Volume 32 No. 1
February 2017
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ANNOUNCING THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF
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A Unique System For High Quality Objective CPR Performance Feedback
In this issue The IT Clamp - A New Addition to the External Haemorrhage Control Ladder Paramedics Don’t Make Medication Errors....Right? Life Connections 2017 Announcement
“It would be hard to rival as a training system…” (Excerpt from Professor Douglas Chamberlain)
*Used with permission: Evaluated by Jim Walmsley Critical Care Paramedic Lead, South East Coast Ambulance Service
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS 5
EDITOR’S COMMENT
7
FEATURES
7 The iTClamp™ - A New Addition to the External Haemorrhage Control Ladder – A Case Report
Ambulance UK This issue edited by: Sam English c/o Media Publishing Company 48 High Street SWANLEY BR8 8BQ ADVERTISING: Terry Gardner, Brenda Pickering
10 Paramedics don’t make medication errors…right? CIRCULATION:
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Innosonian Europe: Brayden Pro Launch
PUBLISHERS STATEMENT:
Following on from the huge success of the Brayden Manikin launched in 2014, Innosonian Europe are delighted to announce the imminent launch of Brayden Pro.
The views and opinions expressed in
A Unique System For High Developed in conjunction with leading member of the European Resuscitation Quality Objective Community in pre-hospital, hospital, university and voluntary sectors, the Brayden Pro CPR provides healthcare professionals with quantitative data driven feedback. This can be Performance Feedback
the Publisher, the Editors or Media
used to enable students to improve their CPR performance when a data driven need is required. Brayden Pro provides students with real time feedback during CPR training. It enables detailed post CPR training debriefing by providing quantitative data of key CPR parameters as outlined in the ERC 2015 Guidelines such as compression depth, compression rate, hand position and compression release. Feedback on hands off time and ventilation performance is also provided from the Brayden Pro manikin.
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“It would be hard to rival as a training system…” (Excerpt from Professor Douglas Chamberlain)
Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
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Professor Douglas Chamberlain said: “The Bluetooth line between the impressive Brayden Pro manikin and the app on a Android tabled greatly enhances the training value of the system. It gives not only an immediate guide to the quality of compressions, but also offers trends and a permanent record of what is being achieved, it would be hard to rival as a training system”.
3
Advancing Acute Pain Management
At last, PENTHROX® is here...
Fast, effective pain management designed for fast, efficient patient management. PENTHROX is indicated for the emergency relief of moderate to severe pain in conscious adult patients with trauma and associated pain1
Now there’s a PCA* in a non-invasive, lightweight, portable, handheld inhaler for the emergency relief of moderate to severe pain in conscious adults with trauma. With easy set-up, administration and proven pain relief within 6-10 inhalations,1,2 PENTHROX quickly controls patient pain without the need for canisters, cannulas or opioid-related ED attendances. 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 self-administered 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. Warnings and Precautions: Methoxyflurane causes significant nephrotoxicity at high doses. Nephrotoxicity is also related to the rate of metabolism. Factors that increase the rate of metabolism such as drugs that induce hepatic enzymes can increase the risk of toxicity with methoxyflurane as well as sub-groups of people with genetic variations that may result in fast metaboliser status. The lowest effective dose should be administered, especially in the elderly or patients with other known risk factors of renal disease. Methoxyflurane should be cautiously used in patients with conditions that would pre-dispose to renal injury. Methoxyflurane is metabolised in the liver, therefore increased exposures in patients with hepatic impairment can cause toxicity. PENTHROX should be used with care in patients with underlying hepatic conditions or with risks for hepatic dysfunction. Previous exposure to halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetics (including methoxyflurane when used as an anaesthetic agent), especially if the interval is less than 3 months, may increase the potential for hepatic injury. Cautious
clinical judgement should be exercised when PENTHROX is to be used more frequently than on one occasion every 3 months. Potential effects on blood pressure and heart rate are known class-effects of high-dose methoxyflurane used in anaesthesia and other anaesthetics. Caution required in elderly due to possible reduction in blood pressure. Potential CNS effects such as sedation, euphoria, amnesia, ability to concentrate, altered sensorimotor co-ordination and change in mood are known classeffects. The CNS effects can be a risk factor for potential abuse. To reduce occupational exposure to methoxyflurane, the PENTHROX Inhaler should always be used with the AC Chamber which adsorbs exhaled methoxyflurane. Multiple use of PENTHROX Inhaler without the AC Chamber creates additional risk. Elevation of liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen and serum uric acid have been reported in exposed maternity ward staff when methoxyflurane was used in the past at the time of labour and delivery. PENTHROX is not appropriate for providing relief of break-through pain/exacerbations in chronic pain conditions or for the relief of trauma related pain in closely repeated episodes for the same patient. Interactions: Methoxyflurane is metabolised by the CYP 450 enzymes, particularly CYP 2E1 and to some extent CYP 2A6. It is possible that enzyme inducers (such as alcohol or isoniazid for CYP 2E1 and phenobarbital or rifampicin for CYP 2A6) which increase the rate of methoxyflurane metabolism might increase its potential toxicity and they should be avoided concomitantly with methoxyflurane. Concomitant use of PENTHROX with CNS depressants, such as opioids, sedatives or hypnotics, general anaesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquillisers, skeletal muscle relaxants, sedating antihistamines and alcohol may produce additive depressant effects. If opioids are given concomitantly with PENTHROX, the patient should be observed closely. Concomitant use of methoxyflurane with medicines (eg contrast agents and some antibiotics) which are known to have a nephrotoxic effect should be avoided as there may be an additive effect on nephrotoxicity; tetracycline, gentamicin, colistin, polymyxin B and amphotericin B have known nephrotoxic potential. Sevoflurane anaesthesia should be avoided following methoxyflurane analgesia, as sevoflurane increases serum fluoride levels and methoxyflurane nephrotoxicity is associated with raised serum fluoride. When methoxyflurane was used for anaesthesia at the higher doses of 40–60mL, there were reports of drug interaction with hepatic enzyme inducers (eg barbiturates) increasing metabolism of methoxyflurane and resulting in a few reported cases of nephrotoxicity; reduction of renal blood flow and hence anticipated enhanced renal effect when used in combination with drugs (eg barbiturates) reducing cardiac output; and class effect on cardiac depression, which may be enhanced by other cardiac depressant drugs, eg intravenous practolol during cardiac surgery. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation: No clinical data on effects of methoxyflurane on fertility are available. As with all medicines care should be exercised when administered during pregnancy especially the first trimester. There is insufficient information on the excretion of methoxyflurane in human milk. Caution should be exercised when
methoxyflurane is administered to a nursing mother. Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Methoxyflurane may have a minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery if they are feeling drowsy or dizzy. Undesirable effects: The most common non-serious reactions are CNS type reactions such as dizziness and somnolence (≥1/100 to <1/10) and are generally easily reversible. Serious dose-related nephrotoxicity has only been associated with methoxyflurane when used in large doses over prolonged periods during general anaesthesia. Adverse drug reactions observed in PENTHROX clinical trials in analgesia: Common (≥1/100 to <1/10): Amnesia, anxiety, depression, dizziness, dysarthria, dysgeusia, euphoria, headache, sensory neuropathy, somnolence, hypotension, coughing, dry mouth, nausea, feeling drunk, sweating; uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100): paraesthesia, diplopia, oral discomfort, fatigue, feeling abnormal, increased appetite and shivering. Post-marketing experience: rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000) reports of hepatic failure/ hepatitis have been observed with analgesic use of methoxyflurane. Other events linked to methoxyflurane use in analgesia include drowsiness, agitation, restlessness, dissociation, affect lability, disorientation, altered state of consciousness, choking, hypoxia, oxygen saturation decreased, blood pressure fluctuation, vomiting, hepatitis, increased liver enzymes, jaundice, liver injury, increased serum uric acid, urea nitrogen and creatinine, renal failure, blurred vision and nystagmus. Overdose: Refer to SPC. Legal Category: POM. NHS Price: £17.89. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Medical Developments UK Limited c/o Price Bailey LLP, Causeway House, 1 Dane Street, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts, CM23 3BT, United Kingdom. MA Number: PL 42467/0001. Full prescribing information available from: Galen Limited, Seagoe Industrial Estate, Craigavon, BT63 5UA, United Kingdom. Date of Preparation: November 2015.
Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. Adverse events should also be reported to Galen Limited on 028 3833 4974 and select the customer services option, or e-mail customer.services@galen-pharma.com. Medical information enquiries should also be directed to Galen Limited.
Reference: 1. Penthrox Summary of Product Characteristics. May 2016. 2. Coffey F et al. Emerg Med J 2014; 31: 613-618. Date of preparation: December 2016. PMR-NOV-2016-0378
Before administering PENTHROX, make sure you have read and fully understood the SmPC and educational materials, which provide important information about how to safely use the device to minimise risk of serious side effects. PENTHROX educational materials and training on its administration are available from Galen on request. *PENTHROX should be self-administered under supervision of a person trained in its administration, using the handheld PENTHROX Inhaler.1
EDITOR’S COMMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENT Welcome to this issue of AUK. So, here we are in 2017 in the aftermath of a fairly chaotic Christmas period that was probably the busiest I can remember. I don’t know why, its probably psychological, but Christmas always seems to spawn sad incidents. Crews have to deal with these, then clock off to spend happy times with family who don’t always realise how tough the job can be. So, if like me, you worked through Christmas, take pride in the fact that without your efforts and ability to cope with these competing emotions, Christmas would not have been half as happy for an awful lot of people.
There was some talk of humanitarian crisis, some talk of GPs working harder and longer, some of talk about developing roles and lots of pictures of queuing ambulances. Where do the problems lie? The answer is simple. Demand is seriously outstripping supply. So what of 111, shouldn’t that reduce 999 call volume? The answer, in my humble opinion, is yes it should, except of course it perhaps doesn’t. Figures released this month show that of the 1.2 million calls received in November 2016, 14% received an ambulance response, the highest number since 2014 (Source: 111 MDS 1/17). 111 is a door and it is fairly obvious that if you put a door anywhere, someone will go through it. Patient safety built in dictates that a certain percentage will require further face to face assessment, that’s as it should be and triage systems always default to safe. Trouble is, the percentage can stay the same (and if you check the NHSE figures it does) but if the call volume grows then the demand on emergency and urgent care grows. The interesting figure from the 111 MDS return is that 4% of callers would not have spoken to anyone had 111 not been available. That’s a fairly spectacular figure when you consider the 12 million callers into the system. I wonder how many of these people received an ambulance response after triage. At the heart of the problem is not 111 though and it’s perhaps unfair to point a figure. It’s my belief that at the heart of the problem is the lack of education for people trying hard to find a solution in the middle of a crisis. But again that’s not necessarily their fault. As a nation we have provided a bewildering array of services which are now drying up as the money gets short. We have given and now threaten to take away. As the doors get fewer, the casualty is a public we have probably lulled into false security with paternalistic systems. Whatever happened to self care? Should there be more investment in education and less provision of services. I don’t know the answer but I do know how many red flag sepsis episodes I’ve probably had in my life and never been to hospital. I know how many scarring injuries I sustained growing up and survived. It pains me that we need to provide simple advice at all, what happened to common sense. People use the internet to find out pretty much anything but how to manage a two hour headache. So, is education an answer? CPR in schools is great but shouldn’t children also be educated in the need to use precious resources like the NHS sparingly. Managing a crisis and knowing how to access health services appropriately is as much of a skill as any other curricular subject. So this is my thought for 2017, unless we educate the public to expect less and become more self sufficient, finite resources dictate that we will be able to provide less and leave people anxious, uncertain and confused at a time when the last thing they probably need is exactly that. On a lighter note, if I do retire this year, I will be extremely sad to miss novel developments. I watched a firefighter with a jet pack putting out fires in Dubai whilst hovering like a superhero…it really is a wonderful world!!! I hope you enjoy this issue of Auk and that 2017 brings you life, luck and prosperity. Sam English, Co-Editor Ambulance UK
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
“111 is a door and it is fairly obvious that if you put a door anywhere, someone will go through it. Patient safety built in dictates that a certain percentage will require further face to face assessment, that’s as it should be and triage systems always default to safe.”
Did I mention busy? I’m writing this as a near pensioner (its an old photo) and it made me quite reflective about my time as a Paramedic and the state of the world we now live in. I couldn’t overlook the biggest change in my particular history and, in a way, I’m glad I’m at this end of my career. I wonder, with the current levels of demand and its associated stress, how many of today’s staff will reach retirement.
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FEATURE
INTRODUCING
PRO
AFFORDABLE HIGH QUALITY OBJECTIVE CPR FEEDBACK
*Used with permission: Evaluated by Ken Spearpoint, Principal Lecturer & Emeritus Consultant Nurse, University of Hertfordshire.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
…While being able to gain obvious feedback, real time visual prompts engage the user to improve technique and muscle memory. I can see this becoming a cornerstone to any BLS training: allowing EMS providers, the ability to deliver exquisite BLS when needed. Jim Walmsley, MSc, PgCert, MCPara, Critical Care Paramedic Lead, South East Coast Ambulance Service
FEATURES: • Quality Score using algorithm determined by leading European Opinion Leaders • Configured for AHA and ERC (2015) Guidelines • Overall CPR Quality Score calculated and presented over time • Objective CPR metrics available as complete event AND by individual CPR cycle • Set for differing responder skill level – Healthcare Professional or Layperson • Up to 6 manikins can be monitored at one time. Connected via Bluetooth to an Android tablet & intuitive app • Set for ventilation only and compression only • Tested & Evaluated by European in-hospital & prehospital resuscitation experts
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FEATURE
THE ITCLAMP™ - A NEW ADDITION TO THE EXTERNAL HAEMORRHAGE CONTROL LADDER – A CASE REPORT Mr Andrew Thurgood - Consultant Nurse Birmingham Professor Sir Keith Porter - Professor of Clinical Traumatology Birmingham
Abstract
For catastrophic external haemorrhage a start point may be the application of a tourniquet.
The iTClamp™ is a new device for the control of external haemorrhage that works by closing the skin and subcutaneous tissues producing a tamponade effect immediately reducing or stopping bleeding. This paper reports what the authors believe is one of the first UK prehospital deployments of the iTClamp™ and discusses the indications for its use and its potential inclusion in the external haemorrhage control ladder.
In the pre-hospital setting for some patients it is difficult to achieve external haemorrhage control for a number of reasons which include anatomical position (junctional wounds in the axilla, root of neck and groin), size of the wound, environmental conditions (an unsafe environment), access to the patient (entrapment), patient compliance (irritable, combative patients) and the need for rapid external haemorrhage control. The clinical challenge to control significant external haemorrhage is
Keywords
particularly relevant to pre-hospital practitioners working forward at the
External haemorrhage, haemorrhage control
point of wounding.
Method
Introduction
Figure 1 – civilian “haemostatic ladder”
The iTClamp™ (figure 2) is a temporary wound closure device which can control severe bleeding within seconds of application to a penetrating injury. The iTClamp™ is designed to seal the edges of the wound closed to create a temporary pool of blood under pressure, this forms a stable clot that mitigates further blood loss until the wound can be surgically explored and repaired. The application technique is illustrated in figure 3.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
In pre-hospital care haemorrhage contributes to 33-56% of civilian trauma related deaths and is the primary cause of potentially survivable battlefield deaths in current conflicts1-6. In many of these cases patients die from uncontrolled external blood loss. UK pre-hospital clinical practice has adopted the modifications to the ABC (airway, breathing and circulation) paradigm embracing lessons learnt from the military experience in theatres of war and now SURGERY advocates <C>ABC (where <C> stands for the HAEMOSTATIC RESUSCITATION control of massive external haemorrhage)7. The approach to the control of TRANEXAMIC ACID external haemorrhage has been further augmented by the inclusion of elastic TOPICAL HAEMOSTATICS AND field dressings, tourniquets TOURNIQUETS and haemostatic agents. The external haemorrhage control ladder (haemostatic PRESSURE & ELEVATION ladder) is used to ensure basic wound management techniques are adopted FIELD DRESSING before more sophisticated 8 ones . A contemporary POINT OF INJURY version of the haemostatic ladder is shown in figure 1.
Figure 2 – The iTClampTM (pre-application)
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FEATURE
Open device and place along wound edges
Close the device whilst applying gentle downward pressure
Check that good position has been maintained
Wound is closed and haematoma forms
Figure 3 – iTClampTM application technique
Case History
medium in the region of the left axilla, which was found to be bleeding from the circumflex scapula artery. This was successfully treated with
A young adult male was assaulted and sustained multiple stab wounds. On scene, the patient was hypotensive with no palpable radial pulse.
embolisation by the interventional radiology team. Other wounds were managed by exploration, toilet and sutures. The patient subsequently made an uneventful recovery.
Control of the combative patient made patient handling very difficult especially as there were minimal medical resources on the scene to give assistance.
Discussion
Following a rapid trauma exposure, a deep 5 cm long stab wound to the
Providing care in the pre-hospital environment produces many
posterior aspect of the left shoulder was identified and found to be the
challenges not seen in hospital practice, including risks to scene safety,
only wound still actively bleeding. Direct pressure was attempted but
reduced patient access and poor patient cooperation.
the patient moved and slipped away. Attempts at getting a dressing or some form of direct pressure on to the wound also proved futile as the blood sodden floor was slippery under foot.
Delays in haemorrhage control are responsible for the majority of preventable deaths(9). The control of bleeding from less severe wounds is also regarded a priority especially in the elderly and those
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
A decision was taken to use the iTClamp™ to close the wound.
patients with limited cardiovascular reserve(9). This device can be
Application of the iTClamp™ was quick, it takes approximately 15
used effectively with minimal training and could be used as a first-line
seconds to open the packaging, align the device for placement and
treatment to control bleeding from the scalp, neck and junctional areas.
clasp the wound edges. The patient made no verbal complaint of pain when the device was applied. The application provided immediate
Whilst there have been previous publications reporting the use
arrest of haemorrhage. The patient was placed in a lateral position
of iTClamp™ this is the first report supporting its use in a difficult
to protect the iTClamp™ then transferred to a major trauma centre.
environment in a non-compliant patient(10-11).
Subsequently, the patient’s condition stabilised with blood replacement. The wound in the axilla produced a left haemopneumothorax. The
The patient presented in this paper was covered in blood, shocked,
wound over the right iliac crest revealed a fracture of the iliac crest.
irritable, and combative and had a wound on an anatomical position
A trauma computed tomography scan revealed a blush of contrast
difficult to dress. The application of simple direct pressure was
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FEATURE challenging and proved to be unachievable. In this case, the application of iTClamp™ produced immediate cessation of external blood loss.
Summary Difficult wounds and circumstances may challenge even the most experienced prehospital immediate care practitioners. We believe the iTClamp™ is an effective addition to the external haemorrhage control ladder, sitting alongside the tourniquet, in selective cases where conventional measures may be difficult to deploy or less effective it can prove life saving.
References 1. The epidemiology and modern management of traumatic haemorrhage: US and international perspectives. Kauvar DS, Wade CE. Crit Care. 2005;9 (Suppl 5):S1-9 2. Impact of haemorrhage on trauma outcome: an overview of epidemiology, clinical presentations and therapeutic considerations. Kauver DS, Lefering R, Wade CE. J Trauma.
Resuscitation and Emergency Care
2006;60(6 Suppl):S3-11 3. Causes of death in US Special Operations Forces in the global war on terrorism: 2001-2004. Holcom KB, McMullin NR, Pearse L, Caruso J, Wade CE, Oetjen-Gerdes L, Champion HR, Lawnick M, Farr W, Rodriguez S, Butler FK. Ann Surg. 2007;245(6):986-91 4. Died of wounds on the battlefield: causation and implications for improving combat casualty care. Eastridge BJ, Hardin M, Cantrell J, Oetjen-Gerdes L, Zubko T, Mallak C, Wade CE, Simmons J, Mace J, Mabry R, Bolenbaucher R, Blackbourne LH. J Trauma. 2011;71(1 Suppl):S4-8 5. Epidemiology and outcomes of vascular trauma at a British Major Trauma Centre. Perkins ZB, De’Ath HD, Aylwin C, Brohi K, Walsh M, Tai NR. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2012;44(2):203-9
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6. Death on the battlefield (2001-2011): Implications for the future of combat casualty care. Eastridge B, Mabry R, Seguin P, Cantrell J, Tops T, Uribe P, Mallett O, Zubko T, Oetjen-Gerdes L, Rasmussen TE, Butler F, Kotwal RS, Holcomb J, Wade C, Champion H, Lawnick M, Moores L, Blackborne L. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012;73(6 Suppl):S431-S7 7. ABC to <C>ABC: redefining the military trauma paradigm. T J Hodgetts, P F Mahoney, M Q Russell, M Byers. Emerg Med J 2006;23:745–746
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Kirkman. JR Army Med Corps 153(4): 299-300 9. Update on prehospital emergency care of severe trauma patients. Tazarourte K et al. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim 2013; 32(7-8): 477-82 10. First UK use of the iTClamp™ haemorrhage control system: Case report. Hudson A, Glazebrook W. Trauma 2014;16(3):214-216 11. The iTClamp in the management of pre-hospital haemorrhage. Tan ECTH, Peters JH, McKee JL, Edwards MJR. Injury, Int J Care
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The complete solution from the respiratory care specialists
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FEATURE
PARAMEDICS DON’T MAKE MEDICATION ERRORS…RIGHT?
Paramedics don’t make medication errors…right?
out “some Fentanyl” to put the kid back to sleep. You reach down to the floor next to you and grab the medication bag. You reach for the Fentanyl ampule – finding exactly where it should be – and drawing it near to your face you read the label. As the blurriness fades, you can clearly see the word FLUmazenil printed on the side of the ampule. (1) “FLUmazenil”, you mutter to yourself - that’s (1) where the Fentanyl is supposed to be…” You see pping1, Bruce Hoffman1 your partner give you a thumbs up and you show Klint Kloepping1, Bruce Hoffman1 him the vial. His happy face becomes a sad face; DistanceCME LLC, PA, USA. and he throws his hands up in the air in disgust. 1. DistanceCME LLC, PA, USA. You ampule e is reproduced from Canadian Paramedicine with the permission of put the the editor and of FLUmazenil back, and ctive authors. start rummaging around the medication bag for This article is reproduced from Canadian Fentanyl. Still sleepy, and now irritated, you think Paramedicine with the permission of the editor on “there has to be a better way”… and the respective authors.
n identification and administration is a regular and anticipated expectation of pre-‐ nd critical care transport clinicians and providers. There are several known ms that exist so this process happens easily and safely. Despite the many available there continues an unsettling increase of medication identification and Sound familiar? Unfortunately, this is something identification andrevealed administration is ation errors. Medication Several factors have been as consistent culprits that allow for that happens all too frequently. As critical care rs to occur. Tahere are and several best practices known to the pre-‐hospital and critical regular anticipated expectation of preproviders we do all we can for the safety of the ds that support safe mand edication dministration. These iand nclude the many rights of hospital critical acare transport clinicians and the patient. n administration, the process of cseveral hecking known and double checking, tteam he facilitation of high However, sometimes a providers. There are mechanisms simple like medication administration, can mulation training and lastly, the promulgation and use of the EZ D rug ID task, system.
Introduction
Discussion
that exist so this process happens easily and become uniquely precarious. As paramedics Despite the many available resources, he following safely. scenario: and critical care practitioners we consistently there continues an unsettling increase of rehearse and teach many of the safety medication e Flight Paramedic on a identification 24 hour shift and for aadministration fixed wing critical care transport service. with medication mechanisms associated urrently in flight with Several a seven-‐year-‐old male, cardiac errors. factors have beenpost revealed as arrest. It has already been a administration. These include the rights of nd you are on hour number 13 that out allow of 24. Ythese ou have already consistent culprits for errors to completed two successful medication nd understandably, a re v ery t ired. Y our p artner i nforms y ou t hat the kid is administration and checking, occur. There are several best practices known rechecking double c in the 130’s and slightly hypertensive, 150 / 90 and seems to be getting aand gitated. checking. We rehearse to the pre-hospital and critical care worlds these with near perfect ou to get out “some Fentanyl” to put the kid back to sleep. You reach down to the cadence, often identical that support safe medication administration. to you and grab the medication bag. You reach for the Fentanyl toampule finding the way–we were taught during our initial the many rights medication here it should These be – ainclude nd drawing it near to yof our face you read the training label. A s the and education. As best practice would administration, thewprocess of checking and on the side of the ampule. fades, you can clearly see the ord FLUmazenil printed have us believe that these allow for near perfect double facilitation of high fidelity nil”, you mutter to ychecking, ourself -‐ tthe hat’s where the Fentanyl is supposed to be…” You see practice, actual data tells us otherwise; precisely ner give you asimulation thumbs utraining p and you im tpromulgation he vial. His happy face becomes a sad andshow lastly,hthe that they are not fail proof. and use of the EZ Drug ID system.
Consider the following scenario: AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
You are the Flight Paramedic on a 24 hour shift for a fixed wing critical care transport service. You are currently in flight with a seven-year-old male, post cardiac arrest. It has already been a long day and you are on hour number 13 out of 24. You have already completed two successful missions and understandably, are very tired. Your partner informs you that the kid is tachycardic in the 130’s and slightly hypertensive, 150 / 90 and seems to be getting agitated. He asks you to get
The time to take stock in this situation has come; here and now. Critical care providers and paramedics work in an austere and typically sleepless environment; answering calls for help that are flogged with extreme intensity, significant stress and high acuity. This occurs at all hours, day and night. An understanding mind would realize that the environment alone predisposes us to making errors. Additionally, a fifteen-year literature review showed that “insufficient sleep has been associated with cognitive problems, mood alterations, reduced job performance, reduced motivation, increased
10 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
safety risks, and physiological changes” (2). It is fair to say that no one individual is without the risk of unintentionally committing a medication identification or administration error. In adequate summation, it may be best to turn to Dave Grossman’s book ‘On Combat’ where we are told, “to err is human” (3). This succinct and impactful statement duly supports the fact that “the human factor plays a significant role” (3) in stressful situations, such as during war time. One can draw a similar parallel when comparing such to the critical care environment. Many of these same principles and concepts are directly applicable to both the ground and air critical care setting. For example, some of the factors that are associated with medication errors include “medications with similar names or similar packaging, medications that are not commonly used and look-alike / sound-alike medication names” (4). Understandably, these factors when combined with ground or air transport in the critical care setting can lead directly to a medication identification and administration error. The question seems to ask itself: “can and how do we prevent and mitigate these errors?” To be clear, lets answer the first part of the question: “can we prevent these errors” - the short answer is YES – wen can prevent these errors. The second question of “how” is a bit more involved, but absolutely achievable and doable. It can be suggested that we, as critical care providers, take measures to reduce medication errors. These include stocking medications in the same place, every time, without exception. Additionally, we might also consider passing along medication information changes in a timely manner such as during a safety huddle or at change of shift. This is supported by a statement from the National Institute of Health which stated “five studies and one literature review assessed the relationship between communication failures and medication errors” (4). Lastly, conducting a double check with another provider, prior to medication administration will allow for another layer of safety. A recent publication reported that “double checking policies are commonly used as a strategy to
FEATURE packaging standard, worldwide. For example, these recommendations include “colour coding the packaging for [a specific] class of medication” (7) such as muscle relaxants. Although progress has been made in the effort to mitigate such errors, there are still regularly occurring medication identification and administration errors. The EZ Drug ID campaign additionally supports current best practices and seeks to codify the known essentials of medication identification and administration.
ensure medication safety” (4). These practices are a standard of care that should be regularly implemented by critical care crews. Rationale for these practices can be found in a clinically applicable case scenario as described above.
But is there more? The short answer is YES! Simulation training has been an increasingly valuable resource among educators all over the world. Simulated training helps to minimize the human factor during real world medication administration by keeping in both patient and provider safeties in check. Assuring that critical care providers do not make medication identification and administration mistakes in real world practice, they must be pushed to their limits during intense, high fidelity, real world simulation training. This is supported by a statement from Issenberg et al. which states that “These principles concern the learner’s engagement in deliberate practice of desired educational outcomes [which] involves (a) repetitive performance of intended cognitive or psychomotor skills in a focused domain, coupled with (b) rigorous skills assessment, that provides learners with (c) specific, informative feedback, that results in increasingly (d) better skills performance, in a controlled setting” (5). We should be clinically practicing consistent and reliable behaviors – the same way, every single time. This includes medication identification and administration.
process of regular, color coding and consistent packaging among drugs worldwide. Color coding and consistent packaging would clearly “improve the distinctiveness of [many] high risk [drug groups]” (7).
Conclusion
Medication identification and administration is prone to errors. As discussed in this article there are number of factors that contribute to this, both supports current best practices and seeks to and codify the based. known essentials of medicatio human systems There are evidence EZ Drug ID was the brain child of Dr. Nicholas based solutions in how to assure the limitation identification and administration. Chrimes, an Anaesthetist in Sydney, Australia. of these errors. Some of the solutions include It should be noted that there were “numerous the appropriate use of the rights of medications, EZ Drug ID literature was the rain child of [with Dr. Nicholas Chrimes, an Anaesthetist in Sydney, Au reports in the thatblabelling issues checking and double checking, the use of high medications] a significant contributor to “numerous reports in the literature that labelling iss should be nare oted that there were fidelity simulation and lastly, the promulgation medicine errors” (6). medications] are This a smomentous ignificant campaign contributor o mofedicine errors” (6). Whichever This momentous c andtuse the EZ Drug ID system. has caught the industrial eye of healthcare has caught the industrial eye of healthcare delivery ystems ver torhe woforld. Spec solution you electsto choose, a allll ofothem one delivery systems all over the world. Specifically, them, there is an increased chance of mitigating has m ade a l asting a nd i mpactful m ark i n t he c ritical c are t ransport s etting. It is impo it has made a lasting and impactful mark in the medication errors. note hat transport there isetting. s no set oal for to the EZ Drug ID corporation or campaign to take ove criticaltcare It isgimportant practices. It issno imply seeks note that there set goal for theto EZimprove Drug ID current practices. As such, the EZ Drug ID camp corporation campaign to take over current any and all medication identification and administr to reduce orand ultimately prevent practices. It simply seeks to improve current errors. This is accomplished through a process of regular, color coding and consisten The views and opinions expressed in this article practices. As such, the EZ Drug ID campaign packaging among drugs worldwide. Color coding and consistent packaging would cle are those of the authors and do not necessarily works to reduce and ultimately prevent any and “improve the distinctiveness of [many] reflect high the risk [drug groups]” official policy or position(7). of their all medication identification and administration errors. This is accomplished through a employers or organizations.
Disclaimer
There is a growing culture within the critical care transport system that unnecessarily pressures providers to “never” make a mistake. This is unrealistic. At its most basic understanding perfect practice is rarely achieved in the critical care transport environment. High fidelity simulation provides us the medium to progressively improve the imperfect. Debriefing, as you would after every mission in real world practice, should be seen and understood as equally beneficial during a simulation training.
Internationally, there is a campaign to standardize medication packaging to provide an additional safety layer to medication identification and administration. This campaign is called EZ Drug ID. The core concept and central purpose behind this mission is to make all drugs
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
So, we have double checked our medications, packed them in our bags the same way (every time), and have successfully completed simulation training. Our patients are completely safe now, right? Not quite! There is always more that can be done to improve patient safety, especially during medication administration.
Figure recommended and consistent color sfor chemes high risk medication profil Figure 11- -‐recommended and consistent color schemes high riskfor medication profiles (EZDrugID) (EZDrugID) 11
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FEATURE References 1. EZDrugID. 6246376_orig [Internet]. 2015 [cited 1 November 2015]. Available from: http://ezdrugid.org/ uploads/3/5/5/2/3552206/6246376_orig.jpg 2. Rogers, AE (2008) Chapter 40: The Effects of Fatigue and Sleepiness on Nurse Performance and Patient Safety in Hughes RG (Ed.) Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US) 3. Grossman, D and Christensen, LW. (2007) On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and Peace. 2nd ed. PPCT Research Publications. 4. Hughes, RG, Blegen, MA. (2008) Chapter 37: Medication Administration Safety in Hughes RG (Ed.) Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US)
5. Issenberg SB, McGaghie WC, Petrusa ER, Lee Gordon D, Scalese RJ. Features and uses of high-fidelity medical simulations that lead to effective learning: a BEME systematic review. Med Teach. 2005 Jan;27(1):1028. 6. Department of Health Australia. (2014). Regulation impact statement - General requirements for labels for medicines. Retrieved from http:// ezdrugid.org/EZDrugID/Strategies_ files/GenReqsforMedLabels.pdf 01 November 2015. 7. EZDrugID (2015) Strategies For Minimising Medication Error. Retrieved from http://ezdrugid.org/strategies.html 01 November 2015. Keywords – paramedic, simulation, education, medication, administration, clinician
Bruce Hoffman is a critical care nurse, paramedic and current graduate student. He works as both a clinician and educator in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maryland, with a background in the division of critical care (ICU, ER, Cardiology, and Flight). Email: bruce.e.hoffman@gmail.com Twitter: @bruceEhoffman Klint Kloepping is a US trained Critical Care Paramedic and Flight Paramedic. He is currently pursuing a Baccalaureate degree in EMS management. Klint works full time as a Flight Paramedic in the Midwest, USA. Klint is also an EMS Instructor with DistanceCME. Email: klint.kloepping@flightbridgeed.com Twitter @NoDesat
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.
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education
12 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
equipment
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FEATURE
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Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
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13
FEATURE
LIFE CONNECTIONS 2017 Another Year - Another Step Forward I am delighted to announce that Life Connections 2017 will run
In respect of Life Connections 2017, as in previous years, four
alongside the Emergency Fleet Exhibition & NAPFM Conference,
conferences are being planned over the two day period for the
taking place at the Telford International Conference Centre, Telford,
benefit of Paramedics, Emergency First Responders, Resuscitation
on Tuesday June 6 and Wednesday June 7.
Officers, First Aid Trainers, etc. To date a number of keynote speakers including Professor Sir
In 2016 over 1000 delegates
Keith Porter, David Halliwell,
and visitors attended the
etc. have already agreed
Emergency Fleet Exhibition,
to present, covering topics
therefore by aligning the two
such as: ‘Fatal Fractures’,
events to the same dates and
‘Drug Overdose... First Time
venue, delegates, visitors
Treatment’, ‘Can the Fire and
and exhibitors will benefit by
Ambulance Services Work
having joint access into the
Together?’, ‘Extracorporeal
Ambulance Equipment Zone
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation’
held in the foyer of Hall 3 and The Emergency Fleet Zone in
and ‘Paediatrics...Should We
Halls 1, 2 and 3. It is anticipated
Just Take Them All In To?’, ‘The
that over 120 Trade Stands will
Role of CFRs in a Cardiac Arrest with The Emergency Response
be displaying the latest fleet vehicles equipment and services which will ensure those in attendance
Team’. We are currently seeking further topical presentations for the
will certainly have a full and worthwhile experience.
few slots that remain available.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
14 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
FEATURE
In addition, Pre-Hospital Care Consultancy Ltd will again be running their successful PHTLS for First Responders Course and their Essentials of Advanced Airway Management workshop. By linking these two very unique events we are providing delegates, visitors and exhibitors with the opportunity for cross communication via the two dedicated exhibition areas which will bring together the vehicle and equipment sides of the ambulance sector. Visitors from the emergency sector are also invited to attend and are assured of a full and rewarding day as, with over 120 exhibitors displaying the latest emergency vehicles and equipment, there will be plenty to see and do. For security reasons, those wishing to attend as a visitor only will need to pre-register via our website: www.lifeconnections.uk.com Terry Gardner - Event Organiser
Life Connections 2017 Telford International Centre, Telford Tuesday June 6 & Wednesday June 7 Conference/Workshop information to date:
Wednesday June 7
Paramedic Practice Conference
Resuscitation Today Conference
Only 100 places are available, early bird delegate offer £35.00 + VAT
Only 80 places are available, early bird delegate offer £35.00 + VAT
First Aid Conference
Emergency First Responders Conference
Delegate rate tba
Delegate rates tba
PHTLS for First Responders Course
Essentials of Advanced Airway Management Course
Only 12 places are available at a rate of £80.00 + VAT (50% below normal Course costs)
Only 10 places are available at a delegate rate of £80 plus VAT (50% below normal Course costs)
‘Early Bird’ offers include lunch, tea/coffee, etc. plus free parking. Full conference/workshop details will shortly be available on our dedicated website: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
Tuesday June 6
15 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE Northumbria leads European project to improve patient safety A Northumbria Universityled project to improve patient safety education has
The project is led by Dr Alison
“These experiences are not
For more information contact
Steven, a Reader in Health
always recorded or explored
alison.steven@northumbria.
Professions Education at
and thus a valuable source of
ac.uk
Northumbria University. The team
information about patient safety
includes Professor Pauline Pearson also from Northumbria University and colleagues from six partner universities: Saimaa University of Applied Sciences in Finland; the University of Alicante in Spain; the
been awarded €431,996 in
University of Eastern Finland; the
European funding.
Univerity of Genoa in Italy; Østfold
Programme of the European
learning opportunities are lost. “SLIPPS will draw on the real experience of students in clinical placements and help to bridge the divide between front
EEAST
Research will look at scale of emergency calls related to dementia
line healthcare practice and
A NIHR-funded research
and Lappeenranta University of
those engaged in education
project led by the University
Technology, in Finland.
and research.”
of the West of England (UWE
University College in Norway Co-funded by the Erasmus+
remains untapped and potential
Bristol) in partnership with
Union, SLIPPS (Shared Learning from Practice to improve Patient
There are also health care
The project aims to utilise
University Hospitals Bristol
Safety) is an innovative three-
provider organisations involved
these real-life experiences and
NHS Foundation Trust will look
year education and research
in each country, thus the wider
students’ reflections on them
at calls to emergency services
project that will draw on the
group includes: health care
real experiences of health
as the basis for a range of
educators, front line healthcare
and social care students in
professionals, health care
educational resources which
work placements across five
managers, patient safety
European countries.
managers, and experts in technology and simulation.
Errors, mishaps and
will feed into an open access virtual learning centre for international, multi-professional learning about patient safety. In addition the project includes the
from older people with multiple health problems which include dementia. Working with East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and South Western
misunderstandings are
Dr Steven said: “When in work
common and around one in 10
placement settings, student
patients suffer avoidable harm.
healthcare professionals
These incidents impact upon
may witness or be involved
patients, their families, health
in patient safety incidents of
care organisations, staff and
varying degrees, some of which
The project will run for three
patients to hospital and identify
students. SLIPPS is responding
showcase best practice, while
years in the first instance and
interventions that would reduce
to the challenge to improve
others may involve errors or
offers many opportunities for
hospital admissions for these
patient safety education.
misunderstandings.
future developments.
patients.
development of an international patient safety education and research network.
Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) the 18-month project aims to analyse data, look closely at the decision making process of admitting
Every year in the UK there are approximately 8 million 999 ambulance calls and 20 million A&E attendances and the pressure is increasing on emergency services. This research will look specifically at emergency calls related to people living with dementia to establish the scale of this, the response AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
of the ambulance services and identify ways to reduce avoidable hospital admissions. Hospital admission can have a detrimental effect on older people who are living with dementia alongside other health problems, so for the benefit of these patients it is important to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
16 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE The research will first look at 2,000
The research is led by Dr Sarah
having a fall, which would be
and organisations or ways of
anonymised ambulance service
Voss, Associate Professor, UWE
a cause for concern. However,
sharing information with carers
records for those aged over 65
Bristol. She says, “We know that
they may be remembering a fall
or clinical staff. We hope this
to see why emergency services
paramedics are often called to
that happened a week ago, but
research will provide evidence
were called, how long they were
people living with dementia but
the ambulance crew has no way
for ways we can improve the
at the scene and whether or not
we don’t know the true extent
of knowing this unless a relative
situation for patients and for the
the patient was taken to hospital,
of this. We know that these call-
or carer is on hand to provide
emergency services.”
stayed at home or was referred to
outs may take a long time to
this information and explain the
another service.
sort out, and time is often spent
situation. This kind of contextual
Jonathan Benger, consultant
on the scene making sure the
information could help to avoid
in Emergency Medicine at
The researchers will then shadow
person is safe. We also know
an unnecessary a hospital
University Hospitals Bristol
ambulance crews to observe
that if admitted, the outcomes
admission.
NHS Foundation Trust, said,
cases where crews are interacting
for people who have dementia
with people living with dementia
alongside multiple other health
“This research will give us a
which has the potential to lead
and look in depth at the factors
problems tend to be worse
much better understanding of
to people with dementia being
influencing the decision to
than for others in the same age
the complex decision making
supported more effectively
admit the patient or treat them
group.
processes that are required
in their own homes, and
in the community. They will also
“We fully support this research,
of emergency services and
reducing the risk that they
interview, with their consent, the
“If a patient is confused and
point us in the direction of
will be admitted to hospital
patient, family and clinical staff.
forgetful, it can be challenging
the type of intervention that
unnecessarily.”
for ambulance crews to
might be useful – whether it
The third phase of the research will
establish what the main issue
is direct connections between
The research is funded by
look at what interventions that might
is. A person with dementia may
emergency services and
NIHR, National Institute for
help paramedics and stakeholders
call 999 because they have a
those with local knowledge
Health Research, ‘Research for
keep patients out of hospital.
headache and may remember
such as relevant charities
Patient Benefit’ scheme.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
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AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
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For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE WAS
Welsh Ambulance Service Staff Recognised in Queen’s New Year’s Honours List Trauma Care conference The 18th international Trauma Care conference will be held at Yarnfield Park Conference Centre
There has been double delight for the Welsh Ambulance Service as two of its colleagues are recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
in Staffordshire from Wednesday 15th – Saturday 18th March 2017. This multi-disciplinary event provides trauma education for everyone involved in UK trauma management from injury to recovery: from volunteer firstaiders to Major Trauma Centre specialists. The Paramedic programme (£55) will be held on Wednesday 15th March and the Student Paramedic programme (£40) is on Saturday 18th March. Candidates have the opportunity to move between sessions to experience the parallel educational streams. The PHEM/HEMS day running on Thursday 16th March will be covering the latest topics in Pre Hospital Emergency Medicine including advanced trauma physiology, stress inoculation training & psychological support, development of a national Major Trauma Triage Tool, and “when trauma meets psychiatry”. Trauma Care also hosts a poster competition where pre-hospital practitioners can showcase the completed in their local practice. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 29th January 2017 and successful abstracts are published
Nigel, who has dedicated 24 years to the service, has been instrumental in the recent success of the Trust in winning two prestigious Research for Patient and Public Benefit grants. Meanwhile Andrew, who has been with the service for almost 30 years, has led many significant educational projects that have resulted in substantial improvements for patients and staff alike. Chief Executive Tracy Myhill said: “We are extremely proud that both Nigel and Andrew have been recognised and it’s a testament to the sterling service they have provided to the Trust and to the people of Wales over the years.”
In his role Nigel has further developed the Trust’s Research and Development Forum, created close working relationships with Swansea Clinical School and secured funding for many important research projects. He is a regular speaker in worldwide events in ambulance research and was invited to speak at conferences in the United States and Sweden.
Chief Executive Tracy Myhill added: “They are highly deserving of the award and I am delighted that their commitment has been acknowledged in such a distinguished way.” Both the Trust’s Director of Operations Richard Lee, and Head of Operations – Resilience, Chris Sims were recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
LAS
New ambulance vehicles for London
The Welsh Ambulance Service’s Head of Research and Innovation, Nigel Rees has been awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal.
Two hundred new ambulance vehicles are set to hit London’s streets with potential for a further 60 to be approved next year.
Andrew’s achievements include co-writing the Swansea University Diploma in Paramedic Science and he is currently leading the transition of paramedic education from diploma to degree-level, in collaboration with the university.
London Ambulance Service will introduce 140 new Mercedes ambulances from March 2017, after a business case was approved by NHS Improvement. A prototype for the new state-of-the-art vehicles is currently being built.
His distinguished career with the Welsh Ambulance Service spans 29 years and has evolved from a part-time Patient Care Service operative to Senior Education and Development Lead.
In addition to this, 60 new Volkswagen Tiguan fast response cars are currently being rolled out across London Ambulance Service.
Andrew, who is based in Swansea, has been pivotal to the modernisation of ambulance education and is a valued member of the Trust’s Senior Management Team and UK National Education Groups.
Nigel joined the ambulance service in September 1991 as a cadet with Powys Ambulance Service, before progressing to Patient Care Services and then becoming an Emergency Medical Technician, working at various locations across South Powys.
He has led driver education within the Trust for 13 years, designing and developing two innovative driver training vehicles, the concept of which has since been shared and adopted by other ambulance trusts.
He finally returned to his home of Ystradgynlais as a paramedic in 1993 and was Powys’s first Advanced Paramedic Practitioner. He has since taken up role as
He has also developed a team of driving and clinical tutors who are respected throughout the UK, due to their exemplary conduct and standards.
Deputy Director for Fleet and Logistics, Justin Wand, said: “We are investing heavily in replacing our emergency vehicles and the 60 new fast response cars have already been well received by our staff. “Our new ambulances will offer greater reliability, improved comfort for our patients, new technology and a more environmentally friendly engine.” Some of the 200 new vehicles will bolster the existing fleet while others will replace older models which will be phased out.
in the journal Trauma. Details about the poster competition, the full conference programme and on-line registration can be found at www.traumacare.org.uk
A business case for a further 60 Volkswagen Tiguan fast response cars is due to be considered, with possible delivery in the next financial year.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
trauma audit or research they have
Both the Trust’s Head of Research and Innovation, Nigel Rees, and its Senior Education and Development Lead (Head of Driving), Andrew Challenger, have been awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal.
Head of Research and Innovation at the Trust, based in Cardiff, and is also working towards his PhD.
19 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE treatment, sepsis can lead to
now been extended to any patient
Trust supports national campaign to tackle Sepsis
multiple organ failure and death.
where sepsis is suspected. The
Every year in the UK there
IOW
are 150,000 cases of Sepsis, resulting 44,000 deaths (more than bowel, breast and prostate cancer combined).
Trust’s integrated treatment The good news is that if
protocol was developed by Dr
diagnosed early then Sepsis can
John Wood and paramedic Tholi
be treated and outcomes greatly
Wood. A trained paramedic can
improved.
deliver high dose antibiotics at the scene of an incident or in
A national campaign has been
the patient’s home ensuring vital
launched to improve knowledge of:
minutes and hours are not lost and lives are saved. The effect
• what sepsis is
a significant reduction in the
Sepsis is caused by the way the body responds to an infection
• symptoms of sepsis
infections, problems in the
mortality of patients seen at St. Mary’s Hospital. The scheme has
which can occur anywhere such as chest or urinary tract
of this has been to help make
• when to seek urgent
been running since October 2013.
healthcare advice Shane Moody, Consultant
abdomen like burst ulcers, or simple skin injuries like
Isle of Wight NHS Trust has been
Nurse at Isle of Wight NHS
cuts and bites. Sepsis is a
at the forefront of fighting Sepsis.
Trust, says: “We know that
life threatening condition that
The Trust was the first in the
treating suspected Sepsis much
makes the body’s immune
western hemisphere to introduce
earlier saves patient’s lives and
system go into overdrive as it
a community delivered response
prevents admissions to intensive
tries to fight the infection. This
to patients with a condition which
care – a third of patients
can reduce the blood supply to
might leave them susceptible to
admitted to intensive care have
vital organs such as the brain,
sepsis e.g. immunosupressed
sepsis. Our integrated services
heart and kidneys. Without quick
due to cancer treatment. This has
here on the Island – all hosted in
“We know that treating suspected Sepsis much earlier saves patient’s lives and prevents admissions to intensive care” Isle of Wight NHS Trust – made it possible for us to develop and implement this initiative quickly. Previously patients had to wait until they arrived at hospital to receive these special antibiotics intravenously. For every hours delay in diagnosis and treatment the risk of death from sepsis increases substantially.”
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
Isle of Wight Ambulance Service Clinical Support Officer Tholi Wood said: “A call to the Trust’s integrated urgent care hub on either 999 or 111 activates the service. The call can be made by the patient, a member of staff in the Trust’s cancer service including the Chemotherapy Suite or by a GP. The Urgent Care Hub may dispatch a rapid response vehicle to enable the patient to be treated at home. This is likely to be followed up by an Emergency Ambulance to transfer the patient to hospital for further treatment and tests but the important early diagnosis and treatment is achieved reducing the longer term problems for the patient.” You can find out more about Sepsis on the NHS Choices website at http://www.nhs.uk/ conditions/Blood-poisoning/ Pages/Introduction.aspx
20 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE SWASFT
Celebrating a year of success – the service ensuring that ambulance staff stay well
By the very nature of the work
and urgent care services on a
service for those already
they do, ambulance staff working
24-hour basis across an area
experiencing problems, the
on the road and in clinical hubs
spanning a fifth of England.
purpose of this initiative, which combines the skills of
(999 call centres), are frequently exposed to traumatic and
Through the SWS staff can
safeguarding, HR and clinical
disturbing events and this can
access physiotherapy and a
professionals, is also designed
have a bearing on their welfare –
range of specialist counselling
to act as a proactive service
both physically and mentally.
services and facilities. Working in
encouraging people to ‘stay well’.
conjunction with, and supported The innovative Staying Well
The SWS was introduced in
by, a number of partner
As the Trust enters the festive
Service (SWS) launched by
addition to the staff support
organisations including Mind,
season, one of the busiest times
South Western Ambulance
services already available and
the Samaritans and a number of
of year in terms of activity and
Service NHS Foundation
can be accessed for problems
safeguarding boards, staff can
demand for ambulance services,
Trust (SWASFT) a year ago
and issues stemming from an
be assured that their needs will
staff can be assured of getting all
as a measure to further
individual’s personal life as well as
be tailored to the wide range of
the help and support they need.
support the physical and
situations occurring at work which
options available to help them.
mental health and wellbeing
are adversely affecting them.
of its workforce, has been
Emma Wood, the Trust’s Stress, anxiety, financial concerns,
Executive Director of HR and
hailed a great success and
Anyone accessing the SWS can
drug or alcohol problems,
Organisational Development, is
cited as an example of best
be assured that their situation
physical injuries and domestic
delighted that the SWS is such
practice nationally. Around
will be dealt with sensitively and
violence are some of the triggers
a valuable resource for staff and
950 members of staff have
in strict confidence. Accessible
for people to get in touch with the
said: “The fact that more than
accessed the service in its first
via phone or email, the service
trained professionals staffing the
20% of the Trust’s workforce has
year of operation, equating
has been designed to meet
service.
taken advantage of the help and
to approximately 21% of the
the challenges associated with
Trust’s entire workforce.
delivering a range of emergency
support services on offer in its first As well as acting as a support
year of operation is testament to
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
The team gathers on launch day - from left to right Sarah Thompson, Head of Safeguarding, Sam Fraser, Health and Wellbeing Lead, Katie Searles, Mental Health Practitioner and Alison Watling, Trainee HR Business Partner.
22 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE its success. We take the health
Matt Baker, a Devon based
The leadership and management
staff and the diversity they
and wellbeing of our workforce
operational staff member, has
programme, which began a
bring, the importance of positive
extremely seriously and are
accessed the service and
year ago, aims to give future
appraisals, how to have difficult
pleased to be able to provide
found it extremely beneficial.
leaders at the East of England
conversations, exploring attitudes
them with a comprehensive
He said: “I didn’t realise that
Ambulance Service NHS Trust
and behaviours, and developing
range of support mechanisms.
there was help available for me
(EEAST) the tools to undertake
integrity and credibility as leaders
in my darkest days until I was
their role effectively, engage with
for the future, to name but a few.
“I would like to take this
referred to the Staying Well
their colleagues, and support and
opportunity to sincerely thank
Service. Subsequently the help
value them through a variety of
Jill Page, EEAST’s Organisational
our supporters, including Mind,
and support I received was
leadership practices.
Development Manager,
the Samaritans and PTSD UK
beyond all my expectations. It
for their invaluable expertise
has turned my life around and I
A celebration of learning event was
“It is important to appreciate this
and support. Our staff carry out
cannot sing their praises highly
held on Friday, 18th November
fantastic cohort have all come
a fantastic job in serving their
enough.”
at EEAST’s headquarters in
from different starting points, all
Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, to
experiencing very different and
celebrate the achievements of
sometimes difficult journeys
Cohort 1, the pilot group.
along the way - each with their
local communities and as we approach one of the busiest times of the year, they can be assured that if they need any assistance we are here to provide it.
EEAST
Celebrating ambulance leaders of the future
congratulated the group, adding:
own individual challenges. I am As part of the internally-run
immensely proud of them all and
programme cohorts work together
look forward to working with them
to complete a group project,
in the future.
“Profiled on the BBC’s One
A new leadership programme
the aim being to demonstrate
Show last month, the SWS is
to support ambulance service
the leadership skills developed
“All of Cohort 1 have been
held up as an example of best
managers of the future has
and utilised on the programme.
instrumental in shaping this
practice nationally and we are
celebrated its first successful
This includes self-awareness,
programme for EEAST’s future
very proud of this achievement.”
group of graduates.
communication skills, valuing
leaders”.
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23 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
Think
outside a box with
24 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
Think
outside a box with
25 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
NEWSLINE Allianz UK donates further funds to UK’s Air Ambulance community Allianz UK has presented a cheque for £250,000 to the Association of Air Ambulances Charity (AAAC). In February 2016, employees from Allianz UK announced the AAAC as their Charity partner for an initial three year period with an aim of raising over £1 million. Each Allianz branch has been organising fundraising activities at a local level to support their regional air ambulance service. Allianz UK is supporting its 5,000 employees and helping to raise awareness. This recent donation was presented at the recent National Air Ambulance Conference and brings Allianz’s current fundraising total to £277,116.67*, with many more activities planned. Jon Dye, CEO at Allianz UK commented: “Our employees have really gone the extra mile raising money for this important charity
through a range of fundraising activities. We’re pleased to be able to support the vital work air ambulances do in locally communities throughout the UK.” The AAAC is a legally independent body which is designed to funnel national donations into individual air ambulance charities. It allows air ambulance charities to approach national or large regional organisations who may want to make donations to the air ambulance sector as a whole. Liz Campbell, Chairman of the AAAC said: “The Allianz relationship has flourished since they announced the AAAC as their charity partner and we thank them for their commitment and dedication to the cause. The money they are raising is supporting and improving air ambulance services throughout the UK and we look forward to a strengthening the relationship even further in 2017 and beyond.” More information on the Association of Air Ambulances can be found by visiting: www.aoaa.org.uk *At date of Issue 8th December 2016.
WMAS
Night-Lit Emergency Helicopter Landing Sites Programme Reaches Phase II Following the successful operation of four temporary night-lit emergency helipads across Herefordshire and Shropshire, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has announced it is now rolling out further temporary night-lit sites in the counties, to enable a greater number of patients in urgent need of medical attention reach the hospitals best suited for their specific injuries. The current sites, which were granted funded by a separate organisation, the County Air Ambulance Trust and it’s HELP Appeal, launched in February 2016 and are located in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Bishops Castle, Shobdon and Tilstock. Since last October, the charity’s three aircraft have been utilising the temporary helipads in the hours of darkness, meaning the
aircrew were able to fly to more remote locations by helicopter at night, enabling them to reach and treat those in urgent need of medical attention. Following the success of the first phase of sites, the team who assisted in creating the Community Emergency Landing Light Support (CELLS) programme, paramedic Julian Spiers and Captain Richard Steele, received the innovation accolade at MAAC’s Recognition Awards and Charity Ball in 2016. Julian Spiers comments: “At Midlands Air Ambulance, we strive to offer the very best care to our patients, and this includes those who are unfortunate to need our services in the more remote parts of the region. The CELLS project was launched to enable us to bring the very best clinical skillset to the patient, and to reduce transfer times to specialist hospitals after dark. “Phase I of the project has been a great success and the roll out of Phase II will mean we reach and treat more people as demand for our service continues to grow.” As part of Phase II, a further CELLS site at in the Aylestone Hill area of Hereford is progressing and it is hopeful this site will be available for use in January 2017. The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is therefore appealing to local residents to volunteer for CELLS training within the next few months. Further sites will be reviewed with a further grant received from the HELP Appeal to support the project.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
If you are interested in becoming a CELLS volunteer, please contact cells@midlandsairambulance.com for more information.
Facing left to right: Toni O’Sullivan, Allianz Communications Consultant, Rav Wilding, presenter of Helicopter Heroes, Liz Campbell, Chairman of the AAAC, Richard Foulerton, Allianz CSR Manager, Sophie Long, BBC News Broadcaster and David Radford, Allianz Chief Marketing Officer.
26 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
To find out more about how you can help to fund a Midlands Air Ambulance Charity mission, please call 0800 8 40 20 40 or visit: www.midlandsairambulance.com
PIP
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You will receive full training and ongoing support within the role. So, if you have a full UK Driving Licence and at least two years post-registration experience (NMC/HCPC/GMC registered with a valid pin) then email PIPrecruitment@capita.co.uk for more information.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
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27
NEWSLINE takings to a record £8.2million.
ended in 30 seconds after he
ICAP’s charity day and was so
Celebrity support for London’s Air Ambulance at ICAP Charity Day sees record £8.2million raised worldwide
This money will be split between
“killed” the patient.
pleased to be there to support
Celebrity supporters of
LAS
London’s Air Ambulance have joined forces with other public figures and stars from the worlds of entertainment, film
the team. It is great that the day
ICAP’s chosen beneficiaries of which London’s Air Ambulance
Other celebrities who tried their
made such a huge amount for
is one. The donation received
hand at the game included radio
this wonderful charity, and I hope
will support the fleet of rapid
presenter Jeremy Vine, who
others will be inspired to donate
response cars for three years.
admitted to a competitive streak,
too”
and Drs Christian Jessen, Pixie ICAP’s fundraising day is held
McKenna from Embarrassing
Interim CEO Charles Newitt
each year and sees the company
Bodies and Christoffer van
escorted TV presenter Gail
giving their global revenues and
Tulleken from ‘Operation Ouch’
Porter at the event and watched
commissions to charity. Staff
– none of whom were able to
as she closed deals on the
also sacrifice their salary on the
successfully complete the game.
trading floor worth millions of pounds. Commenting on the
day to increase the total that is distributed to good causes.
The fun did not detract from the
day Charles said;
purpose of the day though, which
and sport at ICAP’s annual charity day in London to help
London’s Air Ambulance medics
was to help the represented
“Being part of the ICAP Charity
close deals worth millions of
set up a Giant Operation game on
charities raise awareness, raise
Day has been an absolute
pounds to raise funds for the
the trading floor which proved a
money, and change lives for the
privilege. London’s Air
charity.
royally good draw for the visiting
better.
Ambulance has operating costs of £8.5million each year. The
celebrities. HRH Prince Harry and Twiggy, Brenda Blethyn, Gary
HRH The Countess of Wessex
TV presenter and radio
support from ICAP means that
Roslin, Dr Hilary Jones, Helen
both stopped by to try the game
broadcaster Gaby Roslin
we can fund our fleet of rapid
Fospero, Gail Porter and Nina
and speak with London’s Air
summed up the celebrity
response cars for the next three
Wadia toured the trading floors in
Ambulance consultant Gareth
support for London’s Air
years – a significant help for
London’s Air Ambulance branding
Grier and Lead Paramedic Sharon
Ambulance;
our service. All of our celebrity
speaking to ICAP staff who
Mortimer. HRH Sophie Wessex
were in fancy dress. The party
proved to be a natural, beating
“London’s Air Ambulance is such
getting stuck into the fun of the
atmosphere helped boost global
Prince Harry’s attempt which
a vital service. I had such fun at
day and helping to close deals
supporters have been incredible,
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
28 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE that will mean we can continue to provide a world-class service for all Londoners. Thank you to Gail, Gabby, Hilary, Helen, Brenda, Twiggy and Nina, and everyone at ICAP for such an amazing day.”
WMAS
Superbike Legend Returns To Bike4Life Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, organiser of the much-anticipated Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival 2017, has announced former World Superbike champion and racing legend, Carl Fogarty, is returning to lead the Ride Out on Sunday 30th April 2017. Now in its seventh year, Bike4Life has grown to become one of the country’s most popular biker events. Now over 6,000 bikers take part in the Ride Out which
runs 23 miles from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury to RAF Cosford, home to the Bike4Life Festival, which attracts a further 6,000 people. Carl Fogarty was the star of Bike4Life in 2015, and is returning in 2017 as part of his continued commitment to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which sadly airlifts motorcyclists on a regular basis. Carl said: “Bike4Life is one of the best biker events in the calendar, and it’s all in aid of a very important cause. When I took part previously the atmosphere on the day was fantastic and it was great to so many with bikers, fans and Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s own supporters. “I’m really looking forward to once again leading the Ride Out, and as registration is now open, I’d urge people to sign up as there are
limited places in the Ride Out.” Jason Levy from Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, and chair of the Bike4Life organising committee, added: “We are honoured Carl is returning to the Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival. His career achievements are legendary, and we know he will really help make Bike4Life 2017 be a great success. As well as being a great day out, Bike4Life also aims to raise vitally important funds for our lifesaving service, so I’d encourage anyone thinking of getting involved, to support our event and register now for the Ride Out.” To take part in the Ride Out, led by Carl Fogarty, simply visit www. bike4lifefest.com. It only costs £10 per motorbike (pillions ride for free) to register with all proceeds raised going to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. For those who don’t take part in the Ride Out, entrance to the
Bike4Life Festival is £5 per person and under 16s go free. Bike4Life is run in collaboration with Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police who work tirelessly to promote road safety and to help reduce the number of road traffic collisions across West Mercia. The event is supported by the Central Motorway Police Group, Highways England, West Mercia Police Shropshire County Council, the RAF Museum Cosford and RAF Cosford. Keep up to date on social media by following Bike4LifeFest on Facebook and Twitter. Find out more information about the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting www. midlandsairambulance.com or for more information on the Safer Roads Partnership visit www. srpwestmercia.org.uk
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
29 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
NEWSLINE Night-Lit Emergency Helicopter Landing Sites Programme Reaches Phase II Following the successful operation of four temporary night-lit emergency helipads across Herefordshire and Shropshire, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has announced it is now rolling out further temporary night-lit sites in the counties, to enable a greater number of patients in urgent need of medical attention reach the hospitals best suited for their specific injuries. The current sites, which were granted funded by a separate organisation, the County Air Ambulance Trust and it’s HELP Appeal, launched in February 2016 and are located in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Bishops Castle, Shobdon and Tilstock. Since last October, the charity’s three aircraft have been utilising the temporary helipads in the hours of darkness, meaning the aircrew were able to fly to more remote locations by helicopter at night, enabling them to reach and treat those in urgent need of medical attention. Following the success of the
parts of the region. The CELLS
Blood samples are passed to
A spokeswoman for NHSGGC
project was launched to enable
nursing staff on arrival at the
said: “We are currently trialling
us to bring the very best clinical
hospital and sent to the lab as the
a project with one particular
skillset to the patient, and to
patient is being checked in.
paramedic crew taking patient
reduce transfer times to specialist hospitals after dark.
bloods en route to hospital, in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
order to speed up diagnosis on
say the aim of the pilot is to
arrival.
“Phase I of the project has been a
speed up the diagnostic process
great success and the roll out of
and “reduce the strain” on A&E
“This is being tested with a
Phase II will mean we reach and
services.
small group of patients who
treat more people as demand for our service continues to grow.” As part of Phase II, a further
are referred by their GP to the When patients are seen by a
Medical Assessment Unit at the
doctor, they should have a full set
Royal Alexandra Hospital and the
of blood test results.
project will be evaluated in the
CELLS site at in the Aylestone Hill
New Year.
area of Hereford is progressing
The scheme is targeted at
and it is hopeful this site will be
patients who have been referred
“Staff at the Royal Alexandra
available for use in January 2017.
as an emergency by their GPs to
The Midlands Air Ambulance
Hospital have been working
the hospital’s acute receiving unit.
closely with colleagues in the
Charity is therefore appealing to local residents to volunteer for CELLS training within the next few months. Further sites will be reviewed with a further grant received from the HELP Appeal to support the project. If you are interested in becoming a CELLS volunteer, please contact cells@midlandsairambulance. com for more information. To find out more about how you can help to fund a Midlands Air Ambulance Charity mission, please call 0800 8 40 20 40 or visit: www.midlandsairambulance.com
Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) The pilot is detailed in the
on a number of different projects
board’s winter plan and part
to support patient care and flow,
of a range of strategies to help
of which this is one.”
ease pressure on accident and emergency services.
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service
The paper states: “The premise
said:”Paramedics are trained to
of the project is enabling the
take blood samples during their
Scottish Ambulance Service to
initial training.
assist in the emergency unit diagnostic process by taking a
“The pilot at the RAH is using
patient’s bloods on route to the
this skill to take blood samples
RAH.
for some patients prior to arriving at hospital when they travel by
“The expected benefit of this
ambulance.
change is to speed up the diagnostic process, meaning
“The aim of this is to escalate
when medical staff first reviews
the patient through the initial
the patient, they should already
department as quickly as
have a full set of blood results to
possible.
direct treatment options.” SAS
“This is seen as a positive step in
Paramedics taking blood tests to help speed up A&E waiting times
Both Glasgow Royal Infirmary
the patient experience and joint
and the RAH are also taking
working with the RAH and the
part in a pilot to help reduce
Scottish Ambulance Service”.
Steele, received the innovation
Paramedics are being trained
Under the scheme, GPs will
accolade at MAAC’s Recognition
to take blood samples from
decide if an admission for some
Awards and Charity Ball in 2016.
patients to help drive down
patients can be safely delayed
accident and emergency
until the next day.
first phase of sites, the team who assisted in creating the Community Emergency Landing Light Support (CELLS) programme, paramedic Julian
pressure on the immediate assessment unit.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
Spiers and Captain Richard
Julian Spiers comments: “At
waiting times. The health board say
Midlands Air Ambulance, we
WAA
Wiltshire Air Ambulance awarded £1 million towards custom-built new airbase
strive to offer the very best care
Ambulance staff are taking part
alternatives to admission will
to our patients, and this includes
in a pilot involving patients who
be explored by an experienced
WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance
those who are unfortunate to need
are being taken to the Royal
member of staff such as a
(WAA) has been awarded £1
our services in the more remote
Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
senior nurse or a consultant.
million towards its new airbase.
30 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE The £1 million is from the LIBOR
“As has been the case since
is granted we will be launching a
young boy from Tooting, I never
fund and was announced by the
the charity was established, we
Capital Appeal to raise the remaining
would have expected to receive
continue to rely on donations and
£1.25 million of the £5.1 million cost
an award from HM the Queen.
Rt Hon Philip Hammond, during
grants and make no demands
of our new airbase. We already have
the Autumn Statement in the
upon the taxpayer to fund our
£2.5 million pledged by a benefactor.
“Over the last forty years, it has
House of Commons today (23
vital service. However, I would
Come early 2017 and we hope
been an honour to work alongside
November 2016).
like to thank those local MPs
groups, businesses and individuals
our emergency service family and
who lobbied on our behalf since
across Wiltshire will all support our
to see the members of staff I have
The LIBOR fund is monies from
without their help this funding
Airbase Appeal to secure the future
helped to develop move on to
fines levied on the banking
would not have happened.
of this lifesaving service for many
greater things.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, the
more years to come.”
industry for manipulating the LIBOR rate.
“It was a real shock to have been
“Our dedicated paramedics, doctors and pilots have saved
The charity is proposing to build the
countless lives in the 26 years we
airbase on land at Outmarsh Farm,
have been operating, thanks to the
Semington, near Melksham. It will
generosity of people raising the
consist of an Operations Centre for
funds we need. Our new airbase
its helicopter and aircrew and base
will allow our essential helicopter
for the Charity Team.
emergency medical service (HEMS) to save future generations.”
The charity has already been
LAS
London Ambulance medic honoured with Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal A London Ambulance Service medic, who helped saved
granted outline planning
Currently the charity rents
permission for the Outmarsh Farm
a hangar at Wiltshire Police
site and has submitted its detailed
headquarters in Devizes for its
plans for the project to Wiltshire
helicopter and aircrew while the
Council.
charity team is based in rented
awarded the prestigious Queen’s
offices in Calne.
Ambulance Service Medal in the
David Philpott, Chief Executive of
countless lives in major incidents and played a key part in the capital’s response to the Olympic Games in 2012, has been
New Year’s Honours List.
WAA, said: “We are delighted to
Mr Philpott added: “Having a
have been awarded this £1 million
purpose-built facility will enable
Paul, who has spent over forty
grant from Her Majesty’s Treasury
us to have full control over our
years saving lives in London, was
towards our new airbase. The
future. Our preferred location at
also recognised by colleagues
funding will be used to complete
Outmarsh Farm, Semington, will
for his continual commitment to
the building, equipping and
enable our helicopter to reach
patient care and staff progression
fitting out of our purpose-built
all parts of Wiltshire within 11
as part of his role as a sector
Operations Centre and will bring
minutes, as it currently does from
delivery manager.
together the aircrew, helicopter
its base in Devizes. Speaking of his award, Paul said:
and charity team onto one site for the first time.
“If our detailed planning application
“Starting out in the Service as a
awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal and I’m incredibly humbled to receive such high recognition for my career with the Service.” The award praised Paul’s commitment to London Ambulance Service, highlighting his involvement in responding to major incidents and events including the London Olympic Games in 2012. Peter McKenna, Deputy Director at the London Ambulance Service said: “Paul has spent two thirds of his life dedicated to serving the population of London, saving countless lives. “During his time with the Service, he has also strived to ensure the continuous improvement and development of his colleagues, playing a key role in introducing formal management training. We are very pleased that his efforts have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.” Paul will be invited to attend a ceremony at Buckingham Palace from Her Majesty the Queen. The Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal (QAM) honours a very small, select group of ambulance crews and control room staff who have shown exceptional devotion to duty, outstanding ability, merit
A 3D image of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s proposed new airbase on land at Outmarsh Farm, Semington
and conduct in their roles within
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
later in the year to receive his award
NHS Ambulance Services.
31 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE paramedics in the future to ensure
ensure all ambulance staff receive
schoolchildren on Restart a
patients will continue to get the
fair pay. This agreement is a step
Heart Day in 2015.
very best care.”
in the right direction.
Ken Wenman, lead chief executive
The GMB is pleased the DOH
Sector Campaign category and
The role of a paramedic will be
Association of Chief Executives
has finally realised paramedics
the results were announced at
re-banded nationally, giving
(AACE) and chief executive
need to be paid properly. We
an awards ceremony in Leeds in
paramedics the opportunity to
of South Western Ambulance
will now work with ambulance
November.
earn more as they progress.
Service NHS Foundation Trust,
employers to ensure the details
New pay deal for paramedics
The team entered the Public
said: “We are really pleased that
of this agreement are properly
Led by Corporate
The Department of Health, NHS
this agreement on pay banding
implemented.”
Communications Officer Louise
Employers and ambulance unions
has been reached, which
have agreed paramedics will be
recognises the additional clinical
re-banded nationally from band 5
skills and knowledge ambulance
to band 6.
paramedics now have and will continue to develop.
This new deal will see paramedics
Boyes, the team planned a YAS
Yorkshire Ambulance Service Corporate Communications Team Scoops Silver PR Award
multi-faceted campaign to increase public awareness of the benefits of bystander CPR, recruit volunteers to facilitate the training and secured partnership support.
in England move up the pay scale
“Patients will undoubtedly benefit
from band 5 to band 6 where
from this important decision as
appropriate. This is in recognition
ambulance services across the
of the increasing responsibilities
country help to transform urgent
of being a modern paramedic.
and emergency care services in
The Yorkshire Ambulance
traditional media, profiling
England, treating more patients
Service Corporate
‘flagship’ schools across the
outside busy hospitals.
Communications Team has
region, providing a dedicated
won a Silver Chartered Institute
online microsite and encouraging
of Public Relations PRide
support from health and
Award 2016 in recognition
emergency service partners,
of the work done to raise the
professional football and rugby
profile of our efforts to provide
clubs and celebrities.
It also means paramedics will be able to earn more as they progress through the Agenda for
“Under the new banding,
Change pay scale.
paramedics will be expected to develop and provide the
UNISON head of health
necessary skills put forward by
Christina McAnea said: “This
the UECR. The UECR sets out
agreement shows what can be
a clear vision for the ambulance
achieved when everyone works
service to change from a
together in the interests of both
service based on a model of
patients and staff.
transportation to one of clinical
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to 20,000
assessment and treatment. “This will help ambulance trusts
from the ambulance service,
to become more of a mobile
but it will certainly make it a little
treatment service that best suits
easier for trusts to hold onto
patient needs.”
experienced staff.” Unite national officer for health
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt
Sarah Carpenter said: “We
said: “Our dedicated paramedics
believe and are pleased that it
do a vital job helping patients
has now been recognised after a
when they need it most so I’m
number of years raising concerns
very pleased that we have agreed
that our members were not
a new pay deal with unions.
appropriately rewarded for the vital role they perform.
“In recognition of their increased responsibilities we have agreed
“We look forward to working
to look at re-banding around
with employers and the other
12,000 paramedics where their
ambulance unions to finally
job description matches the
implement this pay deal.”
requirements of the new band 6 profile, moving them up the pay
GMB national officer Sharon
scale and making sure we are
Holder said: “GMB has
able to better recruit and retain
campaigned for many years to
implementation of a variety of tactics including social media,
“The banding issue alone may not solve the drain of paramedics
The campaign strategy included
32 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
Widespread national and local
NEWSLINE help to cover the operation of a
Strategic Operational Manager
Twitter activity helped to raise
new fleet for a period of one year
responsible for planning the
the profile of the campaign and
“Our bid set out how a donation
from 2017.
ambulance, medical and first
the event model was this year
from LIBOR would help us to
adopted by the UK’s 13 other
set up a fully-functional night
WAAC will receive the £1m LIBOR
events. This has included Royal
ambulance services.
operation for the whole of
donation in April 2017.
Week, the Royal Military Tattoo,
media coverage and significant
closer to reaching that goal.
aid provision at the many
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, the
Wales, enabling us to carry out WAS
Wales Air Ambulance Charity receives donation from LIBOR banking fines The Wales Air Ambulance Charity has been successful in its bid for funding from the LIBOR banking fines, announced in the Treasury’s Autumn Statement.
paediatric, neonatal and adult
SAS
rugby international matches,
Scottish Ambulance Service Manager Awarded Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal in Queen’s Honours List
football games and the Papal
will continue fundraising and
John Alexander, Head of
any fuss, yet the success of
appealing for donations to reach
Service for the Scottish
Edinburgh’s events are well
its goal of a 24/7 service.
Ambulance Service South East
documented and there will
Division, has been awarded
be countless patients who
missions on board our aircraft. We’re delighted to have secured £1m, which will cover one third of our costs for night flight planning.” Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £6.5m in charitable donations every year to keep its four helicopters flying. The charity
Visit amongst others. Pauline Howie, CEO of the Scottish Ambulance Service said, “John is the type of person who just gets on with it without
The £1m boost will go towards
It works in partnership with NHS
the Queen’s Ambulance
have been cared for and
increasing flying hours and
Wales, who supply medical crews
Service medal in the Queen’s
lives saved at these events
the charity’s plans for night
and kit on board the helicopters.
New Year’s Honour’s List.
because of John’s exemplary
It is the second time the Wales Air
John has been with the
and exceptional devotion to
WAAC’s chief executive Angela
Ambulance Charity has applied
Scottish Ambulance Service
duty. On behalf of all of our
Hughes said: “It’s the charity’s
for and received funding from the
for 31 years, working as an
staff and Board, I would like
vision to become a 24-hour
LIBOR banking fines. In 2015 the
Ambulance Paramedic and
to congratulate John on being
operation and this donation from
charity received £1.5m towards
Team Leader and has been
recognised in this year’s
the LIBOR fund takes us a step
a helicopter upgrade, which will
the principle lead Tactical and
honours”.
and distinguished service
operations.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
33 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE WMAS
Trust introduces some of the most advanced ambulances ever West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is rolling out 66 of the most advanced ambulances ever seen. The vehicles, which use technology normally associated with the aerospace industry, come with the key message emblazoned on the rear that there is an alternative to 999. It is part of a joint initiative with NHS England to highlight that patients don’t always need to dial 999 to get urgent care. WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “These new ambulances are some of the most sophisticated emergency vehicles in the world. Not only are they packed full of the latest technology to help patients, but they are more comfortable and efficient than ever before, using technology piloted in the aerospace industry. “I am delighted that we have been
around 14 million callers a year to get the right care in the right place, first time – reducing pressure on A&E and 999 services.” Tony Page, WMAS Fleet General Manager, added: “By using construction methods used in aircraft manufacture we are providing our patients and staff with a quieter and warmer working area. Improvements include better air suspension and more
Ambulance charity manages national emergency services bereavement fund
comfortable seating which will
supporting families bereaved in traumatic circumstances. Under the scheme, specialist bereavement support will be available to the surviving relatives of members of the English
A national bereavement support
ambulance, fire, coastguard,
service has been launched to
search and rescue, air
“The techniques used mean the
help children and families whose
ambulance, and police services,
vehicles are lighter which will
parents or close relatives have
as well as volunteers under their
improve the handling and reduce
been killed while on duty with
direct control, who are killed while
fuel and maintenance costs,
one of the emergency services.
on duty as a direct consequence
provide a better ride and handling.
allowing us to invest even more into front line clinical care.
of their work. The specialist service is being funded out of a £1 million
Bereavement support, which
“We have worked closely with
endowment granted to the
can also be via telephone or
our staff and the manufacturers
Joint Emergency Services
email as well as face to face, is
to design the vehicles so that
Bereavement Fund from the Libor
available to children and young
they are easy to use and easier
fines funding. The bereavement
people who have been affected
to clean and restock for our
fund is managed by TASC, The
by a parent’s death, as well as
Ambulance Fleet Assistant teams.
Ambulance Staff Charity on
other immediate family including
behalf of all of the participating
parents, guardians and siblings.
“All of the vehicles also include
emergency services charities in
Support can be offered even if the
CCTV systems that will help to
England.
death occurred some time ago.
protect our staff should the worst happen.”
Group sessions may also be held The bereavement support scheme
involving other bereaved families.
offered by the Joint Emergency WMAS Communications Director,
Services Charities provides
To find out more about the
Murray MacGregor, added: “It is
ongoing help to children and
support available, please visit
great that we have been able to
young people under the age of
the dedicated Winston’s Wish
work with NHS England to get
25 and their families through a
webpage www.winstonswish.
threatening injuries or illness.”
such important messages out to
programme of comprehensive
org.uk/emergencyservices
the public by using the side of
support, including face-to-
Dr Helen Thomas, National
the ambulances. We first started
face sessions with specialist
Families or organisations working
Medical Advisor for Integrated
using this method some years
practitioners if needed.
with bereaved children and young
Urgent Care at NHS England,
ago and I’m delighted that NHS
said: “It’s really good to see the
England see the value of this
The cost of the first year of
or bereavement support by calling
NHS 111 non-emergency number
method of providing information
operation was met by a welcome
the Winston’s Wish Freephone
sitting alongside 999 on these
to the public.
donation from the Blue Lamp
Helpline on 08088 020 021
Foundation, but further set-up
between 9am and 5pm Monday
“I am equally pleased that we are
costs and the ongoing service
to Friday. Calls are free and
“This gives a clear message
able to highlight our social media
is being funded out of the
confidential. Winston’s Wish can
that 999 is for life-threatening
presence on Twitter, Facebook,
endowment.
also provide publications suitable
emergencies – but if you’re in
Instagram and You Tube. With
need of urgent help and it’s not
around 50,000 followers seeing
The charities are working in
an emergency there is another
the updates that we put out on
partnership with childhood
For more information about
number to call – NHS 111.
a daily basis, this will allow us to
bereavement charity Winston’s
the Joint Emergency Services
communicate even better with the
Wish who have almost 25
Bereavement programme and fund
public of the West Midlands.”
years specialist experience of
contact TASC on 02477 987922.
able to join with NHS England to highlight that many patients could be helped by using the 111 service leaving 999 for those who have life
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
ambulances.
“The service is now helping
adults can also obtain guidance
to the circumstances.
34 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE EEAST
‘No excuse’ for attacking ambulance staff after new figures show 19% increase in assaults Emergency Medical Technician Graham Hillman was on duty in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, last October when he was called to
That’s the message from bosses
Criminal sanctions were brought
“One assault against a
at the region’s ambulance service,
against 66 people in the last
colleague is one too many and
which has experienced a 19%
year.
can have a devastating impact
increase in reported violence in the last year.
Chief Executive Robert Morton said: “It is appalling that some
on individuals and their families. “It is unacceptable and we work
New figures reveal that there were
people are violent towards our
232 physical assaults against East
staff when they are trying to help
closely with police to ensure
of England Ambulance Service
and provide the best possible
that criminal proceedings are
NHS Trust (EEAST) staff in 2015/16,
care to patients. There’s no
brought against those who
compared to 195 in 2014/15.
excuse for attacks on our staff.
attack front-line staff.”
an intoxicated patient who lashed out and broke his glasses. He was then spat at. His attacker was jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay £125 compensation. “It is one of the most disgusting things that one person can do to another. Lashing out is bad enough, but spitting is disgusting. It makes me more wary and realise that not everyone is grateful to see us or fully in control. “It is not the first time I have experienced violence, but is the first time I felt it needed to be reported and press charges. The sentence validates the view that this behaviour is totally unacceptable. We were off the road for four hours because of what he did. “As 999 emergency ambulance staff, our only concern for our patients is to help them in every way that we can. We should be able to do this without fear of being attacked, assaulted or having our personal property damaged in the process of doing so…” “She was drunk.”
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AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
“He had taken drugs.”
ambulance staff.
35 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE Bank Fines Celebrated by Minister at Air Ambulance Reception
£10.8 million from the banking
Caroline Creer, Fundraising
“The APPGAA is here as your
fines fund (LIBOR).
Director of Devon Air
champions and your advocates
Ambulance and Chair of
in Parliament. Keep providing
Rob Wilson MP said: “Air
the AAA Communications
the amazing service that you
ambulances across the UK have
Subcommittee said “We were
do for our constituents; without
grown to play a key role in our
pleased to meet some of our
you, many of them would not be
emergency services response
Devon MPs at the reception
around.”
capacity. The latest award of
and delighted at the support
£10.8 million is in addition to the
received. Although we are
A reception held by the All
£24 million previously allocated
very much looking at the best
Party Parliamentary Group for
in previous statements, however
practice and support in Devon
Air Ambulances (APPGAA)
there is a possibility that these
it’s also essential for us to be
took place on the House of
funds will run out in the not too
able to play an active role in
Commons Terrace, Westminster
distant future.
our unique community across
EEAST
Ambulance service launches new dementia strategy
the country. The recognition
An ambitious strategy has
event, hosted by Chairman of
“The air ambulance network
that Central Government
been launched by the region’s
the APPGAA Jim Fitzpatrick
needs to consider not only how to
affords us by this parliamentary
ambulance service to improve
MP for Poplar and Limehouse,
continue saving lives but also ways
group gives greater visibility
the care and experience for
gave members of both Houses
to enhance the network so that
and enables us to raise our
people with dementia.
of Parliament the opportunity to
they can continue saving lives into
industry’s profile.”
meet with representatives from
the future. It is making great use
air ambulance charities and
of their 2,500 volunteer community
“The APPGAA’s annual
Ambulance Service NHS Trust
ambulance services.
in many different ways. The UK
reception is an important
(EEAST) say it will develop a skilled
is the second most generous
date in our calendar and an
and effective workforce able to
Jim introduced Rob Wilson MP,
nation in the world donating £11
opportunity for the community
champion compassionate person-
Minister for Social Society who
billion to good causes. My goal is
to come together and meet
centred care and recognise the
thanked the APPGAA for all their
to create an environment so that
with members of Westminster
early signs of dementia.
hard work before addressing the
the voluntary sector can create a
to highlight our successes and
audience. Rob highlighted the
sustainable future. The public must
discuss our Key Issues.”
excellent outcome of the Autumn
trust that their fundraising is going
Statement last week where
to great causes and you have my
Jim Fitzpatrick MP brought
air ambulances were a major
continued support as the Minister
proceedings to a conclusion
The strategy was launched at
beneficiary in being awarded
of Social Society.”
with a final message of thanks:
the latest Board meeting on
on 28 November 2016. The
Bosses at the East of England
And it has pledged to become a dementia-friendly organisation.
Wednesday 30th November by one of the service’s area clinical leads Duncan Moore, with support from the Alzheimer’s Society. It’s been implemented to support the Government’s National Dementia Strategy to ensure all people living with dementia and their carers should live well with dementia. Dementia is incurable and symptoms can include severe memory loss, mood and personality changes AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
and behaviour that challenges others such as serious confusion, agitation and aggression. The work over three years will be done in partnership with charities and health and social care statutory dementia care Left to right – Nigel Hare (Operations Director – DAA), Stephen Tyrrell (Trustee – DAA), Caroline Creer (Fundraising Director – DAA), David Hawes (Finance Director – DAA) and Richard Tate (Pilot – DAA)
36 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
providers, as well as clinical commissioning groups and voluntary organisations.
NEWSLINE Duncan said the collaborations
It will streamline the number of
either now wearing, or in the
Commercial Alliance, will monitor
will aid and support the work
different clothing items used by
process of migrating to, the new
the success of the core uniform,
and contribute to improving the
paramedics and other ambulance
core uniform.
assist in the development of
health and outcomes of those
staff nationwide, reducing the
with dementia, and their carers:
number of local variations on
The new uniform will be phased in
opportunities for standardisation
“Dementia is one of the greatest
essential garments such as
as Trusts replace worn out items
and rationalisation via Lot 2,
challenges facing our ageing
shirts, T-shirts, trousers, fleeces,
used by existing staff and issue
share experience amongst
society – there are more than
jackets and high vis vests from
uniforms to new recruits joining
Trusts with an objective of driving
82,500 people in the East of
over 80 to just 16. The framework
the service. The approach creates
standardisation, and ensure value
England living with a diagnosis of
also provides a platform for
the opportunity for staff to retain
for money.
dementia.
cost savings, standardisation
the same uniform if they transfer
and rationalisation of a range of
to other Trusts.
“Our patient transport services
future specifications, seek out
additional items procured.
routinely work with people living
Mark Ainsworth, Chair of the National Uniform Working Group
Ambulance Trusts in the UK
(and Director of Operations, South
with dementia, and of course
As well as saving the tax payer
spend an estimated £3.2 million
we have to make emergency
Central Ambulance Service NHS
an estimated 37% over the four
per annum on uniform, including
responses in the community to
Foundation Trust) commented:
year duration of the initial contract
purchasing around 65,000 shirts
affected families and individuals
“The new framework agreement
when compared to the previous
and 55,000 trousers. Previously,
so in our capacity as an
provides an excellent platform
costs, the garments have been
different Trusts used different
for Trusts to procure suitable
independently tested to highly
suppliers and had various local
core uniform and general work
rigorous standards to ensure they
contracts and agreements in
wear in a standardised way,
are the most hard wearing and
place, with widely differing prices
demonstrating value for money,
robust uniform items available to
and terms.
which is underpinned by the
ambulance service and seeing people living with dementia every single day we needed to put it at the centre of our work. It’s the right thing for us to put a massive emphasis on developing our
UK ambulance staff.
National Uniform User Group, The National Ambulance
which is now working collectively
Daren Hopkinson, Chair
Procurement Group (NAPG)
to investigate further savings and
of the National Ambulance
identified that major savings could
standardisation opportunities
Procurement Group and Head
be made by standardising core
using the framework agreement.”
of Procurement, North West
items of uniform and worked
Ambulance Service, said: “This
closely with its procurement
project demonstrates how
partner, the NHS Commercial
like-minded NHS organisations
Alliance, to create a framework
across the UK, with a common
agreement with suppliers who
requirement, can successfully
could guarantee to reach the high
collaborate to achieve quality
goals set for the project.
2016 was busiest ever year for Lincolnshire air ambulance crew
the 37% saving feeds into our
The resulting contract represents
One of the air ambulance
organisations’ primary objective,
the culmination of considerable
services that covers
which is sustained patient care.”
hard work, extensive nationwide
Lincolnshire were called out
stakeholder engagement across
more times in 2016 than in any
has created the first ever
In addition to standardising
the UK and a high level of inter-
other year in its history.
standardised uniform for use by
the core items which form the
NHS collaboration.
UK Ambulance Trusts is set to
major part of a staff member’s
deliver £3.4 million in savings
uniform, the project has also
National Ambulance Procurement
for Magpas, who had almost
for the NHS.
given Ambulance Trusts access
Delivery Manager at the NHS
1,500 callouts for the charity’s
to a pool of approved suppliers to
Commercial Alliance, James
advanced care, across 12
The project, which was delivered
order other work wear items and
Richards, who managed the
different counties.
by the NHS Commercial Alliance
Personal Protective Equipment
project said: “This landmark
and the National Ambulance
(PPE) including helmets and
procurement has delivered an
The ever-increasing demand
Procurement Group, will save
safety footwear, which will create
excellent outcome that has
for the service led to its expert
Ambulance Trusts the cost
additional cost savings and
fundamentally changed the way
medical team being called out to
of more than an entire year’s
ensure a compliant route to
the marketplace operates for
emergencies on average of four
expenditure on uniform items
market for the Trusts purchasing
Ambulance Trusts in this category,
times a day.
(equivalent to around 165,000
them.
and achieved substantial savings
organisation to become dementiafriendly.” For more information on living with dementia, visit https://www. alzheimers.org.uk/ or https:// www.dementiauk.org/
New national ambulance uniform will save the NHS £3.4m A landmark project which
and efficiency benefits. Ultimately
2016 was the busiest year to date
After becoming a 24/7 service
The majority of Ambulance
A new National Uniform User
in October 2015, the charity
of funding approximately 100
Services in England, as well as
Group has been formed which,
now sees almost 50 per cent of
paramedics.
Wales and Northern Ireland are
with the support of the NHS
callouts taking place overnight.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
and operational benefits.”
just four years - the equivalent
garments per annum) over
37 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
ww.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 20-21 September 2017 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 20-21 September 2017 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall
NEWSLINE
“Learning new skills and techniques is important for my career progression but it also means I’m better equipped to help the patients I attend.” Mel Eddon, Emergency Care Assistant,
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
38
Photograph © ESS
Yorkshire Ambulance Service
The Emergency Services Show 2017 – it’s all about you A unique event for everyone who works in the emergency services. Over 400 exhibitors, free seminars and product demonstrations. Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham. Wed 20 – Thu 21 September 2017. Free entry at www.emergencyuk.com.
Event Sponsor
Event partners
Media partners
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
5|
IN PERSON LAS News
Noel retires on Christmas Eve Brent paramedic Noel Thomas retired on Christmas Eve – also his birthday – after 40 years with London Ambulance Service. As well as being one of the Service’s longest serving paramedics, Noel has worked with the same crewmate for 30 years – thought to be a record. Noel said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my job. Retiring is either the best decision I’ve ever made or the worst. My head and body are saying it’s a wise decision but my heart is saying different.” Noel, who lives in Northolt with his wife Christine, has two sons and has also fostered many children over the years – as well as delivering around a dozen babies while working as a paramedic. “Certain jobs you see are horrific and will stay with you forever but when we resuscitate someone or a patient says ‘thank you’, that’s a feeling money cannot buy,” said Noel. “In four days as a paramedic you can bring in a life and be there when someone goes; it’s like a circle.” He credited his long-serving crewmate Christine Money – now retired herself – as being one of the main reasons he stayed in and enjoyed the job for so long. “Having a good crewmate makes this the easiest job in the world. It’s like having a friend and you support each other, both in what’s going on in your life and through the difficult jobs we have to attend.” Noel said he felt the most important element of his career was treating everyone with common courtesy.
“You cannot judge people as you don’t know what has happened in their life that has gotten them to that point. Under different circumstances it could be any of us.” Noel started his career at Park Royal ambulance station on 6 September, 1976. He spent some time at Willesden ambulance station before moving on and spending the majority of his career working from Wembley ambulance station.
SECAMB News
Trust announces appointment of new Chief Executive South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has appointed a new Chief Executive. Following a robust recruitment and selection process, the Trust’s Chairman Sir Peter Dixon announced that Daren Mochrie will be joining SECAmb. With nearly 30 years’ experience of working in the NHS in Scotland and currently the Director of Service Delivery for the Scottish Ambulance Service, Daren has extensive experience of managing ambulance services in both rural and urban settings. Daren was also the lead for ambulance provision in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as well as being a specialist advisor with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), leading four recent CQC inspections of ambulance trusts in England. In announcing the appointment, SECAmb Chairman Sir Peter Dixon said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure a new Chief Executive with Daren’s skills and experience and I’m confident he will provide the necessary leadership to support our recovery.” During the interview process, the interview panel were very impressed with Daren’s breadth of knowledge and grasp of the challenges which the Trust faces. Daren will take over from Geraint Davies who is currently Acting Chief Executive of the Trust and will remain so until Daren joins. The Trust is working to agree a start date and will advise of this in due course. Sir Peter added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Geraint for the stability and focus that he has provided during this very difficult period for the Trust.” LAS News
Paramedic’s half-century of saving lives in London One of the longest serving paramedics in the UK is still saving lives in the capital after
50 years at London Ambulance Service. Kevin Walker, 70, still rides his bike to from his nearby home to Ilford Ambulance Station where he has spent his whole career, having returned to work part-time after just one month spent in retirement. “The highlights have definitely been resuscitating people,” said Kevin, who was awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his work as a paramedic. “I joined up because I wanted to try and help people and I still enjoy the job. Being a paramedic makes you feel you’re doing something worthwhile.” One of his most memorable moments was saving the life of a woman he knew as a receptionist in one of the hospitals he took patients to. “When you see someone you know in cardiac arrest, it’s not nice,” said Kevin. “Thankfully we brought her back and when I was out shopping she came up to my wife and said ‘your husband saved my life’.” Before the city had fully felt the effects of a series of clean air acts it was subject to thick ‘pea soup fogs’ and Kevin recalled how they had to navigate the streets with burning torches to reach patients and take them to hospital in the late 1960s. He said: “They used to put a third man on the ambulance who would walk in front with a foot-long wax taper. Between walking to the patient and then to hospital they could end up walking about seven miles. “In those days we didn’t do so much treatment; if the patient was badly injured we just had to try and stop the bleeding and get them to hospital as quickly as we could.” The state-of-the art ambulances Kevin uses today, fully equipped to deal with a range of emergencies and navigate quickly through the city streets, are a far cry from the original fleet. He added: “The vehicles then were old diesels; you could do about 50 miles an hour going downhill with the wind behind you. In the winter they wouldn’t start so we had to put a mattress on the only petrol coach in our fleet then push the diesel ambulances around the yard until they started.” Assistant Director of Operations Ian Johns said: “By any measure Kevin is an extraordinary man who has committed his life to making sure people are taken care of.”
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
“The rich, the poor and everyone in between are equal when they need our help. We are privileged to see people when their guard is down and be able to help them,” he explained.
Assistant Director of Operations, Ian Johns said: “A forty year career serving London is an extraordinary milestone and the London Ambulance Services wishes Noel the very best in his retirement.”
39 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
IN PERSON LAA News
Chief Executive Officer for London’s Air Ambulance Appointed London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers a 24/7 advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Jenkins as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, Jonathan will provide strategic leadership and direction for our charity, continuing to ensure it is well administered and builds on growth in both operational capability and revenue. Jonathan will join us in April from Social Investment Business where he led a number of successful programmes, which resulted in over £250m of investment into charities and social enterprises. He also has considerable frontline experience, serving as a trustee for a number of charities, including mental health specialist Bright and the Ethex positive investment platform. Speaking about the appointment London’s Air Ambulance Chairman Mark Vickers said: “With Jonathan at the helm, our charity is in a strong position to build on the momentum of our existing success. We look forward to seeing Jonathan use his impressive talents to act as an inspirational leader, a key spokesperson and a passionate advocate for our organisation, generating strong and longlasting relationships with various stakeholders. “The Charity undertook a rigorous search and selection process for this position and we received a pool of exceptionally strong applicants. Jonathan’s impressive skillset and experience, along with his obvious passion for the charity, convinced us that he was the right person to enhance our impact and profile locally, nationally and internationally.”
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
His experience includes strategy formulation and operation delivery in complex environments. Throughout the organisations he has worked in, he has a strong track record in improving core financial, HR, and IT processes. Jonathan’s entire career has been defined by an ability to fundraise in different arenas: from the public, from institutions, for private companies and for charities. Jonathan also brings with him a wealth of contacts in both Government and the City. He serves as a Panel member on a variety of
investment and advisory panels for funders and key sector stakeholders, including government departments, the Big Lottery, the British Council, ACEVO, the Design Council and the innovation charity Nesta. He carried out a secondment with Nesta to formulate investment process for the creation of the £400m Big Society Capital.
“Her leadership has helped steer the Service through a challenging period and in the last two years she has overseen one of the biggest recruitment drives in NHS history, the development of the advanced paramedic practitioners programme, an improved fleet and focused on the personal development and recognition for everyone who works for the Service.”
Before applying for this role, Jonathan already had a keen interest in London’s Air Ambulance. He has previously raised £17,000 for the charity by taking part in the 250km Marathon Des Sables desert ultra-marathon and volunteers for bucket collections..
As Medical Director, Dr Moore led a transformation in patient care, from a doubling of cardiac arrest survival rates in just four years, to the Service being at the centre of the development of specialist stroke, trauma and heart attack centres – and she was appointed London’s first Trauma Director in 2009.
Commenting on his new role as Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Jenkins said: “I have followed the extraordinary progress of London’s Air Ambulance over the past few years as it became one of capital’s most iconic charitable brands. The Charity has already achieved so much, but I am excited to push it even further. I look forward to working alongside both the fundraising and operational teams to take this inspirational charity to new heights.” LAS News
London Ambulance Service - Dr Fionna Moore retires from her position as Chief Executive Dr Moore, who is 67 years old in the new year, plans to ease her way into retirement by spending three days a week doing clinical shifts with the Service, London’s Air Ambulance and in emergency medicine. “I took on the chief executive role intending to do it for two years, to stabilise the Service at what was a challenging time,” said Dr Moore. “I always wanted time at the end of my career to step-back from management responsibilities and focus on my first passion, the clinical care of patients.” Dr Moore has worked in the NHS for over 40 years where she was medical director for the Service for 18 years and chief executive for two. Dr Moore was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours in 2013 for services to the NHS and the emergency services. Chairman, Heather Lawrence OBE, said: “I want to sincerely thank Dr Moore for her years of service.
40 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
Dr Moore said: “We have seen a 63 per cent reduction in mortality from trauma in London and where we led the way, the rest of the country has followed.” NHS Improvement London regional director Steve Russell paid tribute to Dr Moore and thanked her for the “professional dedication and personal commitment” she has made to London Ambulance Service over the past 20 years. He said: “For two decades, Dr Moore has devoted herself to London Ambulance Service, first as a clinician and most recently as chief executive. Her willingness to step into the chief executive role at a time of significant challenge for the organisation demonstrates her commitment to the Service. “Since taking up the role of chief executive, Dr Moore has led the delivery of clear improvements which form a strong foundation for the trust’s continued progress in performance, recruitment, and improved organisational culture. There is no doubt that the Service has further hard work ahead on its journey, but it has a sound platform on which build and grow.” As well as leading the Service, Dr Moore has been at the frontline, delivering care to patients at major incidents such as the Southall and Paddington train crashes, at events like the Notting Hill Carnival that she has attended for a number of years, and during clinical shifts across London. Dr Moore said: “It’s been a huge privilege to work alongside so many dedicated, committed and wonderful people for so many years. I am immensely proud of the work everyone at the Service does and the progress we have made to improve our care to patients over the last 20 years.”
IN PERSON The Board and NHS Improvement will now seek to appoint a new permanent Chief Executive for the Service. In the meantime, Andrew Grimshaw, Director of Finance will act as interim Chief Executive.
WAS News
Welsh Ambulance Service Staff Recognised in Queen’s New Year’s Honours List There has been double delight for the Welsh Ambulance Service as two of its colleagues are recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. Both the Trust’s Head of Research and Innovation, Nigel Rees, and its Senior Education and Development Lead (Head of Driving), Andrew Challenger, have been awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal. Nigel, who has dedicated 24 years to the service, has been instrumental in the recent success of the Trust in winning two prestigious Research for Patient and Public Benefit grants. Meanwhile Andrew, who has been with the service for almost 30 years, has led many significant educational projects that have resulted in substantial improvements for patients and staff alike. Chief Executive Tracy Myhill said: “We are extremely proud that both Nigel and Andrew have been recognised and it’s a testament to the sterling service they have provided to the Trust and to the people of Wales over the years.” Nigel joined the ambulance service in September 1991 as a cadet with Powys Ambulance Service, before progressing to Patient Care Services and then becoming an Emergency Medical Technician, working at various locations across South Powys.
He has since taken up role as Head of Research and Innovation at the Trust, based in Cardiff, and is also working towards his PhD. In his role Nigel has further developed the Trust’s Research and Development Forum, created close working relationships with
He is a regular speaker in worldwide events in ambulance research and was invited to speak at conferences in the United States and Sweden. The Welsh Ambulance Service’s Head of Research and Innovation, Nigel Rees has been awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal. Andrew’s achievements include co-writing the Swansea University Diploma in Paramedic Science and he is currently leading the transition of paramedic education from diploma to degree-level, in collaboration with the university. His distinguished career with the Welsh Ambulance Service spans 29 years and has evolved from a part-time Patient Care Service operative to Senior Education and Development Lead. Andrew, who is based in Swansea, has been pivotal to the modernisation of ambulance education and is a valued member of the Trust’s Senior Management Team and UK National Education Groups. He has led driver education within the Trust for 13 years, designing and developing two innovative driver training vehicles, the concept of which has since been shared and adopted by other ambulance trusts. He has also developed a team of driving and clinical tutors who are respected throughout the UK, due to their exemplary conduct and standards. Chief Executive Tracy Myhill added: “They are highly deserving of the award and I am delighted that their commitment has been acknowledged in such a distinguished way.” Both the Trust’s Director of Operations Richard Lee, and Head of Operations – Resilience, Chris Sims were recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
helped saved countless lives in major incidents and played a key part in the capital’s response to the Olympic Games in 2012, has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal in the New Year’s Honours List. Paul, who has spent over forty years saving lives in London, was also recognised by colleagues for his continual commitment to patient care and staff progression as part of his role as a sector delivery manager. Speaking of his award, Paul said: “Starting out in the Service as a young boy from Tooting, I never would have expected to receive an award from HM the Queen. “Over the last forty years, it has been an honour to work alongside our emergency service family and to see the members of staff I have helped to develop move on to greater things. “It was a real shock to have been awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal and I’m incredibly humbled to receive such high recognition for my career with the Service.” The award praised Paul’s commitment to London Ambulance Service, highlighting his involvement in responding to major incidents and events including the London Olympic Games in 2012. Peter McKenna, Deputy Director at the London Ambulance Service said: “Paul has spent two thirds of his life dedicated to serving the population of London, saving countless lives. “During his time with the Service, he has also strived to ensure the continuous improvement and development of his colleagues, playing a key role in introducing formal management training. We are very pleased that his efforts have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.” Paul will be invited to attend a ceremony at Buckingham Palace later in the year to receive his award from Her Majesty the Queen.
LAS News
London Ambulance medic honoured with Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal A London Ambulance Service medic, who
The Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal (QAM) honours a very small, select group of ambulance crews and control room staff who have shown exceptional devotion to duty, outstanding ability, merit and conduct in their roles within NHS Ambulance Services.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
He finally returned to his home of Ystradgynlais as a paramedic in 1993 and was Powys’s first Advanced Paramedic Practitioner.
Swansea Clinical School and secured funding for many important research projects.
41 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
COMPANY NEWS Critical Care Patient Transfer Bag manufactured by Openhouse Products Openhouse Products, working with the North London Critical Care Network (NWLCCN) have developed the Critical Care Patient Transfer bag to deliver standardised equipment and quick ‘at a glance’ checking to support front line staff when transferring critically ill patients. The bag was designed with human factors at the forefront
Clinical staff no longer have to
This bag opens up to present
wipe clean, light weight and
carry the bag when managing
users with colour coded and
extremely durable. The bag
clearly labelled modules for
has been adopted by hospitals
quick access. The modules
across London and following
patients as it is easily attached
and facilitates quick and easy
on to hospital and ambulance
have an ‘open book’ design
release of the bag in September
access during a transfer.
beds and trolleys.
and clear panels to enable
2016 with many hospitals
easy identification of required
around the country now
items and reduce checking
adopting this system.
time. Estimated at up to 8 hours per week. Each module
A training film about the
has been designed to hold the
Patient Transfer Bag has been
standardised transfer content
produced by NWLCCN
for the individual category e.g.
www.londonccn.nhs.uk
Advanced Airway. For further details please contact In order to reduce the volume
sales@openhouseproducts.com
of equipment carried on a
or give us a call on
transfer we have added a clear
0151 647 4044
patient pocket, specifically designed to carry items relating to the individual patient being transferred. A widespread and comprehensive consensus (published) used the expertise and experience of many clinicians to safely reduce the volume of transfer equipment carried. Full details of the AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
design process can be seen in the Journal of the Intensive Care Society (JICS). The Critical Care Patient Transfer bag is made in the UK at the Openhouse factory in Birkenhead. Openhouse manufacture the bag using their own anti-bacterial material ‘micrAgard Plus™’ that is
42 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
“The bag was designed with human factors at the forefront and facilitates quick and easy access during a transfer.”
COMPANY NEWS How using the right equipment can help produce more realistic training
circumstances or environments.
been developed over 30 years
already have and these can
When responding to incidents on
with advice and feedback from
easily be removed for cleaning.
a mass scale, or in life-threatening
our customers – who are all
The torso features essential
environments such as building
experts, primarily working in the
anatomical landmarks including
collapses or significant fires, it
Emergency Services, Rescue
the sternum, rib cage, and
is essential that your team can
Teams and the Armed Forces.
substernal notch. The torso also
continue to perform their work to
contains teeth, uvula, vocal cords,
the highest standards, despite
Ruth Lee manikins live a hard
glottis, epiglottis, larynx, arytenoid
what is going on around them.
life! From one day to the next,
cartilage, trachea, esophagus,
they might be trapped inside a
and inflatable lungs and stomach
Budget restraints can sometimes
collapsed building, impaled in a
whilst allowing nasogastric
hinder a trainer’s ability and desire
RTA or left dangling precariously in
It goes without saying that
tube placement and accepts
to create an effective training
a Working at Height exercise. One
effective training is essential to
Combitube®, E.O.A., E.G.T.A.,
exercise. After all, the thought of
manikin which is particularly praised
the emergency services. HART
P.T.L. and i-gel airways.
creating a large scale building
by Ambulance Trusts up and down
teams and First Responders carry
collapse is way out of most Trusts’
the country is the Full Bodied
out very important, life-critical
Imagine this manikin trapped
budgets! But there is equipment
Airway Management Manikin, which
jobs and therefore their training
in a confined space such as
out there which can help you to
is a valuable tool for creating more
must equip them with first-hand,
down a mine shaft or beneath an
create smaller scale, but equally
realistic training exercises.
articulated lorry, or perhaps with
practical and effective methods
effective training scenarios. With
for fulfilling their role, in the most
careful planning and a relatively
All too often, CPR and Airway
apparent RTA. It might be raining,
challenging of situations.
small investment, you can buy
Management training is carried
or there may be lots of people
equipment which will last many
out in a classroom environment.
milling around…. NOW ask your
years to come and is invaluable
This can be good for minimising
participants to carry out CPR and
for creating the realistic training
distractions and is undoubtedly
Airway Management Training! The
sessions you have dreamt of.
a more comfortable environment
scenario is much less comfortable,
for your participants… but when
much less straightforward and
the need arises to perform these
therefore much more realistic.
It’s a new year and a great time to evaluate your current training practises.
How realistic are your training sessions? Does realism matter in training scenarios? This is a question
Step out of the classroom
that we have asked many of our
limbs pinned beneath a car in an
skills in the ‘real world’, will
customers and overwhelmingly
At Ruth Lee, we are manufacturers
your colleagues be adequately
the opinion is that the more
and distributors of a range of
prepared, mentally and physically?
Create training scenarios that are remembered!
realistic a training scenario is,
equipment aimed at helping the
the better the learning outcomes.
emergency services to complete
The Full Bodied Airway
We are willing to bet that your
This is especially true for those
effective and realistic training. We
Management Manikin will accept
training sessions will be talking
whose jobs involves working in
can offer an impressive range
the Simulaids Adult Airway
points long after they finish if you
what can be extremely difficult
of training manikins which have
Management torso you may
can make them more realistic In 2016, Ruth Lee supplied a range of manikins to Exercise Unified Response (EUR) - the biggest multi-agency training exercise in history. EUR was a large scale and complex, live and command post exercise based on a significant building collapse and incorporating heavy transport and mass causalities. A true successful because of how realistic the environment was. Now, we are not saying you need to go to the scale of this exercise – but we would encourage you to escape the confines of the classroom and find out just how well your students perform when
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
disaster scene and undisputedly
the going gets that little bit tougher.
43 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
COMPANY NEWS RDT unveils a new approach to defibrillation monitoring RDT, a leading provider of pre-hospital care solutions, previewed its Tempus ALS™ defibrillator monitor at MEDICA 2016. Visitors to the RDT booth were able to see this innovative solution – which offers the benefits of a fully ERC-compliant defibrillator and an advanced monitor in a small and lightweight package – ahead of its official launch in early 2017.
small size, low weight and
Additionally, Tempus ALS
To learn more about the Tempus
flexible configuration provide
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ALS, go to www.tempusals.com
unparalleled choices on how pre-
collection of all vitals data,
hospital equipment is deployed
defibrillation and CPR
and operated. The advanced
About Remote Diagnostic
therapies, event and pictures
monitor provides a full set of
Technologies Ltd
via its automatically populated
vitals – including 12-Lead ECG,
Summary Record of Care™
configurable STEMI reporting and capnography – with over 10 hours of battery life. It also gives access to advanced features such as video laryngoscopy, point of injury ultrasound and real-time telemedicine. The defibrillator is lighter and smaller than most AEDs, but with manual defibrillation, AED, cardioversion, pacing, CPR feedback and a 4-Lead ECG. Its small battery is
(SRoC™). This unique feature enables flexibility of data printing, transmission and sharing for optimised patient care. It is compact, slender and lightweight enough to suit all vehicles, including bikes. This means the same standard of care can be provided from any vehicle type, and space is freed up for other important
RDT specialises in the design and manufacture of medical devices, including pre-hospital care vital signs monitors. Specialist technologies include compact and highly integrated vital signs monitors for both medical professional and non-medically trained users, as well as intermittent users. The award-winning Tempus
capable of delivering 300 shocks,
equipment. Backed by over
system provides innovative,
so users can stop worrying about
20 years of RDT service and
easy to use and reliable
battery life. Because it is small
support expertise, this all adds
medical device solutions to help
Tempus ALS delivers a new,
and light enough to always be
up to the already overburdened
manage medical incidents for
cutting-edge approach to
carried to scene, it also means
first responder being able to
the military, civilian pre-hospital
defibrillation monitoring. Its
code review is always available for
carry less but to do more and
care market and other remote
market-leading robustness,
every incident.
work more efficiently.
and challenging locations.
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
44 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
COMPANY NEWS memory. I can see this becoming a cornerstone to any BLS training:
Innsonian Europe (Dr J. Smart)
allowing EMS providers, the ability to deliver exquisite BLS when needed.”
Innosonian Europe (IE) are proud to announce the imminent launch of the new Brayden Pro manikin. The Brayden Pro is a logical next step building on the success of IE’s first product: the ground breaking Brayden manikin. The Brayden manikin has become widely adopted in the UK since its launch in the UK in 2014. The Brayden manikins easy to use intuitive lights provide real time objective feedback of CPR compression quality (depth, rate and recoil) according to either ERC or AHA 2015 Guidelines and now with improved ventilation offers a cost effective solution for teaching good CPR technique.
Ken Spearpoint (Principle Lecturer Medical Simulation, University of Hertfordshire) said: “The Brayden Pro offers students the potential for high quality CPR performance feedback. In doing so it provides a unique learning system in terms of technique and, perhaps more importantly, it can be utilised to analyse critically important human factors issues during CPR.” Professor. Douglas Chamberlain said: “The bluetooth link between the impressive Brayden Pro manikin and the app on an android tablet greatly enhances the training value of the system. It gives not only an immediate guide to the
The Brayden Pro has been
quality of compressions, but also
developed by IE in conjunction
offers trends and a permanent
with help from leading members
record of what is being achieved.
of the European Resuscitation
It would be hard to rival as a
Community in the pre-hospital,
training system”.
hospital, university and voluntary sectors. The Brayden Pro
Innosonian Europe will introduce
provides quantitative objective
the Brayden Pro onto the UK
feedback of CPR performance via
market in the next few weeks
a commonly used tablet format
and will do so at a price that we
(android) which can then be used
believe most can afford. The
to debrief or used for certification/
2015 Guidelines emphasised the
research purposes. The manikin
need for manikins that provided
is configurable for ERC 2015 or
objective feedback to improve
AHA 2015 guidelines and can
CPR quality and help improve
be used with a bag valve mask if
outcomes and we believe this can
required.
only be done when the price and quality are right.
Paramedic Lead, South East Coat
For further information or to
Ambulance Service) said:
arrange a formal demonstration please contact Innosonian
“…It’s been with pleasure to be
Europe: 03333 445534 or email
able to get to grips with a twist
enquiries@innosonian.eu
on what has previously been
web: www.innosonian.eu
OUNCING AL LAUNCH OF
a classic. While being able to gain obvious feedback, real time
PRO
visual prompts engage the user
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
Jim Walmsley (Critical Care
to improve technique and muscle
45 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
A Unique System For High
AUK_August_AUK_August_2013 11/10/2013 10:53 Page 254
THE CLASSIFIED SITE For For further further information make information or or to to make aa reservation reservation please please contact contact
Terry Terry or or Brenda Rachel Tel: Tel: 01322 01322 660434 660434 Fax: Fax: 01322 666539 email:
info@mediapublishing info@mediapublishing company.com or by post to: Media Media House, 48 High Street 48 Swanley Swanley KentBR8 BR88BQ BQ Kent
Life Connections 2014
Pre-Hospital Care Pre-Hospital Care Consultancy Ltd Consultancy Ltd Exmed Study Day of Advanced “PHTLS for First Essentials Theme: Difficult Airway Course EMS™ – An introduction Responders Course” Airway Thursday 15TH May 2014 Management Kettering Conference Centre, Kettering NN15June 6PB 7, Tuesday June 6, Wednesday
Telford InternationalPRESENTATION Centre, Telford TIME: A.M 08.30 - 09.00
Registration
This continuing education course 09.00 - 09.15 Introduction & History of the Course that teaches the principles of 09.15 - 09.45 The Airway Algorithms PHTLS is ideal for first responders, 09-45 - 10.30 Prediction of the Difficult Airway EMS practitioners, etc. Topics 10.30 - 11.15 BVM and Laryngoscopy being covered include: Airway/ 11.15 11.30 Tea/Coffee, Exhibition Oxygenation & Ventilation, rotations/30 min. each) 11.30 - 12.00 and Skills Stations (4 Circulation Shock, Traumatic Group 1 ETI Trauma. Brain Injury &BVM, Spinal Group 2 AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
46
EGD’s & Rescue Airways
Telford Centre, Telford TIME: P.M International PRESENTATION 12.00 - 12.30
Skill Stations
14.00 - 14.30
Skill Stations
Learn the full range of Airway Rotation 2 Management techniques, including: 12.30 - 13.30 Lunch, Exhibition The Use of Extraglotic Devices, 13.30 - 14.00 Skill Stations Video Assisted Intubation and Rotation 3 Surgical Cricothyrotomy. Rotationare 4 Only 10 places available at 14.30 - 14.45 Airway Self Scope Video(50% a rate of £80.00 plus VAT below normal Course costs). 14.45 - 15.00 Tea/Coffee, Exhibition
Only 123 places are available Group Needle & Surgical Airway at 15.00 - 17.00 a rate of £80.00 plus VAT (50% Group 4 Video Laryngoscopy 17.00 below normal Course costs). Topics and Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change
Practical Moulages Wrap up CPD certificate provider
Delegate Rate: £72.00 (inc VAT) includes: delegate bag, refreshments and the opportunity to visit over 60 trade stands.
To register please visit:
To register please visit:
Only 7 places remain available!! www.lifeconnections.uk.com www.lifeconnections.uk.com
To register call 01322 660434 or visit:
www.lifeconnections.uk.com For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
PARAMEDICS - SOUTH WEST £27,115 TO £35,225 (INCLUSIVE OF ENHANCEMENTS)* Join us and you’ll find an Ambulance Service that understands the better we look after you, the better equipped you’ll be to look after our patients. We are passionate about providing care closer to home and equip all of our staff with the training, support and skills they need to deliver a higher level of care, enabling more of our patients to be treated without conveyance to hospital. And we want a better future for you too. Our career framework supports our paramedics to develop specialist or managerial careers, with the progression of many of our current staff testament to our commitment to internal progression and career development Whether you crave a coastal location, the best of the British countryside or the historic cities of Cheltenham, Bath and Bristol (to name but a few), you really will find a better lifestyle outside of work here in the beautiful South West. • • • •
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WORKING WONDERS Join Us. For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY
Better you, Better everybody.
47
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