him to use it when

to the local branches, and thus could be recalled or re-distributed in an

necessary.

emergency (Ferrier 1963).

In 1926 the St. John Ambulance Brigade began a Road Service Scheme in conjunction with the motoring organizations. This linked up existing ambulance stations by first-aid posts, each consisting of personnel, equipment, and patrols.

Ambulance services during the Second World War Preparatory Measures The Air Raid Precautions Act of 1937 made it a duty of counties and county boroughs to prepare air raid precaution schemes in accordance

Further Developments The LCC gradually expanded its ambulance service, dealing with accidents, urgent non-infectious illnesses, and maternity cases. The staff received lectures by the Medical Officer of Health and were required to have obtained within six months a certificate in first aid given by the LCC, the St. John Ambulance Association, or the Red Cross. Casualties were usually taken to the nearest hospital, whether a Poor Law Infirmary or a voluntary hospital. Some of the hospitals were not adequately equipped to deal with casualties, so in 1924 the King Edward’s Hospital Fund recommended that a list of suitable hospitals should be drawn up, which was done (LCC 1925).

In 1930 the MAB was abolished and its work taken over by the LCC, as a result of the Local Government Act, 1929. At this time the Board was the largest user of civil ambulances in the world (Powell 1930), possessing 150 petrol-driven vehicles and six large ambulance stations, open day and night. The LCC had 20 ambulances at this time and 14 ambulance stations. The five river steamers had been

with certain requirements. They were to earmark trade vehicles, and supply them with stretcher-carrying fittings so that they could be taken over and used immediately as part-time ambulances if need arose, continuing their normal work meanwhile. Cars were likewise earmarked for transporting sitting cases.

In order to keep hospital beds available in the centres of urban areas, ambulance services were planned both to bring casualties to hospital initially and to take them after treatment to hospitals in the surrounding country.

The Situation at the Outbreak of War On 3rd September, 1939, war was declared. At this point the provision of ambulance and related services may be summarized as follows:

(1) The ordinary ambulances and their staff continued their peacetime duties, being generally organized with the National Fire Service.

(2) Inter-hospital ambulances were improvised out of over 1,000

kept to convey smallpox patients from three special wharves to

coaches and 34 railway trains, of which 220 and 21 respectively

the smallpox hospitals at Dartford (which had replaced the old

were for use in London. During the first three weeks of September

ships); they survived for another two years, being popularly known

large numbers of patients were evacuated from hospitals in the

as “Micawber’s Navy”. At the same time the Boards of Guardians

large centres of population to the smaller towns by these means,

were abolished, and the London Poor Law Infirmaries with their

leaving the beds available for the expected airraid casualties. Other

ambulances were acquired by the LCC. A single ambulance service was formed, separate from the Fire Brigade, for all patients

vehicles were supplied by local authorities for the same purpose.

(3) The Civil Defence ambulance services were the responsibility of

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in London. Other local authorities similarly acquired the infirmary

local authorities under the general direction of the Ministry of Health.

ambulances, and the larger towns, already possessing a general

Many of the ear-marked vehicles proved to be unsuitable for the

service, unified their ambulance work at this time.

purpose, some had changed ownership and could not be traced, while others had also been earmarked by a Government department.

Since 1907 local authorities had been empowered to provide ambulance services for accidents and emergencies, and in 1925 the

Thus the numbers available were found to be inadequate.

(4) The Joint War Organization of the British Red Cross Society

Public Health Act provided for the conveyance of non-urgent cases.

and the Order of St. John was set up by those bodies on 2nd

These powers were only permissive, so that the resulting provision

September. The ambulances they then possessed were already

of ambulance services varied considerably throughout the country,

in full use, so an appeal for funds was launched to provide further

gradually extending until the outbreak of World War II.

vehicles, equipment, and training.

52 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

FEATURE Four other Civil Defence services existed which were not strictly for

Heavy Raids on London

ambulance work and yet were intimately connected with it:-

The fall of France was followed by intensive air raids on London, which subjected the emergency services, until now untested, to the severest

(5) Fixed first-aid posts had been established in various

strain. The ambulance services generally ran remarkably smoothly

premises and amply equipped for first aid and gas

despite the previous inexperience of their staff and the extreme danger

decontamination. They were staffed by volunteers, mostly part-

In which they often worked. The stretcher parties displayed great

time women, the larger posts having a doctor and a trained

bravery in their work, during which many were themselves injured or

nurse also. In rural areas first-aid points, each consisting of

killed. Owing to the great difficulty of quickly removing the aged and

a box of equipment, were established without paid staff at

chronic sick from the old Institutions after bomb damage, the decision

selected centres.

was taken to evacuate all such buildings in the London area. This was

(6) Mobile first-aid units were large motor vehicles containing

done in November, 1940, by 34 special trains, and caused a spate of

first-aid equipment and medical staff, driven from hospitals to

complaints from the evacuees, who preferred the risks of bombing to

“incidents”, as bomb sites were euphemistically called.

being uprooted from their environment. At the beginning of 1941 the

(7) First-aid or stretcher parties were volunteers possessing

raids decreased in severity, but they then increased again until April,

first-aid certificates. Four men with a car, driver, and first-aid

when in one night 1,720 people were killed and 2,030 seriously injured

equipment would proceed to an “incident”; after giving first aid

in London. During this period the Civil Defence and the inter-hospital

they passed casualties on to first-aid posts or ambulances for

ambulance services are said to have been given universal praise

conveyance to hospital, according to the needs of the case.

(Dunn 1952*).

(8) Rescue parties were slightly larger groups of men frequently drawn from the building trade, whose work was to extricate

Heavy Provincial Raids

casualties from damaged buildings and debris.

All the large population centres were bombed about this time, the ambulance and related services performing their vital work throughout

The Early Part of the War

the raids. Several hospitals were damaged, requiring the evacuation of

The absence of bombing at first allowed resources to be fully

their patients by bus ambulances, as in Coventry in November 1940.

organized and training revised in the light of wartime needs. The

The Mill Road Hospital, Liverpool, was completely demolished in May

Joint War Organization gradually acquired a fleet of vehicles, while

1941, and many patients and staff, including 14 ambulance drivers,

the local authorities started buying secondhand cars to supplement

were killed. At such times, when the local resources were strained to

their resources. Unfortunately they were restricted to paying £30

the limit, help was given by the voluntary organizations, which lent

for each purchase, which, combined with rising prices due to the

ambulances and staff. The St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association, who

demand, resulted in their acquiring many unsound old vehicles

had all their usual work to do as well, placed their entire service at

requiring considerable expenditure in maintenance.

the Government’s disposal during the air raids on Scotland until the situation had eased. The Joint War Organization sent 12 ambulances

Trailers were fitted to some ambulances but were found to be

to assist in the Coventry crisis and continued to provide help where it

quite unsuitable for use in debris-strewn streets when the bombing

was needed throughout the war, as did American Ambulance (Great

began.

Britain).

The first spate of military patients was due not to hostilities but to

Lessons from the Raids

epidemics of influenza and rubella, which in early 1940 required

The pre-war training was soon found to have been too meticulous for

many to be brought home to hospitals in England.

wartime conditions, so that too much rather than too little treatment of casualties was attempted on the site. The lack of reciprocal training

A sudden heavy flow of casualties then occurred on the evacuation

of first-aid and rescue parties caused delays in their work, so joint

of the British Expeditionary Force from France in May and June

training was arranged and ultimately the two services were merged

1940. They were carried to hospitals all over the country in

to form the Civil Defence Rescue Service. An improved syllabus of

ambulance trains and coaches, many being taken to the London

instruction, devised to meet the needs of air raids, was taught in

area. At this time the Joint War Organization offered 100 manned

Regional Training Schools, and the senior officials of the services were

ambulances to the Home Forces, which were accepted and

given courses at the Civil Defence Staff College in Surrey.

gradually added to throughout the war (Cambray and Briggs 1949).

In November, 1941, the local authority ambulance services were separated from the overall control of the National Fire Service and

In July, 1940, the American Ambulance Organization was

placed under the Civil Defence Ambulance Service. All the casualty

inaugurated by the American Ambassador being financed entirely

work was thus unified under the Medical Officers of Health, and

by private donations from America. This provided 50 ambulances,

the efficiency and morale of the ambulance services improved.

50 cars, and 50 mobile first-aid posts, the last each comprising

Nevertheless many local authorities accommodated their staff “under

two vehicles, one carrying equipment and the other personnel. The

conditions of extreme discomfort and even squalor”, without sleeping

number of ambulances more than doubled in time, and they were

or sanitary provision. Some drivers were obliged to sleep in their

staffed by the organization and by members of the Mechanized

ambulances, and since these were kept in the open without antifreeze

Transport Corps. They took part in all duties of ambulances during

in winter, the engines had to be started at intervals during the night to

the war, especially the inter-hospital transport of patients.

prevent their radiators freezing.

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American Ambulance (Great Britain)

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FEATURE When this became known, the Minister of Health sent a circular to local

cars” (Ministry of Health 1954). Annual costing returns comparing

authorities in June, 1942, expressing concern at these conditions;

the expenses of all ambulance services were published to stimulate

some improvement followed, though still inadequate in many cases

an interest in economy and draw attention to high costs needing

considering the selflessness expected of the staff. In other areas better

investigation. In 1954 the Ministry started surveys of many ambulance

conditions existed, however, both personnel and vehicles being properly

services to see how far their running costs could be reduced.

provided for.

Recommendations were then made to the individual LAs and hospitals concerned.

The Later Period of the War In 1944 and 1945 a renewal of heavy bombing was supplemented

These efforts were rewarded by a fall in the mileage per patient carried

by the arrival of flying bombs and rockets, which caused a time of

and a levelling off in the total numbers carried after 1955.

intense activity. The proportion of injured to dead was much higher than before, requiring many more ambulances at each “incident”, with a

Since 1959 these numbers have risen again, however. The Harrow

corresponding increase in work for the staff. Although the numbers of

and Wealdstone railway disaster occurred in October, 1952, when 274

staff and vehicles had fallen considerably by this time, the experience

casualties were removed by ambulance including 103 who were dead or

gained in the. earlier raids led to a far more efficient use of the resources

dying. Major accidents of this kind have been fortunately rare, however.

available. Following the Normandy invasion a succession of military casualties were brought home to hospitals in England. Eight casualty

The London Ambulance Service

evacuation trains were secretly equipped along the South Coast and

The worst episode for the London service since the war was the

supplemented by ambulances, the Joint War Organization equipping

Lewisham railway accident in December, 1958, when 223 persons were

four of the trains and providing many of the ambulances. Owing to

removed by ambulance, including 85 dead. In 1964 the re-organization

further air raids the London hospitals were evacuated in August, 1944,

of London government resulted in the formation of a single large

13,152 patients being moved by train, many of them to Scotland.

ambulance service covering the entire Greater London area.

After the war ended they had to be brought back, and since the Civil Defence services had been disbanded, their staff were not available as

Rail Transport

previously to provide stretcher bearers at the railway stations. Many who

For long journeys it is often most economical, comfortable, and speedy

had been Civil Defence workers assisted as volunteers, however, and

to transport patients by rail. Recumbent patients are conveyed using

about a hundred Italians supplied the remainder.

special equipment; some difficulties have arisen here owing to the change in design of carriages, those with central corridors being less suitable for this purpose.

The National Health Service Section 27 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, made it a duty for all local health authorities to ensure that ambulances “are available,

Voluntary Services

where necessary, for the conveyance of persons suffering from illness or

As their agency ambulance work has declined, the voluntary bodies

mental defectiveness, or expectant or nursing mothers, from places in

have turned their attention to providing a Hospital Car Service.

their area to places in or out of their area”. Many health authorities then formed their own services with ambulances they already possessed,

This is a service of private cars run by the Red Cross, the St. John

plus others acquired from district authorities, Civil Defence, American

Ambulance Brigade, and the Women’s Voluntary Service, singly or in

Ambulance (Great Britain), and voluntary hospitals. Others relied, wholly

combination. It is used mostly for out-patients and persons going to

or partly, on the St. John Ambulance Brigade and the British Red Cross

training centres, and its members are paid expenses only. In dense

Society to provide services as their agents.

urban areas where traffic and parking are difficult it is unattractive and less supported, but overall it has been gradually increasing its work. The

Local Authority Services

voluntary organizations offer various other services not available under

When this statutory duty came into operation in 1948 there was a rapid

the National Health Service, such as taking the disabled and elderly on

increase in the work. This was largely due to out-patient transport,

outings and to meetings. The St. John Ambulance Brigade continues

which frequently led to a doubling of the use of ambulance services.

to provide ambulances at public gatherings, while the Association has

Many new vehicles were required, and the help of voluntary workers

expanded its teaching work, especially in first aid.

was invaluable at this time. The Ministry of Health repeatedly urged the

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

hospitals and general practitioners to restrict their use of the service

Other Ambulance Services

to what was strictly necessary. The appointment of hospital transport

Some Government organizations, such as the General Post Office, and

officers was recommended to co-ordinate out-patient transport, routine

the larger private firms have provided ambulances for their staff, usually

admissions, and discharges, since ambulances were travelling back

operated by persons trained by the St. John Ambulance Association. This

and forth with one or two patients at a time.

has proved amply justified in the management of industrial accidents and sudden illnesses coming on at work. Certain industries are bound by law

The gradual introduction of radio-telephone into ambulances has

to provide ambulances the National Health Service Amendment Act of

allowed them to be redirected while in use as well as to inform the

1957 permits LAs to supply these on an agency basis.

hospital of emergency cases being brought in. Local authorities were asked to consider ways of reducing demand, and some requested the

A few private ambulance services still exist, mainly for taking private

doctors to take “a stern attitude towards unjustified and sometimes

patients to and from nursing homes or private wings of hospitals. They

intimidating demands by patients for free transport in sitting-case

also take convalescent patients from one private address to another.

54 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

FEATURE The Scottish Ambulance Service In January, 1946, the St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association and the Red Cross, who owned most of the ambulances in Scotland, formed the combined Scottish Ambulance Service. This then became the sole agent for providing ambulances on behalf of the Regional Hospital Boards under the National Health Service, acquiring vehicles from the police, Civil Defence, local authorities, and American Ambulance (Great Britain). In 1948 radiotelephone was introduced in the Edinburgh

References Beatson, GT (1910). Glasgow Med. J., 73, 27.

Bird. MM. (1913). “The Errand of Mercy,” p. 36, London.

Cambray, PO , and Briggs, GGB. (1949). “Red Cross and St. John Joint War Organization 1939-1947” London.

Cantlie N.& Seaver G.. (1939). “Sir James Cantlie” London.

ambulances, and gradually extended to other areas.

Cleland, J. (1820). “The Rise and Progress of the City of Glasgow,” p. 106, Glasgow.

A Hospital Car Service was organized by the Women’s Voluntary

Collins WJ. (1920). “Harmsworth’s Universal Encyclopedia,” s.v.

Ambulance, London.

Service, which considerably economized on the out-patient work. At first the service was administered by local committees, but with its expansion a more regional system became necessary, with overall control by a Joint Central Committee. In 1954 an Ambulance Committee was established in each Hospital Region, bringing together the providers and users of the service to coordinate the demand and limit

Daley, A. (1949). Report of the Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer of the LCC for the year 1949.

Department of Health for Scotland (1946-1965). Annual Reports on Health and Welfare Services by the Department of Health (Scottish Home and Health Dept.), Edinburgh, H.M.S.O.

it to what was strictly necessary. For several successive years after this

Digges T. (1590). “Stratioticos,” p. 323.

there was a reduction in the cost and mileage of the service.

Dunn CL. (1952). “The Emergency Medical Services,” Vols. I and 11, History of the Second World War (UK Medical Series), H.M.S.O. London.

In 1967 the Joint Central Committee was reconstituted to contain

Evatt GJH. (1884). Health Exhibition Literature, Vol. VII p. 257, London.

representatives of the St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association and the

Ferriar J. (1810). “Medical Histories and Reflections,” Vol. Ill p. 99, London.

Regional Hospital Boards, a representative general practitioner and MOH, a representative of the Red Cross, and two independent members appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland. Since the service now

Ferrier HT. (1951). The New Universal Encyclopedia, s.v. Ambulance, London.

international principles to withdraw as an organization from running it.

– (1963). “Concise History of the Ambulance Department 1919-1963,” London. Fletcher NC. (1949). Annals of the Ambulance Department of the Venerable Order of St. John, 2nd. Ed., London.

Since January, 1934, an air ambulance service has existed which now

Furley J. (1884). Health Exhibition Literature, Vol. VIII, p. 315, London.

came under Government direction, the Red Cross was obliged by its

extends to most of the Highlands and Islands. British European Airways maintain a 24-hour service for emergency transfer of patients to hospital, and to a lesser extent for their return when medically indicated.

The helicopters of the police, the Navy, and the RAF may be called on if required, but this occurs only rarely (Department of Health for Scotland

Gaulter H. (1833). “The Origin and Progress of the Malignant Cholera In Manchester,” London.

Godskall J. (1603). “The Arke of Noah,” sig. H3v, London.

Harrison R. (1904). “The Ambulance in Civil Life and the Proceedings of the Metropolitan Street Ambulance Association,” 6th Ed., London.

1946-1967).

Haygarth J. (1818). Gentleman’s Magazine, 88, ii, 25.

Current Trends

Leigh, W. (1833). “An Authentic Narrative of the Melancholy Occurrences at Bilston... during the awful visitation... by Cholera” (etc.), p. 28, Wolverhampton.

So many developments are occurring within our ambulance services at present that it is impossible to deal with them here in detail. The entire administration of the English and Welsh services may be transferred from local authorities to the Regional Hospital Boards if the Ministry of Health’s recommendation (1967) is followed. Both the vehicles an their equipment are constantly evolving in respons to changing conditions of usage and medical practice. Perhaps the most important current development is the systematic training of personnel, as advocated by the Ministry of Health Working Party on equipment (1966). In view of the attempt to start proper training in 1872, and the Colleges of Ambulance

(1925). The London Ambulance Service, London.

London Fever Hospital (1803). State of the Institution for the Cure and Prevention of Contagious Fever in the Metropolis, London.

Longmore T. (1869). “Treatise on the Transport of Sick and Wounded Troops”, p366, London.

Mead R. (1722). “A short Discourse concerning the Pestilential Contagion”, 8th Ed., London.

Metropolitan Asylums Board (1904). Annual Report of the MAB for the year 1903. London.

this to be established.

Ministry of Health (1954). Annual Report for the year 1953, Parti, H.M.S.O.

Acknowledgements

— (1966). Report of the Working Party on Ambulance Training and Equipment, Part 1, H.M.S.O. London.

I thank the following, for supplying me with information on this subject: Council; H T Ferrier, Esq., MVO, MBE lately Director of the Ambulance

— (1967). Written evidence submitted to the Royal Commission on Local Government in England. H.M.S.O. London.

Department, St. John and Red Cross Joint Committee; J W Limb, Esq.,

Parsons HF. (1914). “Isolation Hospitals”. Cambridge.

County Ambulance Officer. East Sussex County Council; and R.Marshall,

Powell GA. (1930). “The Metropolitan Asylums Board and its Work, 1867-1930”. London.

J D Burton, Esq., lately Assistant Director of Supplies, Greater London

Esq., Secretary and Treasurer, the Scottish Ambulance Service.

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

founded in 1911 and 1914, it is surprising that it has taken so long for

London County Council (1902). Report of the Sub-committee on the London Ambulance Service, London.

55 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.

FEATURE

WHAT WOULD THE AMBULANCE SERVICE LOOK LIKE IN 2020 ‘PERFECT VISION?’ Introduction It often appears that the NHS in general, and the Ambulance Service in

the Home Office from the Department of Communities and Local

particular, are constantly operating in ‘firefighting mode’ in dealing with

Government (CLG), with a duty to collaborate, will no doubt raise

the seemingly never ending series of short term crises. My interest has

the historical debate on where does Ambulance Services sit in

always been in what will tomorrow look like, and will it actually feel any

terms of Public Safety and Public Health. The reality is that it sits

different, or would the organisational behaviours of today persist, but

in both, and therefore, will continue to develop its collaborative

more importantly, will the patient receive an improved level of care and

arrangements with both Police and the FRS in terms of Public

service?

Safety, but its core focus will be on its role within Health and the paradigm shift to care models with the community setting.

To help me consider the future role of Ambulance Services in an evolving and changing healthcare environment, I took the opportunity of discussing with Ben Clacy, Director of Development and Operations, and Siva Anandaciva, Head of Analysis, at NHS Providers (the representative body of all NHS Trusts), their thoughts and views on a range of subjects that may or may not influence the shape of things to come. Of course 20/20 vision is not actually ‘perfect vision’, but in optometry terms, it does indicate clarity and sharpness, which in considering the future, is an essential ingredient.

Perhaps the most important observation to arise from the discussions with Ben and Siva is to reflect that, other than the profession’s own vision for ‘2020 and beyond’ as published by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) in September 2015, there is no actual coordinated overall NHS strategic thinking currently taking place

Organisational Infrastructure There appears little appetite for any further organisational structure changes, and therefore the 10 services, as currently configured within England, following the re-organisation in 2006, will continue.

Despite the challenges associated with the services conducting business through a multiplicity of clinical commissioning groups and clinical networks, the funding process will remain largely unchanged, although the efficiencies required by the NHS, as part of the overall economic recovery, will no doubt impact on future discussions.

Critical Care

in respect of the future role of ambulance services - so no National Master Plan being developed, and therefore, change will probably

Although only representing less than 10% of the activity, critical

come about from a ‘bottom up’ and ‘piecemeal’ process. However, the

care is a key aspect of the ambulance service, with the service

‘drivers for change’ will still focus on improved outcomes for the patient

being delivered through both land and air based resources, with

by ensuring that the appropriate clinical pathway is followed. Mobile

the emphasis on the speed of response, the provision of enhanced

healthcare treatment and assessment, as well as health promotion, will

clinical interventions and the rapid transportation of the patient

underpin the fundamental ethos of the service.

to the most appropriate treatment centre for ongoing specialist care. The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) is now

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

Given that development will be geographically based, then it is perhaps

an integral transport platform of providing critical care, although

the current 50 NHS Vanguard sites (set up in 2015 to lead on the

different organisational and delivery models, based on charity

development of new care models that will act as a blueprint for the

funding, have emerged, with increasingly the clinical dimension

NHS moving forward), and particularly the 8 Urgent and Emergency

being delivered by specialist doctors supported by critical care

Care (UEC) Vanguards, that will influence the progressive role of the

paramedics.

Ambulance Service, although as evidenced in the past, Ambulance Services will need to be represented at the table, if its full potential is to be realised.

The challenge is to get the right patient with the right assessment, with the right level of pre-hospital care, by the right transport platform, to the right hospital, in the right time for prompt acute

Politics

investigations and treatment. Does this raise the question as to whether critical care provision should be positioned alongside the

Inevitably ‘politics’ will determine future policy, and the recent

emergency room within the major trauma centre, or remain within

announcement of the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) returning to

the provision of the ambulance service, or charity?

56 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

FEATURE

Emergency and Urgent Care This provision of service has pleasingly over recent years been moving from input response standards to clinical outcome measures, and the 999 ‘dispatch by disposition model’ trialled by the London and the South West Ambulance Services, and now operating in 5 of the 10 English Ambulance Services, as well as being part of the pilot study in Wales, appears to be the way forward as the standard approach to the initial triage and assessment in determining the most appropriate care pathway for the patient. Red calls will continue to receive the rapid response standards and clinical interventions required for life

different health and social care packages that enables the patient, wherever possible, to remain within their own community setting.

Information technology will need to underpin this transition to integrated or converged care, by providing a single point of access (SPA) whereby a coordinated approach can be undertaken by each care provider in the full knowledge of the patent’s needs.

Conclusion

threatening conditions, with Green emergency calls being determined by the outcome of the disposition assessment.

Whilst there is no definitive blueprint available for the future of role of ambulance services, there is a growing recognition of the vital role

Non-emergency transport

services can provide in the migration to improved community care.

Over the last decade, this element of service provision has witnessed,

In summary, the role of the service in 2020 will be:-

as a result of competitive tendering, a seismic shift from the public to the private sector, a position which is unlikely to change in the future.

This entry by the private ambulance sector has also opened the door for service support into the emergency and urgent sector, as pressures on the demand element of the emergency service has required assistance from both the private and voluntary sectors. This leads to the question as to whether, in relation to green calls, there will be increased

• the collaborative role in public safety, • the provision of the front line response to out of hospital critical and urgent care, • front end receiver and dispatcher of all emergency calls, • mixed participation in delivery of the ‘green’ emergency calls, • increased involvement in the delivery of community based care,

involvement from the private sector.

• minimal involvement in the provision of non-emergency patient

Clinical competence

• further enhancement in the assessment and diagnostic skills of the

The registration of Paramedics, the development of graduate degree programmes, the introduction of Consultant Paramedics, the formation of the College of Paramedics and the significant enhancement in additional clinical skills has raised the profession to new heights. It’s this development that has led to the scope of practice being applied into community settings, where the role of the community paramedic provides an effective option in the provision of care to patients. So other than critical and acute, will be provided within the community enhanced assessment and diagnosis skills and possibly prescribing will assist in enabling the profession to undertake a pivotal role in determining the most appropriate treatment and care pathway for the patient.

ambulance paramedic.

One thing is for sure, and that is that the ambulance service is held in high esteem by the general public, and its greater involvement in the delivery of healthcare will be widely supported.

It has been a decade since the last major re-organisation for ambulance services, and therefore, it is probably safe to say, that the next 4 years leading up to 2020 will not witness any major shift in emphasis in the service’s role, but hopefully, all developments of good practice will be adopted on a universal basis, in order that all patients can benefit.

I would like to thank Ben and Siva for their time, thoughts and views on the future of the ambulance service, and we can only wait and watch the developments unfold. I would also like to thank Tim Friedman for the

Integrated Care

photography.

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

what next for the ambulance paramedic, given that increasingly care,

transport,

Barry Johns The future will depend upon a multi-vendor provision of a range of

Co-editor, Ambulance UK

57 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.

FEATURE

31 YEARS IN THE AMBULANCE SERVICE – A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE Bob Williams, Chief Executive, North West Ambulance Service.

So how do you adequately reflect on the last 30 years of change

competition, NHS Direct, NHS111, KA34, AQI’s, CHI, CQC, SHA’s,

in the ambulance service in a single short article? All I can express

CCG’s, TDA, Monitor, NHSI, ambulance service mergers, virtualised

is what I have seen and the bits I have been involved in, which

regional control rooms, AMPDS, NHS Pathways, and a few other

probably won’t be the same as everyone else because as we all

bits…not a lot has changed in that time. As an operational paramedic

know individual perspective is just that.

fundamentally the job is still the same – you work shifts on an ambulance or car attending patients to assess, treat and possibly

If a potted career history helps – I joined the ambulance service on

transport. But, at an incredibly higher level of activity, with much more

PTS in Northamptonshire in January 1985, what seems like a lifetime

clinical decision making capability and many more end determinant

ago now, wearing a shirt, tie and cap (at all times) for 6 months, did my

options available. Add to that the fundamental change in the control

Ambulance Technician course in the July and then was incredibly lucky

room environment with dynamic deployment models, clinical decision

to be in the very first cohort at Markfield for

hubs and condition pathway support

the new national Paramedic (or Extended

centres, from a leadership point of view the

Ambulance Aid as it was then known) course

service has changed enormously.

in July and August 1986. I qualified with the registration number 005 (there was only

So has how we need to lead the service

six of us) under the supervision of the late

at all levels. There is still too much of the

great Roly Furber. In 1990 I was one of six

remnants of a command & control feel to

experienced paramedics from all over the

management and too much of a macho

country who joined South Yorkshire to help

culture within parts of the service. There are

set up the new Rapid Response Vehicle

clearly times when direct supervision and

programme designed for paramedics to

management is required, but we are dealing

support the majority double Technician crews.

with sophisticated, educated, professional

I would have to say that this was probably

staff who literally have the lives of others in

the most exciting, enjoyable and varied

their hands – whatever their actual role in the

work experience I ever had. I went on to be

organisation – and we should treat them with

a Paramedic Training Officer before moving

that respect in more of a coaching style as

into an acute hospital setting in 1993, initially

the norm. Leadership through engagement,

as the Resuscitation Training Officer and

transparency and integrity is both incredibly

then as Business Support manager where I

hard and thoroughly rewarding, but also

did an MBA. I then rejoined the ambulance

improves culture and behaviours and the

service as a senior operational manager in

resultant patient experience. I think this is

Derbyshire before becoming the Director of

something that has developed faster and

Operations for Greater Manchester in 1999.

better in some services than others, and

Following three years at GMAS I then moved

in different parts of services, but is an area

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

to West Yorkshire for three years as Director of Operations and NHSD

that will require significant improvement and commitment with the

before taking a year out in private industry as a senior consultant for

agenda ahead. Not least with the current paramedic shortage alongside

British Telecom and running my own Personal Fitness business. Following

ongoing concerns over meal breaks, shift overruns, hospital handovers

the mergers in 2006 I joined the new North West Ambulance Service

and pay bandings.

as Deputy Chief and Director of Operations before taking over as Chief Executive in 2012.

Most of the change up until recently has all effectively been about the way we run our services and deliver the operational model in order to

So, apart from the introduction of paramedics, RRV’s, Air ambulances,

achieve performance, balance the finances and improve quality along the

HART & USAR, Advanced paramedics, specialist paramedics,

way – or at least try to. The predominance and all-encompassing focus

community paramedics, consultant paramedics, JESIP, PTS

on 8 minute performance though has over the years been at great cost to

58 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

FEATURE service, staff, patients and the public at large. Whilst there is no question

ambulance stretcher because an ED unit has no capacity, or capability,

that many lives have been saved because of that focus, others have

to take over the clinical care – this is just simply wrong on so many levels.

been compromised because of it. Running operational models to get ‘a’

It makes a complete mockery of the initial response model, it infuriates

response to an emergency in 8 minutes to the exclusion of other patients

staff who now spend hours being nurses and porters (and incurring end

who have been waiting in pain for help for hours does not seem the most

of shift overruns) instead of what they should be doing, it wastes millions

moral methodology. Having the time start before the control room even

of invested pounds in ineffective ambulance/staff resources that the

knows where the incident is or what is required is just plain ridiculous.

commissioner’s expect a performance return on, and most importantly

More importantly, it fundamentally prevents any adequate opportunity to

directly effects patients well-being. Not just those ones on the stretchers,

assess a callers needs to determine whether any, or what best, response

but more importantly the ones still waiting lying on their own in roads or

is required so that ambulances are available for those who really need

houses because the responding ambulances are not available.

them. This situation has been compounded over the last couple of years with the significant growth in the Red proportion of calls. The Association

But that’s just the daily frustrations of working in the ambulance service.

of Ambulance Chief Executives has been working hard over some

Actually, we have come a very long way in 30 years. The clinical expertise

considerable time now with the Department of Health and others to revise

of the staff, the changing managerial culture, the effective operational

the current arrangements – the sooner they get changed the better it will

process, good governance and the only remaining regional oversight of the

be for both patients and the retention of operational staff.

emergency health and urgent care system are all outstanding. The shift of thinking into clinical care and a focus on the quality of the service we deliver

More recently, leadership in and of the ambulance services has also

rather than just the performance targets has meant a change in mind sets

been about effectively engaging in the shifting environment around

and collaborative approach which is still not universally accepted within the

us, highlighted in the North West with the emergence of the historic

service. The absolute reliance on the specialist ‘back office’ functions is still

Manchester Devolution agreement which raised the twin issues of local

largely misunderstood and undervalued by many outside of the service and

commissioning and blue light service alignment.

is actually where some of the greatest improvements and culture changes

The commissioning of regional ambulance services has resulted in significant cost savings through reductions in emergency control centres and Trust Board numbers, with both efficiencies and substantial resilience gains through virtual linked single control and operating system for all ambulance provision across multiple county areas. To separate the Manchester element out would entail re-provision of a separate control functionality and restricted use of a third of the overall operational resource. There is no valid argument for aligning today’s Ambulance Service with Police and Fire Services locally – as the outcome of the national Emergency Services Collaboration consultation discussions demonstrated. Less than 5% of the Ambulance Service workload is undertaken with the other blue light services, albeit it the high profile 5%. The ambulance service has changed dramatically over the last 15 years in particular and is now an integral part of the urgent demand seen throughout the health and social care environment which accounts for

have been seen. Above all else, the care and compassion shown by all staff, despite the frustrations remains exceptional.

It’s been an interesting career, an incredible journey and it saddens me that my part in it has to come to an end at this particular point in time with so much change going on and finally our real chance to show what the ambulance service is capable of as an integral part of the system solution to the future models of urgent and emergency care.

As I leave the ambulance service I am left with one overriding thought.

The ambulance service does a fantastic job every day and our staff are some of the most caring, professional and pragmatic you will ever come across in any field of life. I am really proud to have worked alongside you and wish you best wishes for grasping and leading the way on the agenda ahead. If there is one final plea from me, it is to make sure that compassion remains at the heart of the way we do everything.

over 90% of our workload with only 10% of 999 being truly life threatening.

Importantly the rest of the NHS system is now becoming far more attuned to the things that the ambulance service can do and the importance of our role in the strategic redesign of services. As the design for more localised plans about health and social care come to reality over the next eighteen months it is imperative that we are part of the strategic discussions and seen as key players in their implementation. The transition into the system wide solutions for urgent health and social care is where the majority of future patient interface is likely to be through telephone engagement via can be best dealt with – whether that is in the home, community setting, urgent care centre, ED department or one of the specialist pathway centres. That however has not helped resolve one of the most frustrating circumstances – delayed hospital handovers. These have always been poor during the difficult winter weeks, but the last two years they have become far longer and are in danger of becoming an unacceptable norm.

Despite significant collaborative work and prompting to the regulators,

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

111 and 999 as well as face to face decision making about where patients

it seems that poorly patients, that we have had to organise a service to respond to in 8 minutes, can then spend hours (literally) lying on a

59 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.

NEWSLINE SCAS

SCAS is proud to be the provider of patient transport services across the Thames Valley region

SCAS has over 40 years of

A primary aim of the initiative is to

improved co-ordination of care,

experience of patient transport,

test the effectiveness of telehealth

closer to home, improved care

and in 2014/15 undertook over

monitoring and health coaching,

outcomes and experience and

500,000 patient journeys. A

for patients with long term

improved self-care/management

comprehensive mobilisation plan

conditions, to support improved

of long term conditions.

for the contract is underway,

management of their condition

managed by a dedicated project

in their own home, or within a

A spokesperson for North West

team, to ensure a smooth transfer

residential care setting. It will

Ambulance Service NHS Trust

to the new contract.

also aim to improve co-ordination

said: “North West Ambulance

of care for patients recently

Service recognise the benefits

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Director of Strategy, Business

discharged from hospital, in order

of using telehealth, in close

(SCAS) is proud to announce

Development, Communications

to reduce risk of re-admission

collaboration with other health

that it has won the contract to

and Engagement for SCAS,

whilst improving patient outcomes

services, to proactively support

provide the Non-Emergency

James Underhay, said: “We are

and experiences.

and care for patients who are

Patient Transport Service

really pleased to be providing the

(NEPTS) across the Thames

Patient Transport Service across

Working in partnership with

emergency and urgent care.

Valley region.

the Thames Valley and we are

Closercare, part of MSD

“This project will help patients

determined to deliver the best

Healthcare Services, this

to stay well for longer, promote

possible service to patients. I would

telehealth project is a first for an

greater self-care and enable

like to thank all the people who are

ambulance services in England

patients to receive more

working so hard to ensure a smooth

and Wales and will run for a

personalised care closer to

transition to the new contract.”

six month period until June

home.”

This is a new contract which brings together three existing contracts covering Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire from 1 April 2016. SCAS is the existing supplier for these three contracts.

SCAS already operates the NEPTS service across many parts of the South Central region, providing transport for people who are unable to use public or other transport due to their medical condition, and are: • Attending hospital outpatient clinics • Being admitted to or

at greater risk of requiring

2016. Up to 120 patients will be The service is available to all

recruited and will be split into a

Patients who are being monitored

patients who meet the eligibility

mixture of short term (1-2 weeks)

will have their addresses flagged

criteria, which are in place

and long term (up to 90 days)

so that ambulance clinicians

to ensure that resources are

telehealth monitoring. The Trust’s

can be made aware if they are

available to those patients who

network of Community Specialist

requested to attend.

need them most.

Paramedics (CSP) will manage and co-ordinate delivery of the project, working collaboratively

NWAS

NWAS delivers remote telehealth monitoring to patients

discharged from hospital wards

with local GP practices and other primary, community and acute care providers. The CSP will be supported by the Trust’s Urgent

SECAmb Fleet shortlisted in the Fleet News Awards 2016

Care Desk, which will provide 24/7

South East Coast Ambulance

remote monitoring and support for

Service NHS Foundation

patients, as and when required.

Trust (SECAmb) has been

North West Ambulance Service • Needing life-saving treatments

SECAMB

shortlisted in The Fleet News

NHS Trust is implementing an

Patients will take their

Awards 2016 in no less than

such as radiotherapy,

exciting new project to provide

observations in the morning each

six categories – Fleet of the

chemotherapy or renal dialysis

remote tele-healthcare for

day and answer some simple

Year (251 to 1000 vehicles),

or DVT treatment

patients across the North West.

questions about how they are

Most Improved Fleet of the

feeling. These will be uploaded to

Year, Safe Fleet of the Year,

a monitoring system where alerts

Green Fleet of the Year, Cost

will be generated if the patient’s

Saving Initiative of the Year

observations or answers fall

and Fleet Manager of the Year.

outside the agreed parameters AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

set by their GP or consultant.

It is the third awards event SECAmb has been shortlisted

The Trust’s Urgent Care Desk will

for in the last 6 months. It was

contact patients who generate an

only last year that SECAmb won

alert to complete a more in depth

at the Commercial Fleet Awards

assessment and then follow an

the Blue Light & Public Sector

agreed care plan set by the GP or

Fleet of the Year and was also

consultant. The project will deliver

Highly Commended at the Green

a range of benefits for patients

Fleet Awards in a competition

including early intervention and

with 600 other applicants.

60 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE The SECAmb fleet team, which

questionnaires; with 97.7%

has been on a modernisation

describing the overall service

programme in recent years,

as either satisfactory or very

is directly competing, not with

satisfactory they received from

other blue light services, but with

the East of England Ambulance

commercial organisations on an

Service NHS Trust (EEAST) in

even par.

November.

Fleet operators have the

In addition, 100% of respondents

opportunity to demonstrate

were very satisfied, satisfied, or

commitment to the highest

fairly satisfied with the care they

standards in terms of operational

received from staff. A patient

excellence, technology, cost

from East Suffolk said: “I feel

savings and improvements in

safest with EEAST staff; I would

efficiency and safety.

not be here without their capable

Evidence based airway management in emergency medicine and resuscitation

hands or speed, they are the Justin Wand, Head of Fleet

best.”

and Logistics for SECAmb, who has been shortlisted for Fleet Manager of the Year, said: “This is once again a great accolade for the Trust and a huge validation of what the team has been able to achieve over recent years. It illustrates how crucial the fleet team are to responding reliably and sustainably to the needs of the patient.

Another patient added: “They have all been wonderful, professional, kind, reassuring and experts at what they do.

I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for their help.”

Sandy Brown, Director of Nursing and Clinical Quality at EEAST said: “It’s enormously beneficial

“Their focus on improving quality, innovation and support for the frontline is unrivalled and in these cost-conscious times this proves great things can be achieved. I am immensely proud of all the team whose hard work is delivered day in day out and which contributes directly to patient care.”

www.i-gel.com

to see respondents informing us on these high levels of quality of care. It’s something which is at the forefront of our priorities and which we will continue to work on moving forward.”

More than 96% of respondents found the service either met their expectations or exceeded them but 5.1% did say that their

The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on 10 March at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

journey in the ambulance was uncomfortable.

Robert Morton, Chief Executive of EEAST, said: “It is extremely alike to hear such positive comments about the service people have received.

“These results speak volumes about the constant high levels of

Staff at the region’s ambulance

professionalism and care all of

service has been commended

our staff in the East of England

as ‘completely professional’,

put in on a daily basis. I’d like

‘the safest in the country’, and

to thank all who provided us

‘amazing’ in its latest survey.

with this invaluable feedback; it

Quality, innovation and choice lnteract with us

www.intersurgical.co.uk

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

‘You are stars’: Ambulance service praised in latest survey

rewarding for myself and staff

helps us improve the service we More than 90 patients completed

deliver.”

61 AMBULANCE_UK_03.16_i-gel_resus.indd 1 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.

30/03/2016 15:42

NEWSLINE

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AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

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62

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For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE HIOWAA

HEMS Operations Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) and Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) have officially started night-time Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operations across the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) region.

HIOWAA’s Airbus H135 helicopter is flown by highly-trained and experienced Bond pilots operating with the latest-generation of nightvision goggles. The aircraft is fully equipped and optimised for night operations, meaning the Charity’s specialist doctor and paramedic HEMS crews can bring their lifesaving care to the most seriously ill or injured people by night as well as by day, saving more lives. Bond operates an identical helicopter on behalf of TVAA. The two air ambulances, in partnership with SCAS, will work together to provide an additional seven hours of coverage every night until 2am across the counties of Hampshire, the Isle of

teams can be at the scene of an

to develop their knowledge and

stand down an ambulance or rapid

incident within minutes, ready

training to ensure we continue to

response vehicle from the incident.

to deliver an advanced level of

advance on-scene patient care.

critical care to the patient and give

The project is currently funded until

them the very best chances of

“We would not have been able to

survival and recovery”

take this important step forward

the end of March.

without the on going support

Dr Helen Alefounder, clinical lead

HIOWAA, alongside TVAA and

that we receive from the people,

for the service, said: “If a crew

SCAS, is committed to developing

companies and organisations that

arrives on scene and feels that

and enhancing its helicopter

support us, to whom we are and

there are other options available

emergency medical service in the

will always be very grateful”.

to the patient, then the doctors

region to provide the highest level of emergency care outside of a hospital environment. A full range of life-saving equipment is carried on board, including two state of the art ultrasound devices, a blood transfusion kit and an immediate blood analyser, helping to save valuable seconds in the

can offer advice. If it is not a time EEAST

Unique project between EEAST and GPs helps avoid thousands of A&E admissions

vital golden hour.

critical condition then we can discuss the case and if needed we can admit a patient directly or can provide them with self care advice so they can stay at home.

“The aim is to treat the patient in the most appropriate place at the most appropriate time by the most

Thousands of A&E admissions

appropriate person. This scheme

The ‘Paramedic Physician

are being avoided in a unique

will also help reduce the number

partnership’ of doctors and

project between the region’s

of ambulances going into A&E, the

paramedics found on board is

ambulance service and GPs.

crews can stay in the area where

essential for a truly gold standard

they are needed and respond to the

delivery of pre-hospital emergency

New figures reveal that the East of

medicine, all of which is made

England Ambulance Service NHS

possible through the Charity’s

Trust (EEAST) 999 doctor clinical

The service was used more than

close working partnership with

support service was used 1,527

900 times in November, with

South Central Ambulance Service

times in December, with 85% of

81% of those not requiring A&E

NHS Foundation Trust.

cases resulting in alternatives to

admission.

patients they need to respond to.”

A&E being found.

HIOWAA and TVAA’s aviation

Feedback from ambulance

partner Bond Air Services Ltd and

These include services such as

crews has also been positive

Buckinghamshire.

their highly skilled Helimed pilots

self care advice to remain at home,

with one paramedic saying: “My

are central to the service, ensuring

out of hours GPs, direct admission

experience was very good with

Both helicopters will remain

the most effective coverage for

to assessment units, palliative care

the GP, as I felt the patient was not

the entire region with the newest

services, and district nurses.

necessarily appropriate for A&E,

version of the Airbus helicopter, as

Following a successful trial in the

and this was confirmed by the GP

well as the safety and precision

Norwich emergency operations

I was talking to. The GP undertook

and speed of the operation.

centre for crews in Norfolk, doctors

the follow up of calling a district

have been working in a 999 control

nurse for the patient.”

Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and

operational in their respective counties for 12 hours every day and then take it in turn for a period of 16 consecutive nights to cover the seven hour night-service for the whole of the South Central

Alex Lochrane concludes: “Since

room since July as part of the

region and the Isle of Wight.

the start of flying operations in

scheme to give ambulance crews

Another said: “It was very easy to

2007, HIOWAA has been steadily

additional advice over the phone.

get through to the GP and to get

Alex Lochrane, HIOWAA CEO,

expanding its service to the

commented: “Thanks to our

community. Introducing night

It is available for crews to call

unique partnership with TVAA,

HEMS operations adds another

seven days a week, and covers the

there is now a dedicated HEMS

dimension to our service, helping us

whole of the East of England.

crew operational until 2am, an

to save lives and provide emergency

additional seven hours every

medical support and transfer where

The doctors also have the option

was subsequently unable to help

night, covering the whole of the

and when it is most needed.

to speak to callers for certain

him, and he did not really want

Green 2 (serious, but not life-

to go to the hospital either, and

“I am immensely proud of our

threatening) calls and assess if

so speaking to the GP gave us

“Working in close partnership with

teams, who work tirelessly each

they are suitable for a different

confidence in our finding as they

SCAS to crew and deploy the

day and night; not only to deliver

care pathway. If they deem it

seemed happy for the patient to

service, our Doctor Paramedic

a unique life-saving service, but

appropriate and safe, they will

attend the walk in clinic.”

findings past them.

“The patient had called because his own GP was not open and

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

South Central region.

the patient triaged, and run our

63 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com

NEWSLINE LAS

London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade team up for life saving trial A new initiative, which sees London’s firefighters responding to around 28 life-threatening emergencies a week alongside paramedics from London Ambulance Service in four of the capital’s boroughs, launched on Tuesday 16 February.

The four month trial will allow fire crews - who already carry defibrillators - to respond alongside the ambulance service to a small number of people with an immediately life threatening condition across Merton, Wandsworth, Newham and Lambeth until a paramedic arrives on scene.

Chris Hartley-Sharpe, Head of First Responders at the Service said “Our ambulance crews are facing unprecedented demand, treating over 1,500 critically ill patients every day and a further 2,000 patients with less serious illnesses and injuries.

This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for the emergency services to work together and share resources and help save even more lives across London.

life threatening as a result of

campaign which saw over 1,000

Conference will again be taking

cardiac or respiratory arrest.

accredited defibrillators added

place in separate rooms, with a

to shops, gyms and businesses

range of topical presentations

Gareth Bacon, Chairman of

across London. More recently,

already confirmed, including

London Fire and Emergency

the Service embarked on an

‘Human Factor in End of Life

Planning Authority, which runs

exciting new partnership with

Care – Implications for Education

London Fire Brigade said:

the internationally acclaimed

and Training’, ‘How Safe is your

GoodSAM app, in which

Home?’, ‘Medical Command...

“As the number of fires and

clinically trained ambulance

The Future’, ‘Paediatric Retrieval/

fire deaths continue to decline

staff and members of the public

Resuscitation’, ‘Sepsis Guidelines

across London I’m delighted that

trained to an approved standard

– Early Recognition is the Key’,

firefighters can find new ways to

are able to sign up as volunteers

etc. To date speakers include

use their excellent training and

to respond to life-threatening

Ken Spearpoint, Barry Murphy,

remarkable skill to help save

emergency calls, including

Georgette Eaton, Keith Bromwich,

even more lives.

cardiac arrests.

Amy Chan-Dominy, etc. Once again an early bird rate of just £36

Life Connections 2016 Dates Announced

including VAT is on offer until July

respond to improve the survival

Life Connections 2016 will be

available at £96 and Meditech

chances of those in need of

taking place on October 18 &

Global are running a ‘Motorsport

rapid help.”

19 at the Kettering Conference

Medicine’ workshop with delegate

Centre, Kettering, Northants,

rates set at just £60 including VAT.

“When it comes to treating someone in cardiac arrest, if firefighters are closest, it makes perfect sense that they should

29. Jamie Todd is also running a ‘NAEMT Trauma First Responder’ course on this day with 16 places

Chris Hartley-Sharpe added:

NN15 6PB and, once again,

“We’re committed to providing

there is plenty to attract

Life Connections is a unique

the best possible care for all

delegate interest.

Multi-Conference/Workshop event that offers delegates a

of our patients and are always looking for new ways to improve

On Tuesday October 18 a

great deal of choice at affordable

patient outcomes.

Paramedic and an Emergency

prices which include tea/coffee,

First Responder Conference

lunch, etc. plus the opportunity

“We know that around 32 per

will be taking place in separate

to visit over 40 Trade Stands. In

cent of people survive a cardiac

conference rooms, speakers this

2015 over 650 delegates were in

arrest in a public place but,

year already include Professor

attendance and, from feedback

where there is a defibrillator and

Sir Keith Porter, David Halliwell,

received, they enjoyed the whole

someone trained to use it, the

Stuart Blatston, Steve Pratten.

Life Connections experience and

chance of survival can increase

Conference programmes cover

the presentations that were given.

to 80 per cent. The more people

a wide range of topics such as

available to respond to these

‘How Resuscitation Works’, ‘The

types of incidents, the better.”

Changing Face of Major Trauma’, ‘Hypothermia vs. Hyperpyrexia in

The trial is the latest in a number

the Poisoned Patient’, Enhancing

“London’s fire crews will respond

of initiatives supported by the

the Scope of Practice for

to a small number of calls a

London Ambulance Service to

Emergency First Responders’,

week alongside our ambulance

increase cardiac arrest survival

‘Easing the Pressure on

crews, which means that if they

rates in the capital.

Emergency Services – Who Pays?’ etc. With early bird delegate

are in a closer proximity, they

To view this year’s Conference Programmes and, to register, please visit our dedicated website: www.lifeconnections.uk.com where there are a number of special offers available for combining the various Conferences/Workshops to suit your CPD requirements,

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

start basic life support until a

The Metropolitan Police Service

rates starting from just £36

skilled clinician arrives.”

is already working together with

including VAT, the day represents

the London Ambulance Service,

tremendous value for money!!

Under the trial, if a 999 call

which has seen 110 defibrillators

Jamie Todd of Pre Hospital Care

received into London Ambulance

added to police vehicles,

Consultancy is also running an

Service’s control room meets a

allowing officers to respond

‘Essentials of Advanced Airway

set criteria, both the Brigade and

alongside the ambulance service

Management’ workshop which is

the LAS will be dispatched to the

to people in cardiac arrest.

available at £96.

Racing Legend Signs Up For Bike4Life Ride Out 2016

criteria covers calls to patients

Last year, the London

On Wednesday October 19

With three cycle racing

whose condition is immediately

Ambulance Service launched a

a Resuscitation and a First Aid

Championship titles and five

alternatively, you can call the Organisers on: 01322 660434.

incident at the same time. The

64 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE truck racing championships

before finishing at RAF Cosford,

funds such a vital emergency

Jason Levy, fundraising and

under his belt, Midlands Air

home to the Bike4Life Festival.

service.

marketing director for Midlands

to announce Steve Parrish

In 2015 10,000 bikers, families,

“I hear the atmosphere on the

has signed up to the charity’s

couples and general motorcycle

Ride Out is electric with people

3,500-strong Bike4Life Ride

enthusiasts from all across

lining the bridges over the

Out 2016 on Sunday 8th May.

the UK took part in what has

motorway to watch the bikes

become one of the biggest

pass by. I can’t wait, and as it is

Parrish had a successful race

and best biker days in the

pre-registration only, if you’re a

career in the 1970s and 80s,

country. And whilst a great day

biker sign up now so you don’t

and is now best known for

out, Midlands Air Ambulance

miss out.”

his entertaining commentary

Charity’s Bike4Life event is

on sports such as the world

partnered with the Safer Roads

On arrival at the Bike4Life

event, there are only 3,500

class MotoGP, Eurosport World

Partnership to raise awareness

Festival, visitors will be treated to

places available in the Ride Out,

Superbikes and the Isle of Man

of biker safety.

a host of activities and displays

and pre-registration is a must.

to watch, plus there will be live

Tickets cost £10 for one biker

Ambulance Charity is proud

Air Ambulance Charity and chair

TT, making him a well known and

of the Bike4Life committee, adds: “Having Steve Parrish and Nick Sanders on board this year is fantastic, their support will undoubtedly help raise further awareness of Bike4Life.”

Due to the popularity of the

much loved character in modern

On his support of Bike4Life,

music and a range of refreshment

motorsport.

Steve comments: “Bike4Life

and pillion for the Ride Out and

stands, exhibitions, tutorials

Ride Out and Festival has grown

and stalls, making it a great day

entry to the Festival, while entry

Steve, who will join racing

year on year, so I’m honoured

out for all. Those interested in

legends in the Bike4Life Ride

to be invited to join the Ride

further motorcycle training will

Out including famed adventure

Out on behalf of Midlands Air

also have chance to speak with a

motorcyclist and author Nick

Ambulance Charity. Thankfully

variety of organisations. As part

Sanders, is appealing to bikers

I have never had to rely on an

of his support on the day, Steve

to pre-register for the Ride

air ambulance, but in my line of

will be hosting the main stage,

To register to get involved in the

Out on 8th May, which starts

work, I’ve seen several bikers

interviewing further motorcycle

Ride Out led by Steve Parrish

at Meole Brace in Shrewsbury,

who have. We really can’t afford

racing legends who sign up to

and Nick Sanders, simply visit

taking in 23 miles of the M54

not to support the charity that

the event.

www.bike4lifefest.com.

to the Festival only is £5 per person. All proceeds to towards the life saving work of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

65 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.

NEWSLINE organising their own fundraising

“The move also coincides with

system and targets areas for

and awareness campaigns during

a review and the identification of

improvement.

this time. The move, from the last

further improvements which will

week of September is strategic

be announced later in 2016 and

The Ambulance Quality Indicators

New Date for National Air Ambulance Week 2016 Monday 19th – Sunday 25th September

and forms part of a broader plan

2017. This is being driven by the

(AQIs) will track performance

which culminates moving the

Communications Subcommittee of

within the new five step model –

date forward a further week in

the AAA before being approved by

launched in October 2015 - which

2017 to its new permanent home.

the Board.”

ensures that patients receive

The Association of Air

ambulances which are mainly

AAA

Ambulances (AAA) is delighted to announce that the new date of National Air Ambulance Week

the right care at the right time

Clive Dickin, National Director of the Association said: “NAAW is the annual event when all 20 charities across the UK celebrate and encourage support for air funded by donations. With many investing funds to expand their operations to provide night HEMS

Newly published Ambulance Quality Indicators provide comprehensive analysis of patients’ care and experience

and may not always involve dispatching an ambulance.

The data covers the period 01 October 2015 to 31 December 2015 and will be published independently by EASC on a quarterly basis, and includes data on:

2016 is Monday 19th to Sunday

missions, upgrading their aircraft

25th September.

or placing investment into the

The Emergency Ambulances

advanced education and training

Services Committee (EASC)

• The percentage of patients who

NAAW is an initiative created by

of their paramedics and doctors,

has published the first full set

received the appropriate ‘care

the AAA and celebrates the work

there is no better to show them

of data that measures clinical

bundle’ after having a heart

of local air ambulances, giving

your support. “The change is

care, operational efficiency and

attack caused by a blood clot in

them a national voice and an

a strategic decision allowing

patient experiences of those

opportunity to promote the work

for a number of factors to be

using the Welsh Ambulance

they do at a local level. This annual

accommodated in our member’s

Service.

event is a regular feature on event

plans; be it better weather,

calendars across the UK, with

longer days and a less cluttered

The data links the ambulance

many air ambulance charities

program of other national events.

service with the wider healthcare

the heart.

• The performance of ambulance staff in providing pain relief to patients with a suspected hip

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

66 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

fracture.

• Handover times at hospitals

NEWSLINE • How often the ambulance service manages patient needs over the telephone • The percentage of patients with

development but this first set of

David was so pleased with Evie’s

“I was so impressed by her

comprehensive data highlights

“maturity, calmness and willingness

attitude, it must have been a really

some good performance as well

to help” that he nominated her

scary situation for her but she was

as areas for improvement.”

for a ‘Laverick Award’ which was

so brave. By helping her mum she

presented at her school.

made my job a lot easier. I wanted

suspected stroke who receive the appropriate assessments

The full Ambulance Quality

and treatment before getting to

Indicators as well as definitions

Siobhan, a Youth Support Worker

and am very proud to present her

hospital

that explain what each of the

from Humberstone Leicester

with the award. I hope one day

• Number of responses by Community First Responders • Number of incidents that resulted in patients being treated at scene by the

indicators mean are available to view on the Emergency Ambulance Services Committee (EASC) website.

generated by frequent callers Dr Brendan Lloyd, Medical Director at the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We welcome this first set of Ambulance Quality Indicators published by the Emergency Ambulance Services Committee that helps us understand more about how the clinical care we are providing to

said: “I have never been in so much pain, it felt like child birth and I was really worried about what was going to happen. I tried to encourage Evie to go to bed because I didn’t want her to see

ambulance crew • The number of incidents

her to receive some recognition

EMAS

Special award for aspiring paramedic Aspiring Paramedic Evie was presented with a special award to recognise her bravery.

Nine year old Evie Demeyer was extremely brave back in November when her mum,

me in pain but she kept saying to me ‘mummy I am going to be a paramedic, I know how to help you.’ It was like our roles reversed.

“When David arrived he was fantastic with her, he involved her and made the experience so

to see her out in our ambulances responding to patients.”

Evie has wanted to be a paramedic since the age of six and will have the opportunity to look round an ambulance, learn first aid and CPR on Friday with her class mates before receiving her award.

Siobhan added: “When David arrived he was brilliant with Evie

interactive which she loved.”

and involved her in every step of

David said: “I was taken aback

me calm and reassured Evie. She

my care which helped to keep

by how mature Evie was. Siobhan

can’t wait to see him again and

was in a lot of pain and very

say thank you.

our patients is helping them as

Siobhan Hirrell, had to call 999

opposed to just measuring the

after being unable to move due

needle phobic, as I was preparing

time we took to drive there, which

to excruciating pains. Despite

pain relief for her Evie was giving

“Whenever anyone asks her why

is the measurement that was

the distressing situation Evie

her instructions on how to breath

she wants to be a paramedic she

previously used.

remained calm and helped her

(in through her nose out through

always says ‘I want to save lives’

mum and EMAS paramedic David

her mouth) telling her it was all ok

and now she has a role model in

Joyce when he arrived on scene.

and holding her hand.

David, I’m very proud of her.”

“Some AQIs are still under

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

67 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com

NEWSLINE NWAS

NWAS signs up to support mental health in the workplace North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) is

signed the pledge and joined

By signing up to an action plan

will see 30 life saving devices

other healthcare and emergency

under the pledge, the Trust will

installed at locations across the

services employers demonstrating

create a working environment in

West Midlands.

the organisation’s support of

which staff and volunteers are

the programme to tackle mental

encouraged to talk freely about

The University of Wolverhampton

health discrimination.

any mental health issues they

has signed a memorandum of

may have, promote a better

understanding with the Trust

Bob Williams said: “Ambulance

understanding of mental health,

pledging its commitment to install

crews, call handlers and support

and provide support and wellbeing

defibrillators at its University

staff do a very demanding job and

advice within the service.

campuses in Wolverhampton,

committed to promoting better

can be regularly exposed to many

understanding of mental health

stressful and traumatic situations,

Part of the programme includes

issues and to end stigma in

as at partner Academy schools in

which can take its toll physically

the Blue Light information line

the workplace after signing

the region.

as well as emotionally.

which is exclusive to emergency

up to the national “Blue Light

Walsall, Telford and Burton as well

services staff, volunteers and

Programme” led by the mental

An automated external defibrillator

“Staff welfare has been high on

their families. It offers confidential,

health charity MIND.

is a device which helps to restart

the agenda for the Trust for some

independent and practical

the heart of someone in cardiac

time now, and giving our support

support, advice and signposting

MIND state that one in four people

arrest. There are over 3,000

to this programme not only aims

around mental health and

in the UK will experience a mental

defibrillators in communities

to keep colleagues and staff

wellbeing.

health problem in any given year

across the West Midlands and

supported whilst they are at work,

and their independent research

but demonstrates the positive

showed that the estimated quarter

steps being taken towards

of a million people who work

challenging the stigma of mental

and volunteer in the emergency

health.”

services are even more at risk

even though they come in many

Wolverhampton University and ambulance service work together to save lives

different makes, colours and sizes, they all do the same thing and are extremely easy to use.

Professor Geoff Layer, Vice

of experiencing mental health

The Trust already has a number

problems than the general

of staff who are Blue Light

population, but less likely to get

Champions and have promoted

support.

MIND’s Blue Light Programme

A pioneering partnership

Chief Executive Officer Anthony

with NWAS staff and they were

between West Midlands

Marsh met on Monday 15th

Chief Executive Bob Williams

instrumental in getting the pledge

Ambulance Service and the

February to officially sign the

and Chair Wyn Dignan publically

signed.

University of Wolverhampton

memorandum of understanding

Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, and West Midlands Ambulance Services

which defines the responsibilities of the two parties in the provision of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and basic life support (BLS) to a person in a cardiac arrest until the arrival of the statutory ambulance response.

Anthony Marsh said: “As a Trust, we’ve helped to install thousands of defibrillators and trained 60,000 people in lifesaving CPR skills across the Region. Over the last 12 months alone, we’ve worked AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

incredibly hard to place hundreds of defibrillators across the Black Country in locations such as sports facilities, supermarkets, tourist attractions and schools to help someone in cardiac arrest.

Photo caption from left to right: Wyn Dignan (Chair), Amanda Ferguson (EMT), Kate Walsh (EMD), Dan Farnworth (EMT), Esmail Rifai (Clinical Safety Officer), Bob Williams (CEO)

68 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

“It’s a privilege to welcome the University of Wolverhampton and its Academy Schools on board

NEWSLINE our project to help save even

can provide emergency care to

Two new specially equipped

only operated from 07:00 until

more lives in the Black Country.

someone in cardiac arrest quickly

air ambulances have been

19:00.

With thousands of students and

and effectively prior to the arrival

launched to attend night-time

members of staff on campus

of an ambulance bearing in mind

emergencies in the south.

each day it seems a logical place

that eighty-five percent of those

to have defibrillators and whilst

people who suffer a cardiac arrest

The Airbus H135 aircraft, which

the partnership between the two

we hope they are never used, its

have the ability for their heart to

are fitted with spotlights and carry

charities was “unique”.

peace of mind for the university

be shocked back to a normal

night-vision goggles, can be

that the devices are there to help

rhythm by defibrillation.”

deployed for 19 hours a day and

He said: “Our teams work

until 02:00 GMT.

tirelessly each day and night; not

in an emergency.”

Sir Tim Jenner, Thames Valley Air Ambulance chairman, said

only to deliver a unique life-saving

The University has already Professor Geoff Layer said: “As

installed six defibrillators in its

The £5m service will cover

service but to develop their

an institution with thousands of

Wolverhampton City Centre

Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire,

knowledge and training.

staff and students on site, as

Campus locations, three at

Berkshire, Hampshire and the Isle

well as our campuses being

its Walsall Campus, two at its

of Wight.

located right in the heart of our

Telford Innovation Centre, two at

towns and communities, it’s really important that we officially show support and commitment to the West Midlands Ambulance Service – helping them to provide a rapid response in the event that someone suffers a cardiac arrest whilst on our premises.

“These machines are extremely easy to use, meaning anyone

the Wolverhampton University Science Park and one at its Burton Hospital Campus as well as 16 at partner Academy Schools.

Thames Valley and Hampshire air ambulances launch night service

“Our ambition of delivering a gold standard service is dependent

It is run by a partnership between the

on the generosity of the people,

Thames Valley and Hampshire and

companies and organisations

Isle of Wight air ambulance charities.

who support us, to whom we are very grateful.”

A spokesperson said the decision to end the service at 02:00 was due

The service is run in partnership

to the lack of calls relating to major

with Bond Air Services Ltd, which

trauma beyond that time, but this

provides the helicopters under

could be reviewed in the future.

a long-term contract, and South Central Ambulance Service NHS

Previously the air ambulances

Foundation Trust.

Welcome to the next generation in simulation technology.

The iSimulate ALSi Simulation platform provides an economical, highly advanced and realistic patient condition simulation package that enables advanced patient simulations that can be run quickly and easily without the need for expensive and complex manikins or monitors.

• Smart and easy to use scenario builder • Over 50 ECG waveforms • Over 20 additional parameter settings

It is so easy to use you can be up and running in less than 2 minutes allowing you to train anywhere and at anytime with a fully featured, multi-parameter monitor, AED and defibrillator without the cost and complexity of traditional simulators.

• Ability to use 12-lead ECG, import video and x-ray images • Realistic trending of vitals over time

Run off only two iPad’s, students view a realistic patient monitor while the instructor uses a handheld control ipad to control everything from parameters to time.

Monitor Mode

• Instant CPR and PEA simulation • Safe to use on a simulated live casualty

Defibrillator Mode

Facilitator Screen

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

AED Mode

• Sophisticated and realistic vital signs monitor

Advanced simulation, without the cost The iSimulate ALSi Simulation Platform provides an economical, highly advanced and realistic patient condition simulation package that enables advanced patient simulations that can be run quickly and easily without the need for expensive and complex manikins or monitors.

education

equipment

enterprise

69 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.

NEWSLINE reducing the weight and load required to carry the bag by the ambulance crews. This made both the bag and Jigsaw staff more responsive in emergency situations.

Additionally, with Jigsaw

SP Services - Bespoke Medical Bags

LAS

London Ambulance Service trialling app to help guide first responders to emergencies

experiencing a sustained period

Upon receiving an alert from the app, first responders in the area can either accept or reject the request. If they accept, the responder will be directed to the scene of the emergency using GPS and will also be shown where the nearest defibrillator is located.

The caller is able to communicate

of unrivalled growth in the

Callers can use GoodSAM to

with the responder through the

industry, the bags have also been

send live video from the scene

app so they can speak to them en

designed to custom fit their brand

of an emergency to responders

route if necessary and send them

Having established a long

new ambulances that been have

term relationship with Jigsaw

recently added to the Jigsaw

The London Ambulance Service

Medical since their inception, SP

medical fleet. SP, Jigsaw and

is trialling a new smartphone app

Being able to administer such

Services were keen to discuss

the vehicle builder have worked

that alerts trained first responders

emergency care in the minutes

the idea of designing some new

together to ensure that all the

to nearby emergencies. The

following an incident is critical in

medical bags with them.

bags fit the new cupboard spaces

GoodSAM app uses GPS to

determining the outcome for the

this making everything more

guide qualified staff to incidents

patient: for example, somebody

efficient and safer.

where they can deliver emergency

suffering cardiac arrest is 10%

first aid before ambulance teams

less likely to survive with every

can get to the scene.

minute that passes without

Extensive discussions between senior Jigsaw Medical clinicians

live video from the scene.

and the SP Parabag development

Jigsaw Medical Director of Clinical

team regarding the content and

Services, Richard McManus

design of the bags resulted in a

stated: “We are pleased to have

In an emergency, users who

range of brand new, fully bespoke

worked so closely with a company

have downloaded the app can

bags, made specifically for Jigsaw

as reputable as SP Services

open it and press a button

Medical for use on their NHS

and we are really happy with the

to send out a notification to

contracted ambulances and RRVs.

results. We have received nothing

doctors, nurses, firefighters

but positive feedback from the

and other trained personnel

By streamlining the equipment to

ambulance teams out around

in the immediate vicinity who

only the essential items needed to

the country, and look forward

have registered themselves on

provide the very best in medical

to growing and developing our

GoodSAM as a first responder.

care, two existing SP bags were

relationship with SP and Parabag

At the same time, a 999 alert is

amalgamated into one, thereby

in the future.

sent to emergency services.

receiving CPR. Mark Wilson, GoodSAM co-founder and London Air Ambulance doctor, said: “If someone is in cardiac arrest the earlier quality CPR can be performed, the better the chance of patient survival. GoodSAM alerts nearby first responders that can go and help before the ambulance service arrives. If a defibrillator is readily available, the location of which is shown on the GoodSAM app, patients are up to six times as likely to survive.”

The London Ambulance Service has used the app 20 to 30 times a day for the last five months, the Telegraph reports, with around 7,500 users said to have registered for the service in the UK. The creators of the app, which is available on both Android and iOS, are now

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

appealing for more medically trained personnel to sign up as “responders” and to members of the public to become “alerters”.

Wilson said: “Everyone who has a smartphone has a life-saving device in their pocket. They just need to Richard McManus - Jigsaw Medical Director of Clinical Services

70 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

download the GoodSAM app in case they ever need to use it.”

LIFE CONNECTIONS IS BACK!!! NEWSLINE

Diary Date: Tuesday 18 & Wednesday 19 October 2016 Kettering Conference Centre, Kettering, Northants, NN15 6PB GREAT CHOICE-GREAT VALUE-GREAT CPD OPPORTUNITIES! Life Connections is a unique two day multiconference/workshop event that brings together delegates from many professions who are responsible for saving lives. The event is supported by a trade exhibition positioned at the hub of all conference areas which allows those in attendance to see the latest equipment and technology currently available. Over 650 delegates attended last year's event and their important feedback included the following: "I would like to thank you for another informative and interesting conference", "Many thanks for a most enjoyable/thought provoking day" and "Thank you for a very affordable experience".

TUESDAY 18 OCTOBER Paramedic Practice Conference - Professor Sir

Keith Porter, David Halliwell, Dan Cody and Amy Chan-Dominy are among this year's speakers who will be giving thought provoking presentations on a wide range of topics including: The Changing Face of Major Trauma, How Resuscitation Works, The Role of Critical Care Paramedics and Airway Management. Early Bird Offer - Book by July 29 to secure a delegate rate of £36.00 (saving £12) or pay £60.00 to also attend the Resuscitation Conference taking place the following day (saving £36.00).

EFR Conference - 100 SUBSIDISED PLACES AVAILABLE - Due to the generosity of WEL

Medical we are able to offer 100 discounted delegate places on a 'first come first served' basis, the discount being £18 per person to include lunch, tea/coffee, etc. The following topics form part of this year's programme: Enhancing the Scope of Practice for EFR's, Indirect Resources - Easing the Pressure on the NHS - Who Pays?, The Rise of the Machines.

Speakers again include Professor Sir Keith Porter, David Haliwell, Steve Pratten, etc.

Pre-Hospital Care Consultancy Ltd Essentials of Advanced Airway Management

Resuscitation Today Conference

We are delighted once again to be hosting a resuscitation conference which this year will contain a number of topical presentations including: Human Factors in End of Life Care - Implications for Education & Training, Medical Command...The Future and Paediatric Retrieval/Resuscitation, presented by Ken Spearpoint, Stuart Blatston and Amy Chan-Dominy. Early Bird Offer - Book by July 29 to secure a delegate rate of £36.00 or pay £60.00 to also attend the Paramedic Practice Conference taking place the previous day.

First Aid Conference supported by AoFA

This year's programme is again made up of presentations that will be of great interest to first aiders and first aid trainers, including: Sepsis Guidelines - Early Recognition is the Key, Minor Injury Management, How Safe is Your Home?, and Practical Management of Paediatric Emergencies.

Early Bird Offer - Book by July 29 to secure a delegate rate of £60.00

Pre-Hospital Care Consultancy Ltd NAEMT Trauma First Responder Course

This continuing education course that teaches the principles of PHTLS is ideal for first responders, EMS practitioners, etc. Topics being covered include: Airway/Oxygenation & Ventilation, Circulation and Shock, Traumatic Brain Injury & Spinal Trauma.

Only 16 places are available at a delegate rate of £96.00.

Meditech Global are running a Motorsport Medicine CPD Workshop, aimed at medics and rescue personnel involved or interested in motor sport events. The day will include: Concussion in Motorsport, Casualty Extrication - A New Way Forward, A Paramedics Life in Motorsport, The Use of Haemostatatic Dressings, etc. Speakers will include; FIA Doctors and active motor sport paramedics. Only 20 places are available at a rate £60 per person.

All prices quoted are inclusive of VAT. To secure your delegate place or to register for any of the above conferences/workshops visit www.lifeconnections.uk.com or call the organisers office on 01322 660434 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

Learn the full range of Airway Management techniques, including: The Use of Extraglotic Devices, Video Assisted Intubation and Surgical Cricothyrotomy. Only 16 places are available at a rate of £96.00 (50% below normal course costs)

WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER

71

NEWSLINE Miracle Man’ to meet medics who shocked his heart 17 times When Yvonne Ainsworth found her partner collapsed at home last September she feared the worst. After calling 999 she realised he had gone into cardiac arrest and followed the call handler’s instructions to perform compressions to try and keep him alive. Having been taught CPR a few years ago Yvonne was able to put in to practice what she had learnt to give Patrick Ewing the best chance of survival.

Ambulance crews raced to the

until we were able to stabilise him

meet the team who saved my life.

she does as well as acting as

and he was then flown straight to

What they did for me might of just

a true role model within the

Glenfield.

been part of their day job but they

organisation. Sandy Brown,

worked so hard to keep me going,

Director of Nursing and Clinical

I will forever be grateful.”

Quality said: “Tracy is full of

“By performing CPR as soon as she saw him collapse Yvonne

commitment, energy and passion

gave Patrick the best chance. Her

“It’s all very surreal” added

to all in the ambulance service.

bravery should be commended

Yvonne, “I am honoured to be

She is constantly striving to learn

for remaining calm in such a scary

able to meet the people who

and develop her own knowledge

situation.”

shared this experience with us

which she in turn shares with

and kept my partner alive. I just

colleagues. In addition, she has

want to say thank you.”

been instrumental in developing

Yvonne, from Ashwell, Oakham, had learnt CPR when a defibrillator was installed in their village. She said: “Whilst I knew I needed to pump his chest I was terrified by what was happening.

The 999 call handler (Joshua Selwood) was so calm and gave me clear instructions helping me stay in rhythm whilst reassuring me that I was doing the right thing. I couldn’t have done it

patient care.”

EEAST

ALF 2016 Awards: EEAST celebrate two winners Two staff members from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST)

without him.

including a senior manager

Patrick for over 50 minutes, using

“It is down to the call handler

awards at this year’s

a defibrillator to shock his heart

and paramedics that my Patrick

Ambulance Leadership Forum

17 times.

is alive. Some of them had just

(ALF) Awards. Head of Clinical

finished a 12 hour shift but were

Quality Tracy Nicholls won the

Paramedic Daniel Sneath was

still willing to stay with us, working

outstanding senior manager

first on scene, he said: “Patrick

on Patrick for over an hour during

award and Student Technician

was clearly a fighter. This was a

our moment of need.”

Steve Wainwright won the

emergency and took over CPR from Yvonne. They worked on

real team effort and everyone on

outstanding non-paramedic

scene worked hard to keep him

Yvonne and Patrick will met their

alive. As we were working on him

“heroes” on Wednesday 17

he continued to show signs that

February.

his heart had started but then it would stop again. We kept going

have won nationally recognised

clinician award.

Tracy was nominated following her passion for patient care

Patrick said: “I am really excited to

which is at the heart of everything

Speaking on her win, Tracy said: “A nomination in itself is amazing; I was thrilled to stand with Steve as part of EEAST. Taking two awards out of the ten is a real achievement but I have to give credit to my brilliant team who enable us to take strides forward in patient safety, effectiveness and quality.”

She added: “The Trust has staff that does an amazing job every day so I look forward to seeing them continue to raise the bar for our patients and services in every aspect.”

This year was no exception in standards for nominations, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) Managing Director Martin Flaherty OBE said: “It was a particularly high standard for nominations, but these awards are a fantastic way to recognise and commend ambulance service employees across England who have truly gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

Steve was nominated because of his dedication to educating school

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

children across Peterborough about the ambulance service.

So far, Steve has visited schools on 47 separate occasions while working for EEAST and speaking on his win, he said: “I was so proud and very honoured to be nominated, let alone win. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last three years getting to this point.”

72 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

w.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 21-22 September 2016 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 21-22 September 2016 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5

NEWSLINE xxx

xxx xxx xxx

xxx

xxx xxx xxx

xxx

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Bringing the Emergency Services together to improve public safety A unique event for everyone who works in the emergency services • Network with like-minded emergency staff • Source new kit and save money • Meet the market leaders in emergency services products • Get updated on collaboration and multi-agency plans • See the newest products on the market • Gain CPD points from our free College of Paramedic workshops • Learn from past emergency situations at the free seminars • Get up to speed on UAV technology in the Drone Zone • Watch live water rescue demo's For more information visit www.emergencyuk.com.

www.emergencyuk.com

Show supporters and sponsors include COLLEGE OF

paramedics

Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know. leading the development of the paramedic profession

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

ESS - the only show for the entire spectrum of the Emergency Services

73

NEWSLINE Ireland - Major Investment in Ambulance Service Fifty new ambulances are to

“The introduction of over

As part of the investment, a

Its Chief Executive, Robert

150 vehicles in 2015 and

further 10 intermediate care

Bertram said:

2016 is a real boost for the

vehicles, which are used for non-

ambulance service. It allows us

emergency patient transport, will

“Central Manchester has world

to replace older vehicles and

be purchased. This will increase

class hospitals and air ambulance

expand services, especially

that fleet from 50 to 60.

service, now they urgently

in non-emergency transport.

need a helipad to complete the

Moving patients from high to

Intermediate care vehicles play

emergency care triangle. Having

lower acuity facilities means

a crucial role in patient transport

a helipad on the hospital site will

of a major investment in the

that patient flow in our major

because they perform hospital

significantly reduce the amount

National Ambulance Service.

hospitals will improve, which

transfers and can carry more than

of time it takes for a seriously ill

should help to ease pressure on

one patient, freeing up emergency

patient to get to the expert care

Some €18 million in capital

our Emergency Departments,”

ambulances to respond to

they urgently need. The quicker

funding is being made available

commented the Minister for

emergency calls.

they can see a consultant, the

to the service in 2016, which

Health, Leo Varadkar.

be purchased this year as part

will allow for the purchase of the new vehicles, as well as the refurbishment of a further 35 ambulances.

better chance of survival and Meanwhile, a new rapid response vehicle will also be purchased,

vehicles ‘will also help to reduce

bringing that fleet up to 120

“Knowing that the HELP Appeal’s

costs and improve reliability’.

vehicles. These vehicles are

£1million donation will bring the

responsible for ensuring that “Our ambulances and crews

advanced life support arrives

cover enormous distances every

quickly to the scene of an

year. It is vital that we continue

accident, ‘so that sophisticated

to invest in and upgrade our

treatment can begin while the

fleet, so that our highly trained

ambulance is en route’, the

this year, ‘depending on the

paramedics can give the best

department explained.

decommissioning requirements

service they can when our

of older vehicles’.

patients need it,” he said.

According to the Department of Health, this means that the ambulance fleet should expand to 268 vehicles by the end of

making a full recovery.

He noted that replacing older

This year’s new vehicles will come on top of the 65 that were bought last year. They will be ‘spread throughout the fleet nationally, to replace vehicles which have reached the end of their life cycle and to support additional services’, the department added.

HELP Appeal donates £1million to CMFT Charity’s Helipad Appeal

CMFT Charity’s Helipad Appeal significantly closer to its goal is fantastic.”

Using the strapline, ‘Time Saves Lives’, CMFT Charity’s Helipad Appeal will enable the creation of a brand-new 24-hour access primary helicopter landing site, the first of its kind in central Manchester.

This will allow the Trust to save many more lives and will increase the chances of a full or improved level of recovery in a great many seriously ill or injured patients.

Located on the roof of the new multistorey car park on Grafton Street, the helipad will be connected to the hospitals by a high-level link bridge and roof top corridor.

Currently the hospitals on the

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

The HELP Appeal - the

central site, including Royal

only charity in the country

Manchester Children’s Hospital,

dedicated to delivering

Manchester Royal Infirmary and

helicopter landing pads at all

Saint Mary’s Hospital, rely upon

Major Trauma Centres and

a secondary landing site in a

key A&E hospitals across

nearby park. This arrangement

England and Scotland - has

means that patients initially

pledged £1 million to Central

transported by air ambulance

Manchester University

must then be transferred the

Hospitals NHS Foundation

final mile of their journey by land

Trust (CMFT) Charity’s new

ambulance. This second transfer,

helipad appeal. A huge

often undertaken on muddy or

kick start to its fundraising

uneven ground, significantly

campaign, as the donation

adds to the risk of complication,

amounts to over a quarter of

particularly in children, due to

the total funds needed.

additional handling of the patient.

74 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE A secondary transfer also adds

likely have been much increased if

that the Charity now has £2.4

precious minutes to the overall

there was a landing pad onsite at

million to raise over the next year.

transfer time with every moment’s

the Trust.

delay greatly increasing the risk to life.

Donations small or large will all 17-year old Danielle Rigby was

make a substantial difference to our

When an adult or child suffers

a patient of Royal Manchester

aim of building a 24 hour access

a major trauma, the speed with

Children’s Hospital last year

helipad. Currently, the hospitals

which they can get specialist

after being involved in a road

medical help can be the

traffic accident in her hometown

cannot receive patients by air

difference between life and

of Bolton. Suffering a near-fatal

death or between recovering

arterial bleed on the brain, Danielle

and recovering well. The first 60

was airlifted to the children’s

minutes following a major trauma

hospital via parkland one mile

or severe injury is known as the

away from the hospital. An onsite

‘Golden Hour’. Fast access to

helipad would have meant Danielle

specialist treatment is vital to give

would have arrived at the hospital

patients the best chance possible.

much sooner and would not have experienced a risky and

ambulance at night. This helipad will make a real difference to major trauma patients, and those in

To watch the appeal film visit our charity home page or watch here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xVNhcDnUsxE To donate now text HELI15 (£AMOUNT) to 70070

need of specialist treatments, from across the whole of the North West and at all times of the day.“ Mark Evans, Clinical Service Manager at the North West Air Ambulance Charity, said:

Coinciding with the HELP Appeal’s

uncomfortable secondary transfer.

donation is the launch of the

Also included in the Appeal film

Charity’s official appeal video. The

is CGI footage which visualises

seven and a half minute long film

the landing pad on top of the car

features interviews with two families

park, as well as the link bridge and

who know first-hand the benefits

corridor to the hospitals.

sites, which we often resort to

Newborn Jeremiah Oderinde was

Maurice Watkins CBE, Chairman

the hospital. Saving vital minutes

airlifted from Saint Mary’s Hospital

of Central Manchester Foundation

in transfer time may save lives,

for life-saving ventilation treatment

Trust’s Charitable Fundraising

reducing instances of death,

last Christmas. Thankfully Jeremiah

Board, says:

disability and suffering.”

however, the new-born’s transfer

“We are incredibly grateful for the

“We are fully in support of a helipad

would have been much quicker,

very generous donation from the

for CMFT as it will enhance the life-

and his chance of survival would

HELP Appeal. Its support means

saving service our charity provides.”

an on-site landing pad would have.

To learn more about the Helipad Appeal and to get involved visit www.rmchcharity.org.uk or www.cmftcharity.org.uk

“Helipads are of upmost

#TimeSavesLives @RMCHCharity The support of the Central Manchester Foundation Trust Charity means that the hospital can provide additional resources that make life easier for patients and their families who use the hospital.

importance in urban areas such as Manchester where secondary using, are not in close proximity to

is a happy and healthy baby boy

The Charity has three main areas of work: • to support research projects to improve understanding of patient’s illnesses • to help to create an environment that’s more patient-friendly • to provide state-of-the-art equipment for diagnosis and treatment.

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

75 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com

NEWSLINE Emergency First Responder Conference - 100 subsidised places available!!!

We are pleased to announce that the date of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EFR Conference has now been agreed and that, thanks to the generosity of WEL Medical we are able to offer 100 subsidised places on a first come first served basis.

The Conference is taking place at The Kettering Conference Centre, Kettering, Northants, on Tuesday 18 October and once again a number of interesting and thought provoking presentations are being given by Professor Sir Keith Porter, David Halliwell, Steve Pratten, Amy Chan-Dominy, to name but a few. The full programme can be viewed on: www.lifeconnections.uk.com.

The first 100 delegates to register will be offered a subsidised rate of just ÂŁ18.00 per person, including VAT, which represents tremendous value for money as it also includes lunch, tea/coffee, etc. Registrations and payment can be made by calling the Organisers on: 01322 660434

There have been several

call-takers mentored to improve.

interactions. What is more, it

instances where I have had

Failure to comply with the required

is possible to use this system

cause to dial the NHS non-

audit volumes could result in

as the foundation for a Quality

emergency 111 service. Each

the service losing its license to

Assurance programme.

time I spoke with someone who

operate.

It works by automatically

was well-trained, empathetic and was able to give me the

The challenge for ambulance

annotating each call with crucial

reassurance and advice I

services is the sheer number of

data, such as the call-taker ID,

needed. In recent weeks,

calls being taken. How do you

CAD number and the DX code.

reports in the media have

listen to enough of the right types

Armed with this information

profiled incidents where the

of call for any form of ongoing

the system is able to schedule

great experience I received has

audit to be meaningful? Of course

the appropriate volume of the

not been replicated, and with

they could increase the number of

right type of calls to be audited

some tragic consequences.

auditors, but that is costly and not

by highly skilled medical

scalable for the long term.

professionals.

free 24 hours a day, 365 days

Forward thinking ambulance

This approach means auditors are

a year non-emergency medical

services have tackled the problem

not selecting calls at random to

helpline is a fantastic idea, but for

by taking a close look at how

audit and are spending far less time

me the question is how such a

commercial contact centres have

looking for the needle in haystack.

large operation can be monitored

addressed similar problems.

They can replay and review calls

to maintain quality standards

These contact centres have

and implement mentoring for those

and instil public confidence? The

seen the financial, operational

who need it most, and closely

answer may already exist in the

and customer service rewards of

monitor the improvement. What is

work being done by ambulance

managing calls more efficiently

more, the technology also makes

services that have adopted the

and effectively. They have become

it possible for them to not only

NHS Pathways Performance

highly adept at monitoring the

listen to each call, but also view

Framework for quality assurance.

quality of their agents (call-

the corresponding images from

Undoubtedly, the concept of a

takers), in environments where

the call-takers screen, to ensure

This framework obliges

extremely high call volumes are

what was said correlates with

ambulance services to complete

commonplace.

the process steps required to appropriately handle that type

huge numbers of audits

of call.

each month, to evaluate the

You might be surprised to learn

performance of call-takers in how

that ambulance services and

they handle the diverse array of

contact centres (in fact most

In 2015 the NHS 111 service

calls received. The idea is that

emergency services) use very

handled more than 30,000 calls

aspect of under-performance

similar call recording systems

every day, so finding consistently

can be quickly identified and

to capture and store their

under-performing call-takers, or broken processes is more

or register online at:

akin to looking for a needle in a

www.lifeconnections.uk.com.

field of haystacks. By adopting

Those registering online, will

this innovative new approach to

receive an invoice which must be paid by Friday July 29, should

Quality Assurance it would make

no payment be received by this

it possible for those running the

date your place will be offered to

111 service to implement an

someone else.

audit process whereby every call-taker, from the newest to the

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

We look forward to welcoming

most experienced, is subject

you to Life Connections 2016

to the same level of scrutiny.

where we feel sure you will have a

Call-takers that need attention

rewarding time.

are provided with mentoring and the organisation can constantly ensure that it is providing the right

Giving NHS 111 an Assurance of Quality

training, resources and process to help them help those who really need it.

Author: Jamie Wilson, NICE www.nice.com

Systems

76 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE WAA

Outline plans for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s new home are granted

a Reserved Matters Planning

our helicopter our paramedics,

Application to Wiltshire Council.

who have advanced medical skills, can also respond to

Kevin Reed, Head of Operations

emergencies such as road traffic

at WAA, said: “We are delighted

collisions, heart attacks and

to have received Outline

strokes in a Rapid Response

Planning Permission from

Vehicle (car).

Wiltshire Council. We searched

AN Outline Planning

“The Outmarsh Farm site will enable us to have full control over the land and be future proof. It is centrally located in Wiltshire which would enable our helicopter to reach all parts of the county within 11 minutes.”

for over a year to find the

“Now we will work on the

most suitable site to build our

detailed design of our new home

new home and we carried out

and information on the public

extensive public consultation

consultation we will undertake

before we submitted our Outline

will be announced in due

Planning Application.

course.”

“The Outmarsh Farm site will

Currently the helicopter and

enable us to have full control

aircrew are based at a hangar at

over the land and be future

Wiltshire Police Headquarters in

to raise £1 million through a

one site for the first time.

proof. It is centrally located in

Devizes, while the charity team

Capital Appeal. The remainder

Wiltshire which would enable

is based at offices on Porte

will be funded by a private

The Outline Planning Application

our helicopter to reach all

Marsh Industrial Estate, Calne.

benefactor, who wishes to

received no objections. The next

parts of the county within 11

The lease on the hangar runs

remain anonymous.

stage for WAA is to undertake

minutes. As Melksham does

out on 31 December 2017 and

further public consultation

not have an ambulance station,

the lease on the offices runs out

WAA’s Outline Planning

to obtain the views of local

we believe that Wiltshire Air

at the end of January 2018.

Application can be viewed online

people and stakeholders on

Ambulance would provide

the proposed design of the

enhanced medical cover for the

The new home will cost up to

reference number is:

new home, before submitting

area. As well as responding in

£4 million, of which WAA hopes

15/10766/OUT

Application to build a new home for Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) has been granted by Wiltshire Council.

The new home, on land at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, near Melksham, will bring together WAA’s helicopter, aircrew and charity team onto

at www.wiltshire.gov.uk and the

on et re el.n mo erj ad at Re w.w ww AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

Professional burn care, anywhere - anytime!

77 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.

NEWSLINE Secondary Schools Invited to Sign Up for Free Life-saving Lesson on Restart a Heart Day 2016 and the Chance to Win a Defibrillator!

Big-hearted Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust is inviting secondary schools across the county to sign up for a free life-saving lesson.

Following on from the success of Restart a Heart Day 2014 and 2015, when more than 31,000 youngsters at 137 secondary schools received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, the event will be repeated again this year on Tuesday 18 October 2016.

Hundreds of ambulance staff and volunteers will be available on Restart a Heart Day to teach youngsters what to do if they come across someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest - your actions can mean the difference

Resuscitation Manager for

“That’s why we’re determined to

TASC Chairman Cliff Randall,

Yorkshire Ambulance Service,

create a Nation of Lifesavers and

Trustees Roy Norris and Mik

said: “Restart a Heart Day is

our partnership with Yorkshire

Webb and Director of Support

becoming a well-established date

Ambulance Service has brought

Services Jean Hayes attended the

on Yorkshire’s calendar as a time

us one step closer to this goal.

annual conference at the Hinckley

when thousands of youngsters

This will be the third year we

Island Hotel for senior ambulance

learn how to save the life of a

have worked together to train

staff and their colleagues from the

loved one or a stranger who is

thousands of children in CPR on

NHS and academic institutions to

suffering a cardiac arrest.

Restart a Heart Day and we have

network and hear presentations

no doubt that this year’s event will

about topics affecting the UK’s

“Many people don’t realise that

mean thousands more potential

ambulance service leaders.

if someone suffers a cardiac

lifesavers are walking the streets.”

Over 200 delegates attended the

arrest in front of a bystander, who immediately starts CPR before the

If your school would like to take

two-day event which included a

arrival of the ambulance service,

part in the event on Tuesday 18

gala dinner and charity auction

their chances of survival double.

October 2016, you can register

with £1,385 raised for TASC from

at http://www.restartaheart.

the generous guests.

“Currently in the UK, bystanders only get involved in doing CPR in

yas.nhs.uk. The deadline for applications is 29 April 2016.

2016 Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF)

tickets for a future Wasps match

appeal to as many secondary

An auction at the UK’s

iPad Mini featuring the brand

schools as possible to take part

leading conference for senior

new ‘iCPG’ 2016 Ambulance

in Restart a Heart Day 2016 and

ambulance personnel raised

Clinical Practice Guidelines app

enable our staff and volunteers to

nearly £1,500 for a Coventry-

generously donated by Class

pass on their skills to pupils who

based charity.

Professional Publishing, a limited

to 73% in Norway where the survival rate is considerably higher. The evidence in favour of members of the public learning CPR is obvious. So we would

for life.”

limited edition Maglite torches from SP Services.

(ALF) for the first time since they

Yorkshire Ambulance Service

Council (UK), the British Heart

were formed last March.

pupils will be invited to take part

Rover Community Relations, an

Charity, attended the 2016 conjunction with the Resuscitation

incentive to enroll, all participating

two guests from Jaguar Land

Fine Art Publications and two

Ambulance Leadership Forum

your school now! As an added

Tour and Experience Day for

TASC, The Ambulance Services

The event has been organised in

hugely popular event so register

at the Ricoh Arena, a Land Rover

edition aviation print from SWA

will then have this valuable skill

between life and death.

anticipates it will again be a

The charity obtained a number of prizes including two hospitality

43% of cardiac arrests, compared

The TASC team also signed-up a number of new supporters for

Foundation, which provides the equipment free of charge as

The UK-wide charity helps to

TASC to continue raising the

part of its Nation of Lifesavers

provide vital advice and support

profile of the UK’s only charity

campaign, and St John

services to both serving and retired

solely focused on those working

Ambulance, to give thousands of

ambulance staff and their families.

in the ambulance industry.

in a poster competition and

schoolchildren the skills they need

the winner will receive a Zoll

to help save a life.

defibrillator for their school!

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive Currently in the UK, less than one

at the British Heart Foundation,

(8.6%) in ten people survive a

said:

cardiac arrest. The British Heart AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

Foundation (BHF) predicts that if

“The UK is a dangerous place to

the UK achieved the same survival

be if you are one of the 30,000

rates of countries like Norway

people who has a cardiac arrest

(25%), where CPR is taught in

outside of hospital this year. Less

schools, an additional 100 lives

than one in ten people survive

could be saved each week - the

- partly because too few people

equivalent of approximately 5,000

have the skills and confidence

every year.

to perform CPR and not enough defibrillators are available in

Organiser Jason Carlyon,

public places.

From the left, Jean Hayes, Roy Norris, Mik Webb and Cliff Randall from TASC at the 2016 Ambulance Leadership Forum

78 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE Cliff said: “There is no doubt

Ken Wenman, the chief executive

hotzone of incidents. The types

forward were first and foremost,

this is a challenging time for

of the South Western Ambulance

of incidents they could be called

excellent paramedics. However,

ambulance personnel because

Service NHS Foundation Trust and

upon to work in include:

to get through this initial round of

of the demand on the service

Hilary Pillin, who is a consultant in

and the presentations at the

healthcare response.

ropes

conference certainly provided some lively debates.

our other supporters, is vital in ensuring we provide the support

Leadership Forum was an

colleagues need in times of crisis,

ideal opportunity to spread the

bereavement, severe difficulty or

message further about our work

urgent need.”

among senior personnel in the

continue making a difference.

Putting their ‘HART’ into it

“The proceeds from the auction

For over 30 members of staff

will help TASC to provide grants

were given a small insight into

for rehabilitation services to

what could be a new career in

help those recovering from

the ambulance service.

a significant amount of money to

work-related injuries, long-term

fit, determined, up for working in a team, supportive and not afraid to show leadership when required.

“Their backing, along with all

“Attending the Ambulance

ambulance sector as well as raise

selection they also needed to be • Safe working at height using

• Within confined spaces such as collapsed buildings

“We were very pleased with just how well prepared the

• CBRN-E (chemical, biological,

candidates were – it was a very

radiological, nuclear and

positive day. Thank you to

explosives) incidents

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council for allowing us to use

• Wide area flooding

the facilities at Himley Hall.

• Within the warm zone of

“We will be whittling the numbers

firearms incidents

down with a view to interviewing the successful candidates, if they

• Infectious diseases

get through that then they can begin a three month intensive

The staff who were trying to get

training package before they can

illnesses or surgery, provide

The paramedics were all vying

selected had to go through a

really start to learn as part of the

support to help people suffering

for places on the latest training

number of tests at Himley Hall

active HART teams.

with stress and Post Traumatic

course to be come a member of

in Dudley. These included a 2

Stress Disorder following

the Hazardous Area Response

mile run, swimming 20m in a

“Overall, we were delighted

traumatic incidents at work, and

Team (HART).

dry suit, helmet gloves and with

by the quality of staff and it

a floatation device, a detailed

will not be easy to pick the

HART teams provide paramedic

clinical assessment and an

successful candidates Whilst

“We signed-up a number of

care to patients within a

exercise that involved working as

we will be picking only a few to

new supporters during the

hazardous environment that

a team.

go forward, everyone who took

conference including Dr Anthony

would otherwise be beyond the

Marsh, chief executive of West

reach of NHS care. This includes

HART Manager, James Price said:

efforts; they are a credit to the

Midlands Ambulance Service,

working within the inner cordon or

“The staff that put themselves

paramedic profession.”

bereavement support.

part should be proud of their

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

79 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com

NEWSLINE to the PEPPOL e-procurement

Northern General Hospital’s helipad appeal receives over £1million from the ‘HELP Appeal’

community, is currently involved

The HELP Appeal – the only

* ‘Operational productivity and

charity in the UK dedicated

performance in English NHS

to funding the construction

acute hospitals: Unwarranted

of hospital helipads– has

variations - An independent

made another huge donation

report for the Department of

of £50,000 towards Northern

Health’, Lord Carter of Coles.

in a project to roll out PEPPOL to an NHS Trust and its suppliers that will act as a demonstration of PEPPOL’s benefits – which includes eliminating unwarranted variations in procurement.”

General Hospital’s helipad, bringing it ever closer to its final

EEAST

target of £2million.

Over the past two years, the HELP Appeal has raised over £1 million

closer to achieving our fundraising

across all of the main resource

– over half of the total amount

target for our helipad appeal.

areas of English NHS acute

needed - for the ‘Saving Time,

Ambulance service welcomes national staff survey results

hospitals. As an example in

The region’s ambulance service

Saving Lives’ appeal launched

Sheffield Hospitals Charity are still

procurement, his report* found

has welcomed improved results

by the Sheffield Hospitals Charity,

raising funds towards the helipad

that “the average price paid for

in the annual NHS staff survey.

which has been dedicated

and we hope to conclude the

hip prosthesis varies from £788 to

to building the much needed

appeal during 2016. We are at a

£1590, and trusts buying the most

More than 1,400 staff in the East

helipad.

critical stage in the project and I’d

are not paying the lowest price”.

completed questionnaires and

like to urge anybody who can, to

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of

get behind our appeal and help

One of the report’s

today, reveal that overall staff

the HELP Appeal said:

us to fund this vital development.”

recommendations to tackle

engagement (3.44) was better

variation is that all trusts commit

than the national average for

‘We feel very passionate about

to the Department of Health’s

ambulance trusts (3.39) and had

NHS Procurement Transformation

improved on the East of England

Programme (PTP). This includes

Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s

prioritising the role of procurement

(EEAST) 2014 score of 3.17.

this project and are very excited that construction is nearing completion. Our grant will go towards supporting the costs for this helipad, which will serve patients across South Yorkshire,

Data Interchange endorses Carter Report on NHS procurement efficiency

Derbyshire and East Midlands.

the 2015 findings, published

and enhancing current purchase to pay systems. Adopting Pan

It also scored higher than average

European Public Procurement

for staff motivation and more

Online (PEPPOL) standards is an

respondents recommended the

important part of this.

service as a place to work or

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

David Eyes, Head of Business

‘The HELP Appeal has been

Development at B2B integration

involved from the very beginning

solutions provider, Data

David Eyes said: “PEPPOL

– committing £1million at the very

Interchange, enthusiastically

technology is not ground

Some of the improvements in the

start of this life saving project,

welcomes and supports the

breaking; it has been tried,

2015 staff survey:

through to seeing the first building

findings of the Carter Review,

tested and proven in retail and

work taking place in June 2015.

published on 5 February 2016,

automotive sectors. Moreover,

Having this new helipad will make

which says hospitals can save

NHS Trusts benefit from lessons

their job increased from 56% to

a huge difference to critically ill

money and improve care by

learned in these sectors. PEPPOL

71%

patients in the region.’

standardising procedures,

enables the NHS to take down

being more transparent and

the barriers and introduce an

• The percentage of staff looking

David Reynolds, Director of

working more closely with

interoperable network to allow

forward to going to work rose

Sheffield Hospital’s Charity said:

neighbouring NHS trusts.

the NHS to become a global

from 42% to 56%

receive treatment.

• Staff feeling enthusiastic about

purchasing service. Data

“We’d like to say a huge thank

Asked to carry out the review by

Interchange, which received one

you to the HELP Appeal for their

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt,

of the first UK-based PEPPOL

related stress (48% compared

very generous donations. Thanks

Lord Coles found a significant

Access Point certifications,

with 51% in 2014 and national

to their support we are now even

amount of unwarranted variation

providing customers with access

average of 49%)

80 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

• Decrease in staff suffering work

NEWSLINE • 89% agreed their role makes a difference to patients

http://www.nhsstaffsurveys. com/Caches/Files/NHS_staff_ survey_2015_RYC_full.pdf

errors or near misses (35% compared with 42% in 2014) • More staff recommending the Trust as a place to work or receive treatment (3.39 compared to 3.04 in 2014 and 3.26 national average) • Staff motivation at work has increased from 3.39 to 3.71 with the national average for

NWAS

immediate managers (3.36 compared with 3.11 last year) • Increase in staff reporting good communication between senior

The donated defibrillators are

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has welcomed a £40,000 donation by a Preston based family charitable trust, who offered to meet the funding costs for a Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV).

Manager for Lancashire, said: “A big

Following a meeting with NWAS Community Fundraiser Kevin Hookham, the anonymous donor agreed to fund four community defibrillators and pay for the leasing costs of an RRV for a period of four years.

management and staff (22% compared with 15% in 2014 and 16% national average) However, more staff said they were working extra hours and there was an increase in the percentage of staff who said they

their best option was to sponsor

Newly donated vehicle ready to save lives in Preston

ambulance trusts at 3.69 • Improvement in support from

Cardiac Smart Team they decided an RRV and defibrillators.

• Decrease in percentage of staff witnessing potentially harmful

working closely with the Trust’s

The RRV goes will be operated by a fully trained paramedic responding to patients with life-threatening conditions in the Preston area. The unnamed family charitable trust was keen to sponsor an NWAS vehicle and

set to be placed on community buildings around Preston.

Graham Curry, NWAS Sector thank you from NWAS to the family

“A big thank you from NWAS to the family trust for their incredible donation.”

trust for their incredible donation.

This is the first vehicle we have had donated to the Service here in

This is a great example of two

Lancashire and I’ve no doubt it will

organisations working together to

make a huge contribution to saving

increase the number of resources

lives in Preston.

on our roads in Preston and the Trust is very grateful for the

Kevin Hookham said: “I’m absolutely

family’s kindness.”

delighted with this extremely generous donation from our

Donations can make a huge

anonymous donor. It’s great to work

difference to the Service and

in partnership with a family charitable

provide the Trust with additional

trust that wants to put something

resources to save lives. If you

back into their community in order to

or your business would like to

help local people.

make a donation please contact our Chain of Survival Community

“There was a range of options

Fundraiser Kevin Hookham on

on the table, but the donors were

Kevin.Hookham@nwas.nhs.uk or

very keen to sponsor a vehicle

visit the team’s website at http://

at £8,500 per year, along with

www.cardiacsmart.nwas.nhs.uk/

the defibrillators at £1,500 each.

fundraising/

had experienced physical violence from patients.

Ruth McAll, Interim Director of HR, said: “More staff took part in the 2015 NHS Staff survey than the previous year, and we can take away many positives from the result. However, we have lots more to do and therefore we will be asking managers and staff to develop an action plan to address some of the issues the survey raised. We want this action plan to be owned by each department AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

to ensure the right things are addressed and completed. The Board have recently accepted our new people and culture strategy, which puts staff at the centre of our visions and values and the vital contributions they make to our success.”

To read the full report, visit:

From the left, Kevin Hookham, NWAS Community Fundraiser, Graham Curry, NWAS Sector Manager for Lancashire and Cheryl Pickstock, NWAS Chain of Survival lead for Lancashire.

81 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.

NEWSLINE their career as paramedics in

First students on unique degree enter final year The first cohort of students studying a unique Paramedic degree, developed to meet the diverse needs of the changing NHS workforce, have entered the final year of their programme.

Teesside University’s BSc (Hons)

organisations across the NHS. The degree is unique as, unlike similar courses, it is an entry-level qualification for students who do not necessarily have any prior experience of paramedic work. It has been developed to provide for the future needs of the profession and graduates will be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, the professional regulator for paramedics.

Paramedic Practice degree

The degree, which welcomed

Programme Leader Mark Nevins

Teesside University’s School

was developed by stakeholders

its first cohort of students in

said: “We’ve worked closely with

of Health & Social Care has

such as NHS employers,

January 2014, was developed

the regulatory body and wider

equipped classrooms with state-

current practitioners and their

to reflect a growing desire

professional partners to develop

of-the-art equipment, including

professional body, the College

within the profession for a more

a degree which will prepare

a fully equipped ambulance,

paramedics who are fit for the

of Paramedics, to provide a

academic approach and wider

to ensure that the 50 students

future needs of the profession.

professional qualification for

skills base in non-traditional

per year who study the degree

areas such as GP surgeries

undergraduates who will be able

have all the skills and knowledge

and emergency departments,

“Skills training is, naturally, very

to meet the changing needs of

they need to begin a career as a

as well ambulances, to provide

important and trauma training

the NHS workforce and pursue

paramedic.

a wider base for paramedic

still plays a key role but with

education and an expanding

more care being required to

career pathway.

be delivered at home and the increased demands on

The three year degree takes a

Emergency Departments our

holistic approach to paramedic

students are getting the broadest

education rather than simply

based experience to meet those

focusing on trauma and critical

challenges ahead.”

emergencies which was the focus of traditional in-house

“However, with this degree we

ambulance training.

also wanted to look at the theory of being a paramedic and explore

It looks at the many different

professional issues such as care

skills paramedics are expected

and compassion and putting the

to master in the 21st century

service users first.”

in order to cater for the needs of the patient and become true

For more information about the

community paramedics.

BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practice

Students spend time on

offered by Teesside University visit

placements in GP surgeries and

degree and other qualifications www.tees.ac.uk

hospitals as well as ambulances to learn the core skills of how to AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

assess, manage, treat and refer patients.

AoFAQ supporting Association of First Aiders Membership!

They also learn how to make decisions such as whether a

As an outwardly looking

patient can remain at home or

organisation AoFAQualifications

be sent to hospital or referred to

fully understand that first aid

another healthcare professional

for most training providers

in the community to continue

can form only a part of their

their care at home.

business. To promote quality

82 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE in training, AoFAQ produce

and car crash one day and

Veterans Foundation, was awarded

qualifications for Trainers,

a house fire the next – it’s no

a CBE in the New Year’s Honours

surprise personnel have been

List for his charitable work.

Assessors and Internal Quality Assurers along with supporting

Simon Weston Leamington talk

known to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder.

materials such as Scheme of

His commitment to providing ongoing support is part of TASC’s

Works, Assessment papers

A prominent UK figure and

and trainer presentation

British Army veteran has

“Ambulance staff do an incredible

general profile-building of the

powerpoints.

pledged his patronage to a

job of supporting the public

charity to raise awareness of the

national ambulance charity.

tirelessly week in, week out, and

support available for ambulance

they deserve recognition and

service personnel and their

support in return.

families too.

AoFAQ as a big and welcoming plus for AoFA Training Provider

Simon Weston CBE, a former

members are offering 50% off

soldier who fought in the

on their First Aid and 25% off

Falklands War and was left

“TASC provides a fantastic service

Cliff Randall, Chairman of TASC,

on their Health & Safety Training

severely burned when his

which in the short time since

said: “We are delighted to have

PowerPoints. The EFAW for

troopship was hit by Argentine

being established is already doing

someone of such esteemed and

example, is just £60 which

aircraft and set alight, announced

much to ensure there is help at

honourable standing as Simon

his patronage to TASC (The

hand for ambulance personnel –

Weston as our patron.

Ambulance Services Charity) at a

whether that is advice, emotional

talk in Warwickshire.

support, access to rehabilitation,

“The UK Ambulance Service

or even financial help.

receives over 10 million 999

consists of 120 professionally designed slides mapped against the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements. You can even re-brand PowerPoints with your own logo. It’s not just restricted to first aid, but includes health and safety and educational qualifications.

Feedback from our existing centres love our PowerPoints, not only does it make training easier and more engaging but equally important it maintains standards which has got to be good for our industry.

AoFAQ normally only offer these professionally designed PowerPoints and lesson plans to their Centres but since opening the shop they have decided to offer these to all training providers.

Have a look now at our new store, “shop.AoFAQualifications.org”.

All PowerPoints have been updated to the latest UK

calls a year and employs 70,000

The Coventry-based charity was established last year and helps

“Being rescued and requiring the

people across the NHS and

to provide vital advice, support

help of the emergency services has

private sectors which underlines

and a range of services to serving

altered the way I think about things,

how much we rely on their help.

and retired ambulance staff, their

and it is my honour to continue to

families and dependents.

support The Ambulance Services

“With Simon giving the charity

Charity as patron.

his high-profile support, we

The public speaker has a

look forward to continuing to

history of supporting the cause

“I am looking forward to raising

developing and raising awareness

after having been patron

the profile of the charity and

of TASC as we work with

of the Ambulance Services

supporting them in any way I can

ambulance services personnel

Benevolent Fund – the charity

– it’s certainly a cause that I am

across the UK.”

which preceded TASC – and at

committed to backing.”

his show in Leamington, Simon

If you would like to support or

raised awareness of TASC and

Simon, who also lends his

find out more information about

its important work at the charity’s

backing to a number of other

the charity, please contact 02477

stand at the Royal Spa Centre.

causes including Care After

987922 or visit:

Combat and The Falklands

www.TheASC.org.uk

“What we know about the ambulance service personnel is that they provide an essential service which saves lives every single day of every year,” Simon said.

“And yet, in comparison to other emergency services, much of their work goes under the radar.

Resuscitation Council changes. encounter is rightly recognised and

www.aofaqualifications.org

supported, yet ambulance service

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

“The distress that soldiers For more information go to:

personnel are often expected to Email: customersupport@

deal with their experiences with

aofaqualifications.org

little support in terms of helping them handle their experiences.

Call our Operations department on 01908 610093 who will be

“It’s a heck of a thing when you

pleased to assist.

can be dealing with an assault

Simon Weston, who has joined TASC (The Ambulances Services Charity) as patron, with Jean Hayes and Jenny Armour from TASC.

83 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com

IN PERSON another positive step as we look to put in place

News

Trust appoints new Deputy Medical Director

a stable and permanent leadership team that will drive forward patient care.”

The appointment follows the announcement in

The ambulance service’s stride towards

January of Lindsey Stafford-Scott as Director

a stable and permanent leadership team

of People and Culture, who will join in April,

continues with the appointment of a deputy

and Kevin Smith as Director of Finance and

medical director.

Commissioning. Dr Davis will work alongside interim Medical Director Dr Andy Carson whilst

Dr Tom Davis will join the East of England

the Trust looks to recruit a permanent Medical

Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) on

Director.

Monday (29th February).

News

A practicing GP, Tom joins from NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) where he was the Primary Care Transformation Lead. Tom has a broad range of NHS experience having worked for CCGs, NHS 111, GP practices and hospitals.

ShowMed appoint new Director Northampton based event medical provider ShowMed has made a new appointment to their Executive Team.

Andrew Howes formerly Lead Nurse at Peterborough City Hospital will join the UK’s leading supplier of medical cover to the events industry in June as Director of Clinical Care and Training. Andrew who has worked for the company for 9 years as a Senior Nurse will lead on all operational matters for the company.

Andrew said “ShowMed have always been a very professional company with outstanding clinical standards. Having worked for them as a Pre-Hospital Care Nurse I am relishing this challenge to move onto the next level. I will be looking at different models of service delivery at events and shaping the future of training at mass gatherings.”

Tom said he was “delighted” to be taking on the role: “I look forward to meeting as many of the staff as possible over the coming months. Already I have met members of the organisation who have inspired me with their passion, dedication and enthusiasm to do the best for the patients they serve. As the NHS faces a challenging time it is vital we promote the excellent care and experience AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

patients receive on a daily basis. I am certain that together we can build on this and aspire to make EEAST a leading mobile healthcare provider in the future look NHS.” The Trust’s Chief Executive Robert Morton said: “I am delighted that Tom is joining our service.

Tom brings a wealth of skills and experience which will help us as we transition to different ways of working and treating patients. This is

“ShowMed has been at the forefront of providing emergency care at sporting and music events for the past 16 years and is leading the way amongst CQC registered private providers in its use of technology systems to deliver care; so I am keen to be bringing my experiences to the table.”

Allan Withers, Managing Director at ShowMed said “We are very pleased to have Andrew on board to assist us with our plans both in terms of business growth and service delivery.”

ShowMed was formed in 2000 by Allan Withers; a former Ambulance Service Manager and Paramedic. The company has provided medical cover at concerts across the UK by major bands such as Foo Fighters, The Prodigy, Swedish House Mafia, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna, and many more.

From 2006 to 2008 the company was the

sole medical provider at Wembley National Stadium. Currently, ShowMed are contracted to the Ricoh Arena, West Bromwich Albion, SSE Arena in London, Lancashire County Cricket Club and The Royal Albert Hall to provide medical cover at all their events.

Currently Showmed has 275 staff ranging from Doctors, Paramedics, Nurses through to first aid staff.

News

London Ambulance Service appoints new Medical Director London Ambulance Service is pleased to announce that Dr Fenella Wrigley has been appointed Medical Director following a national recruitment process.

Fenella has been undertaking the role on an interim basis since January 2015. Prior to that Fenella was Deputy Medical Director, having joined the Service in 2008 as Director for Control Services.

Chief Executive, Dr Fionna Moore, said: “Fenella brings a wealth of clinical experience from both the pre hospital setting and as an A&E consultant. She is committed and passionate about providing the best possible patient outcomes for Londoners.

“We are delighted Fenella has accepted this role on a permanent basis.”

Fenella will continue to work clinically one day a week as a consultant in emergency medicine for Barts Health NHS Trust.

She said: “It is a privilege to work as part of the NHS both at London Ambulance Service and for Barts Health.

“The Service has had a challenging year and it is vital we continue we continue to promote excellent care and patient experience, develop all of our staff and work closely with stakeholders and the wider NHS. “I look forward to working together to continue to improve our clinical outcomes and develop our role as a leading mobile healthcare provider.”

Fenella led on the development of urgent care within the London Ambulance Service, overseeing the introduction of a Clinical Hub in the control room. Staffed by clinicians it provides clinical support to ambulance crews at the scene as well as telephone treatment for patients.

84 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

IN PERSON AAA News

Hanna Sebright Becomes Chair of Influential and Dynamic AAA Board of Directors The Association of Air Ambulances (AAA) is delighted to announce that Hanna Sebright was duly appointed as the new Chairman of the Association at their Annual General Meeting held on Monday 7 March 2016.

A large gathering of representatives from across the European HEMS sector, attended the AGM which saw former Chairman Bill Sivewright hand over his reign to Hanna after a three year period in charge.

Steve Wheaton, Assistant Chief of West Midlands Ambulance Service was also appointed Vice Chair, with Paula Martin, CEO of Cornwall Air Ambulance and Andy Moir, Head of Air Ambulance Service of Scottish Ambulance Service being appointed to the Board of Directors of the AAA. Clive Dickin National Director commented: “The AAA represents the majority of air ambulance charities and NHS ambulance services in the UK, this representation is possible through democratic process and it’s a real privilege to have such a dynamic and influential Board to work with.”

Following the AGM, the Association held its quarterly Members’ Forum and provided attendees with important updates on a range of key topics.

Before signing off, Bill highlighted some of the Association’s achievements and explained how 2015 had been a great year for patients due to amazing developments in pre-hospital care, the procurement of more advanced equipment, better governance and the sharing of knowledge of members. He subsequently described how the Association had become a conduit in representing the sector and listed the numerous successes, making it the most successful year yet.

Nigel Hare, Vice Chair of the AAA Operational Subcommittee gave a thorough and detailed review of the scheduled roll-out of the ESMC / Ambulance Radio Programme and explained the importance of member’s engagement with all parties involved. Nick Campion, Independent Secretary to the Judges, provided some really informative hints and tips on how to submit a good entry into the AAA Awards of Excellence and encouraged people to think about their entries now.

Bill Said: “Over the past four years, it has been my privilege to hold the position of Vice Chair and then Chair. Although I cannot claim the credit, I look with pride on what we have achieved during that time. We have seen our Association truly come of age and the recognition by key Government departments has helped us secure funding and significant influence with both national and international regulatory bodies.”

Clive Dickin, AAA National Director talked about the All Party Parliamentary Group for Air Ambulances (APPGAA), giving key dates for 2016 and providing an update on the lobbying of Government. Other topics were covered including the benefit of membership affinities, structure and personnel changes within the AAA Subcommittees and future plans for National Air Ambulance Week.

News

Trust Chair re-appointed to drive further service improvements The NHS Trust Development Authority (NHS TDA) has confirmed the re-appointment of Sarah Boulton as Chair of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) for a further three years.

Sarah joined the Trust as Chair in March 2014, having worked at NHS Board level for many years. Prior to this she was Chair of NHS Midlands and East Strategic Health Authority.

Sarah has a background in business and finance having worked as a business and management lecturer and more recently as a management consultant advising on strategy, change and board development.

Sarah said, “When I joined two years ago the Trust was at the start of a turnaround process.

The progress the service has made over the last two years has been impressive despite the current pressures on the service. Whilst there is still more work to be done, I would like to thank all the staff and managers for their dedication and commitment to improving patient care.”

She continued, “This is an exciting time to be in the ambulance service as we look at how we can deliver more care in the community, further develop the clinical skills of our staff and make positive cultural changes within the service.”

Mark Cubbon, Portfolio Director at the NHS Trust Development Authority, said: “We are delighted that Sarah has been re-appointed as Chair of East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Since Sarah has been in post, she has supported the Trust to deliver good quality patient care for the local community and we look forward to continuing to work with Sarah in the future.”

Non-executive appointments to NHS Trusts made by the NHS TDA are subject to the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

YAS News

Chairman steps down after six successful years

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

Sarah Boulton has been appointed from 10 March 2016 until 9 March 2018.

Ms Della Cannings QPM announces she will step down from her role as Chairman

85 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.

IN PERSON of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) on 9 May 2016 after six years at the helm. This will allow for the NHS Trust Development Authority to start a recruitment process for a new Chairman.

Sir Peter Carr CBE, Chair of the NHS Trust Development Authority, said: “The Trust has made substantial progress in the face of difficult challenges and Della’s strong leadership of the Board has helped direct these changes for the benefit of patients.

“The NHS is indebted to her for the significant personal contribution she has made and giving her time and expertise to Yorkshire Ambulance Service and the wider ambulance community.

“The ambulance service and the community it serves owe a debt of gratitude to her for her dedicated work.”

The Chief Executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Rod Barnes, said: “Della has been an inspirational and tirelessly hard-working Chairman who leaves behind a legacy of considerable success and achievement.

“She has changed the culture of the organisation for the better and redefined our relationship with our local, regional and national partners in the NHS, other emergency services and, most crucially, with patients and local communities.

“On behalf of the rest of the Board and the wider organisation, I would like to thank Della for the major contribution she has made to Yorkshire Ambulance Service over the past six years and wish her well for the future.”

AMBULANCE UK - APRIL

Under her leadership, the past six years have seen major advances at Yorkshire Ambulance Service. The performance of the Trust has improved considerably across a broad range of quality indicators, and has achieved and sustained financial stability. Measured against a range of key indicators, including emergency response times, the Trust is amongst those in the top performing quartile of ambulance services across the country. She has led the modernisation and diversification of services, including the expansion of services such as NHS 111 and West Yorkshire Urgent Care, updating of estate, fleet and increased use of technology and greater integration with the wider health economy and with other emergency services.

The expansion of involvement with volunteer Community First Responders, a marked increase in the provision of community Public Access Defibrillators, the creation of the YAS Forum to ensure closer working with

the 5000+ membership of the Trust and the delivery of Restart a Heart to 30,000+ schoolage children are just a few of the initiatives under her leadership.

care and compassion that I see in colleagues here each day. All the people who work here make a great difference to the lives of so many Londoners and will continue to do so.

Della has also been a Board member and the Chairman of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) Council.

I am handing over to Heather Lawrence whose experience within the NHS and at Monitor will be of huge benefit to the Service. I wish everyone at the Service every success in the future. I have recently taken up the role of Commanding Officer of the Engineer and Logistic Staff Corps (advisors to the MoD) but I will always look back and remember my time here with pride and affection.”

The AACE Chairman, Dr Anthony Marsh, said: “Della has done an outstanding job and has made a huge contribution to the ambulance sector in our country for which she should feel rightly proud.”

Della Cannings QPM said: “Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) is a vital portal for the public to access and receive health services and the most important thing is that our communities receive high quality services.

It is our frontline and support employees who ensure these are delivered – I thank all the staff for the excellent care they provide, often in challenging circumstances with ever increasing demands. I have been privileged to be alongside such caring staff exhibiting high quality clinical skills that are supported by such a variety of experienced staff.

“I am proud to have been part of the organisational transformation of YAS and positioning it to undertake the next stage of change with regards to increasing integration of services across health and social care and with other agencies, taking forward a challenging estates modernisation programme and increasing its effectiveness and efficiency.”

News

Service Chairman Richard Hunt to leave at end of financial year Chairman Richard Hunt CBE, has announced that he will be leaving the Service at the end of the financial year on 31 March 2016, after seven years in the role. Heather Lawrence OBE, has been appointed by the NHS Trust Development Authority to take up the post from the beginning of April. Richard said: “It has been a great privilege to have been the Chairman of The London Ambulance Service and I offer my sincere thanks to all colleagues across the Service, for their hard work and support to me over the past seven years. We have been through some difficult times recently, but I believe that we are now seeing progress and improvements for both patients and our people. I am incredibly proud to have been part of the Service, and of the

86 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

Chief Executive, Dr Fionna Moore, MBE added: “Richard has made an exceptional contribution to the Service and has been incredibly supportive towards everyone who works here, and especially to me, as the new Chief Executive. He will be greatly missed. We look forward to welcoming Heather, her knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we focus on improving our Service to patients”.

Heather Lawrence brings with her over 40 years of frontline NHS experience from being a nurse, to running one of the most successful trusts in the country. Heather is currently a non-executive director at Monitor, the regulator for NHS foundation trusts, and was previously Chief Executive of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital from 2000 to 2012. The Trust was one of the first in the country to gain NHS Foundation Trust status in 2006.

Heather said: “I have a great respect and admiration for the people who work for the Service, and I am looking forward to getting out to meet them and see first-hand the challenges they face every day. I will work with Fionna, her team and the Board, to support them in making The London Ambulance Service a world class organisation.”

Andrew Hines, Associate Director of Delivery and Development (London) NHS Trust Development Authority said: “I would like to thank Mr Richard Hunt CBE for his hard work and dedication during his seven years as the chair. Richard has provided strong leadership and has been passionate about delivering emergency services that Londoners can rely on.

“Heather Lawrence will bring a wealth of experience and insight across a broad range of environments, including the NHS at the highest level, which will benefit the Trust greatly. This is not only great news for the Trust and its staff, but also for Londoners.”

AUK_August_AUK_August_2013 11/10/2013 10:53 Page 254 AUK_August_AUK_August_2013 11/10/2013 10:53 Page 254

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09.00 - 09.15 Introduction & History of the Course 09.00 - 09.15 Introduction & History of the Course 12.30 - 13.30 09.15 - 09.45 The Airway Algorithms 12.30 - 13.30 09.15 - 09.45 The Airway Algorithms 13.30 - 14.00 09-45 - 10.30 Prediction of the Difficult Airway 13.30 - 14.00 09-45 - 10.30 Prediction of the Difficult Airway 10.30 - 11.15 BVM and Laryngoscopy 10.30 - 11.15 BVM and Laryngoscopy 11.15 - 11.30 Tea/Coffee, Exhibition 14.00 - 14.30 11.15 - 11.30 Tea/Coffee, Exhibition 14.00 - 14.30 11.30 - 12.00 Skills Stations (4 rotations/30 min. each) 11.30 - 12.00 Skills Stations (4 rotations/30 min. each) 14.30 - 14.45 Group 1 BVM, ETI 14.30 - 14.45 Group 1 BVM, ETI Group 2 EGD’s & Rescue Airways 14.45 - 15.00 Group 2 EGD’s & Rescue Airways 14.45 - 15.00 Group 3 Needle & Surgical Airway 15.00 - 17.00 Group 3 Needle & Surgical Airway 15.00 - 17.00 Group 4 Video Laryngoscopy 17.00 Group 4 Video Laryngoscopy 17.00 Topics and Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change Topics and Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change

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87

Does he need a trauma centre or the local hospital?

Twenty-year-old male in a motor vehicle accident. Airbag has deployed. Car has significant front-end damage.

Is he bleeding internally? Will he need a trauma centre?

These are some of the questions you need to answer on a suspected trauma call, as haemorrhage is the leading cause of death after injury.1 The new trauma parameters on the ZOLL X SeriesÂŽ help you accurately and quickly assess your patients so you can feel more confident in your treatment decisions.

Insight for informed decisions. www.zoll.com/uk/trauma-care Acosta JA, et al. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 1998;186(5):528-533.

1

Š2016 ZOLL Medical Corporation, Chelmsford, MA, USA. X Series and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

MCN IP 1601 0092-05