Volume 32 No. 6
December 2017
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Ambulance UK This issue edited by:
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EDITOR’S COMMENT
242
FEATURES
242 Identifying pre-hospital factors associated with outcome for major trauma patients in a regional trauma network: an exploratory study
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EDITOR’S COMMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENT Welcome to this issue of AUK It would be inappropriate to commence this piece with anything but a comment on the major terrorist incidents of the last two months. It is at times like these that, while saddened by the twisted mentality of some individuals driven to commit atrocities against the innocent, that I wear my uniform with pride and reflect on the resilience of the ambulance service staff who go above and beyond to help in times of greatest need. It is too easy for the media to criticise failures and sensationalise situations caused by operational demand, rather the focus should be to accept that every day, every member of the emergency services are doing their best, the key message should be dignity and respect for that effort and support not condemnation. Christmas is coming and most of you will have been working extra in order to pay for the (what feels like) 4 months of the Christmas period, Easter eggs are about to appear at that well known German supermarket and before you know it, the wrapping paper is in the bin and its just another day. So, a thought for those of you due to work the festive period, yes its busy, yes a lot of people drink too much and give you grief, yes you’ll miss Christmas dinner with the in-laws (that may be sad if unlike me your mother in law doesn’t arrive on a broomstick…) but without you there are a lot of people for whom Christmas memories might not be the happy and joyful ones that they should be. Take care this Christmas, spend time with your families and friends, spare a thought for those that aren’t as fortunate and the friends and colleagues who aren’t here to celebrate with us. I hope the New Year brings you health wealth and good fortune. Merry Christmas…
Sam English, Co-Editor Ambulance UK
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
“It is too easy for the media to criticise failures and sensationalise situations caused by operational demand, rather the focus should be to accept that every day, every member of the emergency services are doing their best”
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FEATURE
IDENTIFYING PRE-HOSPITAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTCOME FOR MAJOR TRAUMA PATIENTS IN A REGIONAL TRAUMA NETWORK: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY Lee Thompson1, Michael Hill2, Caroline Davies1, Gary Shaw1 and Matthew D Kiernan2 Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine201725:83 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-017-0419-4
Abstract Background Major trauma is often life threatening and the leading cause of death in
Isolated bivariate associations provided tentative support for
the United Kingdom (UK) for adults aged less than 45 years old. This
response characteristics such as existing dispatching practices
study aimed to identify pre-hospital factors associated with patient
and the value of rapid crew arrival. However, these measurements
outcomes for major trauma within one Regional Trauma Network.
appear to be of limited utility in predictive modelling of outcomes.
Method
Discussion
Secondary analysis of pre-hospital audit data and patient outcome
The complexity of physiological indices potentially complicate their
data from the Trauma Audit Research Network (TARN) was undertaken.
predictive utility e.g. whilst a Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) of <
The primary outcome used in analysis was ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/
90 mmHg serves as a trigger for bypass to a Major Trauma Centre,
deceased). Independent variables considered included ‘Casualty
the utility of this observation is nullified in cases of Traumatic Brain
Characteristics’ such as mechanism of injury (MOI), age, and
Injury.
physiological measurements, as well as ‘Response Characteristics’
Analysis suggested that as people age, outcomes from major
such as response timings and skill mix. Binary Logistic Regression
trauma significantly worsened. This finding is consistent with
analysis using the ‘forward stepwise’ method was undertaken for
existing research highlighting the relationship between trauma in
physiological measures taken at the scene.
elderly patients and poorer outcomes.
Results
Conclusion
The study analysed 1033 major trauma records (mean age of 38.5
Findings lend further validity to GCS, Respiration Rate and Age as
years, SD 21.5, 95% CI 37–40). Adults comprised 82.6% of the sample
predictive triggers for transport to a Major Trauma Centre. Analysis
(n = 853), whilst 12.9% of the sample were children (n = 133). Men
of interactions between response times, skill mix and triage
comprised 68.5% of the sample (n = 708) in comparison to 28.8%
demand further exploration but tentatively support the ‘Golden
women (n = 298).
Hour’ concept and suggest a potential ‘load and go and play on the way’ approach.
Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) (p < 0.000), Respiration Rate (p < 0.001) and Age (p < 0.000), were all significant when associated with the
Keywords
outcome ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/deceased).
Pre-hospital, Trauma, Outcome, Age, Timings, Response
Background Major trauma is often life-threatening and is the leading cause of death
trauma centres, trauma units, ambulance services and individual
in the UK for adults under 45 years [1].
clinicians to benchmark their trauma service with other providers across the country. The combination of TARN with the RTN pre-hospital
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
In April 2012, after reports identifying the need for specialist trauma
database enabled the creation of a meaningful dataset and allowed for
care, Regional Trauma Networks (RTN) were introduced across the
a more comprehensive exploration of factors relating to pre-hospital
UK which enabled ambulance services to bypass local emergency
trauma care. A key consideration in this analysis was understanding the
departments and transport severely injured patients direct to definitive
epidemiology of a trauma system whilst taking into account the unique
care at specialist Major Trauma Centres [2, 3].
geographical features and demography of the region. Understanding the local regional major trauma epidemiology through this preliminary
Following the introduction of the local RTN a regional pre-hospital
and exploratory study, with the intention of providing a baseline from
trauma registry was created. This data was combined with outcome
which to evaluate future performance, would potentially identify trends
data from the national trauma registry maintained by the Trauma
and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Audit Research Network (TARN) [4]. TARN is a national organisation that collects and processes data on moderately and severely injured
The aim of this study was to explore the pre-hospital casualty and
patients in England and Wales. TARN data allows networks, major
response factors associated with major trauma outcomes in a RTN.
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FEATURE
Fig. 1 Criteria for patient entry into pre-hospital database
Methods The study analysed combined data from TARN and RTN pre-hospital
which included response and transport times, crew skill mix and triage
database for the North East (England) Ambulance Service producing
practices.
a comprehensive dataset of regional major trauma patients. The entry Within the sample there was a small number (n = 36, 3.5%) of
can be seen in Fig. 1. Ethical approval for the study was granted via
casualties who were not classified as major trauma at initial triage,
Northumbria University Research Ethics Review Panel. Reporting of the
but were retrospectively included into the sample because they were
study followed the STROBE guidelines [5].
later identified as meeting major trauma criteria. All ‘under-triaged’ patients managed at the Major Trauma Centres or Trauma Units were subsequently entered into the database.
Study period and population The sample comprised of data collected between 1st of April 2012
The regional ambulance service covers an area of 8365 km2 serving over 2.71 million people in a mixed geography of rural and urban
and 30th September 2012 with each patient record within the dataset
areas and receives over 1.5 million emergency and urgent calls per
containing 69 variables. The study identified two groups of variables:
annum. The RTN, at the time of the study, had 9 Trauma Units and 2
‘Casualty Characteristics’ obtained from patient care records, which
Major Trauma Centres. There are 2 Helicopter Emergency Medical
included physiological measurements, age, MOI etc.; and ‘Response
Service (HEMS) bases within the region which are charity-funded and
Characteristics’ obtained from Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) records,
each aircraft is staffed by Doctors qualified in Pre-Hospital Emergency
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
criteria for patient inclusion within the RTN pre-hospital database
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FEATURE
Fig. 2 Major trauma triage protocol
Medicine (20 part-time doctors and 4 in training) and Paramedics (11 full-time equivalents). These aircraft do not fly at night, or when weather restricts visibility, but crews are able to respond to calls via a rapid response vehicle during these times. At the time of this study HEMS teams were available to respond on a Friday and Saturday night utilising a rapid response vehicle.
Data analysis Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the study sample in terms of casualty and response characteristics. Categorical and ordinal variables were expressed as proportions and continuous variables expressed as means with standard deviations.
Paramedics within the RTN are trained and educated to carry out
The primary outcome measure used in causal analysis was ‘Status
multiple interventions for trauma patients. These interventions
at Discharge’ (alive/deceased). Independent variables were loosely
include advanced airway management (endo-tracheal tube
grouped into two sets;
intubation and supraglottic airways), needle decompression of pneumothoraces and intravenous and intraosseous access.
(i) casualty characteristics e.g. age and physiological indices, and
The application of haemorrhage control devices (tourniquets, haemostatic gauze) as well as Tranexamic Acid and immobilisation/
(ii) response characteristics e.g. skill mix and transport time.
splinting devices are also available to pre-hospital paramedics. Whilst there were multiple recordings of physiological indices for most
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
HEMS doctors within the region are also trained to manage
patients within the study, the set employed for analysis purposes
cardiothoracic trauma up to and including resuscitative
were the observations used by the attending crew in their pre-alert or
thoracotomy, peri-mortem C-section, rapid sequence induction
alternatively, those observations that prompted the use of the major
(RSI) and the administration of blood products (although blood
trauma triage tool shown in Fig. 2. Preliminary bivariate analysis was
products were not on the aircraft at the time of this study).
undertaken in order to explore relationships between these factors and outcome ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/deceased).
Hazardous Access Response Team (HART) Paramedics are also available within the region to access patients at height, in water or in remote or difficult locations. At the time of the study there
Major trauma triage protocol
were 58 ambulance stations throughout the region with over 500 Paramedics who work alongside emergency care assistants and
To adjust for collinearity and potential amplification bias a binary
technicians.
logistic regression analysis was undertaken with the outcome ‘Status
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FEATURE Table 1 Demographics, crew attendance, timings and triage Age in years
Years [SD] (95% CI)
Mean
38.5 [21.5] (37–40)
Missing
86
Adult/Child <17
n (%)
Adult
853 (82.6)
Child <17
133 (12.9)
Missing
43 (4.2)
Sex
n (%)
Male
708 (68.5)
Female
298 (28.8)
Missing
23 (2.2)
Pre-hospital Traumatic Cardiac Arrest (TCA) – Active Resuscitation
n (%) 30
Died on scene
7 (23)
Transported to hospital
23 (77)
Alive at discharge
3 (10)
Died in hospital
18 (60)
Missing
2 (7)
In hospital deaths from pre-hospital major trauma (Not pre-hospital TCA)
n (%) 43 (4)
Attended by
n (%)
HEMS
168 (16.3)
Land Crews
844 (81.7)
Missing
17 (1.6)
Crew arrival times
Minutes [SD] (95% CI)
Mean
12 [13.5] (11–13)
HEMS
14 [11.5] (12–16)
Land Crews
11.5 [13.5] (10.5–13)
On scene times
Minutes [SD] (95% CI)
Mean
36 [19.5] (35–37.5)
HEMS
51.5 [21.5] (48–55.5)
Land Crews
33.5 [18] (32.5–35)
Transport time
Minutes [SD] (95% CI)
Mean
17 [11.5] (16–17.5)
HEMS
13 [9.5] (11–14.5)
Land Crews
17.5 [12] (16.5–18.5)
Time to definitive care (999 call to arrival at receiving facility)
Minutes [SD] (95% CI) 65 [27] (63–66.5)
HEMS
78 [23] (73.5–81.5)
Land Crews
62.5 [27] (60.5–64.5)
Triage
n (%)
Correct triage
744 (72.0)
Under triage
36 (3.5)
Over triage
248 (24)
Missing
5 (0.5)
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
Mean
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FEATURE Table 2 Relationship of Independent variables associated with outcome ‘Status at discharge’ (Alive/Deceased), obtained using bi-variate analysis Independent Variable
Test Statistic
df.
p
GCS
t = −10.222
44.15
Respiratory Rate
t = −5.241
43.55
Systolic BP at Scene
t = −3.027
37.52
p ≤ 0.004
Age
t = −5.464
738
p ≤ 0.000
Transport Time
t = −2.085
685
p ≤ 0.037
Skill Mix
u = 18,239
-
p ≤ 0.036
Triage
u = 19,959
Mean Difference
95% CI(Lower)
95% CI(Upper)
2 Relationship variables associated with outcome ‘Statu p ≤ 0.000 Table7.28 scale points of Independent 5.845 8.715 bi-variate analysis p ≤ 0.000
p < 0.000
at Discharge’ (alive/deceased) as the dependant variable. Only
8 per min. Independent Variable 11.4 mmHg GCS 17.8 years Respiratory Rate −3.78 min Systolic BP at Scene Age Transport Time
5 Test Statistic 11.46 t = −10.222 11.47 t = −5.241 −7.14 t = −3.027 t = −5.464 t = −2.085
57.7 44.15 24.24 43.55 - 0.21 37.52 738 685
12
Skill Mix
u = 18,239
-
p
Me
p ≤ 0.000
7.2
p ≤ 0.000
8p
p ≤ 0.004
11
p ≤ 0.000
17
p ≤ 0.037
−3
p ≤ 0.036
-
Triage u = 19,959 p < 0.000 and indicated a moderate relationship between prediction and grouping.
-
df.
independent variables that were individually associated with the outcome ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/deceased), at a p ≤ 0.05 level were
Step 2 Nagelkerke’s R2 (59.8%) the model included ‘GCS’ score and ‘Age’
entered into the binary logistic regression model. All candidate predictor
and indicated a stronger relationship between prediction and grouping.
variables were entered into the model using a forward stepwise method, and each variable’s contribution to the overall fit was estimated using
Step 3 the final model included ‘GCS’, ‘respiratory rate’, and casualty’s
likelihood ratio tests. Analyses were undertaken using the Software
‘age’ and indicated that these factors are significant predictors of
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS; Version 22, IBM Inc.; Armonk,
outcome ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/deceased) (X2 = 155.902, p < 0.000). The other four candidate predictors, ‘transport time’, ‘triage’,
NY, USA).
‘skill mix’ and ‘systolic BP’, were not significant.
Results
‘GCS’, ‘age’ and ‘respiratory rate’ were all significant at the 5% level (‘GCS’ – p < 0.000; ‘age’ - p < 0.000; ‘respiratory rate’ - p < 0.001).
The study sample consisted of 1033 patient records that met the prehospital major trauma triage protocol criteria, as shown in Fig. 2. Table
The odds ratio (OR) were as follows: ‘GCS’ was 1.587 (95% CI: 1.374–
1 highlights descriptive analysis of demographic characteristics of the
1.833); ‘Age’ was 0.923 (95% CI: 0.894–0.952); ‘respiratory rate’ was
sample group and key emergency response characteristics.
1.165 (95% CI: 1.067–1.272). The model correctly predicted 99.3% of the variability of an ‘Alive’ outcome, and 67.6% of ‘Deceased’ outcome at
Bivariate analysis revealed that a number of variables were significantly
discharge, giving an overall percentage correct prediction rate of 97.4%.
associated with outcome ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/deceased) shown in Tables 2 and 3.
Discussion Binary logistic regression analysis
The findings of this study suggest that physiological measures taken at the scene are of greater predictive utility than are emergency
In order to address problems of collinearity and the potential for amplification bias, binary logistic regression was undertaken for 571 casualties using outcome ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/deceased) as the dependant variable. Analysis proceeded on the basis of ‘listwise’ exclusion, and this resulted in a total of 462 cases being excluded from the analysis sample (N = 1033). Variables were entered into the model
Table 3 Results from binary logistic regression analysis of predictor variables for outcome ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/ considered for inclusion in the binary logistic regression model were deceased)
on the basis of the ‘forward stepwise’ method. All candidate variables AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
individually associated with the outcome ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/ Significant Variables within the predictive model deceased) at the p ≤ 0.050 significance level. Variable Wald P Odds Ratio Step 3 GCS 39.662 p ≤ 0.000 1.587 (95% CI: 1.374–1.833) A test of the full model against a constant only model was statistically Age p ≤ 0.000 0.923 (95%distinguished CI: 0.894–0.952) significant, indicating that the25.097 predictors as a set reliably Respiratory Rate (X11.553 p ≤ 0.001 (95% CI: 1.067–1.272) between alive or deceased 2 = 103.862, p ≤ 1.165 0.000). Collectively, all
seven candidate predictors “explained” 94% of the variability in ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/deceased).
services response characteristics. Specifically, GCS, respiration rate, and age formed significant elements of the predictive model. Further analysis suggested that as people age, outcomes from major trauma significantly worsened. This finding is consistent with existing research highlighting the relationship between trauma in elderly patients and poorer outcomes [6, 7, 8].
Table 3 Results from binary logistic regression analysis of predictor variables for outcome ‘Status at Discharge’ (alive/ deceased) Significant Variables within the predictive model Variable
Wald
P
Odds Ratio
Step 3 GCS
39.662 p ≤ 0.000 1.587 (95% CI: 1.374–1.833)
Age
25.097 p ≤ 0.000 0.923 (95% CI: 0.894–0.952)
Respiratory Rate 11.553 p ≤ 0.001 1.165 (95% CI: 1.067–1.272)
Step 1 Nagelkerke’s R (45.8%) the model included ‘GCS’ score only 2
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FEATURE Almost all previous studies with regard to physiology and trauma were
outcomes. The tendency to over-refer casualties to Major Trauma Centres
exclusive to the in-hospital setting [9, 10, 11, 12]. The evaluation of pre-
is perhaps an artefact of the precautionary principal in action.
hospital physiological variables as predictors of trauma outcome has, hitherto, been neglected. However, it should be noted that the inherent complexity of physiological indices (and their significance) potentially complicate their predictive utility e.g. whilst a Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) of <90 mmHg serves as a trigger for bypass to a Major Trauma Centre, the utility of this observation is nullified in cases of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Recent research [13] has identified that each 10 mmHg reduction in SBP is associated with an 18% increase in mortality when SBP falls below 120 mmHg. These findings should make us reconsider the hypotensive threshold for the isolated TBI patient group. Emergency services response characteristics most often form the basis for Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) for ambulance service delivery and evaluation: For example, the UK Department of Health requires ambulance services within England to respond to Red (life threatening calls) within 8 min regardless of rural or urban location [14]. The rise of evidencebased medicine has brought with it the unintentional consequence of ‘therapeutic nihilism’ [15], in which failure to establish supporting evidence for an intervention is (incorrectly) interpreted as a warrant for therapeutic inertia. The pressures to ‘do nothing’ are further exacerbated during times of fiscal austerity, where being unable to unequivocally establish an evidence base can underpin the further erosion of service standards such as crew response times. In terms of the current study, it would appear that (abnormal) physiological measurements, possibly as a reflection of the
Limitations The study was conducted during the spring and summer months and does not account for seasonal variations which may have affected mechanism of injury, available flying time (daylight in northern UK is 18 h in the summer and 6 h in winter) and driving conditions due to adverse weather during the winter months (snow and ice). There is a strong likelihood of ecological and confounding relationships within the current data set. Whilst bivariate analysis such as is reported above can reveal interesting associations, the large number of degrees of freedom involved, the potential for collinearity and amplification bias by means of multiple comparisons using the same variables would risk Type I errors. As is the case with all uses of secondary data, analysis is constrained by the fact that data are collected for purposes other than the researcher’s intentions [24]. Furthermore, the large number of personnel involved in data collection inevitably potentiates the risk of poor inter-rater reliability [25]. Whilst mortality data serves as an absolute binary outcome measure, morbidity data is less tangible [26]. Further research is required in order to understand the utility of the predictor variables considered in this paper in predicting morbidity outcomes, especially in the case of life-changing morbidity.
severity of trauma and nature of the physiological insult, underpin the most accurate predictive model of mortality outcomes. Existing research considering the impact of timings and skill mix is markedly limited to consideration of on-scene times and predominately focused on the impact of physician led teams in prolonging ‘on-scene’ times [16, 17, 18, 19]. These studies have typically added fuel to the ‘stay and play’ or ‘load and go’ debate and highlight the ‘golden hour’ of immediate care [20, 21]. However, the typical lack of standardisation in how ‘on-scene’ times are defined and recorded raises valid questions concerning the potential generalisability of these findings beyond the context in which individual studies were undertaken. In the context of the current study, HEMS teams took longer to arrive on scene, compared to land based resources, had extended ‘on-scene’ times and longer overall mean time from emergency call to arrival at receiving facility. As previously noted, HEMS teams have a wider scope of practice and are able to initiate additional interventions such as RSI. More widely, the huge variation in scope of practice between professions in different regions and countries [22] makes direct comparisons difficult. Although pre-hospital timings were extended for HEMS teams, compared to land based teams, this study did not examine whether the presence of HEMS
This study identifies that local pre-hospital major trauma predominantly affects the male population with the mean age of 38.5 years. Further research is required in order to more fully understand the predictive utility of age in determining major trauma outcomes and possibly to allow the generation of age-specific triage criteria. Contrary to current English ambulance performance targets, this study identified that there is greater predictive utility in relation to outcome from physiological measures taken at the scene than emergency services response times which, paradoxically, comprise key performance indicators for service delivery. Rather than interpreting this finding as a warrant for the therapeutic nihilist instruction to abandon targets, we conclude that further analysis is required in order to establish the value of response characteristics in relation to morbidity outcomes and the alleviation of suffering. The authors tentatively suggest that given the lack of evidence for
time to Computerised Tomography (CT) scan [23].
emergency services response characteristics as predictors of mortality
Significantly, within this study it was noted that those major trauma
transport might be advocated.
outcomes, a ‘load and go and play on the way’ approach to patient
casualties who were correctly triaged were more likely to have poorer outcomes. This finding may suggest that crews are using existing triage practices in order to correctly classify trauma severity. Whilst some
Abbreviations
patients are incorrectly over triaged and transported to a Major Trauma Centre and some major trauma patients inappropriately under triaged and
CAD: Computer aided dispatch
transported to local hospital emergency departments, these eventualities
CT: Computerised tomography
did not appear to be statistically associated with significantly adverse
GCS: Glasgow coma score
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
improved timings for ongoing management such as time to theatre or
Conclusions
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FEATURE 13. Spaite DW, Hu C, Bobrow BJ, et al. Mortality and prehospital blood pressure in patients with major traumatic brain injury: implications for the hypotension threshold. JAMA Surg. 2017;152(4):360–8.
HART: Hazardous access response team HEMS: Helicopter emergency medical service KPI: Key performance indicator MERIT: Medical emergency response incident team MOI: Mechanism of injury MTC: Major trauma centre
14. Turner J, O’Keeffe C, Dixon S, Warren K, Nicholl J. The costs and benefits of changing ambulance service response time performance standards. Sheffield: University of Sheffield; 2006. 15. Starr P. The politics of therapeutic nihilism. The new critics of medical care. Hast Cent Rep. 1976;6(5):24–30.
NEAS: North east ambulance service NHS: National health service
16. Carr BG, Caplan JM, Pryor JP, Branas CC. A meta-analysis of prehospital care times for trauma. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2006;10(2):198–206.
RSI: Rapid sequence induction RTN: Regional trauma network SBP: Systolic blood pressure
17. Carr BG, Brachet T, David G, Duseja R, Branas CC. The time cost of prehospital intubation and intravenous access in trauma patients. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2008;12(3):327–32.
TARN: Trauma audit research network TBI: Traumatic brain injury UK: United Kingdom
18. Di Bartolomeo S, Valent F, Rosolen V, Sanson G, Nardi G, Cancellieri F, Barbone F. Are pre-hospital time and emergency department disposition time useful process indicators for trauma care in Italy? Injury. 2007;38(3):305–11.
Authors’ Affiliations 1 North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Trauma Desk, Bernicia House, Goldcrest Way 2 Northumbria University
19. Dissmann PD, Le Clerc S. The experience of Teesside helicopter emergency services: doctors do not prolong prehospital on-scene times. Emerg Med J. 2007;24(1):59–62. 20. Harmsen AMK, Giannakopoulos GF, Moerbeek PR, Jansma EP, Bonjer HJ, Bloemers FW. The influence of prehospital time on trauma patients outcome: a systematic review. Injury. 2015;46(4):602–9. 21. Lerner EB, Moscati RM. The golden hour: scientific fact or medical “urban legend”? Acad Emerg Med. 2001;8(7):758–60.
References 1. Sukumaran S, Henry JM, Beard D, Lawrenson R, Gordon MW, O’Donnell JJ, Gray AJ. Prehospital trauma management: a national study of paramedic activities. Emerg Med J. 2005;22(1):60–3. 2. National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death. Trauma: who cares? : a report of the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and death (2007). London: National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD); 2007. 3. National Audit Office. Major trauma care in England. London: National Audit Office; 2010. 4. Trauma Audit and Research Network: TARN. [https://www.tarn. ac.uk/]. Accessed 18 Aug 2017. 5. Vandenbroucke JP, von Elm E, Altman DG, Gøtzsche PC, Mulrow CD, Pocock SJ, Poole C, Schlesselman JJ, Egger M, S.I. Strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE): explanation and elaboration. PLoS Med. 2007;4(10):e297.
22. Eckstein M, Chan L, Schmeir A, Palmer R. Effective prehospital advanced life support on outcomes of major trauma patients. Am J Emerg Med. 2000;19(5):439–40. 23. Garner AA, Mann KP, Poynter E, Weatherall A, Dashey S, Puntis M, Gebski V. Prehospital response model and time to CT scan in blunt trauma patients; an exploratory analysis of data from the head injury retrieval trial. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2015;23:28. 24. Bulmer M. Why Don’t sociologists make more use of official statistics? Sociology. 1980;14(4):505–23. 25. Cicchetti DV. Assessing inter-rater reliability for rating scales: resolving some basic issues. Br J Psychiatry. 1976;129(5):452–6. 26. Bowling A. Measuring health: a review of quality of life measurement scales. Maidenhead: Open University Press; 2004.
6. Cox S, Morrison C, Cameron P, Smith K. Advancing age and trauma: Triage destination compliance and mortality in Victoria, Australia. Injury. 2014;45(9):1312–9. 7. Kehoe A, Smith JE, Bouamra O, Edwards A, Yates D, Lecky F. Older patients with traumatic brain injury present with a higher GCS score than younger patients for a given severity of injury. Emerg Med J. 2016;33(6):381–5. AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
8. Kehoe A, Smith JE, Edwards A, Yates D, Lecky F. The changing face of major trauma in the UK. Emerg Med J. 2015;32(12):911–5. 9. Lin G, Becker A, Lynn M. Changes in vital signs of trauma victims from prehospital to hospital settings. J Paramedic Pract. 2011;3(10):558–62. 10. Victorino GP, Battistella FD, Wisner DH. Does tachycardia correlate with hypotension after trauma? J Am Coll Surg. 2003;196(5):679–84. 11. Ocak G, Sturms LM, Hoogeveen JM, Le Cessie S, Jukema GN. Prehospital identification of major trauma patients. Langenbeck’s Arch Surg. 2009;394(2):285–92. 12. MacLeod JBA, Maurico L, McKenney MG, Jeroukhimov I, Cohn SM. Predictors of mortality in trauma patients. Am Surg. 2004;70(9):805–10.
248 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
FEATURE
LIFE CONNECTIONS 2018 NEW REGIONAL VENUES, NEW SPEAKERS, NEW TOPICS In order to save potential delegates travelling time and costs
VAT) to include lunch, tea/coffee, free parking etc, however those
which can sometimes prove to be expensive, the organisers of
attending both morning and afternoon Conferences will be offered
Life Connections are replacing their annual two day event with a
a combined rate of £48 inc VAT Lunch etc. Thanks to the generosity
series of one day multi conference / workshop events next year that
of WEL Medical, we are able to offer CFR delegates attending the
will be taking place in Harrogate (March 15th), Bristol (June 21st),
CFR Conference a delegate rate of just £18 including VAT.
Aylesbury (September 6th) and Stoke on Trent (October 25th). For those wishing to take full advantage of each event, @PHCCINFO Each event will comprise of four separate half-day Conferences
who are one of the largest providers of trauma and airway training to
with programmes being created for the benefit of Paramedics,
pre-hospital personnel, are running a Basic to Advanced Trauma
Resuscitation Officers, Community First Responders and First Aid
Skills Workshop from 09.30-12.30 which incorporates Trauma Patient
Trainers. To date, a number of topical presentations have been
Assessment, Catastrophic Bleeding, etc. and, a Basic to Advanced
accepted which include: End of Life Care, Why Trauma Patients
Airway Skills Workshop in the afternoon from 14.30-17.30 which
Die, Futile Resuscitation, Epilepsy Awareness, Impact Brain
includes Direct & Video Laryngoscopy, Emergency Surgical Airways,
Apnoea and Head Injuries, Burns - Timing is Everything, Using
etc. A third Workshop, presented by Paul Savage OBE, entitled Seven
Simulation as a Learning, Teaching and Assessment Tool,
Ways to Die in Cold Water which incorporates submersion, drowning
Fracture NOFs and Fascia Lillaca Compartmental Blocks,
and hypothermia also forms part of our Bristol event taking place from
Trauma in the Elderly, Dealing with Traumatic Events, National
09.30-12.30 and repeated in the afternoon from 14.30-17.30.
Disasters/Terrorist Incidents, Disaster Response Paramedic The Nepal Earthquake Experience, Advanced Airway
Only 12 places are available on each Workshop at a cost of £48.00 per
Management, Leadership and Management, Deteriorating Patient
person (incl VAT), to include lunch, tea/coffee, free parking, etc. For
- Could It Be Sepsis?, Decision Making in Cardiac Arrest, First
Paramedics, Resuscitation Officers and First Aid Trainers attending their
Aid - The Need for Effective Teaching and Learning, Just how bad
respective conferences a combined conference/workshop rate of £60
are your Clinical Skills? Can Ultrasound Help?, Understanding
will be offered. For CFRs attending their morning Conference plus an
Kids That Limp (which incorporates septic arthritis, inflammation,
afternoon workshop a combined rate of £48 will apply, all rates include
malignancy) etc plus many more. Each individual event programme
VAT, tea/coffee, etc. Please advise relevant staff that as places are
can be viewed on www.lifeconnections.uk.com.
limited on all Conferences and Workshops, early registration is advised to avoid disappointment - to view all programmes and secure your
The delegate rate for our Paramedic, Resuscitation and First Aid
delegate place, please visit: www.lifeconnections.uk.com or call the
Conferences at each venue has been set at £30 per person (incl
Organisers Office on: 01322 660434.
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
www.lifeconnections.uk.com
249
ADVERTISING FEATURE
EVER CONSIDERED LIVING AND WORKING IN THE SOUTH WEST?
The South West is an attractive and beautiful part of the country and a great place to live and work. South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust provides accident and emergency services throughout the South West region. The areas we cover include Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire. We are the largest ambulance service in the UK, covering one-fifth of the country, including some of its most beautiful and life enriching locations. Whether you crave a coastal location, the best of the British countryside or the historic cities of Bath, Exeter, Bristol and Cheltenham to name but a few, the South West provides the best of everything. Join us and you will find an ambulance service that understands; the better we look after you, the better equipped youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be to look after our patients. We listen and work with our staff to ensure a progressive, clinically advanced service which takes account of feedback, organisational learning, providing staff with the equipment and support necessary to help them fulfill their demanding roles. Our diverse geography, including some remote rural communities, has driven our ambition to equip all our staff with the training, support and skills they need to deliver a higher level of care. This enables more of our patients to be treated closer to home; resulting in the lowest conveyance rate across the ambulance sector. AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
Our commitment to supporting our staff is evidenced by our better-than-average staff survey results; and in our commitment to a dedicated clinical career framework, which supports the development of Paramedics into specialist and/or managerial roles. The success and internal career progression of many of our existing staff is testament to the importance we place on growing, developing and supporting our workforce.
250 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
ADVERTISING FEATURE With over half the county designated as an Area of Outstanding
every member of staff makes a real difference to improving the service
Natural Beauty, no one can deny that Dorset is truly something
we offer to the community that we serve, with a wide range of career
special. Dorset’s amazing natural features include Durdle Door, Pulpit
pathways from support staff to the frontline.
Rock, Golden Cap, Lulworth Cove and Chesil Beach. The county also boasts 5 country parks too.
Here are just a few of the benefits of working for SWASFT:
With miles and miles of sandy beaches, some of the best weather in
• Contributory NHS Pension Scheme which offers free life cover,
the UK and the longest life expectancy in Britain, Dorset makes for a
ill health and redundancy benefits, a tax-free lump sum on
happy home. And along with our picture postcard villages, the vibrant
retirement and an index-linked retirement benefit that is based
towns of Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester and Weymouth are bursting
on final salary and number of years in the scheme. For more
with places to eat, drink and shop.
information please visit NHS Pensions • Occupational Health, Counselling and Physiotherapy Services • Childcare voucher scheme • Occupational sick pay scheme • Travel expenses • Job share opportunities • Career break schemes • Flexible retirement (NHS Pensions www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Pensions) • Staff commendations and awards • Discounts on products and services (Healthservice Discounts www.healthservicediscounts.com) • Staff development/robust training and development • Appraisals/active encouragement of life long learning Picture courtesy of Poole Tourism
• Flu protection • Lease Car (where appropriate)
Benefits of becoming a Paramedic with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust: • The most clinically advanced Trust within the UK • Permanent and bank opportunities available • One of the most beautiful parts of the country
Candidates need to be enthusiastic, reliable, self-disciplined, flexible and confident enough to take control of situations. You need to enjoy helping people whilst understanding their needs and treating them with dignity and respect. We are particularly interested in recruiting Paramedics in the DORSET area. For further information about joining SWAST please see our recruitment advertisement on the inside back cover of this edition.
• Lowest conveyance rate in the UK • A better work-life balance • Structured career pathway SWASFT, like the whole of the NHS, is committed to being a model rewarding all staff according to their skills and experience and giving equal opportunities to all, and treating everyone with dignity and respect. It also means helping staff to develop their careers by providing training and development, while keeping the right balance between work and their other commitments and interests. South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust not only offers a team working environment, which focuses on delivering and improving
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
employer. This means offering excellent working conditions. It means
patient care, with a culture of social responsibility, trust and accountability;
251 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE TVAA
Thames Valley Air Ambulance commits to expand the service Thames Valley Air Ambulance introduces a new operating model for the provision of its advanced medical care in 2018. Next year will be a pivotal year in the history of Thames Valley Air Ambulance as they take responsibility for their clinical governance and provide an
of their clinical team. TVAA
and availability of this acute
with SCAS to deliver the highest
are passionate and driven to
service and are committed
level of care to patients by
constantly improve patient care.
to continuing to enhance this
bringing the expertise of the
provision to meet the needs
hospital to the roadside to
Over the last few years, the
of the public that they serve.
enhance patient outcomes”.
specialism of Pre-Hospital
However, this is becoming an
Emergency Medicine (PHEM)
increasing challenge in times of
Dr Syed Masud, Medical Director
has developed both regionally
heightened financial pressure
TVAA, said; “TVAA are delighted
and nationally. The development
on NHS organisations. Over
to have been able to reach this
of PHEM has changed the
the last few months TVAA have
point and are confident that
access all patients receive to
worked to identify a solution that
this future model and our close
healthcare, be it acute, chronic
will allow them to continue to
working relationship with SCAS
or immediate. TVAA has worked
expand and enhance the vital
will allow us to continue to
with South Central Ambulance
service they provide across
enhance the critical care service
Service (SCAS) to enhance
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and
to meet the need of the public
the care provided to its most
Oxfordshire.
that we serve”.
immediate and critically injured patients who often require
Amanda McLean, CEO TVAA
specialist interventions and
explains; “Thanks to the
advanced critical care across the
actions. These include the
generous support TVAA receive
Thames Valley.
formal addition of doctors,
from the public, we are now
on scene blood transfusions,
in a position to move to a new
Thames Valley Air Ambulance
rapid diagnosis and the ability
operating model and assume
When South Western
(TVAA) is an incredibly well
to perform emergency surgical
responsibility for clinical
Ambulance Service crews
supported charity committed
procedures on the roadside.
governance and the delivery of
were called to Boscombe
advanced critical care across the
Pier, Bournemouth they had
expansion to the provision of
to enhancing patient care
SWAST
Man saved after swallowing fish
through innovation, research and
TVAA and SCAS have worked
Thames Valley. We will continue
no idea what they would find
continued training and education
hard to improve access
to work in close collaboration
when they got there.
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
252 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE Their only information was
was total airway occlusion and
that a man had started
despite best efforts he was not
choking and had now stopped
receiving any oxygen.
breathing. Matt Harrison said that reWith the first clinician on scene
assessment of the patient once
in less than two minutes, friends
in the ambulance indicated
directed the crew along the
further deterioration and we
dimly-lit pier, where another friend
once again began to lose
was already performing CPR, as
cardiac output. ‘It was clear
directed by the calm emergency
that we needed to get the fish
medical dispatcher on the line
out or this patient was not going
from the 999 control room.
to survive the short journey to
Four things in one pack, one less thing to think about
Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Initial assessment by Specialist
I used a laryngoscope to fully
Paramedic Matt Harrison
extend the mouth and throat
confirmed that the patient was
and saw what appeared like
in a desperate situation, with
an altered colour of tissue in
a blocked airway and was
his throat. Using a McGills
now in cardiac arrest. As the
forceps I was able to eventually
paramedics questioned the
dislodge the tip of the tail and
friends further, it appeared that
very carefully, so as not to break
the 28 year old had been joking
the tail off I tried to remove
around with a fish he had just
it - although the fish’s barbs
caught. The patient had put the
and gills were getting stuck on
fish over his mouth but the fish
the way back up. I was acutely
wiggled free, promptly jumping
aware that I only had one
straight down the patient’s
attempt at getting this right as
throat causing a complete
if I lost grip or a piece broke off
obstruction.
and it slid further out of sight then there was nothing more
Martyn Box the Operations
that we could have done to
Officer who also attended the
retrieve the obstruction.’
incident said “The boys were giving really good CPR on our
Eventually after six attempts
arrival as instructed by the
the fish came out in one piece
Control room staff. Initially we
and to our amazement it was a
didn’t know the true extent of
whole Dover Sole, measuring
the situation or what the patient
approx. 14cm in length.
was choking on, but as we questioned them further we
Matt Harrison said “I have
were told he had a whole fish
never attended a more bizarre
stuck in his windpipe’.
incident and don’t think I ever
www.i-gel.com
will – but we’re all so glad the patient has no lasting effects
already stopped, we continued
from his cardiac arrest, which
CPR and achieved the return of
could so easily have had
a pulse after about 3 minutes,
such a tragic and devastating
and then transferred the patient
outcome’.
quickly by stretcher to the Upon arrival to Royal
ambulance.
Bournemouth Hospital Further assessment of the
Emergency Department the
patients’ airway indicated that
patient had responded well
despite artificially ventilating
enough to be able to answer
him with a bag and mask,
a few basic questions, which
the patient’s chest remained
was a huge relief and sense of
silent, suggesting that there
achievement for us all.
Quality, innovation and choice
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
As the patient’s heart had
253 AMBULANCE_UK_09_17_igel_o2_half_page.indd 1 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
20/09/2017 11:21
NEWSLINE may closer to someone requiring
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Armed Response Officers are
Blue Light Services Launch Life-saving Co-responder Scheme
the most urgent medical care than
and defibrillation are undoubtedly
deployed across the Force area on
the nearest available paramedic.
the most important steps in the
a daily basis and routinely patrol
The officers are already trained to
chain of survival and are time critical.
West Yorkshire, attending both
provide life-saving emergency care
We have a responsibility to ensure
firearms-related calls as well any
and carry defibrillators as part of
we explore every available option to
other appropriate demand. Since
West Yorkshire’s Firearms Officers
their standard kit.
improve clinical outcomes for our
the scheme began, the team has
patients and we are delighted to be
achieved a Return of Spontaneous
In line with strict criteria, a team
working in partnership with West
Circulation (the return of cardiac
of two Firearms Officers are
Yorkshire Police on this scheme
activity with a measurable blood
despatched to patients in cardiac
which has already had a positive
pressure and a palpable pulse)
or respiratory arrest at the same
impact on patient care. Firearms
with five patients in cardiac/
time as an ambulance and do
Officers, who routinely patrol West
respiratory arrest, including the first
not replace the usual emergency
Yorkshire, already have the skills
patient they attended.
The joint initiative between Yorkshire
medical response from YAS. Their
and equipment, so the collaboration
Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS)
location within local communities
made perfect sense.
and West Yorkshire Police aims to
means they could be nearer to
help patients in cardiac or respiratory
the scene in those first critical
“The demand placed upon blue
Operations Support section, said:
arrest. The emergency co-responder
minutes, delivering life-saving
light emergency services increases
“There is big misconception that
scheme has been activated 40
care until an ambulance clinician
every year and our approaches to
armed officers only do anything
times since its introduction on 5
arrives. However, if the armed
providing the best response and
when a call comes in around
September 2017 – and five patients
officers were already deployed to
best patient outcomes available
weapons, and that simply isn’t
have been successfully resuscitated
an existing police incident, or a
are continually evolving. By
the case. These are exceptionally
and transported to hospital with a
high priority police incident occurs
exploring innovative and alternative
well-trained individuals who, as
cardiac output.
at the same time, they would not
ways of working with all partners,
well as being specially trained
be diverted to the ambulance call.
together we can ensure our service
firearms experts, first and
remains responsive and safe and
foremost are police officers whose
YAS
are now responding to certain lifethreatening medical emergencies at the same time as an ambulance to give patients the best possible chance of survival, thanks to the launch of an innovative scheme.
Armed officers are routinely
Superintendent Mark McManus of West Yorkshire Police’s
deployed on proactive patrol across
Paul Stevens, Head of Community
this will lead to even more lives
primary instinct and duty will
West Yorkshire which means they
Resilience for YAS, said: “Early
being saved.”
always be to help people.
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
254 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE “As part of their regular and intensive training, firearms officers receive ‘tactical medical training’ in order to offer emergency care in the varied and potentially unique situations they may find themselves attending. “Our support of YAS is in addition to the standard response of the ambulance service, and is all around the timeliest intervention so more lives can be saved. This isn’t us taking on ambulance calls; this is about using the exceptional training our teams have to make a real difference when they are not attending other emergency police calls. The reality is this may only be a couple of calls a week, but if in doing so they can save lives, it’s undoubtedly a positive thing. “There are many occasions where our armed teams have given specialist trauma care to victims of the most serious road traffic collisions, or helped keep someone alive who may have attempted selfharm. These medical skills are vitally important and through this fantastic piece of partnership working, they can use these skills to help save the lives of people across the county. “This new joined up approach is just another example of how we continue to work closely with our blue light partners to give the best possible service to our communities.”
Department of Health selects FREQUENTIS control room software
The Department of Health has selected the Frequentis 3020 LifeX integration platform as a replacement for the current Integrated Command and Control System (ICCS). The Control
The 3020 LifeX, designed as multimedia collaboration platform, will be hosted at Crown Hosting Data Centres to provide a highly resilient national solution for all of the English Ambulance Trust control room operators and with an option for Scotland and Wales too. With a capacity for almost 700 concurrent users, the system will be the largest ICCS in the UK. The system will not only allow the control centre staff to communicate with the ambulances on the current Airwave network, but also the new ESN once it is operational. It will also provide a map-based view of the location of all ambulances, to compliment current systems and provide another layer of resilience for the most critical of services. This new approach to the provision of critical services for an Emergency Services’ control centre allows for flexibility and innovation to meet any future requirements and the enhancement of operational processes and procedures. Even though the system is national and can be enhanced on this basis, Frequentis understands the need for individual Trusts’ to operate in their own way and will therefore ensure local requirements are also catered for. “We are extremely pleased to be working with Frequentis to deliver the LifeX software. Delivering the largest ICCS in UK will be a challenge, however we are confident that Frequentis are the right provider to enable us to deliver a solution that will greatly assist the Ambulance Trusts’ dispatch capabilities. Realising the benefits of the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) is vital and the flexibility inherent with LifeX will enable Trusts to transition to ESN whilst
maintaining inter-operable communications with other Trusts, Police and Fire” – Duncan Bray, Head of Programmes – Ambulance Radio Programme. With the introduction of ESN over the coming years, ambulance dispatching and the communications with staff will change and the potential use of multimedia will evolve. Having a “single” system will enable the evolvement to be managed and implemented in a more cost effective and efficient way. Frequentis’ expertise in providing safety-critical communication and information solutions is well-known in the industry. In February 2016, Frequentis won the International Critical Communications Awards (ICCA) in the category “Best use of TETRA for Public Safety” for its best practice voice communication system implemented for the Bavarian Police during the 2015 G7 Summit in June. Furthermore, at the 2016 Critical Communications World, Frequentis won the “Future Tech Award” for its Unified Radio Gateway (URG) solution. “The Frequentis 3020 LifeX software platform was designed for the approach required by the UK Ambulance Trusts. The “private cloud” infrastructure, intuitive web-based frontend and ability to integrate numerous third party systems means a single national solution can meet the specific needs of the individual Trusts. This brings the benefits of scale without compromising the individual’s needs.” Says Robert Nitsch, Public Safety Director at Frequentis
EEAST
Defibrillator donated in memory of 18-year-old A lifesaving device has been donated to a Norfolk school in memory of a former student. Paul Pottle and his family raised
money for the new defibrillator at Drayton Community Infant School following the sudden death of his son earlier in the year. Eighteen-year-old Thomas Pottle, an apprentice at Ben Burgess in Norwich, collapsed whilst at work in January and went into cardiac arrest. Despite the best efforts of ambulance, air ambulance, and hospital staff, he sadly passed away. On Tuesday 10th October Paul and Andrew Barlow, Norfolk Community Collaboration Manager for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST), attended an assembly at the infant school to talk about the defibrillator donation. Paul said that there were also plans for a community public accessible defibrillator to be installed outside the Maids Head Hotel in Tombland, Norwich. He added that all of Thomas’ former schools already had defibrillators. “We did not know anything about defibrillators until this happened and we were thrown into this world. They are becoming more and more prominent, but we need to make people more aware. “It has given us something to focus on and it has been painful at times, but we wanted to give something back for the children and for the community. If it is used once and saves a life, then it has done its job.” A defibrillator is used to shock a heart into restarting when a patient collapses and goes into cardiac arrest. The ambulance service will be returning to Drayton Community Infant School to train staff on how to use the lifesaving device. Andrew added: “Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of a defibrillator dramatically increase the chances of survival of a patient in cardiac arrest. I’d like to praise Paul for fundraising for these lifesaving devices.”
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
Cloud-based infrastructure from Frequentis will assist the UK Ambulance Trust with its evolution to an Emergency Service Network (ESN)
Room Software (CRS) project required a new approach to the provision of radio dispatch for the UK Ambulance Trust using a cloud-based model. The system will enable the Trust to be ready to transition to the United Kingdom’s Emergency Services Network (ESN).
255 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE NWAS
North West Ambulance Service supports patients to stay well this winter North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) will be helping people to stay well this winter by sharing important health information with patients travelling on the Patient Transport Service (PTS). PTS staff will be making the most of time spent transporting patients to and from appointments by taking the opportunity to hand out leaflets about the seasonal flu vaccination. The leaflets include information about who is eligible for the free vaccination and who to speak to for further advice. Over 1.5 million patient journeys are undertaken by PTS every year, supporting patients across Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cumbria, to get to and from non-emergency
“The whole NHS system
He is making a strong recovery
highlighting the great work of
sees pressure over the winter
after spending two weeks in
the ambulance staff.
months, with more people
the cardiac unit at the Norfolk
visiting A&E and being admitted
and Norwich University Hospital
“I did not know how to do CPR
to hospital. We hope that
and having an implantable
before and I am looking forward
sharing health advice can help
cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
keep people well and avoid
to the training. I am back at
fitted in his chest.
work now and playing football at
them having to go to hospital.” Roger now wants to give The initiative is part of
something back by raising
Transforming Patient Care, a
awareness of the value of
two-year programme that will
lifesaving CPR and having
see NWAS make a number of
accessible defibrillators in
developments to services to
public places.
improve care for patients. On Monday 16th October, he
Cardiac arrest survivor organises lifesaving lesson
returned to the Sportspark after organising a CPR training event on Restart a Heart Day. Staff from EEAST were on hand to teach lifesaving skills.
A cardiac arrest survivor will
across the UK to teach as many young people as possible CPR. Last year, 150,000 young people across the UK took part in the largest ever CPR training event of its kind.
lifesaving lesson.
Collaboration Manager for
said he owed his life to the
Norfolk, said: “Every second
Roger Baines, a senior lecturer
many “incredible” people
counts when someone is in
at the University of East Anglia
who rushed to his aid and
cardiac arrest and early CPR
(UEA) in Norwich, was playing
the “outstanding” treatment
and use of a defibrillator
football at the UEA Sportspark
he received at every stage.
dramatically increase the
on 28th March when he felt
He particularly praised his
chances of survival. We are
dizzy and collapsed.
“magnificent seven” from the
looking forward to training as
Sportspark - Chris Lynch, Tom
many people as possible on
and trained Sportspark staff
Anna Linsmith, and Iain
who performed cardiopulmonary
Kermode.
time by helping to share
all of the ambulance services
Andrew Barlow, Community
Nathan Hearn, PTS Contract
make even better use of that
Ambulance join forces with
Translation Studies academic,
Warren, Matthew Critchfield,
We recognised we could
British Red Cross and St John
language and Applied
his quick-thinking teammates
different patients every day.
British Heart Foundation, the
heart stopped to deliver a
medical appointments.
we spend time with many
Resuscitation Council (UK), the
Roger, who is a French
Dart, Luke Coping, James
nature of our service means
On Restart a Heart Day, the
return to the place where his
The 51-year-old was saved by
Delivery Manager, said: “The
the Sportspark again,” he said.
resuscitation (CPR) and shocked him once with a defibrillator
“For me this is the perfect
before the arrival of East of
way of bringing together the
England Ambulance Service
Sportspark staff who were
NHS Trust (EEAST) and East
instrumental in saving my life,
Anglian Air Ambulance staff.
training other people, and
important health messages
Restart a Heart Day.” Andrew Lockey, Honorary Secretary of the Resuscitation Council (UK), said: “For this year’s Restart a Heart day, we will see unprecedented numbers of young people being taught the vital lifesaving skill of CPR. Endeavours ranging from individual effort through to
and information about locally
nationally coordinated activity
available services.
will show that there is a desire
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
to improve the chances of
“To start with, we’re giving out
survival for victims of cardiac
information about the winter flu
arrest. Everyone can be a
vaccination so that our patients
lifesaver and the skills are easy
know all about it and where to get
to learn, either online or with
it. Many of the people who use our service have existing medical
face-to-face training. Most
conditions or are over the age
cardiac arrests happen in the
of 65, which means they are at
home, so everyone should
greater risk of complications from
ensure that they are those
flu and can have the vaccination
around them are skilled up to
free of charge.
save a life.”
256 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE NEAS
North East Ambulance Service recognised for investing in staff North East Ambulance
NEAS, which employs more
proud of our workforce and
training processes, introduced
than 2,600 people and handles
the care they deliver and the
a staff benefits booklet
the region’s NHS111 and 999
difference they make day in,
highlighting the rewards for
calls as well as providing a
day out.
working within our service.
service, was assessed by IIP
“We want NEAS to be a great
“Achieving this accreditation
over the summer and has now
place to work, with a highly
received the first level of IIP
skilled, healthy, engaged
is an objective, external
standard, ‘developed’.
and motivated workforce
clinical care and transport
Service (NEAS) has achieved
endorsement that we have the right principles and practices in
delivering excellent patient
national Investors in People
Particular strengths were
care. With this in mind we have
accreditation in recognition
identified as:
worked incredibly hard as an
of its commitment to its
years to ensure we invest in and
• Encouraging high
develop them.
performance • Adopting a culture of
people management, defining and manage people effectively
to develop a set of behaviours • Creating autonomy in roles
to achieve sustainable results. Underpinning the standard
“To date this work has included working with our employees
recognition
what it takes to lead, support
that we can use as part of
is the Investors in People
working
framework, reflecting the latest
not stopping there and are now advanced level standard by 2020.” Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, said: “Investors in
our recruitment, induction • Enabling collaborative
expected of them. But we’re working towards receiving the
Investors in People (IIP) is the international standard for
these effectively so that people and leaders know what is
organisation over the last few
workforce.
place and have communicated
and appraisal processes as
People accreditation is the
well as building a leadership
sign of a great employer, an
and management programme
outperforming place to work
workplace trends, essential
Yvonne Ormston, NEAS Chief
which can be used throughout
and a clear commitment to
skills and effective structures
Executive, said: “Working for
all levels of our organisation.
success. North East Ambulance
required to outperform in any
the ambulance service is more
We have also reviewed and
Service should be extremely
industry.
than a job and we are incredibly
improved our induction and
proud of this achievement.”
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257 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE WAST
Welsh Ambulance Service trains 12,000 school pupils in Wales on Restart a Heart Day 2017
Across the UK as a whole it is
to 73% in Norway where the
Every second counts, and it simply
hoped that 150,000 young people
survival rate is considerably higher.
isn’t enough to hope that someone
will learn the skill as part of the
The evidence in favour of members
who knows CPR is present.
mass CPR training day.
of the public learning CPR is obvious. So by having as many
“Restart a Heart Day is an annual
Currently in the UK, less than one
secondary schools as possible
day to increase awareness of
in ten (8.6%) people survive a
taking part in Restart a Heart Day
the importance of CPR. We need
cardiac arrest. The BHF predicts
2017, it has enabled our staff and
everyone in Wales to learn this
that if the UK achieved the same
volunteers to pass on their skills
life-saving skill to give them the
Up to 12,000 school students
survival rates reported in countries
to pupils who will then have this
confidence to step in and give
have been taught lifesaving
like Norway (25%), where CPR is
valuable skill for life.”
CPR when someone collapses
skills as part of a national
more widely taught in schools,
campaign.
an additional 100 lives could be
The event was organised in
saved each week - the equivalent
conjunction with the Resuscitation
“That’s why we are urging
of approximately 5,000 every year.
Council (UK), the BHF, which
secondary schools across the UK
provides the training equipment
to apply for our free training kits and help create a Nation of Lifesavers.”
During Restart a Heart Day 2017 on Monday 16th October,
after a cardiac arrest.
approximately 60 secondary
Dr Brendan Lloyd, Medical
free of charge as part of its
schools were shown how to carry
Director for WAST said: “Many
Nation of Lifesavers campaign,
out CPR by more than 200 Welsh
people don’t realise that if
St John Ambulance and Welsh
Ambulance Services NHS Trust
someone suffers a cardiac arrest
Ambulances Services NHS Trust.
(WAST) staff and volunteers.
in front of a bystander, who
All of the UK’s 13 ambulance
immediately starts CPR before the
trusts have been working in
They used training DVDs and
arrival of the ambulance service,
partnership to hold simultaneous
inflatable manikins provided by
their chances of survival double.
CPR training events to mark
the British Heart Foundation (BHF)
Restart a Heart Day 2017.
SAS
Caledonian Truck and Van clinches contract to support Scottish Ambulance Service
to give young people across
“Currently in the UK, bystanders
Wales the skills to help someone
only get involved in doing CPR in
First Minister Carwyn Jones
who has suffered a cardiac arrest.
43% of cardiac arrests, compared
visited pupils at Llanishen High
The people of Scotland are
School, Cardiff to watch a CPR
assured of safe and reliable
training session while the Cabinet
transport when they need it
Secretary for Health, Well-being
most, following the introduction
and Sport Vaughan Gething
this year of more than 150 new
attended Sir Thomas Picton
Mercedes-Benz ambulances.
School, Haverfordwest. Sprinter models bearing the First Minister Carwyn Jones said:
famous three-pointed star now
“When someone collapses after
account for well over half of the
a cardiac arrest, every second
Scottish Ambulance Service fleet.
counts. Knowing simple CPR skills is vital to ensure you can give that
Supplied by Caledonian Truck
person, loved-one or stranger, the
& Van, the latest vehicles are all
best chance of survival.
5.0-tonne Sprinter 519 CDIs with muscular 190 hp six-cylinder
“I’m very impressed by the
engines.
numbers of school pupils taking
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
part in Restart a Heart across
The overwhelming majority are
Wales and I’m pleased to see how
front-line accident and emergency
the Welsh Ambulance Service,
ambulances. Most are now in
BHF, St John Ambulance and
service, with the last few due to
schools are providing life-saving
start work in the coming weeks.
skills to young people.” Also hitting the road are seven
PRO M VE A 2 B
W I T H
D I G N I T Y
Adam Fletcher, Head of British
primary and secondary response
Heart Foundation Cymru, said:
units, four of them all-wheel
“CPR may be the difference
drive variants with extra ground
between life and death for
clearance, and three specialist
hundreds of people who every year
vehicles for dealing with
in Wales suffer a cardiac arrest.
contamination incidents.
258 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE with Scottish Ambulance Service
Steven Moore, Senior Specialist
on understanding exactly what
Operations Manager, said: “The
they need to ensure their vehicles
training conducted is graphic and
are as effective as possible in
hectic to match the environments
emergency situations.
our staff will go into should an incident like this occur. We try to
Completing the order, the authority will shortly take delivery of three paediatric ambulances,
“The most important thing is
make sure everyone involved is
that these vehicles have to save
aware of what they may come
people’s lives, so it’s a very
across in this role by conducting
complex process to spec such a
a variety of training exercises that
specialist vehicle.
cover a wide range of scenarios.
“Reliability is absolutely key and
“It’s also vital we work closely
the quality of Mercedes-Benz
with our fire and rescue
very capable and offers all the
engineering and technology
colleagues, as well as police.
performance we need, while also
ensures that, while we also provide
These will be the people entering
being impressively economical.”
24-seven technical support from
the warm zone of any incident
our bases around Scotland.”
and stepping into harm’s way to
commissioned specifically for carrying injured and ill children.
help those in urgent need. We
Like all Mercedes-Benz vans, Scottish Ambulance Service’s
Trevor Spowart, Scottish
Sprinters are back by three-year,
Ambulance’s General Manager
unlimited mileage manufacturer’s
Fleet Services, said: “The Sprinter
warranties. “This cover is another
is the only vehicle that meets all
important attribute, as it underpins
of our exacting requirements for
our intensive use requirements,”
performance, reliability and payload
added Mr Spowart.
capacity, while we also benefit from Caledonian Truck & Van’s strong
Scottish Ambulance Service
after sales support. Our ambulances
employs a staff of more than
average 1,000 miles per month and
4,500 who serve the five million
no other vehicle stands up as well to
people living on the country’s
such a tough working life.”
mainland and islands.
EEAST
Ambulance specialists leading the way in training for challenging major incidents
are making sure our teams are as comfortable as possible in these dynamic and challenging environments to best prepare them for what may happen.” Inspector Mike Austin of Norfolk Police said “These days are
Ambulance specialists are
a very good opportunity to
leading the way in training for
work with our colleagues
challenging major incidents.
from the Fire and Rescue and ambulance services. Working
The East of England Ambulance
together in real situations
Service Trust (EEAST) Special
operationally, sharing resources
Operations team have been
and making sure we have the
conducting a wide range
appropriate communication in
of training with the Trust’s
place and working practices,
specialised clinicians.
so in the event of a situation
He continued: “The weight of
Caledonian Truck & Van’s account
their fully equipped box bodies
manager Vyga Mikuckis said the
means the emergency response
very specific requirements and
ambulances are already heavy,
high standards required by the
even before you factor in a patient
emergency service meant that
With the threat of catastrophic
and crew. This, coupled with the
no stone had been left unturned
events higher than ever in the UK,
need to make rapid progress
in order to find the right type of
the Trust’s Specialist Operations
during ‘blue light’ incidents, means
vehicles.
Station Commander Stuart Smith,
Team has been conducting a 12-
NILO at Cambridgeshire Fire
week training programme for staff
and Rescue Service, said: “It’s
and external partners for sudden
great to work with our emergency
impact events.
service colleagues and develop
a powerful engine is essential. The Sprinter’s smooth V6 is
“We have worked very closely
taking place we are more than prepared to deal with it.”
best practice for large scale incidents. We always hope these
Team (HART), Specialist
type of situations never occur but
Operations Response Team
training like this is vital to ensure
(SORT) and the Ambulance
we’re best ready as a team of
Intervention Team (AIT) have been
emergency responders to deal
working to develop expertise
with real life situations.”
of critical incidents, such as marauding terrorist firearms attack
This training is part of a wider
(MTFA) by carrying out training
programme of training of
focussing on planning, procedures
development undertaken by the
and execution of operations in a
emergency services throughout
variety of environments.
the year.
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
The Hazardous Area Response
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AIR MEDICAL SERVICES Nearly all patients on board a helicopter or airplane require continuous and advanced
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AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
260
modular adjective:
employing or involving a module or modules as the basis of design.
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE
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SPECIAL PROJECTS When the requirements of a specialist service exceeds the norm, the corpuls3 allows operators to perform their duties without compromise. Oil rigs in the North Sea and the Air Medical Support team who fly patients off rig to the Scottish and Norwegian coasts every day, rely on this system. Once ashore, the
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261
NEWSLINE Future of Lifesaving Midlands Air Ambulance Is Underway To support future lifesaving air ambulance operations, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is investing in a new, upgraded helicopter, which will enter the fleet in January 2018. Work is currently underway on the new, larger H145 Airbus helicopter, which was originally built at Airbus’ headquarters in Donauwörth, Germany. It undertook its first flight earlier this month as it travelled to the UK to undergo a medical equipment fit out at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s aviation partner, Babcock Mission Critical Services’ headquarters in Staverton, Gloucestershire.
Hanna Sebright, chief executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are pleased that progress of the new stateof-the-art H145 helicopter is on schedule. We made the strategic decision to invest in the larger, £7 million, helicopter to further develop our clinical and operational service, to allow us to continue to offer exceptional prehospital patient care. “We are in a position to purchase the new airframe thanks to on-going support from our loyal fundraisers within the communities we serve, and a £1 million grant from the banking fines. The investment will improve the organisation’s long-term resilience and sustainability by further reducing overall operating costs.” Registered as G-RMAA, the new helicopter will become operational in January 2018 from the charity’s RAF Cosford airbase in Shropshire.
The new air ambulance helicopter will provide a great number of benefits to patient care within the Midlands. It will be able to travel greater distances without the need for refuelling and enable the aircrew to respond even faster due to increased speed capability. The larger interior means additional aircrew can be flown to major incident scenes, and will also enable improved medical equipment to be carried on board to treat more complex emergencies.
EEAST
Father thanks his lifesavers after drama at the dogs A father-of-two praised his “heroes” in green after being reunited with the ambulance staff who helped save his life. Luke Chapman, who lives on the Essex-Hertfordshire border, was watching the greyhound racing at
The charity currently owns one EC135 helicopter, and leases two further EC135 models from Babcock Mission Critical Services. The charity will retain one leased aircraft, while the second leased aircraft will be replaced by G-RMAA.
Yarmouth Stadium, in Norfolk, with
For more information about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and how to support the organisation, please visit www. midlandsairambulance.com or call the team on 0800 8 40 20 40.
Thankfully, Luke’s sister-in-
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
262 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
his family on 29th April when he collapsed. The 43-year-old’s heart had stopped and he urgently needed life-saving treatment.
law Rebecca Chapman, a physiotherapist, knew how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and paramedic Harriet Sutherland and University of East
NEWSLINE The changes, known as the
• Category 2 – is for emergency
Ambulance Response Programme,
calls. These will be responded
(ARP), were announced by NHS
to in a mean average time of 18
England in July and follow the
minutes and at least 9 out of 10
largest ambulance clinical trials in
times before 40 minutes. Stroke
the world.
patients will fall into this category and will get to hospital or a
The clinical evidence, highlighted
specialist stroke unit quicker
by an initial 18-month trial of ARP,
because we can send the most
showed that out of 14 million
appropriate vehicle first time.
999 calls managed within the
• Category 3 – is for urgent calls.
pilot, there were no patient safety
In some instances, patients in
issues or concerns.
this category may be treated by ambulance staff in their own
Anglia (UEA) student paramedic
and talking so soon after his heart
Sophie Murgatroyd were minutes
stopped.
away in a response car. “From getting the call we were at Following three shocks from a
the stadium within three or four
defibrillator, Luke was resuscitated
minutes and 15 minutes later he
and was sitting up and talking to
was sitting up. Good early CPR and
medics and his family within 20
early defibrillation was the key. It is
minutes of his heart stopping.
good to see him looking so well.”
Luke, who remembers nothing of the
One of Luke’s sons sold sweets
event, returned to Yarmouth Stadium
at school and raised £150, which
on 6thNovember to thank staff from
has been donated to the East
the East of England Ambulance
of England Ambulance Service
Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and staff
Charitable Funds.
from the venue who helped him. He told them: “The fact that I am here today is because of you. You are real heroes and you do this every day and rarely get thanked. Thank you is not enough.”
SECAMB
Trust set to introduce new national ambulance response standards
The change is strongly
home. These types of calls will
endorsed by a number of expert
be responded to at least 9 out
organisations including the Royal College of Emergency Medicine,
of 10 times before 120 minutes • Category 4 – is for less urgent
the Stroke Association and the
calls. In some instances,
College of Paramedics.
patients may be given advice over the telephone or referred
Changing the performance
to another service such as a
standards, which were introduced
GP or pharmacist. These less
in 1974, will improve efficiencies
urgent calls will be responded
and free up ambulance crews to
to at least 9 out of 10 times
respond to emergencies. Vehicles
before 180 minutes
are often dispatched to respond to patients in less than eight
SECAmb Executive Director of
minutes but most patients do not
Operations, Joe Garcia said:
need this level of response. The
“ARP and the new ambulance
new standards will enable the
response standards will help us
Trust to send the most appropriate
to better meet the clinical needs
response to each patient, first
of our patients rather than simply
time, while continuing prioritise
a time-driven target. We will also
those in the greatest need.
be better placed to send the right response, the first time.
For example, stroke patients will receive an ambulance response at
“We are working extremely hard
the first allocation, to ensure they
as a Trust, in the face of increasing
I am very lucky. I could not fault the
A new set of ambulance response
can be conveyed to hospital as
year-on-year demand, to improve
whole service from start to finish.”
standards, aimed at delivering
quickly as possible to receive the
the efficiency and timeliness of
the quickest response possible
clinical intervention they require.
our response to patients. While we
“The care I received was superb and
cannot expect response times to
The East Anglian Air Ambulance
for the most critically-ill or injured
was also dispatched to Luke who
patients, will be introduced in
The availability of a transporting
improve overnight, as we continue
was taken by land ambulance
South East Coast Ambulance
resource will also be improved,
to develop our operational staff
to the Norfolk and Norwich
Service from 22 November.
reducing the length of time single
skill-mix and ratio of ambulances to
responders wait for back up.
cars, our response to all categories
University Hospital where he defibrillator (ICD) fitted in his chest.
of patient should improve.”
standards, which have been
The new categories and
introduced across the country in
standards are set out below
More information on the response standards and the clinical
Luke added that he never claimed
recent months, see current Red 1,
his £21 winnings from that night
Red 2 and Green category calls
at the races. However, he plans to
replaced with four new categories.
with immediately life-threatening
well as short animations and an
return with the family near to the
The new system is aimed at better
and time critical injuries and
easy-read guide to the changes
anniversary of his cardiac arrest.
enabling ambulance services to
illnesses. These will be responded
can be found on our website:
get the right resource to patients,
to in a mean average time of
http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/about_
Harriet said that she was “shell-
the first time, in a timeframe
seven minutes and at least 9 out
us/our_performance/response_
shocked” that Luke was sitting up
appropriate for their clinical need.
of 10 times before 15 minutes.
time_targets/ambulance
• Category 1 - is for calls to people
evidence that sits behind them as
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
had an implantable cardioverter
The new nationally-determined
263 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
Life Connections 2018 Harrogate/Bristol Paramedic Conferences
Harrogate - March 15 Paramedic Practice Conference Programme
Bristol - June 21 Paramedic Practice Conference Programme
Thursday 15th March 2018
Thursday 21st June 2018
The Pavilions of Harrogate,
Bristol UWE, Frenchay Campus,
HG2 8NZ
Bristol, BS34 8QZ
Time
Presentation
Speaker
Position
Time
Presentation
09.00 – 09.30 Registration
09.00 – 09.30 Registration
09.30 – 10.00 Tea/Coffee/Exhibition
09.30 – 10.00 Tea/Coffee/Exhibition
Understanding & 10.00 – 10.30 Assessing Kids that Limp 10.30 – 11.00 Futile Resuscitation Just How Bad Are 11.00 – 11.30 Your Clinical Skills? Can Ultrasound Help?
Christopher Preston
Strategic Lead NWAS
Matthew House
Doctor (PrD) NWAS
Bob Jarman
Consultant in Emergency Medicine
12.30 – 13.00 Epilepsy Awareness 13.00 - 14.00
Position
10.00 – 10.30
Paramedics and End of Life Care
Jp Stonehouse
Macmillan Cancer Care Project Manager
10.30 – 11.00
Dealing with Traumatic Events and National Disasters / Terrorist Incidents
Joanne Mildenhall
Paramedic Team Leader
11.00 – 11.30
Disaster Response Paramedic – The Nepal Earthquake Experience
Simon Greenfield
HART Paramedic
Amy Chan-Dominy
Paediatric Consultant
Adam Layland
Senior Lecturer in Leadership and Management
11.30 – 12.00 Tea/Coffee/Exhibition
11.30 – 12.00 Tea/Coffee/Exhibition 12.00 – 12.30 T.B.C
Speaker
Professor Sir Keith Porter
Professor of Clinical Traumatology
12.00 – 12.30
Advanced Airway Management
Jan Bagshaw
Nurse Consultant
12.30 – 13.00
Leadership and Management
13.00 - 14.00
Lunch/Exhibition
Lunch/Exhibition
Topics & Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change.
Topics & Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change.
To view all conference programmes or to register please visit www.lifeconnections.uk.com or call 01322 660434
To view all conference programmes or to register please visit www.lifeconnections.uk.com or call 01322 660434
Only 50 Places are available on each Conference at a cost of £30pp to include VAT, lunch/tea/coffee and free parking. To secure your delegate place please register online at: www.lifeconnections.uk.com or call the organisers on: 01322 660434 Further Conferences are planned later in the year for Aylesbury and Stoke-on-Trent
www.lifeconnections.uk.com
NEWSLINE ‘’However, we have recently
the extended service from
seen examples of serious
Wednesday to Saturday we want
Response Team (HART) vehicles,
incidents outside of normal
to reach more people in need
to replace the existing fleet.
operating hours. We think these
of urgent care as well as assist
types of incidents could benefit
other emergency services where
The Welsh Ambulance Service
Cornwall Air Ambulance
from the specialist skills that the
needed.’’
currently has over 700 vehicles
has extended its hours of
Cornwall Air Ambulance crew
operation under a 12-month
possess and this trial will allow
‘’Due to the trial taking place in
of more than 8,000 square miles
trial involving the lifesaving
us to truly assess that demand.’’
the evenings, we can use the
across Wales.
Extended hours of service
• Five specialist Hazardous Area
in its fleet, which cover an area
cars to reach people who are in
charity’s critical care cars. The critical care cars carry the
need of emergency care at that
Since 2011, the Welsh
time as there will be less traffic
Government has invested almost
on the roads.’’
£45m in new ambulance vehicles
Each day the helicopter crew
same advanced life-saving
works a 12-hour shift from
equipment as the helicopters,
7.30am to 7.30pm, responding
such as the LUCAS chest
to emergencies in the charity’s
compression system, an
WAS
critical care cars when the
automated device that can
weather is too bad to fly.
sustain a higher blood flow to manual chest compressions.
Welsh Government invests £8.2m in new ambulance vehicles
operate under the same hours,
The trial period will be run by the
The Welsh Ambulance Service
with an additional shift now
same paramedics who fly the
will receive 90 new operational
“The £8.2 million investment I’m
worked by two critical care
helicopter missions, providing
vehicles thanks to a £8.2m
announcing today will enable
paramedics responding to
the same level of critical care
investment from the Welsh
the Welsh Ambulance Service to
emergencies by road from 6pm
into the early hours. This
Government, Health Secretary
continue upgrading its existing
to 2am every Wednesday to
includes administering strong
Vaughan Gething.
fleet, allowing the service to deliver
Saturday.
pain relief with medication such
the brain and heart compared to Under the new trial the
for the Welsh Ambulance Service.
helicopter crew continues to
as Ketamine, as well as using Paula Martin, Chief Executive
their surgical skills.
says: “Historically, data has
Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said: “The Welsh Ambulance Service continues to experience a growing demand for its services every year.
the best care for people in Wales. The investment will allow the service to purchase:
“This will ensure the ambulance service is able to deploy the most
• 18 Emergency Ambulances.
shown that demand for the type
Steve Garvey, Air Operations
of critical care response the air
Officer says: ‘’We typically
ambulance crew provides fell
have more call outs towards
Transport Service vehicles
after about 7.30pm.’’
the end of the week. By trialling
(NEPTS);
• 67 Non Emergency Patient
appropriate clinician in the most appropriate vehicle, ensuring people receive the quickest response possible.” Richard Lee, Director of Operations for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “In Wales we’re proud to have some of the most up-to-date and best equipped ambulances to benefit our patients and staff. “Whether we’re attending emergency calls, taking non-emergency patients to appointments or providing lifeit’s vital that we have a modern fleet capable of responding to everyone’s needs. “We would like to thank the Welsh Government for its continued support as we aim to further improve the services and quality of care we provide for our
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
saving care at major incidents,
patients.
265 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE The old royal blue shirts and
LAS
navy trousers were replaced
Prime Minister praises bravery of ambulance staff
by the nationally recognised green uniform on Monday 12 September. The change means that NIAS
Ambulance crews and call takers
staff will now look the same as
have been honoured at Downing
colleagues across the UK.
Street for their response to the terror attacks in London and the
The change comes after extensive
Grenfell Tower fire.
consultation by the Trust’s Uniform Committee which is made up of
The 25 London Ambulance
management representatives and
Service staff were joined by
Picture courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office
medics from the North West for the reception hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May.
Control room manager Cathy-Anne Burchett and Deputy Director of Operations Pauline Cranmer meet Prime Minister Theresa May
Mrs May said she was inspired
Control room manager Cathy-
Paramedic Sarah Galka, 31, a new
by the bravery of the emergency
Anne Burchett was among those
recruit from Australia, had only
service workers who dealt with
who had the opportunity to talk to
been on the job two months when
the incidents in London and
the Prime Minister.
she attended Grenfell. She said:
Manchester. She said: “You are the ones who run towards devastation, while others run as fast as they can the other way. And every day you go to work knowing you could be called on to face things which most of us would never want to confront.” Police and firefighters from both London and Manchester also attended the event. London Ambulance Service Director of Operations Paul Woodrow said: “The London Ambulance Service has been tested this year like never before but I have seen the whole organisation pull together to ensure a truly professional AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
response to some terrible events.
“It was very daunting but I just She said: “It was a great honour to represent the thousands of people who have shown admirable resilience in some extraordinarily tragic circumstances.” The Prime Minister thanked ambulance staff on behalf of the whole country. Paramedic Gary Edwards, 30, a first responder at London Bridge,
wanted to do everything I could to help people. I feel so proud to be part of the service and coming to 10 Downing St, I feel proud to represent the entire service. Everyone does a tremendous job and in the aftermath, there is so much support – incidents like this bring us closer together.” Emergency Medical Dispatcher Hamza Khan, 30, who answered 999 calls about the Westminster attack, said: “At first we thought
said: “Since that night I have really
we were taking calls about a traffic
noticed that Londoners want to
incident so when we began to
show their appreciation for the
realise this was a terror incident,
job we do. It can be a difficult job
it was so shocking. But whatever
so when people want to thank us
we are feeling we have to remain
it does make a difference. I feel
calm and positive with the callers.
proud of the whole service.”
We are there to give reassurance and confidence. I’m proud of
Advanced paramedic Keir
how London Ambulance Service
Rutherford, 35, who also attended
responds to these events. We
London Bridge said: “I feel very
have been tested but this is what we are trained for.”
trade union members representing the views of staff. Bryan Snoddy, Assistant Director of Operations, and chairman of the Uniform Committee welcomed the change saying; “The move to green uniforms has come about following a long period of discussion with representatives of staff. Work to facilitate the transition began almost three years ago and I am delighted that from Monday 12 September, NIAS staff will be instantly recognisable by a new uniform which brings a degree of consistency with other ambulance services throughout the UK. The change in uniform could also be said to reflect the other major changes which have been taking place throughout our Service over the past number of years. These changes, facilitated by appropriate care pathways, are designed to ensure that NIAS delivers what is best for the patient. From Monday Patients may see a different uniform but the people delivering that service are the same highly committed professionals
“This reception is recognition
privileged to have been invited
of the fantastic work all the
to Downing Street. It was a
emergency services do. We plan
team effort and what we did on
together and we train together
the bridge made a significant
and that is why we are able to
difference to the lives that were
deliver such a robust and effective
saved. I saw a lot of people acting
The Northern Ireland
have worked tirelessly in an effort
response to major incidents. This
very bravely: people risking their
Ambulance Service is changing
to ensure that this transition to
is testament to the commitment of
lives. But it was not being heroic,
its uniform for the first time
green happens as seamlessly as
our staff to caring for patients.”
it was people doing their jobs.”
since its inception in 1995.
possible.”
that would have been delivering the Service on Sunday.
NIAS
NIAS Goes Green
I would like to place on record my personal thanks to those who
266 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE interest of the patient, we should encourage this to happen on a more regular basis.
NEAS
Falls training relieves pressure on 999 and A&E
“It’s all about giving the best care to our residents and also giving staff the confidence to deal with trips and falls themselves if appropriate.”
Care home staff trained to support frail fallers Training provided by the
NEAS is now looking for opportunities and funding to extend the reach of the training, looking at different user groups and catchment areas.
Specialist Skills team at North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to some of the region’s care homes has resulted in a reduction in 999 calls and A&E admissions.
Tony Brockbank (Specialist Skills Trainer, NEAS) working with Cristina Igboeri, Hannah Coyne and Jenni Bugiulescu from Howdon Care Centre (Four Season Health Care)
North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) worked in partnership with the region’s Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to deliver Falls and Initial Response Skills Training (FIRST) to improve residents’ care and to reduce pressure on health care services. The falls response training aimed to empower nurses and staff by giving them the skills and confidence to deal with residents who have taken ill, or had a fall, to enable care to be provided more quickly and closer to the patient. Falls-related injuries particularly affect the frail elderly, with 30% of people aged 65 and older and 50% of people aged 80 and older falling at least once a year. Falls are estimated to cost the NHS nationally more than £2.3 billion per year, which equates to around £115 million each year for the North East. The human cost of falling is an impact on the quality of life, resulting in distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence or loss lead to mortality.
has also been a demonstrable reduction in 999 call volume, which appears to show direct correlation with those care homes which have attended the training, reducing overall pressure on healthcare services. “Overall, there is a benefit for our frail elderly, care home staff, front-line healthcare resources and secondary care organisations and we hope to continue this programme with other care homes across the region.” Training was delivered by the Trust’s specialist skills team to 414 staff across 115 care homes across the region. The training was funded as part of the 2016/17 Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Vanguard. Early indications show the training is working. Data from February and March, compared to the same time last year, has shown a 32% reduction in calls to 999 from the care homes trained, together
Elaine McDonald, head of workforce development at NEAS, said: “Giving care home staff the skills and confidence to deal with falls in the most appropriate way enables them to put the care of their patients first – which doesn’t always mean calling 999. Since
with a reduction in the number of A&E by 25%. The training included: • guidance on moving patients • confidence to respond to patients who had suffered a fall
• guidance on assessing of patient condition • scene and risk assessment guidance to determine the most appropriate response Janice Grieve, care assistant at Princes Court, North Shields attended the training. She said: “I work with a lot of vulnerable and frail older people and falls can be a regular occurrence. This training gives you the confidence to handle cases before calling 999, and to try and assist and care for people who’ve had a fall within the care home, if it’s the safest option.” Trish Playle, senior carer at Cobal House in Cullercoats, who also participated in the training, added: “We have regular training but this course was a great refresher. More often than not, when an elderly person in a care home has a fall, the immediate reaction is to call 999. However, this may not always be the best option for the patient. It also puts an unnecessary strain on A&E departments and ambulance services. “Elderly patients, particularly those with dementia, can get disorientated when they leave their familiar surroundings. So if the fall can be treated at the
“Giving care home staff the skills and confidence to deal with falls in the most appropriate way enables them to put the care of their patients first – which doesn’t always mean calling 999.”
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
of independence and they can
the training took place there
For more information or to book one of the many training courses that the Specialist Skills team offer please contact jo.wood@neas. nhs.uk
care home, and it’s in the best
267 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE New state-ofthe-art helipad at Worcestershire Royal Hospital gets go-ahead Work is set to get underway on a brand new state-of-the-art £1.24m helipad at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, following the go-ahead from planners in October. The new raised helipad, which will be situated next to Worcestershire Oncology Centre, will be closer to the Accident and Emergency department, enabling paramedics to transfer critically ill patients
An architect impression shows how the new state-of-the-art raised helipad will look
into the department more quickly, using electric trolleys, instead of
Work on the helipad, which is
new helipad and we would like to
the HELP Appeal, said: “Helipads
expected to be completed within
thank the HELP Appeal which is
save time and save lives. It’s as
12 months, has been generously
enabling this work to be carried
simple as that.
funded by the HELP Appeal whose
out. The plan has always been
Chief Executive, Robert Bertram,
to relocate the helipad closer to
“After learning that the
to ease traffic congestion, as cars
visited the hospital this week to
A&E, meaning patients arriving by
Worcestershire Royal Hospital
driving around the site will not be
hand over a cheque for £625,000 -
Air Ambulance can be transferred
could build a helipad closer to its
disrupted when the Air Ambulance
the first of two instalments.
into the department as quickly
an ambulance. Relocating the helipad from its current location on land adjacent to the staff car park will also help
and easily as possible to receive
lands and takes off. Additional car parking will also be created – both
Michelle McKay, Chief Executive
emergency treatment once they
on land vacated by the current
of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals
have landed on site.”
helipad, and underneath the new
NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted
raised platform.
that we’ve got the go ahead for a
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of
emergency department - reducing the time it takes to transfer a critically ill patient to the specialist care they urgently need - we wanted to make it happen for them as quickly as possible, so we agreed to cover the entire cost. “It’s fantastic that they have been given permission to start on this essential build, which will make a huge difference to the lives of critically ill patients.” The HELP Appeal aims to significantly increase the number of onsite hospital helipads at
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
major trauma centres and A&E hospitals through its HELP Appeal grant scheme which offers nonrepayable grants to hospitals to help fund new helipads or upgrade existing helipads. The HELP Appeal relies solely on Michelle McKay, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal; and James Longmore, Director of Asset Management and ICT and WAHT, overlooking the new helipad site
268 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
charitable donations. To donate, please visit www.helpappeal.org. uk/support-us/
NEWSLINE EEAST
New ambulance hub for Hertfordshire
Ltd Luton. The 24/7 hub has
Steve Davey, Senior Locality
because of the extent of their
two training spaces, a staff
Manager for East and North
injuries and the need for rapid
rest area, locker and shower
Hertfordshire, who is based at
treatment.
facilities, wellbeing room and
the station, added: “The new
computer room.
hub is much more effective
Professor Peter Giannoudis,
than our previous space given
Professor of Trauma and
the number of vehicles we now
Orthopaedic Surgery at the
have in the local area. It forms
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
part of a wider network of sites
NHS Trust said: “The HELP
in Hertfordshire that ensures our
Appeal’s kind donation will
staff and vehicles are located
have a huge impact on patient
and managed in the most
care. It will facilitate the prompt
efficient way to deliver the best
transfer of seriously injured
care we can to patients.”
patients to Leeds Major Trauma
The 28th September saw the official opening of the new
It has a make-ready facility
Stevenage ambulance hub.
where ambulances and response cars are cleaned,
The modern hub in the Motorway Industrial Estate, Babbage Road, provides a bigger and better base to respond to patients. Local MP Stephen McPartland officially opened the new facility, which provides a base to more than 200 East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) staff in East and North Hertfordshire. Stephen McPartland MP said: “I am delighted we have so many ambulances and talented professionals based here in Stevenage at the new hub. It is incredible the transformation that has taken place inside the building and the crews seem to be really enjoying it. I am proud of the continuing massive
prepared and stocked for frontline duties. The facility was converted as part of a £1 million investment project in Hertfordshire,
Centre allowing the medical
Watford.
Leeds Major Trauma Centre now accepting night flights thanks to HELP Appeal donation
Robert Morton, Chief Executive
Seriously ill or injured patients
of EEAST, said: “I want to
from across Yorkshire are
thank everyone for joining us
benefiting from extended air
today as we celebrate this
ambulance flying hours thanks
great milestone. This new site
to a generous donation to the
which included progressing Letchworth ambulance station into a stores facility and improving a depot base at
gives our staff better facilities to work from and a better base to respond to our patients and I would like to thank our staff for supporting this change. The opening of this excellent
investment in our local NHS,
new ambulance hub is the
which is making Stevenage a
culmination of a lot of hard work
centre of clinical excellence.”
by many people.”
Stephen was joined by
The new facility is part of
councillors, NHS colleagues,
EEAST’s estate transformation
EEAST staff and volunteers to
plan to create a network of
celebrate the state-of-the-art
modern hubs and community
facility, which was converted
ambulance stations across the
by Neville Special Projects
region over the next five years.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Over £132,000 was donated by the HELP Appeal, a national charity set up to help provide Major Trauma Centres like Leeds with the necessary new or upgraded base infrastructure to enable night landing and so support the specialist skills of the
staff to intervene early, save lives and reduce morbidity. All the staff at the Major Trauma Centre are delighted with this advancement.” Linda Pollard OBE, Chair of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “The HELP Appeal has been instrumental in facilitating the extension of our helideck capabilities, which is ensuring we can truly deliver world class major trauma services to the people of Yorkshire.” Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal said: “People can become seriously ill or injured anytime of the day or night and with clocks changing, there is even less daylight for
pilots and clinical teams.
air ambulances to land safely
The donation has been used
state of the art lighting system
on hospital helipads. This new,
to fund important lighting and
at Leeds General Infirmary’s
fire-fighting equipment on the
helipad solves this problem,
helideck at the Leeds General
allowing helicopters to land,
Infirmary, which is enabling air
even when it’s dark, so patients
ambulances to land later into
can get the urgent treatment
the evening, therefore increasing
they need quickly at any time of
access to the Major Trauma
the day. “We were also delighted to
Leeds is one of 22 Major Trauma
donate the funds needed for
Centres in England providing
the helipad to have a new static
around-the-clock life-saving
fire fighting system, which will
treatment for seriously injured
help to extinguish fires really
patients from West Yorkshire
efficiently, doesn’t interrupt what
(adults), and Yorkshire and
the emergency care teams need
Humber (children). Often,
to do and isn’t affected by the
patients are flown in to the
wind – a must when the helipad
service by air ambulance
is on the roof.”
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
Centre.
269 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
NEWSLINE LAS
Clear Channel announces new Christmas Charity Partnership initiative, launching with London’s Air Ambulance Clear Channel UK pledges to show significant support for one partner charity every Christmas,
wouldn’t be celebrating Christmas
the campaign is to increase
without them.
awareness of the charity amongst people in London, in the hope
• The campaign hopes to drive
they will support London’s Air
awareness of our life-saving
Ambulance’s life-saving cause,
work and remind people we are
during this season of goodwill.
a charity that relies upon their donations.
Clear Channel’s Marketing Director, Martin Corke, said of the
As part of their Christmas Charity
partnership:
Partnership initiative, the media owner Clear Channel pledges to
“We are always looking for ways
give significant support to one
to support Charities and the local
chosen charity over the festive
communities that we operate
period, in the form of a campaign
in, and we are delighted to be
via their new initiative, “The
delivered on the relevant inventory,
able to launch the Christmas
Christmas Charity Partnership”,
to suit the target audience that the
Charity Partnership initiative, with
by donating a significant
charity wants to reach.
London’s Air Ambulance, who
volume of relevant inventory,
do such important, pioneering
for a single festive campaign.
Clear Channel has strong links
London’s Air Ambulance is
with the communities it operates
the first charity to benefit from
in. They are focused on helping
London’s Air Ambulance’s CEO,
the Clear Channel Christmas
improve the infrastructure of
Jonathan Jenkins, said of the
Charity Partnership initiative.
local communities, and develop
partnership:
lifesaving work for Londoners.”
partnerships with charities and • Our charity will run a campaign
sponsor local causes, and are
“Our life saving service can
across the capital, on Storm,
committed to helping dozens
only operate with the charitable
Clear Channel’s super premium
of charities every year, so this
support of people and businesses
large format digital proposition.
new initiative does not affect any
in London. We are hoping that
existing charity partnerships.
the incredible opportunity to be Clear Channel’s Christmas Charity
• The campaign, “It wouldn’t be Christmas for us without London’s
The Christmas Charity Partnership
Partner will give our campaign –
Air Ambulance”, will reach
campaign will run in London,
“It wouldn’t be Christmas for us
1000s of people across London,
on Storm, Clear Channel’s
without London’s Air Ambulance”,
highlighting that for many of their
super premium large format
a bigger audience to raise
patients, friends and families, they
digital portfolio. The aim of
awareness across London that we are a charity. We would like to encourage more people to donate, so that we can continue to deliver our advanced trauma team to all those that need it.”
SWAST
Sepsis Awareness Conference AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) together with support from the UK SEPSIS Trust ran a sepsis awareness conference in Exeter on Monday 13 November 2017. Attended by over a 100 health care professionals the conference was to raise further awareness and training for pre-hospital clinicians, nurses and medics.
270 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is the reaction to an infection in which the body attacks its own organs and tissues. Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition, however it can be easily treated if caught early. In the UK, at least 100,000 people each year suffer from serious sepsis (or septicaemia) with 44,000 lives claimed by it. Consultant Paramedic, James Wenman, who organised the conference, said; “We brought together leading experts in the field to discuss the importance of what sepsis is, the education and training needed for health care staff, together with infection and prevention control as well as sepsis in paediatrics.” There was also a preview of the acclaimed true story film ‘Starfish’, a survivors’ story and a parent’s personal account by sepsis campaigner Melissa Mead, the mother of William Mead. Melissa Mead bravely shared her experiences of sepsis with the delegates to raise awareness and to empower parents to look out for and know the signs of this serious condition. “I was delighted and privileged to be able to share William’s story with so many health professionals. It is so important that health professionals and the public alike think of sepsis when they are poorly. It is always hard to reflect back upon William’s death, but in doing so allows me to be his mum; and I’m incredibly proud of the lives he’s saved with the campaign.” Sepsis could occur as the result of any infection. There is no one sign for sepsis. Sepsis is a serious condition that can initially look like flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection. For further details on the symptoms please see the UK Sepsis Trust website: https:// sepsistrust.org/news/what-issepsis/
IN PERSON Guernsey News
Guernsey Ambulance Service - Retirement of the Chief Officer Jon Beausire has retired from Guernsey’s St John Ambulance & Rescue Service following a 31 year career with the organisation, leading it as Chief Officer for the last 10 years. Jon Beausire said: “I feel very privileged and proud to have led the Guernsey Service over the last 10 years. I have seen the care that we provide to the people of the islands improve significantly. Our responses to life saving calls has become quicker and more critically ill and injured patients are receiving better medical treatment enabling them to be stabilised before they are transferred to hospital. Our professional staff are now able to diagnose and treat a wider range of medical conditions, working with the rest of the health service in Guernsey to ensure that patients receive the best possible care for their needs”. Mr Beausire became Guernsey’s first registered paramedic in 1992 and has
I also know that colleagues in the UK have watched, perhaps sometimes with envy, how Guernsey’s ambulance service has operated. Our funding model, the public private partnership and operational structure has meant we are a valued public service”. St John is a charity which in Guernsey provides the ambulance service as a third sector provider. Unlike the UK and the other Crown Dependencies, the ambulance service is not fully funded by government. Approximately 70% of the total expenditure comes from the States of Guernsey, the rest has to be raised through other sources of income, such as user charges, a subscription scheme and donations. Mr Beausire said: “there have been many challenges during my time as chief officer, these have included changing the way the Service operates, securing adequate funding and building good relationships with the island’s government. Change is never easy but it is necessary to survive and I believe that it is the people in the organisation that make those changes not the leader. My role has been to turn the ambulance service vision into reality by making decisions that were consistent with
our values. We have had to prove that what we provide is value for money and that we can not only keep pace with developments in pre-hospital care, but also maintain the high standards that are expected of us. Jon Beausire has been responsible for various aspects of emergency planning and recalls how the events of 9/11 became the catalyst for ambulance services to review how they responded to major incidents. Philip Selwood, a former Ambulance Trust Chief Executive and national lead for emergency planning on the Ambulance Service Associations Civil Emergencies Committee after 9/11 said “Jon was always very supportive during a very challenging period bringing to the table issues that were particular to island communities. His support in the difficult days after 9/11 was tremendous.” The retiring Chief Officer describes himself as a ‘transformational’ leader, endeavouring to motivate others to initiate the changes that were necessary to move the Service from a transport provider to an organisation that delivers mobile medical treatment.
previously been the first clinician in Guernsey to undertake the nationally recognised courses including Ambulance Aid and the UK ambulance response driving course. Having joined the ambulance service with previous experience of management and training and soon became an instructor, which involved a secondment to the Southern Ambulance Training School in Wiltshire. During his career he served on various UK bodies including the National Ambulance Training Officers Group, Risk and Safety Group and the Ambulance Service Association’s Civil Emergencies Committee, serving as secretary and acting chairman for a number of years. AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
Mr Beausire was a founder member and chair of the Offshore Islands Association, sharing best practice in the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight and Gibraltar. He said “Although Guernsey is not part of the UK, it has always been an important focus for the other islands to keep abreast of the developments in the UK ambulance service and the NHS. All our paramedics are nationally registered and we follow the NHS frameworks.
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271
IN PERSON Mr Beausire states that one of the keys to
cliffs, fractured my leg lifting a heavy patient
Latterly as chief officer, but also throughout my
leadership was surrounding yourself with good
out of an ambulance and as dealing with many
career my work has been challenging and has,
people. He said “I would not have been able
traumatic injuries and severe illnesses. I have
on many occasions, sometimes at the most
to achieve what I have without all of the people
been privileged to have assisted delivering
inappropriate moments, imposed on my family
I have worked with over many years. Their
babies at the start of life and been with people
life. I would like to thank my family for their
commitment, loyalty and devotion to duty, in
at the end of their lives. I have experienced
support throughout, because without it I would
what is at times a difficult job, is commendable.
that amazing moment when defibrillation has
not have been able to fulfil my role. Now it’s
They are the most important resource of the
restarted someone’s heart and I have also
time to spend some time with them.
Service and I have been very privileged to have
given relatives bad news following tragic
been able to lead them as chief officer.
circumstances.
Steve Le Page, Chairman of the St John Ambulance & Rescue Service said: “Jon has
Reflecting on his achievements Mr Beausire
Mr Beausire says the professional highlight
given tremendous service over his 10 years
said “I have been responsible for many areas
of his career was becoming Guernsey’s first
as Chief Officer and has contributed so much
of service delivery and have enjoyed them all, I
registered paramedic as it signalled a major
to the organisation during his career. He is
don’t have any regrets, some things don’t always
change for the service, but his personal
well respected by all those that have worked
work out the way you have planned them, but I
highlight was being awarded the Queen’s
with him both locally and nationally. He will be
have learnt from them, it has made me stronger
Ambulance Medal at Buckingham Palace.
sorely missed and on behalf of the Board and
as a person and has made me appreciate that
As Chief Officer he has also hosted visits
the wider St John I would like to wish him the
what we do is very special and affects people
to St John of Royal visitors and Lieutenant
very best for his well-deserved retirement”.
often at a difficult time in their lives.
Governors and was on board Guernsey’s marine ambulance for the Queens Diamond
I am particularly proud of developing a criteria
Jubilee Pageant on the river Thames. Taking
based response to all emergency calls,
part in the jubilee pageant was more than just
which ensures that the patient gets the right
a celebration. The “Flying Christine” was also
medical treatment, at the right time and in
providing an operational resource on the river
the right place. This ensures that paramedics
for the London Ambulance Service, with the
are sent to patients who require their skills,
LAS Director of Operations on board.
first responders are activated at the same time as an ambulance for life-saving 999 calls
Looking to the future the retiring Chief Officer
and ambulance vehicles are positioned and
said: “the future is exciting, the Service is
diverted from locations around the island to
moving into a new era where more medical
improve response times.
treatment will need to be provided in patient’s homes to avoid unnecessary hospital
The introduction of greater collaboration with
admissions. There is no doubt that the
the other emergency services has assisted
emergency ambulance service has a great
greatly in serious incidents and allowed
part to play in this.
for more flexible responses to calls which
NWAS News
NWAS Gold Award Winners North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has been presented with an Armed Forces Covenant Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award from HRH Prince Harry. This is the Ministry of Defence’s prestigious badge of honour for organisations who have demonstrated outstanding support for the Armed Forces community. NWAS was recognised with the ERS Gold distinction alongside 33 other UK employers for going above and beyond in their pledges under the Armed Forces Covenant and the trust had previously received the silver award
would have traditionally seen a response
What will be key to this is the development of
from a double crewed large ambulance. The
advanced paramedics and technicians who
delivery of pre-hospital medical treatment is
will have the ability to provide a higher level of
important, but above all what I have strived to
diagnosis and patient assessment, manage
provide through a dedicated and professional
complex multiple medical conditions in the
workforce is ‘care’. In whatever we do, whether
community and administer of a wide range of
a second career in diverse industries following
that is in the frontline as a paramedic, or in
medicines, including analgesics, antibiotics
military service, and the support measures for
the administration department processing an
and sedatives.”
the wider military community and workplace
invoice ‘care’ is the key value I have aspired to
in 2014. HRH Prince Harry thanked this year’s winners and heard about the successful initiatives that provide veterans with a fair chance of starting
flexibility for Reservists.
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
and I believe that my staff and volunteers have
Jon Beausire said: “I am proud to be leaving
done that well and consistently.”
the organisation in good hands with a strong
The award presentation took place on Monday
and supportive Board of Directors, a competent
9 October at the Imperial War Museum in
Jon has reflected on his memories over his
management team and a workforce which
London and was hosted by Defence Secretary
31 years and said: “I have been very fortunate
delivers a high standard of care and treatment
Sir Michael Fallon, who said: “This year’s Gold
to have had such a long and varied career
every day in our island. The ultimate accolade
award winners should be extremely proud of
and am one of the few paramedics who have
for me is to have organised the emergency
the work they are doing to live up to the Armed
operated on land, sea and in the air. I have
ambulance service in such a way that I will not
Forces Covenant pledge and to promote the
seen many things that some people will never
be missed, with faster response times to life
pledge to others.
see. I have been seasick treating a heart
saving calls and the value of care etched into
attack on a yacht at sea, wounded all over
the ethos of each and every one, who like me
“I’m delighted to recognise employers who
by Blackthorn bushes rescuing youths on the
has the privilege of being in this fulfilling career.
make it crystal clear that regardless of size,
272 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON Robin currently spearheads the Trust’s frequent caller work, aimed at reducing the number of people who regularly dial 999 inappropriately, and providing them with more suitable services for their needs. During his career he has progressed through a number of roles, including Patient Care Services operative, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic and Clinical Team Leader, to his current position of Clinical Support Officer. In recent years he accepted the challenge of setting up the new Clinical Desk function for the Trust, which supports staff in its three Clinical Contact Centres. HRH Prince Harry, Michael Forrest - Director of Organisational Development, Katy Evans Health and Wellbeing Advisor, Matt House - Consultant Paramedic, Sir Michael Fallon.
Robin has now taken on the role of the Frequent Caller Lead for the Trust, heading
location, or sector, employing people with
Robin Petterson was presented with the
military skills is good for business. I hope others
medal by Prince Charles during a ceremony
follow their example, thereby delivering a better
held at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 16
deal for veterans and armed forces families.”
November 2017.
Derek Cartwright, Chief Executive of North
It comes after he was recognised in Her
West Ambulance Service added:“North West
Majesty’s Birthday Honours List in June for
Ambulance Service is extremely proud to
distinguished and meritorious service.
up a team who share data with local health boards on people who use the ambulance service more than five times in a month. A multi-agency group then meets to identify and provide support to them, which could involve providing increased care packages, or community support via third sector or voluntary agencies.
support all employees who are part of the Armed Forces Community as we recognise the wealth of transferrable skills they bring from their military training.
Robin, from Cardiff, has dedicated 30 years of his life to the ambulance service after joining as part of the original cadet scheme in Wales with South Glamorgan Ambulance Service in
“They have a great team ethos, professionalism, exceptional leadership, communication and resilience skills. Our staff are often faced with distressing and challenging situations which is when these skills prove most invaluable; not only in providing outstanding care for our patients but also when supporting fellow colleagues. We are honoured to have received this recognition as we continue to support our current and future armed forces reservists.”
1986. He said he felt humbled to hear about the achievements of other honours recipients at his investiture. Robin said: “The day was fantastic and it was a wonderful experience. When you’re in the holding room with all the people who have been honoured, and you talk to them about their achievements and they ask about yours, it just brings it all home what an honour it is to
WAS News
have been recognised. “Prince Charles was very personable and made you feel like he was on your level. I was one of the last people to go up and I was sat in amongst chief constables and various people from the army.
The Welsh Ambulance Service’s Frequent
“For that one hour when you’re in the room,
Caller Lead says he is ‘very humbled’ after
even among celebrities, you’re all the same
being awarded the Queen’s Ambulance
and everyone’s proud of each other’s
Service Medal.
achievements.”
Welsh Ambulance Service Clinical Support Officer Robin Petterson with his Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal outside Buckingham Palace.
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
Welsh Ambulance Service’s Frequent Caller Lead ‘Humbled’ by Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal award
273 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
IN PERSON EMAS News
ceremony which took place at InterContinental
Director of Operations appointed
Hotel, London on 16 October.
EEAST News
Trust bids farewell to nonexecutive director
Director of Operations for North West Ambulance Following the appointment of Richard
Service, Ged Blezard, said: “It’s fantastic that all
Sheila Childerhouse, a non-executive
Henderson as Chief Executive we are
of these amazing ladies have been recognised
director at the East of England Ambulance
pleased to announce we have appointed
for going above their call of duty to put others
Service NHS Trust (EEAST), will be leaving
Ben Holdaway as Director of Operations.
first and doing all that they could to make sure
the Trust at the end of December.
that those involved in the incident were given the In June 2016, Ben joined EMAS through a
help and care that they needed.
seconded opportunity as Associate Director
She moves on to take up a new role as Chair of the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
of Operational Improvement from Yorkshire
“We are extremely proud of all our staff who work
Ambulance Service. In December he was
their socks off and do remarkable things every
EEAST Chair Sarah Boulton said: “Sheila joined
appointed as Deputy Director of Operations
single day to help people in the community.”
the Trust at a very difficult time for the service
and led us through our transition into the
and has been instrumental in our rebuilding
national Ambulance Response Programme.
The Women of the Year lunch celebrates ‘ordinary
process and the significant strides forward we
Ben is well known across the service having
women doing extraordinary things’ as well as
have made. Only two weeks ago we heard how
worked at EMAS before as a Senior Manager
leading women in all walks of life and professions.
these improvements have been recognised
in our Emergency Operations Centre.
by the national regulator, as we received an Jane Luca, who lives in the North West and is
improved rating from NHS Improvement. Sheila
David Whiting, Chief Operating Officer said:
Chair of Women of the Year, said: “These women
has continuously shined a spotlight on clinical
“This is an excellent opportunity for Ben. He is a
represent the remarkable and brave response by
quality and compassionate care, with patients
highly experienced and respected leader and a
the Greater Manchester emergency and medical
and staff at the forefront of all discussions. I
great asset to EMAS. He will continue to use his
services to the Manchester arena bombing in May,
want to thank Sheila for her contribution and
expertise and knowledge to drive forward our
and became beacons of their community as they
hard work, she will be sorely missed. We send
plans for improving operational services.”
went above and beyond to care for and reassure
Sheila to the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
victims, family members and the public. This award
with our very best wishes; I know that she will
is thoroughly deserved and we salute them all.”
do an outstanding job with them.”
and a further announcement will be made
Women of the Year president, Sandi Toksvig
Sheila said: “It had been an absolute privilege
advising colleagues of the implementation date.
hosted a group of 400 specially invited
to serve as a Board member of EEAST. There is
women, all honoured as a ‘2017 Woman of
something very special about the service that
Achievement;’ selected for their resilience,
I will very much miss. The Trust has been on a
resourcefulness, and selfless actions.
demanding journey in the last four years and
Ben will be taking up his role in the new year, subject to the employment checks for directors,
NWAST News
Manchester Emergency and Medical Services Awarded the Barclays Women of the Year Award Women of North West Ambulance Service have been recognised as part of a team of inspirational women in the emergency services by receiving a Women of the Year award for their outstanding efforts to help others after the attack in Manchester.
I am very pleased to leave it in a much more positive place than when I joined in 2013. We now have a committed and able leadership team and a strong and experienced Board. The whole NHS is facing tough challenges and I believe EEAST is in a good place to face those. I wish colleagues well in the journey to come.” Sheila joined EEAST in the summer of 2013 as a non-executive director for an initial six-month period and then a permanent appointment in December 2013.
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
Paramedic for North West Ambulance Service, Lea Vaughan joined a group of eight inspirational women from Greater Manchester to collect the award. They all played a very important role in helping patients on the evening of the terrible events in May with Lea volunteering to go inside the blast zone to help those injured. The Barclays Women of the Year Award was presented by Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall at the annual luncheon and awards
274 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON News
Winners! The nation’s finest clinicians, aviators and fundraisers are celebrated at the Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence Almost 300 guests celebrated the best and brightest from the air ambulance community at the national Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence 2017. Awards hosts, BBC News reporter and presenter Sophie Long and Helicopter Heroes presenter Rav Wilding handed out 12 Awards to outstanding individuals and teams, whose stories were inspirational, astounding and humbling. The awards, which are independently judged, went to pilots, paramedics, doctors, fundraisers and volunteers who collected their trophies at a ceremony held at The Chelsea Harbour Hotel. An enthusiastic audience listened to the remarkable stories of each shortlisted nominee, all of whom demonstrated excellence and commitment well above and beyond the call of duty. Chair of the Judging Panel, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, said: “Every year at these Awards, we hear about ordinary people doing simply extraordinary things and this year was no exception. Whether it’s pensioners raising hundreds of thousands of pounds, clinicians performing major surgery out in the field or pilots showing nerves of steel to land in difficult conditions, it’s clear that those working in the air ambulance sector are among the most courageous, talented and determined people around. I’d like to offer my most sincere congratulations to all the nominees but especially the winners.” Below is a list of all the winners: Air Ambulance Campaign Award WINNER: Midlands Air Ambulance Sponsor: Lottery Fundraising Services
Charity Staff Member of the Year WINNER: Frank Chege, London’s Air Ambulance Sponsor: Bayards Charity Volunteer of the Year WINNER: Jill & Don McLaren, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance Sponsor: Tower Lotteries Air Ambulance Doctor of the Year WINNER: Dr Syed Masud, Thames Valley Air Ambulance Sponsor: Leonardo Helicopters Innovation of the Year Award WINNER: Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Sponsor: Sloane Helicopters Lifetime Achievement Award WINNER: Christine Margetts Sponsor: Specialist Aviation Services Air Ambulance Paramedic of the Year WINNER: Adam Carr, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Sponsor: BMW Government and Authorities Division Air Ambulance Pilot of the Year WINNER: Neil Airey, North West Air Ambulance Sponsor: Safran UK Special Incident Award WINNER: Wales Air Ambulance Sponsor: Airbus Helicopters Air Operations Support Staff Member of the Year WINNER: John Power, London’s Air Ambulance Sponsor: Allianz Outstanding Young Person Award WINNER: Josh Bright, Magpas Sponsor: Babcock MCS Onshore AAA Chairman’s Award WINNER: Caroline Creer
News
Board of Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust welcomes three new members Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust has appointed three new trustees to its Board as the charity enters an ambitious new phase of development. Caitlin Blewett, Michael Docherty and Barney Burgess were welcomed to the Board by Helen Bowcock, Chair of Trustees and Adrian Bell, Chief Executive of Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust. Helen Bowcock, Chair of Trustees, said: “I am delighted that Caitlin, Michael and Barney have agreed to join our Board. In seeking to diversify our skill set we have succeeded in finding three people who bring considerable breadth and depth of experience in areas that are of great strategic importance to us.” Caitlin Blewett is the Head of Digital at Deloitte LLP, and brings a wealth of experience in marketing, advertising, digital and technology. In her current role she leads on the firm’s digital strategy to drive increased impact and effectiveness of the firm’s marketing. Caitlin has also worked on the agency side, developing brands, cultivating innovation and creating award-winning marketing programmes for leading corporations around the world. Michael Docherty is Director of Digital and Supporter Experience at Cancer Research UK. Among many significant achievements he has been responsible for leading digital transformation at the UK’s largest charity and building its fundraising and event platform. He has 20 years’ experience gained in the internet, media, telecommunications and charity sectors including driving the use of media sponsorships for Telstra.
Adrian Bell, Chief Executive, said:
All the winners with Sophie Long and Rav Wilding
“I greatly look forward to working with Caitlin, Michael and Barney at a time when, as a charity, we are introducing new services and are embarking upon a growth strategy.”
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
Barney Burgess served consumer businesses for McKinsey & Co before joining Tesco plc where he ran their grocery home shopping business and was a commercial director. His achievements included introducing the grocery ‘Click and Collect’ service to the UK. He is now a partner in Hattington Investment Partners, a private equity partnership. Significantly, in 2015, he was airlifted by KSSAA and brings enormous passion and commitment to the charity which saved his life.
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IN PERSON NEAS News
Ambulance frontline employees awarded with the Queen’s Medal to recognise distinguished service 15 frontline emergency care employees awarded for their dedication to the ambulance service Fifteen frontline emergency care employees at North East Ambulance Service have received The Queen’s Medal for their dedication to their roles at an NHS Ambulance Service. Recipients of the Queen’s Medal have been in front line emergency care services, for more than 20 years or seven years in frontline emergency care and 13 years in emergency care management and have demonstrated good conduct throughout their career.
Chief Executive, Yvonne Ormston said,
age of 17, but joined the ambulance service
“I am extremely proud of all of the long serving
26 years ago. He spent two years working at
employees at the Trust and have huge respect
Patient Transport Service and later qualified
for all who have received this award. On behalf
as an advanced technician in 1995, two years
of myself and all at the Trust, we thank them for
later began training as a paramedic.
doing the job they do. Mark currently works at Redcar station but has “Our employees aim to make a difference day
spent time working from stations across Tees,
in and day out and The Queen’s Medal awards
Durham, Darlington and Bishop Auckland.
show they do just that. He said, “I have worked with many crews who “Frontline employees deal with very difficult
have always been so warm and welcoming
situations on a daily basis and show the
to a stranger with a funny accent. I’ve
upmost compassion for all patients that
made lots of memories over the years, both
they treat. It has been a great opportunity to
personally and professionally, both good and
acknowledge the quality of care they provide
sad memories. Professionally, gaining my
to their patients.
paramedic degree through the conversion course is my proudest moment.”
“They all go above and beyond the call of duty in their roles, striving for excellence
Sean Potts, from Rowlands Gill, began
and innovation and enabling us to deliver
his ambulance career back in 1992 where
our mission to provide safe, effective and
he started as part time Patient Transport
responsive care for all.”
Service. Sean later became an ambulance liaison, advance technician, paramedic, team leader then
Her Majesty’s representative
advanced practitioner.
the Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear Mrs Susan Margaret
Sean now works on the
Winfield OBE DL presented
Critical Care vehicle,
The Queen’s Medal to the
responding to incidents such
15 frontline emergency care
as cardiac arrests. He said,
employees.
“My most proud moments of working at NEAS is when we
Speaking at the ceremony,
gain a Return of spontaneous
Mrs Winfield said, “I am
circulation (ROSC), I
extremely proud of all who
couldn’t be prouder to save
have received The Queen’s
someone’s life.”
Medal today, to give them the recognition they deserve
Paul Tarbit, from Blyth, started
for their invaluable service
working in the ambulance
to the community. “The North East Ambulance Service is fortunate to have so many skilled people whose work is greatly benefitting society.” The Queen’s Medal, which was issued AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
under Royal Warrant in July 1995, has been awarded to 15 employees with a combined service of more than 300 years; Alan Bowater, Robert Bunting, Philip Buxton, Peter Cairns, Ian Daley, Paul Dunning, Darren Fairclough, Jeffery Hutchinson, Mark Merrington, Simon Mobberley, Sean Potts, Gary Shaw, Steven Straker, Paul Tarbit and Gary Wild at an awards ceremony at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Paul Dunning, from Ashington, received The Queen’s Medal for more than 20 years service.
service in December 1994 progressing to Patient Transport Service at both Wallsend and Wideopen. In 2003, he
He began his career in the ambulance service
qualified as a Paramedic and then became a
in 1993 before moving on to Accident and
team leader.
Emergency in 1997 as a Paramedic. He later progressed to the role of clinical care manager
Paul was seconded to an assistant operations
working out of Washington, Pallion and
manager post before returning to operational
Backworth.
duties in 2014, working on rapid response. He is currently working as a clinical education
Paul said, “I’ve had many memorable
development officer in the training department.
moments and I love my job but I’m just a regular person who comes in every day and try
Paul said, “I’ve had many memorable
my best.”
moments from working on the road, but I’m most proud to be able to pass on my
Paramedic and father of two, Mark Merrington,
knowledge and experience to students within
from Redcar, has worked in the NHS since the
the training department.”
276 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON News
New Chair for Isle of Wight NHS Trust announced
Mr Thomas takes over from Eve Richardson OBE (pictured below with Vaughan) who announced her intention to stand down to
NWAS News
Ambulance Manager Retires after over 40 Years
become the chair of the Island’s independent NHS Improvement (NHSI) has confirmed
stakeholder reference group earlier this year.
Much loved sector manager for South
the appointment of Vaughan Thomas
Lancashire and Fylde, Graham Curry
(pictured right) as the new Chair of Isle of
retires from the trust after a career
Wight NHS Trust. The appointment is with
spanning 42 years.
immediate effect and is for two years. Isle of Wight NHS Trust is the Island’s principal
Graham has worked his way up since 1974
provider of secondary healthcare services
when he started on frontline duties for
including ambulance, community, hospital
Cleveland and later Lancashire Ambulance
and mental health and learning disability
Service.
services. The Trust serves a population of 140,000 with 2.5m visitors per annum on an
Having spent the majority of his career working
offshore Island which is only accessible by
in and around the Blackpool area, Graham has
sea and air. Mr Thomas chaired the Trust
been involved in a number of large incidents
Board meeting on Wednesday 4th October. Vaughan has been a frequent visitor to the Island since 1986 and more recently has bought a home here. Vaughan is a Chartered Accountant with experience as a professional advisor, chief executive, and entrepreneur. He has various roles as director, non-executive director and trustee. Vaughan brings a range of valuable skills and experience to the role of Chairman at Isle of Wight NHS Trust. He was previously a Partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and European Chief Executive at CB Richard Ellis. Vaughan has been a Non-Executive Director with the Trust since September 2016.
The appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice including open advertising of the position. Mr Thomas’ appointment runs for two years from 2nd October 2017 to 1st October 2019. All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Mr Thomas has declared no political activity. The requirements for Non-Executive Directors
Speaking about his appointment Mr Thomas said: “It is a real privilege to serve the Isle of Wight NHS Trust. I look forward to working with Board colleagues and Trust staff in this
and remuneration can be found on the NHS Improvement website at https://improvement. nhs.uk/resources/non-executiveappointments/.
and was commended in 1977 for his role in saving a baby from a burning building in Blackpool. Going forward, Graham moved into control room dispatch and went on to be involved in two prestigious projects involving developing telephone and radio systems which led him into further projects across the globe. Graham was elected President of British Association of Public Communication Officers (BAPCO) and was heavily involved in the introduction of the first NHS Direct service in Preston. Speaking about his retirement, Graham said: “I have been extremely fortunate to work with such a great organisation with some hard working and dedicated people who I will most certainly miss.”
new role. Together we face an exciting and In more recent years, Graham has ended
Quality Commission’s inadequate rating which
his career managing the operational staff in
resulted in the Trust being placed in special
South Lancashire and the Fylde coast with
measures. Our aim is to get to a good rating
responsibility for over 370 clinical staff and
as soon as we can.”
managers.
Welcoming Vaughan’s appointment Maggie
Peter Mulcahy, Head of Service for Cumbria
Oldham, Interim Chief Executive Officer at
and Lancashire, said: “Graham has been an
Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said: “Vaughan has
integral part of the senior team in Lancashire
extensive leadership experience which will help
for many years. His absolute passion of caring
the Trust meet the many challenges it faces.
for the patients we serve is well known. His
As chair of the Trust’s Integrated Improvement
vast experience will be missed by all of his
Framework (IIF) board Vaughan is already very
colleagues. On behalf of the team at NWAS
involved in our improvement programme and
we wish him a very happy retirement.”
familiar with the work we need to do to ensure that services are sustainable for the future and
Graham will now focus on his role as Justice of
deliver the best possible service for Islanders
the Peace for Lancashire as well as his hobby
within the resources we have available.”
of restoring classic cars.
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
demanding challenge responding to the Care
277 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
IN PERSON WAS News
Welsh Ambulance Service honours colleagues at Staff Awards 2017
The Gail Williams Award, which is sponsored
Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service
by Michael Williams and his daughters Megan
Control Supervisor Stephen Miftari took
and Sioned in memory of his wife and their
home the Personal Excellence award,
mother, Gail Williams, pays tribute to those
sponsored by Blake Morgan Solicitors, for the
who have provided clinical excellence in the
encouragement and support he provides to
pre-hospital setting.
his team to be the best they can, to improve overall patient care.
This year it was presented to Tenby and Fishguard EMS teams Rhys Thomas, Stephen
Meanwhile, the Inspiring Others Award
Bowles, Chris Price, Rob Rees and Lee Jones.
sponsored by Renault Retail Group went jointly to North Clinical Contact Centre Utilisation Manager
This team demonstrated an incredibly high
Gill Pleming and Newport Clinical Team Leader
standard of clinical excellence at a serious
Sharon Thorpe, who have both been described
incident involving a tank at the Castlemartin
as an ‘inspiration’ by the staff they lead.
Range in Pembrokeshire earlier this year. The recipient of the Taking Ownership
The Welsh Ambulance Service honoured its
Head of Clinical Operations, Greg Lloyd,
award, sponsored by Andrew Scott Ltd, was
said: “This was a very challenging incident
Paramedic Julian Rudge for the impeccable
both professionally and emotionally for those
bravery he displayed at a serious incident,
involved, and their Locality Manager has
where he was met by a man who had attacked
expressed his pride to be associated with each
someone. During the incident he maintained
of them for the support they provided during
a calm manner and his actions led to their
and indeed after the incident.”
peaceful arrest.
staff and volunteers at an awards ceremony The Valuing Difference Award, sponsored by
in Llandudno on Thursday 19 October 2017.
the GMB Union, was awarded to the Learning The Lord Lieutenant for Clwyd, Mr Henry
Disability Celebration and Learning Day Team
Fetherstonehaugh OBE, presented awards for
for a successful event they held in Caerphilly to
Her Majesty the Queen’s Long Service and Good
highlight the work the Trust had achieved to date
Conduct Medal for staff with more than 20 years
with and for people with learning disabilities.
in the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). Call Taking Supervisor James Evans won the Retirees were also recognised at the service
Being Better Award for his work to maximise
at Venue Cymru, as well as non-EMS staff who
the potential of call takers, across three
had dedicated 20, 30 or 40 years.
Clinical Contact Centres in Wales, to deliver exceptional care to patients.
As well as those traditional awards, the Trust celebrated the winners of its category awards
Taking home the Great Listener Award,
which are aligned to its behaviours.
sponsored by Lawray Architects, was Training Instructor David Sullivan, who is always willing to listen and explain things when someone he
Time was also taken to honour colleagues who The Trust also presented its Dr Jennifer Bucknell
have died in service.
is teaching requires help.
Community First Responder (CFR) Award, Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive
which recognises those who have gone the
The Chief Executive’s award recognises those
Tracy Myhill said: “I never cease to be amazed
extra mile to deliver first aid to their community.
who consider the needs of others, and was given to Gwynedd-based Paramedic Berwyn
and inspired by the professionalism and AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
excellent service our staff and volunteers
The award, which was inspired by sudden
Jones for the care he provided to patient Rhian
provide across all aspects of our work and
death of the popular Cardiff University student
Doyle from Llanfairfechan.
throughout the whole organisation.
and first responder, went to Wrexham CFR coordinator Terence Brownhill, who has expanded
Rhian joined Berwyn on stage and has
“These Staff Awards ceremonies recognise
the number of CFRs in the county from five to
credited him with saving her life after
your contributions - to celebrate your
more than 30 members in 11 teams.
recognising she was suffering from the potentially life-threatening condition sepsis.
dedication and professionalism in providing care to the people of Wales, and a chance to
In the Trust’s category awards, the Working
say quite simply ‘thank you’.
Together Awards sponsored by Anoto went to
The penultimate award was the Chair’s Award,
the Falls Response Service, which has come
sponsored by Swansea University, which
Last night’s ceremony also saw the
to the aid of hundreds of patients who have
recognises people working across teams and
presentation of two special awards.
fallen in the Aneurin Bevan Health Board area.
boundaries for the benefit of others.
278 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON me, he is the one person I owe my life to, he is
Specialist Mobility and leads on Arriva Patient
the one person I will always have in my heart,
Transport Solutions. Ed previously worked
and he is the one person who deserves this
for London Ambulance Service NHS Trust,
award.”
latterly as Assistant Director of Operations and Head of the Trusts fleet and logistics
In closing the event, Chair Mick Giannasi
department.
said: “Tonight has been a wonderful and inspirational evening, and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to share and celebrate the hard work and achievements of our staff and volunteers.” The Trust would like to thank main award sponsors The Ortus Group, co-sponsors
It was handed to Falls Response Service Project Lead James Gough for his pioneering work alongside colleagues in the Trust and
Swansea University’s College of Human and
Henry Bilinski, Henry is the Chief Executive
Health Sciences and category sponsors Blake
Office for Healthcare and Transport Services
Morgan Solicitors, Anoto, Andrew Scott Ltd,
(HATS) and has worked in the transport and
Renault Retail Group, the GMB Union, Lawray
logistics sector for over 30 years, joining the
Architects and Ridler Webster, as well as staff
HATS group in 2008.
at Venue Cymru for hosting the event.
Aneurin Bevan Health Board to improve care News
for patients who have fallen. The final award of the night was the Patient’s Choice Award, sponsored by the Ortus Group, which recognises people who go the extra mile for their patients.
IAA announces new Directors The IAA is pleased to announce the appointment of new Directors.
The winner for the second time during the evening was Paramedic Berwyn Jones, who was nominated by Rhian Doyle for his calm manner and crucial judgement call when she had sepsis. In her nomination, Rhian said: “It is with thanks
Jamie Smith, the Finance and Operations Director for North West Private Ambulance
Alan Carter, Director of Service Development
Liaison Services and has joined the Board as
at G4S Healthcare Service, re-joins the Board.
an Associate Director, part of the Associations
Alan has vast experience of contracting
succession planning. He was part of the small
ambulance services, having previously been
team which founded the company in 2012,
Head of Commissioning Patient Transport
having worked in an emergency care role
Services at Mid Surrey Primary Care Trust.
within the NHS for 7 years.
Andy King, owner and Operations Director
“The appointment of these new Directors
for Hearts First Ambulance, having previously
will provide new energy and expertise as the
worked for several years in London Ambulance
Association enters a new phase of its work on
Service NHS Trust. Andy brings experience of
behalf of Member companies.” commented
specialist repatriation of patients in the UK and
Alan, Executive Chairman. “We’re starting
across Europe.
two major pieces of work soon: developing
to Berwyn that I survived, and that my three children have a mother. “He is the one person that deserves recognition and deserves a thank you from
companies in preparing for and managing CQC inspections and lobbying for a national PTS framework, which will be Co-Chaired by an IAA Director.” Alan Howson Executive Chairman (Independent Ed Potter, Managing Director of Arriva
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
best practice guidance for Member
Ambulance Association)
279 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
COMPANY NEWS the amount of equipment e.g.
Give Your Ambulance An Effective Clean in Just 30 Minutes
monitoring equipment, trolleys
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limited spare time to do a routine
The environment within an
these challenges.
and mattresses etc in there, which needs cleaning as well. There’s also the issue of having clean before the ambulance is called out again. Another thing to be aware of is the possibility that delicate medical devices can often easily be damaged by corrosive chemicals such as alcohol or chlorine based disinfectants. We’d like to introduce you to our new range of cleaning products which will help you to overcome
ambulance represents a highrisk area for the transfer of
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infection between patients and
safe and effective single-step
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all surfaces in any environment
touching all internal ambulance
and unlike other strong cleaning
surfaces, contaminated
agents is residue-free.
equipment including invasive devices and directly transferred
TECcare® CONTROL
through hand to hand contact. TECcare® CONTROL Here at Mangar Health we
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understand that there are many
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multiple microbial structures
ensuring effective cleaning and
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disinfection of an ambulance. Due
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to factors including the confined
rapid microbial kill of bacteria,
space within the ambulance and
viruses, fungi and spores.
TECcare® PROTECT TECcare® PROTECT is a disinfectant/antiseptic technology. It’s intended for use as a skin antiseptic and offers safe, effective, user-friendly hand and skin cleansing, disinfection and sanitation. The TECcare® PROTECT technology is based on the quaternary ammonium compound benzalkonium chloride (BAC) with an adjuvant effect that enhances its antimicrobial efficacy. TECcare has undergone comprehensive testing at independent, accredited laboratories which has demonstrated that all the products offer a broad-spectrum high-level disinfection. The TecCare products are also already used by airlines and by the catering industry. If you’d like more information regarding the TecCare products, please visit mangarhealth.com or call 0800 2800 485.
Department of Health selects FREQUENTIS control room software
its evolution to an Emergency Service Network (ESN) The Department of Health has selected the Frequentis 3020 LifeX integration platform as a replacement for the current Integrated Command and Control System (ICCS). The Control Room Software (CRS) project required a new approach to the provision of radio dispatch for the UK Ambulance Trust using a cloud-based model. The system will enable the Trust to be ready to transition to the United Kingdom’s Emergency Services Network (ESN). The 3020 LifeX, designed as multi-media collaboration platform, will be hosted at Crown Hosting Data Centres to provide a highly resilient national solution for all of the English Ambulance Trust control room operators and with an option for Scotland and Wales too. With a capacity for almost 700 concurrent users, the system will be the largest ICCS in the UK. The system will not only allow the control centre staff to communicate with the ambulances on the current Airwave network, but also the new ESN once it is operational. It will
Cloud-based infrastructure from Frequentis will assist the UK Ambulance Trust with
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280 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
also provide a map-based view of the location of all ambulances, to compliment current systems and
COMPANY NEWS provide another layer of resilience for the most critical of services. This new approach to the provision of critical services for an Emergency Services’ control centre allows for flexibility and innovation to meet any future requirements and the enhancement of operational processes and procedures. Even though the system is national and can be enhanced on this basis, Frequentis understands the need for individual Trusts’ to operate in their own way and will therefore ensure local requirements are also catered for.
to deliver the LifeX software. Delivering the largest ICCS in UK will be a challenge, however we are confident that Frequentis are the right provider to enable us to deliver a solution that will greatly assist the Ambulance Trusts’ dispatch capabilities. Realising the benefits of the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) is vital and the flexibility inherent with LifeX will enable Trusts to transition to ESN whilst maintaining inter-operable communications with other Trusts, Police and Fire” – Duncan Bray, Head of Programmes – Ambulance Radio Programme.
“We are extremely pleased to be working with Frequentis
With the introduction of ESN over the coming years,
ambulance dispatching and the communications with staff will change and the potential use of multimedia will evolve. Having a “single” system will enable the evolvement to be managed and implemented in a more cost effective and efficient way. Frequentis’ expertise in providing safety-critical communication and information solutions is well-known in the industry. In February 2016, Frequentis won the International Critical Communications Awards (ICCA) in the category “Best use of TETRA for Public Safety” for its best practice voice communication system implemented for the Bavarian Police during the 2015 G7 Summit
in June. Furthermore, at the 2016 Critical Communications World, Frequentis won the “Future Tech Award” for its Unified Radio Gateway (URG) solution. “The Frequentis 3020 LifeX software platform was designed for the approach required by the UK Ambulance Trusts. The “private cloud” infrastructure, intuitive web-based frontend and ability to integrate numerous third party systems means a single national solution can meet the specific needs of the individual Trusts. This brings the benefits of scale without compromising the individual’s needs.” Says Robert Nitsch, Public Safety Director at Frequentis.
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281 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
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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 Exmed Study Day
Theme: Difficult Airway Course EMS™ – An introduction Thursday 15TH May 2014 Kettering Conference Centre, Kettering NN15 6PB
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282
TIME: A.M
PRESENTATION
TIME: P.M
08.30 - 09.00
Registration
12.00 - 12.30
09.00 - 09.15
Introduction & History of the Course
09.15 - 09.45
The Airway Algorithms
12.30 - 13.30
09-45 - 10.30
Prediction of the Difficult Airway
13.30 - 14.00
10.30 - 11.15
BVM and Laryngoscopy
11.15 - 11.30
Tea/Coffee, Exhibition
11.30 - 12.00
Skills Stations (4 rotations/30 min. each)
PRESENTATION Skill Stations Rotation 2 Lunch, Exhibition Skill Stations Rotation 3
14.00 - 14.30
Skill Stations Rotation 4
Group 1
BVM, ETI
14.30 - 14.45
Group 2
EGD’s & Rescue Airways
14.45 - 15.00
Group 3
Needle & Surgical Airway
15.00 - 17.00
Group 4
Video Laryngoscopy
17.00
Airway Self Scope Video Tea/Coffee, Exhibition Practical Moulages Wrap up
Topics and Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change
CPD certificate provider
Delegate Rate: £72.00 (inc VAT) includes: delegate bag, refreshments and the opportunity to visit over 60 trade stands.
Only 7 places remain available!!
To register call 01322 660434 or visit:
www.lifeconnections.uk.com For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
THE CLASSIFIED SITE
PARAMEDICS - SOUTH WEST £22,128 TO £35,577 (PLUS 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. • • • •
The most clinically advanced Trust within the UK Permanent and bank opportunities available One of the most beautiful parts of the country Lowest conveyance rate in the UK
Let us look after you better. For your next career move visit www.betterparamedic.co.uk
• A better work-life balance • Dedicated staff support service • Structured career pathways
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Better you, Better everybody. WORKING WONDERS Join Us. Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER
* Depending on qualification/ registration status
283
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