Ambulance UK - December 2015

Volume 30 No. 6

December 2015

DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS

In this issue Life Connections 2015 Review Make UK Roads Safer

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS 289

EDITOR’S COMMENT

290

FEATURES

290 Make UK Roads Safer

292 Understanding Groups - Working in Teams

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

293

Life After the Death of Airwave

SWANLEY, Kent, BR8 8BQ

296

Life Connections 2015 Review

E: info@mediapublishingcompany.com

= lives. use minutes 300 NEWSLINE

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Tel: 01322 660434 Fax: 01322 666539 www.ambulanceukonline.com PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY: February, April, June, August,

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IN PERSON

323

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nt outcomes. The LIFENET® System and the LIFEPAK® 15 e more effective monitoring and care for STEMI and cardiac d dependably share 12-lead ECG reports, cardiac arrest data, tor/defibrillator. This information can speed up the care cycle, our equipment. The 15 combines clinical and operational noninvasive integrated monitoring of CO andyou 360-joule When you respond to emergencies, need the energy. most advanced monitor/

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Media House 48 High Street SWANLEY, Kent, BR8 8BQ PUBLISHERS STATEMENT: The views and opinions expressed in this issue are not necessarily those of the Publisher, the Editors or Media Publishing Company.

Next Issue February 2015 Subscription Information – December 2015 Ambulance UK is available through

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AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

EDITOR’S COMMENT Welcome to the December edition of Ambulance UK, and it hardly seems possible that another 12 months have passed by, and we are again, about to enter the special festive period of Christmas and New year – as mentioned in previous editorials, the current NHS NHS/Ambulance headlines certainly have a ‘Deja vous’ feel about them, as the Service braces itself for the on-set of operational winter pressures.

Add to the above ‘menu of pressures’, the potential for major serious incidents, similar to those recently witnessed at various venues in Paris – (it is an extremely sobering thought, that on the same day as the terrorist attacks in France (13th November 2015), 115,000 people were killed worldwide, as a result of either natural or man-made events). It is therefore hardly surprising that the service is one under severe pressure and straining at the seams.

I have often referenced that the current system is no longer sustainable, and a real paradigm shift in thinking is required in determining what is the role of a modern day pre-hospital emergency medical service, and in doing so, endeavour to break out from this constant ‘pressure cooker’ and the ‘default setting’, whereby the ambulance service is always the point of last resort.

It is against this ‘backdrop’ that we are fortunate that we regularly witness within the Newsline section of each edition of Ambulance UK, the impressive work consistently undertaken by all the Services, together with the outstanding individual and team performances that make a real difference to so many patients. It is therefore, about restoring the balance within the service, and aiming to see that perhaps the sole focus should only be on those Red 1 and Red 2 emergency calls, where potentially life is at risk.

This time of the year traditionally brings extra demands and pressures on the Services, and as the festive season gathers momentum, it is important to ensure that innovative ways of working are maximised to provide the best possible level of clinical care to the patients.

However, as always, we move forward into 2016 with renewed optimism and an expectation that innovation, partnership working, application of technology and a continuation in the paradigm shift of delivering improved home care services for those patients with long term conditions and less serious illness/injury, will eventually ease the existing pressures on both the acute and ambulance sectors – but the fundamental question remains - will it?

Despite the above, the UK Ambulance services have a lot to celebrate, and that is why the policy makers need to undertake a radical re-think in order to ensure that the service remains, both operationally and clinically, the best in the World.

On behalf of everyone at Ambulance UK, may I take this opportunity of wishing you, your family, colleagues and friends, a very enjoyable and peaceful Christmas, as well as a prosperous and healthy New Year.

Barry Johns, Co-Editor Ambulance UK

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

“We regularly witness within the Newsline section of each edition of Ambulance UK, the impressive work consistently undertaken by all the Services, together with the outstanding individual and team performances that make a real difference to so many patients.”

Increased emergency demands (up by 25% in some services), consistent failure by most services to meet the key emergency response performance standards, shortfall in the number of ambulance paramedics (with large recruitment drives being undertaken overseas) the scale of the unprecedented financial deficit within the NHS system, health policy changes in moving to a 24/7 NHS, a continuing austerity environment, public sector pay restraint and even proposed industrial action by our Junior doctors on three dates in December, all of which, continue to drive and dominate the day-to-day domestic agenda.

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

FEATURE

MAKE UK ROADS SAFER SUPPORT FAST TRACKING OF SLEEP DISORDER SLEEP MATTERS - Sleep Apnoea News Few people will be aware of the condition ‘obstructive sleep apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is particularly common amongst

syndrome’ (OSAS) which I have recently been diagnosed having

middle -aged men, especially those who are overweight (but it can also

had no idea that I was suffering with it! The main symptom of the

affect anyone, male or female and of different age groups). Studies

condition is ‘snoring’ which during 2014 became a major issue for

have shown that when a driver with untreated OSAS gets behind the

me and my wife. I was referred to a clinical investigation unit for tests

wheel of a vehicle, they are 3 to 9 times more likely to have an accident

which revealed I was suffering with a severe form of the condition

which is more likely to be of increased severity.

with an Apnoea Hourly Incident (AHI) occurring 51 times an hour.

The sleep clinic issued me with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air

Professor John Stradling, a member of the OSA Partnership Group and

Pressure) unit to treat the OSAS which drastically improved the

author of the campaign paper, has spent his career working with sleep

quality of life 100% for me and my wife. I now enjoy a quality 7 to 8 hours sleep every night - no getting out to the loo 5 or 6 times - I have more energy - no longer feel tired and washed out - it is also helping to lower my blood pressure and my skin is now properly hydrated.

Basically, I did not realise how unwell I had become!

I have a link with the clinic should I have any problems and my condition is reviewed, at the moment, every 3mths which will extend to 6mths and then 12mths. I will need to continue CPAP therapy for the rest of my life now, which is a certainly not a problem. I became a member of the Trust and like fellow OSAS patients, we carry an emergency medical awareness card.

apnoea patients as a respiratory consultant in Oxford. He says, “ In my experience vocational drivers are often the safest on our roads but those with OSAS have no control over their sleepiness. We also know that these drivers are reluctant to come forward with symptoms of OSAS for fear of losing their licence, and therefore their livelihood.

“Through the collaborative work our Group has undertaken with the transport industry, we believe that by expediting treatment, we can reduce this fear and therefore encourage to get treatment that will allow them to drive safely (and considerably benefit their quality of life). In doing so, we can eliminate many unnecessary road traffic accidents, and ultimately reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities”.

I hope this short brief on my experience is found helpful and I would encourage anyone with symptoms to visit their GP and get themselves checked out - it could save your life and possible others, particularly if you are a vocational driver!

The most usual treatment for OSAS is Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP). Indeed in 2008 NICE carried out technology appraisal that said that CPAP should be available to all who required it but it did not give a timescale for supply, and as a result this varies widely across the UK

It is paramount that people with OSAS who drive notify the DVLA of their condition and give details of the treatment and the name of the clinic where they are registered. Failure to do so will result in losing your

from a few weeks to several months. Yet it is the uncertainty as to how soon they will be treated that stops many drivers coming forward.

driving licence for 12mths plus a £1000 fine!

Bill Johnston, Chairman of Sleep Apnoea Trust Association (SATA),

As a member of The Sleep Apnoea Trust Association I support their

campaign will provide drivers and their employers with a clear indication

recently launched campaign that aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on UK roads by calling for a fast-tracked medical

a member of the OSA Partnership Group says,” We believe that this of how long a driver can expect to be off the road and therefore enable contingency plans to be put in place. The alternative, particularly in light

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

treatment for vocational drivers who have OSAS. After attending the

of the growing prevalence of sleep apnoea, is to risk an increase in road

annual SATAday conference and AGM, held at the John Ratcliff Hospital

traffic incidents and more deaths on our roads”.

on 17th October, 2015, I felt important to make everyone aware of OSAS RAC Business, which has just joined the OSA Partnership Group,

and to SATA ‘s campaign.

also recognises the significance of the campaign. Jenny Powley, RAC 03 March 2015 - A campaign has been launched by the OSA Partnership

Business Corporate Sales Director, said: “This is an incredibly important

Group, a collective set up to raise awareness of the condition. The

initiative as OSAS is a condition which has no respect for the great skill

group calls on the Department of Health to issue guidance to Clinical

and experience of drivers it can affect. Although we know an average

Commissioning Groups (CCGs), hospitals and GPs to expedite treatment

HGV driver completes many miles every year without incident, if they do

of all vocational drivers with OSAS to enable them to get back to driving

have an accident it can often be a much more damaging than a smaller

again within a maximum of four weeks following first referral.

vehicle such as car, due to its size and bulk”.

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

FEATURE She continued: “In the long term business as a whole will benefit as

Taken from ‘SLEEP MATTERS’ - the news of The Sleep Apnoea

drivers who suspect they may be suffering from OASA will be able to get

Trust Association.

the treatment they need and be back on the road much more quickly, which is a better outcome for the business owner, fleet manager and

I hope that the above information is found useful and that

everyone concerned”.

ambulance services will give it their support by making their

Professor Stradling concludes: “We have spoken to a number of clinicians and sleep clinics, all of whom have agreed that vocational drivers can, and should, be treated within this time period. We would now ask the Department of Health to support our call and put this into action in order to save the devastating cost of traffic accidents caused by untreated OSA patients”.

SATA is part of the group that has been putting this campaign together, and it follows the work that the Trust has done in the past on the performance of PCT’s when they were in existence (SM April 2013) and more recently the

personnel and others aware of OSAS (particularly vocational drivers) which is becoming a growing serious medical condition, which if not diagnosed and treated, will likely result in sufferers developing life threatening conditions such as stroke and heart attack.

I have no hesitation in telling everyone that the care and treatment I have received has given me back my quality of life again.

Stephen Evans. 2015.

Fast Track Survey, It has taken sometime to gather the necessary groups and organisations to create the gravitas that will both attract and hold the

For further information about symptoms of OSAS and about the

attention of the Government, to the level where they will take action.

FOUR - WEEK CAMPAIGN for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) March 2015, please visit:

The campaign starts now and there are ways in which you can help, detailed

www.sleep-apnoea-trust.org or call 0800 025 3500 and request a

in the “FOUR WEEK WAIT” centre supplement of this edition of Sleep Matters.

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291

FEATURE

UNDERSTANDING GROUPS: WORKING IN TEAMS Dr Mike Davis FAcadMEd

Much effort and energy is now going into encouraging people to acknowledge the nature of the team in effective management of patients, particularly in acute settings. Among the justifications is the need to reduce the capacity for error. It is, however, acknowledged that error is inevitable: as a consequence of latent conditions (policies, equipment failures, environment etc) and active failures (cognitive error, training deficiency, fatigue etc). If enough of these align within a given context, error, and possible fatal damage, is the outcome.

Among the reactions to this analysis has been the emergence of human factor or non-technical skills training, with a focus on team attributes such as:

My belief is that many of these programmes miss an opportunity to explore group issues (i.e. issues that emerge from collections of individuals) rather than individual characteristics that people bring to membership of a team. Group phenomena, therefore, are more likely to address issues of: • sharing goals • enabling productive norms (trust, safety, cohesion, honesty, openness) • giving constructive feedback • sharing information and experiences • democratic (as opposed to authoritarian or laissez-faire) leadership • accepting conflict (including conflicts of interest) and disagreement

• leadership • followership • communication • decision making • situation awareness

• communication flowing in multiple directions I would argue that these require a different approach to training and that if this were adopted, there is more likely to be significant changes in orientation towards all people, not just the “team” that individuals find

and many of these have now been incorporated into life support and

themselves to be members of. I would be interested in the views of this

other training activities.

community about the desirability of such a development.

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292 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

FEATURE

LIFE AFTER THE DEATH OF AIRWAVE COULD BECOME LIFE OR DEATH FOR THE UK’S EMERGENCY SERVICES Neil Fraser, Satellite Programme Lead, ViaSat UK (for Land Mobile) In an effort to both reduce costs and enable high-bandwidth communications to meet increasing demands, the Airwave national public safety network used by the UK’s emergency services is set to be steadily replaced from 2016. However, questions are already being asked about its successor and whether it can strike the right balance between cost, capacity, coverage and resilience. Is the planned new network going to be resilient enough to deliver the availability and assurance needed for emergency services? Will it reach all of the areas that need it most? Replacing a service as all-encompassing as Airwave is a complex task not for the fainthearted but the UK’s emergency services deserve the most capable network possible.

4G: A difficult gamble?

While 4G has many advantages, primarily delivering high levels of bandwidth to its users but also being able to leverage innovation from the consumer sector, it is reliant on mobile masts to service the immediate area around them. These are expensive to install and so have only been placed in the areas where there is enough commercial demand to support installation, inevitably leading to gaps in coverage.

While a lack of 4G coverage is frustrating for consumer and commercial users, it has less serious implications for their daily life. In contrast, disruption to emergency services communications has a direct impact on public safety. Indeed, according to a statement the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as of December 2014 the UK only had

Shifting sands

69% mobile coverage. While that is set to expand to 85% by 2017, it is understood the 4G signal still won’t extend into all the areas that TETRA

For emergency services, the ability to communicate information is

currently does, such as deep inside tunnels and housing complexes,

of utmost importance: a failure to do so could mean life or death. In

or across the UK’s motorway network and it is also understood the

the 21st century, this information has moved far beyond simple radio

Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) is

communications; it includes video, images, and data drawn from several

not now funding roll out to meet all the gaps commercial operators are,

sources. In addition whether personnel are based in rural areas full-time

understandably, reluctant to fill.

or the heart of a city, they will depend on their communications network at all times and in any location. This needn’t mean being able to receive full-

The problem facing the UK is that balancing resilience and coverage for

bandwidth broadband data at all times, but rather maintaining seamless

cost and capacity is a difficult decision to be made by the Government

contact for the critical elements. One rule of thumb used by those working

on behalf of the UK’s emergency services. In the effort to replace Airwave

in harm’s way is to follow PACE – having primary, alternate, contingency

with a “future proof” solution, we may have lost sight of whether the

and emergency means of communication available so that service can

added bandwidth is actually even needed at all times, and if the loss of

continue, and ideally uninterrupted.

coverage is worth the risk to officers and civilians in remote areas. A stark example of the need for a robust communications network was when

The reality is that possibly above these considerations of capacity,

the usually reliable Airwave service failed as the result of a power outage

coverage and resilience lies cost. Budgets are not infinite and so some

in London. While the primary service was out of action and diagnostics

part of the capacity, coverage and resilience may have to be sacrificed

were carried out, Airwave failed over to a standby network. In the end,

to ensure an affordable service for some 300,000 user devices, 50,000 vehicles, over 100 aircraft and 200 plus control rooms. The current while the network has served well to date, covering 95% of the UK

same level of redundancy in place and this costs money.

A bird’s eye view is needed

and 100% of its road networks while delivering 99.7% uptime, it is relatively expensive to run and has no capacity for delivering high speed

While a range of solutions have been proposed to replace Airwave,

communications like video, or sharing large files or images between

the odds have been in 4G’s favour. For example, the initial tender for

units on the move. A solution based on the UK’s 4G network is being

a replacement service included a requirement to extend coverage to

promoted as the cost-effective, high-capacity replacement option. There

regions with poor or non-existent mobile coverage. This requirement

is the question of whether this will provide the balance of cost, capacity,

was later removed as “redundant” by the government, which said the

coverage and resilience needed or simply swap limitations in one area

area not served by the rest of the tender was smaller than originally

for another as anyone trying to make a long phone call on country roads

expected; despite the currently limited state of mobile, let alone 4G,

or even one of the nation’s motorways can testify.

coverage.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

system, Airwave, is based heavily on a TETRA radio service. However,

disruption was minimal but any replacement of Airwave needs to have the

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

FEATURE

Four things in one pack, one less thing to think about

Satellite and other technologies can play an important role here in extending the proposed high-speed coverage to remote regions at relatively little cost. The tender appears to have unfairly discounted satellite based on an outmoded image of an expensive technology which cannot serve the needs of the services. However, satellite has moved a long way from its previous low-capacity, capitalintensive, high-cost image.

Modern satellites can easily cover the rural areas of the UK, and could also be used for other applications outside of the emergency services. Taking advantage of this doesn’t mean owning an entire satellite. Emergency services can instead purchase bandwidth from commercial operators, a strategy already used by militaries when needed. At the same time, the data speeds on offer rival that of fixed-line broadband, let alone 4G: meaning services don’t have to choose between coverage and capacity.

This isn’t to say that satellite should be a sole solution, but it should at least complement any planned network to cover remote areas that need it, and also meet the needs of PACE if and when the 4G network fails, or is overloaded even if just locally – or where it does not exist. For instance, a full implementation could see the 4G network as the primary method of communication; satellite as an alternate communication method when this is not available (and also used for high demand deployable command teams / nodes – with WiFi and pico cells to create bubbles of coverage); the non-4G mobile network as a contingency; and finally a radio or narrowband satellite network in case of a near-complete breakdown in communications. L-band satellite services have real value for emergency services offering small form factor, secure “always on” communications, enabling voice and data communication for workers who are unreachable by other means, as well as allowing location and situation tracking of emergency services vehicles.

Such services can be paired with on-demand high-bandwidth services: for example, allowing personnel on the ground to set up a high-capacity coverage area covering the site of a specific incident.

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Not all users would need or perhaps merit a full mix of services but rural and key users should be suitably provisioned. This means that, even in urban areas, personnel can still communicate even if the local mobile service is overwhelmed in the event of a major incident; such as the 2005 London bombings.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

Airwave’s replacement needs to strike the right balance between cost, capacity, resilience and coverage. While the overall intention is to reduce costs and enable high-bandwidth communications, 4G technology on its own isn’t enough to meet the demands of the emergency services. Other technologies such as satellite need to be seriously be considered as part of the delivery of communications to the UK’s emergency services need.

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20/11/2015 15:12 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

FEATURE

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AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

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295

FEATURE

LIFE CONNECTIONS 2015 “…This is my 4th year of attending both conferences and once again both were very informative and enjoyable. It was nice to catch up with some of the delegates and exhibitors alike. The venue lends itself well to the event in the way of layout and the friendly staff.

Compared to other conferences, I think the costs are good value. It was interesting that on the second day (resuscitation), many of the sessions were led by paramedics. This could be seen as evidence as to how the profession has come on…”

But this year, rather than spend all my time soaking up these pearls, I decided to spend time in the exhibition area, managing to do a poor imitation of a train announcer in between chatting both with the exhibitors and the delegates at break times. Quite often the contribution of the exhibitors to the quality of a conference is forgotten and actually, in between trying to generate interest in their products, they actually provide an awful lot of educational information and more than enough opportunities to try or demonstrate practical skills. This is the bit that most delegates enjoy and trying out the latest in defibs, splints or airway devices generated discussion that at times threatened to delay their return to the conference halls, more pressure therefore on the train announcer…

In the quiet times, when the delegates did vacate the exhibition area, I did manage to speak to most of the exhibitors individually. It would probably be inappropriate to name individuals, but generally the comments were both positive and supportive of the event.

Whilst some did not actually manage a sale at the event (due to the nature of their product) perhaps the best comment I had surrounded the generation of leads and the way that often, the sale of new equipment is not down to the presence of a procurement team, but to pressure levied on them by the pre-hospital practitioners who use or see benefit from a particular piece of kit.

These comments from an obviously delighted delegate just about sum up LC2015. Having attended LC events since their inception I too have noticed a remarkable yet refreshing change to the profile of speaker and their presentations. It’s not that many years ago that we relied solely on medical experts to present factual or research based material and those Paramedics that did take to the stage relied more on case studies than material that truly demonstrated both an in depth understanding and desire to change the practice of their profession. This year’s LC was almost a radical departure, since although outstanding individuals in their field like Keith Porter will always hook the attention of the professional seeking enlightenment, there is a growing interest, and quite rightly so, in those with the ability to change the practice of the profession from within. Matt House and Chris Preston from the Northwest both sharing important research findings and demonstrating that there is change afoot.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

By the same token the design of equipment can often be influenced by the experiences that those practitioners share with manufacturers. For my part discussing why small pieces of plastic break due to the limited space within response bags was something completely outside of the considerations of one airway device manufacturer. In a way I suppose this meeting of minds is as important to the profession as the sharing of knowledge, since the tools are just as critical as the ability of the individual to use them.

I think that’s part of the attraction for delegates and reflecting on this, one Paramedic said to me, “… this is what I think, it’s about

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

FEATURE time that those on the frontline had more input which kit they use, after all (at a certain famous bean manufacturer!) it’s the guy who packs the beans that best knows how the beans fit…”

New faces and old, reminiscences from previous years, all in all what one might call a ‘Grand Day out…’

Smiling, I couldn’t agree more. That doesn’t necessarily mean that if I had my way I’d leave it to the individual, since often committees never resolve anything that suits everyone, but I do think that it’s one reason why clever retailers influence sales by attending this type of event and in the pre-hospital arena LC is probably the best place to practice this tactic.

Life Connections was a great event this year, it would be remiss of me to close this review without mentioning the work put in by the venue staff and caterers. Mouths never ran dry and the sugars used by the brain ingesting new knowledge were more than replenished by the excellent refreshments provided. Kettering is an amazing venue and whilst there was ample space to move around and many different things to see, the place still maintains enough intimacy to propagate the family event feeling that builds year on year.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

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

ADVERTORIAL

EAST MIDLANDS AMBULANCE SERVICE SAVES £40M AND 116,000 AMBULANCE JOURNEYS A YEAR WITH ODYSSEY 27 October 2015 – East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) is saving £40 million and 116,000 unnecessary ambulance journeys a year, by using clinical support system Odyssey from Advanced Health & Care (Advanced) to manage 999 calls. The software has enabled 16% of the 2,000 daily emergency calls received, to be responded to with appropriate telephone advice – saving 320 ambulance journeys every day.

EMAS is celebrating 10 years of using Odyssey, which uses an algorithm based on the patient’s response to questions to guide clinicians to provide the right treatment.

Following the success experienced the service is set to go live with Adastra, a patient management system also from Advanced, to further increase the number of calls that can be responded to without an ambulance. Adastra will integrate with Odyssey to provide clinicians answering emergency calls with automatic access to NHS Spine services such as the Summary Care Record and Medical Interoperability Gateway.

Spencer adds, “Accessing all the Spine services individually can be time consuming and inefficient as it means logging in and out of each service’s website. With seamless access to those services clinicians will have all the information they need at their fingertips, allowing them to quickly complete a thorough, accurate assessment of the patient and provide a tailored response.

“Implementing Adastra will allow us to build on the good work we have already done through Odyssey. Without the software more patients would be unnecessarily taken to hospital, which is not good for them or for the wider NHS. Crucially, it also means that we can keep our ambulances free for when they are most needed, which is how we can keep saving lives.”

EMAS receives a 999 call approximately every 45 seconds. The service employs 2,700 staff and supports 4.8 million residents across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire.

The ambulance service was the first in the country to use nurses to respond to non-emergency 999 calls in 2003. The aim was to tackle the rising number of calls at a time when an ambulance was being dispatched for every call. The demand for the ambulance service has gone up by around 6% year-on-year over the past 10 years, without an equivalent increase in funding.

Following a successful pilot of the scheme, EMAS implemented Odyssey to provide governance and support for clinicians to provide self-care or direct the patient to the right service. This keeps ambulances free for those in serious or life-threatening situations.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

Neil Spencer, Service Improvement Manager, EMAS, says, “Advanced’s software has made a huge impact, enabling us to boost performance dramatically by increasing efficiency. Without it we would not be able to save the amount of lives we are saving because we would have vehicles tied up on non-emergency calls.

“It also means that non-emergency patients receive the best service possible with accurate and safe telephone advice for self-care or by signposting them to a more appropriate and convenient care pathway.”

When Adastra is implemented calls will be automatically passed from the Computer Aided Dispatch system into Adastra where information held by NHS Spine services, such as medication and care pathways, will be automatically presented. Odyssey can then be used to support the clinical decision.

298 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

ADVERTORIAL

Reduce Ambulance Journeys and Save Valuable Money with Odyssey from Advanced Health & Care Odyssey effectively helps Ambulance Services to respond to 999 calls with more appropriate telephone advice, leading to a reduction in the number of ambulances dispatched. The comprehensive question sets in Odyssey use a Bayesian approach, guiding and allowing call handlers to quickly assess multiple symptoms and determine the most appropriate course of action.

• Intuitive and easy to use • Increased clinical efficiency, reduced risk and avoidance of error • Supports call handlers judgement and expertise by enhancing the process • Uses a Bayesian approach to assessments, with open and closed questions • Improves patient safety and increases confidence to self-care • Substantially reduces demand on Ambulance Services

“Advanced’s software has made a huge impact, enabling us to boost performance dramatically by increasing efficiency.”

Neil Spencer, East Midlands Ambulance Service AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

To find out how Odyssey can support your Ambulance Service, please: Email: ahcmarketing@advancedcomputersoftware.com Phone: 01233 722670 Visit: http://advcs.co/odyssey

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

NEWSLINE WAA

Pillar of the community Paramedic David Isaac fundraises for Wales Air Ambulance as Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil One of the Welsh Ambulance Service’s long serving paramedics is also serving his term of office as Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil this year.

David has had a long and

that are planned to contribute to

He will welcome visitors to the

varied career with the Trust,

these worthwhile causes.

County Borough and attend and support events organised by

being one of the first in a handful of paramedics to qualify

“Having been a paramedic

in Merthyr Tydfil in 1992.

with the Trust for 30 years, I

local people and organisations.

have seen at first hand the

You can find out more about

During his year of office, David

tremendous job that the Wales

the Mayor’s charitable events

will be busy raising funds for his

Air Ambulance charity does

programme at:

chosen local charities, which

and feel strongly about raising

are Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil

as much as possible for this

Council website:

and Wales Air Ambulance.

worthwhile cause.

www.merthyr.gov.uk

“All monies raised will be

“This is a charity that really

@MerthyrCBC

does make the difference

Like on Facebook:

between life and death.”

merthyrtydfilcbc

used solely for the benefit of our communities and we look forward to working closely

David Isaac, a paramedic in

with both charities during our

Cwm Taf, was inaugurated to

Mayoral year,” said David.

the office of Mayor of the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil at the

“The fund raising part of this

end of May, having represented

role is very rewarding and I

the Penydarren Electoral Division

would encourage as many of

in Merthyr Tydfil as a Councillor

my colleagues as possible to

since 2012.

find out about the varied events

Follow on Twitter:

Contact the Mayor’s Office: Judith White, the Trust’s Head

e-mail:

of Operations in Cwm Taf, said:

jayne.overbury@merthyr.gov.uk

“David is a pillar of the community

or Tel: 01685 725320

in how he serves as both a paramedic and a Councillor.

“It also places him in a position where he sees what’s happening within the communities we serve from

NWAS

999 surge continues as NWAS prepares for winter

different perspectives and that

North West Ambulance

is undoubtedly an asset to him

Service recently reported the

in both of his roles.

hike in calls over Halloween and as we fast approach the

“It was a very proud moment

Trust’s busiest time of year,

for Jason Roome, Locality

the level of 999 emergency

Manager in Merthyr Tydfil, and

calls are showing no signs of

me watching David inaugurated

reducing.

as Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil.

As always, the Trust prepares “It was very impressive seeing

well in advance for the winter

the full regalia and mayoral

period and puts in place

chain but I just hope he

robust plans to deal with the

remembers which job he’s

challenges the winter season

going to every day so he wears

can bring – adverse weather,

the right uniform!”

rise in life threatening calls, the Christmas party season and the

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

David lives in Merthyr Tydfil with

big night of the year, New Year’s

his wife Deborah and children,

Eve. However, the traditional

Caitlin, Dafydd, Ffion and

‘quieter’ periods in the summer

stepsons Brennig and Rhys.

have not been as apparent as in previous years, as calls have

As First Citizen of the County

continued to rise month on

Borough of Merthyr Tydfil,

month.

David’s duties also include chairing full meetings of the

Director of Operations, Derek

Council and representing

Cartwright comments: “In

the Council at formal and

previous years we used to see

ceremonial occasions within

a peak of calls in the winter

the County Borough, regionally,

and this would then drop in

nationally and internationally.

the warmer months before

300 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE starting to climb again as we

Emergency Medical Technicians

more help a person with long

a quick response, believing

approached December. This

(EMTs) to become Paramedics.

term conditions receives, the

that the national Government

is no longer the case. We

less likely they are to need an

target of eight minutes applies

consistently see high levels

In order to free up more

emergency ambulance - this in

to all and that a large, yellow

of life-threatening 999 calls

resources to attend life-

turn frees up those resources to

vehicle with flashing blue lights

throughout the year so instead

threatening emergencies, the

get to emergencies.

will appear with sirens wailing.

of dropping in the summer,

Trust has made a concerted

it stays the same and then

effort to improve its triaging of

“It is true that some patients,

calls received are not classed

increases even further in the

999 calls. Improvements made

with minor conditions or injuries,

as immediately or potentially

following winter.”

to the organisation’s clinical

while they might be in some

life-threatening and a proportion

structure has meant more

degree of pain or discomfort,

of these are referred to other

NWAS’ year to date figures

people can be either treated

will have to wait some time

services or can wait up to

show that the Trust is dealing

at home, omitting the need

for an ambulance response

four hours for an ambulance

with a 25 per cent increase in

for an ambulance journey to

or will be advised on a more

response.

‘Red’ calls – these are those

hospital, or be directed to a

appropriate pathway of care, as

who have a life-threatening

more appropriate healthcare

we must prioritise our resources

“We appreciate that waiting

or potentially life-threatening

service such as a walk-in or GP

and send ambulances first to

for an ambulance can be a

conditions and have a national

led centre.

those potentially life-threatening

worrying time,” Derek explains,

conditions.”

“People have called us because

eight minute response target,

Approximately half of the 999

they are frightened, upset and

and this is a huge challenge for

For some time now, frontline

the organisation.

Paramedics and trained call

To help with winter pressures,

often, just don’t know who else

centre staff have been able to

16 additional ambulances and

to ring to ask for help but if the

Derek adds: “We regularly

refer callers to Specialist and

19 rapid response vehicles have

situation isn’t an urgent one,

publish the message asking

Advanced Paramedics who can

gone on the road throughout

we cannot guarantee that they

the public to use us wisely and

explore the patient’s condition

the region and volunteer groups

will be seen quickly or even if

only in emergency situations

in more detail for those

such as the Red Cross and St

they will be seen at all by an

and we’re very grateful to those

reporting non urgent conditions.

John Ambulance are providing

NWAS clinician. Our priority will

who heed that message, but

This is known as ‘hear and treat’

additional support during periods

always be those in dire, urgent

the non-urgent calls are not

and ‘see and treat’ and there

of high activity. Daily performance

need, due to having only a finite

rising in the same way as the

has been a marked increase

management meetings are taking

number of resources, it has to

extremely urgent calls – those

in the number of patients who

place and these also explore the

be, but we need the public to

that do need an emergency

have had their calls dealt with

impact that pressures on other

help us to help them.

ambulance response. This is by

this way and the feedback has

services such as the hospitals

no means unique to the North

been extremely positive.

can have on NWAS.

ambulance colleagues around

Community Specialist

“It is a circular challenge,” says

injury – it can’t go to someone

the country are seeing similar

Paramedics, placed in areas

Derek, “Our life-threatening

who in the meantime, has

growth and we have to accept

where performance has been

calls rise, so we attend to and

stopped breathing. If someone

that this is unlikely to change

particularly challenging, and a

take more people to hospital,

calls 999 to request help for

and instead, change the way

dedicated Frequent Caller team

this results in a busy, pressured

an ear infection – a call for a

we operate so we can meet this

have also proved to be of great

emergency department, which

cardiac arrest, where every

demand.”

benefit to patients. They play a

means our handover times

second counts, takes longer to

positive part working with health

can take longer and therefore

be answered.

It is widely acknowledged that

providers, volunteer groups

we can’t get back on the road

there is a distinct shortage

and local authorities in making

quickly enough to respond to

“We’re very proud that during

of Paramedics in the UK and

improvements to support

waiting 999 patients.

these times of austerity, we

changes to training of new staff

networks for those with complex

has had an impact on staff

conditions who have a need to

“We work very closely with

service. We have increased

resources. Filling vacancies has

regularly call the Service.

our Commissioners and NHS

staffing and vehicles, and

colleagues to tackle this and

we have a wonderful team of

Says Derek: “The ambulance

the introduction of Ambulance

dedicated, hard working staff,

2015, 186 road staff and 52

service has come a long way

Liaison Officers in hospitals

but these are not the only

call centre staff have been

from the ‘scoop and run’ service

goes some way to help alleviate

solution to the challenges we

appointed. The Trust also

it started out as. Clinical skills

this pressure.”

face today. The most effective

recently announced a change in

have vastly improved and we

the process which allows easier

work much more closely with

When someone calls 999 for

we serve and we ask for their

internal progression for

other support services, as the

an ambulance, they expect

support this winter.”

have invested in our frontline

solution lies with the public

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

been one of NWAS’ priorities during 2015 and since April

“If an ambulance crew attends to someone with a painful ankle

West Ambulance Service, our

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

NEWSLINE Car crash survivor meets paramedic who helped to save his life “I wouldn’t be sitting here today if it wasn’t for you so thank you for saving my life.”

These are the words one of our Birmingham-based paramedics heard when he was reunited with a patient who was seriously injured in an RTC earlier this year.

Joel Fowler (18) from Solihull was driving his car with two friends as passengers in the early hours when it collided with a tree in Haslucks Green Road in Shirley.

Paramedic Cameron McVittie was first on scene from the ambulance service and found Joel unconscious, seriously injured and trapped in the car. Joel had to be sedated at the scene due to

more carefully because they’ve

by almost 30% to a disgusting 139

Sam Duplessis Grimson, 24

seen what can go wrong. I’m

incidents. The number of verbal

from Erdington ambulance hub,

eternally grateful to Cameron and

assaults also rose, by 13% to 246

joined six other ambulance and

his colleagues. They really are our

incidents reported.

fire colleagues from across the UK to embark on a three-week

modern day heroes.”

Based on the appalling statistics,

mission to teach students in

Cameron said: “The significance

Trust Chief Executive Anthony

Jamshedpur basic first aid and

of what happened to Joel is life

Marsh is to write to the Chairs of

CPR.

changing, not everyone survives

Magistrates Benches across the

a crash like that; his car was

Region asking them to take the

The team departed on Tuesday

so badly damaged that it didn’t

toughest possible action against

29th September and touched

resemble a car. We’ve evolved

members of the public who

down in Delhi before heading

over the years from just being

assault Trust staff.

to Calcutta to jump on a train for the remainder of the journey

a way of transporting patients quickly to hospital. Our advanced

Mr Marsh, said: “It is quite

to Jamshedpur. When the team

training and additional skills

outrageous that our staff are

arrived at St Mary’s English

means we can provide cutting-

having to put up with such

School they went straight to

edge pre-hospital trauma care

violence. The Board is determined

work teaching students from St

on scene giving patients the best

that we should do everything

Mary’s and other neighbouring

possible chance of survival. We

possible to protect our staff.

schools in blistering 30 degree heat. Over the course of the

don’t get to meet patients very often so it’s fantastic to see Joel

“We are asking them to support

three weeks, the team ran

looking so well as it proves that

us by taking the toughest possible

several courses in basic first aid

the skills we have really do help to

action against people who assault

which included bandaging skills,

save lives.”

staff. We know the public abhor

dealing with patients fitting and

this violence so we are hopeful

CPR.

Julie Fowler, Joel’s mum, said:

that they will support this move.”

Sam said: “Education like this

“Having the police turn up at home to tell us that our son

Regional Security Manager,

isn’t provided in India due to a

had been involved in a serious

Steve Elliker, said: “The penalties

lack of clinical staff and money.

car accident is a parent’s worst

handed down are simply not

With no ambulance service or

escaped without serious injury.

nightmare. It’s nothing short of a

sufficient to deter people currently.

National Health Service, basic

miracle to see how Joel is now

We need sentences to be a

medical treatment in hospitals

Joel was in hospital for 17 days

compared to where he was to

deterrent so that people think

is expensive and, for some, they

begin with. We’re just so grateful

twice before they attack our staff.

simply cannot afford it which is

his condition before being rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. His two friends

and in a medically induced coma for the first week. He sustained a fractured skull and eye socket, a subdural haematoma, a laceration to his liver, a collapsed lung and facial nerve damage but is

to the ambulance service and the medical staff at the QE for saving Joel’s life. The ambulance service will always have a very special place in our hearts.”

well on the way to recovery. On

ambulance hub to meet Cameron.

Call for tougher sentencing

Joel, who turns 19 next week

Kicked, punched, spat at,

and is now planning University

had knife pointed at them,

studies, said: “A doctor said to

threatened with death. This is

me that 10 years ago I wouldn’t

just a few of the experiences

have survived a crash like that.

frontline ambulance staff have

The only thing I might not be able

had to put up with over the last

to do from now on is to fully raise

6 months in the West Midlands.

Tuesday (27th October) Joel and his parents visited Erdington

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

my eyebrow because of some

why we decided to help make a “The fact that some of our staff

small difference.”

do not report cases of violence because they do not believe

Before Sam and the team left for

that enough action will be taken

India they each raised money

against the perpetrator is a sad reflection on how they feel.

“We are working hard to change that perception but we want the courts to support us 100% so that this dreadful situation can be changed for the better.”

Paramedic Sam’s successful mission to India

through charity events to help pay for training mannequins, first aid books and medical kits.

Each school who took part in the training were given a kit so that they could pass on their newly acquired skills to other local communities.

Sam continued: “We were so surprised at the enthusiasm of the classes and their hunger to learn, alternating between students and teachers from local

muscle weakness; I’ll take that as

New figures which were revealed at

it could’ve been so much worse!

the Trust’s Board meeting show that

A Birmingham paramedic

schools in the area, everyone

I consider myself very lucky, it’s

for the first six months of the year

swapped patients for pupils as

was ready to get stuck in! News

had a massive impact on my

(April – September), the number

he embarked on a mission to

of our classes quickly spread

friends too. They are driving much

of physical assaults on staff rose

teach first aid to schools in India.

and soon the whole city wanted

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

NEWSLINE first aid training will now assist.

to join our workshop. It was a

Shocking statistics reveal that in

we have been exploring with the

real honour to teach something

Scotland just one in 20 people

Scottish Ambulance Service how

so close to my heart to people

survive to leave hospital after

we can support it in responding

Jim Ward, medical director at

who have a real need. Thank

a cardiac arrest, although the

to cardiac arrests.

the Scottish Ambulance Service,

you to everyone who donated

figure rises to 17 per cent in

money, it really did make a

Edinburgh.

difference. We’re keen to return

said: “If a fire service resource “There are more than 350 fire

with a crew who are trained to

stations across Scotland and

provide high-quality CPR and

again soon to do it all over

The Capital’s impressive survival

many of these are in remote

have a defibrillator is nearer to

again!”

rate is largely thanks to doctors

communities where a paramedic

a potential cardiac arrest than a

and paramedics from the

could be a considerable

local community first responder

Resuscitation Rapid Response

distance away. Our retained

team, then ambulance control

Unit, based at Edinburgh Royal

and volunteer crews live and

will dispatch them at the same

Infirmary, who are re-writing the

work within five to eight minutes

time as the ambulance crew, so

rule book on how to tackle the

of their stations, meaning they

that they can provide these life

scourge of cardiac arrest.

may be able to provide a faster

saving interventions while the

response.

ambulance is on it’s way.”

Lothian fire stations pioneering new approach to saving lives

Now fire stations in Bathgate, LOTHIAN fire stations are

Linlithgow and Musselburgh are

“In urban areas where we have

The move was hailed by Sonia

pioneering a new approach

spearheading a national pilot

stations with 24-hour staffing

McCraw, president of the Jamie

to saving lives by sending

where firefighters will be sent to

these crews could be available

Skinner Foundation (JSF), which

firefighters to help cardiac

the scene ahead of paramedics

to immediately respond at times

was established in memory of

arrest patients.

to raise the chances of a first

when our ambulance colleagues

13-year-old footballer Jamie

aider arriving within that crucial

are busy.”

Skinner who suffered a fatal

When the heart stops beating,

cardiac arrest in 2013.

five-minute window.

every second counts as

Community responders are often

chances of survival fall by 10

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

alerted to cardiac arrest calls

She said: “It’s an absolutely

to 20 per cent for every minute

(SFRS) chief officer Alasdair Hay

alongside the ambulance service

brilliant idea. To be honest I am

that passes without CPR or

said: “Time is absolutely crucial

to deliver early life-saving care

not sure why it hasn’t been done

defibrillation.

to the chances of survival and

but firefighters with enhanced

before.”

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

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

NEWSLINE Arriva received more than 600

to NHS Protect - which monitors

Manchester per day, typically

formal complaints regarding the

the use of NHS cash - for

taking hospital patients to and

Patient Transport Service (PTS) in

investigation.

from their appointments.

The contract for the service

Staff are expected to be

expires next July. A new tender

transferred to the new firm under

Despite bosses insisting the service

exercise to determine who will

TUPE arrangements.

had improved, it has now been

take over from Arriva in light of the

A private bus company handling

revealed that Arriva’s performance

blunder is nearly complete.

non-emergency patient

standards had been misreported.

Private bus company misreporting performance standards

2014, with 80 percent judged to be totally or partially justified.

transport has paid back £1.5m

a bid.

The firm has confirmed it has

after misreporting performance

NHS Blackpool Clinical

standards.

Commissioning Group - on behalf

Arriva Transport Solutions is out of

It is understood NWAS has tabled

withdrawn from the bidding.

Amanda Doyle, chief clinical officer for NHS Blackpool CCG,

of 33 CCGs in the north west - led

CCG chiefs in Greater Manchester

said: “We are fully aware of the

the commissioning of the services.

say they will work closely with

situation and our main priority

Arriva in the interim period to

now is securing improvements of

the running to continue the service from next summer following the

Bosses there said management

“ensure a seamless and successful

the service provision in Greater

gaffe.

and process failures meant

handover” to the new provider.

Manchester and consider how we

performance standards were

do this going forward.”

The firm was appointed to provide

“overstated”, resulting in more

The bus firm’s performance

non-emergency medical journeys

than £1.5m incentive cash being

reports will be closely scrutinised

A spokeswoman for Arriva said:

across Greater Manchester from

incorrectly claimed by Arriva.

in the coming months to ensure

“In September 2015 we identified

mistakes are not repeated.

an error in the way performance

April 2013.

That money has been paid back to

levels in delivering ambulance

It undercut North West Ambulance

Blackpool CCG, to be paid back to

Arriva, which employs nearly

services in Greater Manchester

Service (NWAS) by £3.5m to

Greater Manchester’s 12 CCGs.

1,300 staff, provides more than

were being reported to the NHS.

1,200 non-emergency patient

secure the deal, which saw services privatised.

The matter has also been referred

transport services in Greater

“We immediately contacted

XPS - expandable patient surface - is adjustable with 7 locking positions and a wider mattress, designed with patient comfort in mind.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

The Power from Stryker

304 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE the NHS to inform them of this error and launched an extensive investigation, which unfortunately showed that the incorrect reporting had resulted in an overpayment.

professionalism” in the interim period and to continue to “care for and reassure patients” to “end the contract on a positive note”.

A new interim management team has been brought in by Arriva to put in place an “intensive operational turnaround plan”.

“We have returned the overpayment in full.

“We recognise that incorrect reporting of performance is not just disappointing but unacceptable and have therefore withdrawn from the tender process for the new contract.

“Our focus is on ensuring that the people of Greater Manchester receive the best possible service from us until the end of our contract.

“Steps we have taken to ensure this include new interim management; increased staff numbers to increase ambulance hours on the road; better use of taxis and third-party providers; focused management of planning; and scheduling of journeys in the control room as well as daily monitoring of performance levels.”

A letter to Arriva ambulance staff from Colin Woodland, interim UK managing director for Arriva, says bosses immediately contacted CCG chiefs once the error had been identified.

An extensive investigation was also launched by the firm.

“Our immediate priority now is to ensure all necessary steps are taken to rectify this situation.

Kevin Lucas, UNISON’s north west regional organiser, said: “The public will be outraged that a private company has been making a profit out of the NHS by presenting false statistics.

“Arriva sought to brush-off concerns from the public about the quality of the service they were providing, but it is clear now that those concerns were well-placed.

“This is a failing of a system that rewards private companies for exaggerating their performance.

“To be clear, the workers who provide the Patient Transport Service are blameless in this matter, and our members will continue to strive to do the best they can for patients in spite of the failings of Arriva.

“The commissioners who are currently deciding who should provide the Patient Transport Service in future must take note of what Arriva have done.

“There is a bid on the table from the NHS North West Ambulance Service and we call on the commissioners to award them the contract.”

The move was slammed by unions and Labour MPs – including former Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham – and led to a 15,000-strong petition against privatisation of the service.

Figures obtained using Freedom of Information laws revealed that Arriva received 411 complaints in its first six months of running the service in Greater Manchester.

It transported just under 290,000 patients in that time – almost 50,000 a month.

The operator was handed an improvement notice by NHS bosses early last year after an investigation revealed it had received hundreds of complaints from patients and missed key targets every month for a year since taking over the contract.

stage can also have a positive outcome on survival and recovery levels. This is where the AOFAQ Level 3 Award in First Person at Scene is positioned. The Level 3 represents the more ‘Autonomous’ nature of the responder, this new regulated qualification consists of 16 major learning outcomes which is trained over 30 hrs.

The aim of the qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to operate within a scope of practice to stabilise and treat a patient in need of care for up to forty minutes until an ambulance or other pre-hospital care provider arrives. The knowledge and skills taught as part of the course are designed for the first person at the scene to utilise life-saving interventions to preserve life and prevent deterioration of the patient, such as Airway stabilization, Basic life support, Early defibrillation, Oxygenation and Circulatory support.

The targets include getting patients to hospital appointments on time, picking them up within an hour of their collection time afterwards, and ensuring they are not on the ambulance for longer than 60 minutes.

This qualification is aimed at: Community first responders, Co responder e.g. police, fire and other emergency services, Military, Security, Close protection, Event medical cover as well as Voluntary sector.

Months later, Arriva’s head of Greater Manchester, Dennis Hajdukiewicz, said the firm had made “significant improvements” as the firm started hitting its targets.

The qualification will soon be available exclusively from AoFAQ Training Centers throughout the UK. Any new centers wishing to offer this qualification please contact the number below.

AOFAQ launches New Level 3 Award in First Person at Scene

“All at ATSL recognise that this matter is unacceptable and are taking it extremely seriously.”

The decision to hand nonemergency ambulance transport to the private bus company was controversial from the outset.

The first link in the chain of survival relies on nonprofessionals, without these more casualties would die awaiting the arrival of the emergency services.

Staff are urged to “maintain

The North West Ambulance Service

Improving the skills at this

The launch of the new Level 3 Award in First Person at Scene this month is the foundation for AoFAQ’s suite of Pre-Hospital Care qualifications soon to be released. The qualifications are Ofqual regulated and Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) endorsed (pending).

For information on AoFAQ Level 3 Award in First Person at Scene please contact AoFAQualifications on 01908 610093.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

The letter reads: “The management team recognises this situation is unacceptable and we want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to support investigations and improve the service for our patients.

That plan includes more staff to increase ambulance hours; better use of taxis and third-party providers; better planning and scheduling of journeys; and daily performance monitoring.

won the contracts for the rest of the north west, but Arriva won the bid for Greater Manchester.

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

NEWSLINE EEAST

“These heroes saved my life” Hertfordshire man reunited with lifesavers

increase the chances of Geoff’s

my amazement Dan who I wasn’t

He also added how vital he

survival, given Dan was indoors

expecting at all was doing that for

believes CPR is: “I’d like to think

at the time and heard the

him. It was a huge weight off my

that I am living proof that early

commotion.

shoulders; so much more was

CPR saves lives.”

achieved because of that.”

But in a twist of fate, he happened

Geoff has nothing but praise for

to be having tea with Red Cross

The critical care team from EAAA

everyone involved. “They will all

volunteers Beth and Christine

played a vital role by placing

have a special place in my heart,

Whitbread, two people whose

Geoff into a medically-induced

my wife still has her husband, my

It’s the kind of scenario you’d

CPR skills were taught by the very

coma before he was transported

daughter still has her dad, and

be hard pushed to write as

person they rushed to the aid of.

to Lister Hospital by land

I can see my grandson grow up

ambulance.

now. They say it is just their job,

fiction, let alone fact.

It wasn’t until Dan approached

but it is more than that to me, it is

Welwyn Garden City resident

that he realised the man he

Despite such a serious incident,

Geoff Poore spent 10 years

was about to perform CPR

Geoff has made a tremendously

teaching Red Cross volunteers

on was George. Dan said: “I

quick recovery, after being fitted

and ambulance staff cardio

couldn’t quite believe what was

with a pacemaker and defibrillator

pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

happening; Geoff had taught me

he has already been cleared to

- but little did he know that three

these life-saving skills and there

drive by doctors just six weeks

of those very students would one

I was putting them into action

after that fateful day. And on 27th

day save his own life.

actually on him.”

October he was reunited with

Last month, Geoff, from Welwyn

They dialled 999 and within four

ambulance station where he

was driving along Ludwick Way

minutes, Paramedic Spencer North

and his family got their chance

when he suffered a heart attack.

arrived. He was followed by an

to personally thank the staff who

He fell unconscious, and crashed

ambulance crew, ambulance officer

saved him.

into two stationary vehicles before

and East Anglian Air Ambulance

coming to a halt.

(EAAA), as well as Duty Locality

Geoff said: “I don’t remember

Officer Steven Snow aid.

anything two days before or the

his life-savers at Ascots Lane

actual incident. All I know is that I

By sheer coincidence, Geoff crashed outside the house of East

All in all, Geoff had basic CPR

can’t thank EEAST, Red Cross, and

of England Ambulance Service

performed on him for 20 minutes

EAAA enough, these heroes saved

NHS Trust (EEAST) Student

by Dan, Beth, and Christine.

my life. Because of the speed and

Paramedic Dan Rawlings.

Steve said: “I arrived second

quality of treatment they gave, I am

on scene expecting my staff

able to see my family again; these

(Spencer) performing CPR, but to

heroes saved my life.”

This was enough to be able to

my life.”

HCPC launches revised ‘Health, Disability and Becoming a Health and Care Professional’ Guide The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has launched revised guidance for disabled people who are considering or training to become a professional regulated by the HCPC. The guide will also be useful for individuals working in education and training, careers advisors, those teaching, supervising or supporting disabled students and occupational health professionals.

There are four parts which encompass information about HCPC and our standards, useful information for disabled people, a section for education providers and also where to find more dedicated website pages on health and disability.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

Following a three month consultation with stakeholders, including course leaders, professional bodies, students and employers, it also now includes new guidance on disclosing disabilities, information about education providers’ responsibilities and detailed examples of reasonable adjustments to reflect complex cases.

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

NEWSLINE Nicole Casey, HCPC Acting

Andy Newton to discuss the new

injury, isolation, financial problems

“The support of the College of

Director of Policy and Standards

venture.

and burn out’.

Paramedics and its members will

The College of Paramedics is the

“TASC works to meet a very

of the charity and we look

“Disabled people have an

recognised professional body for

definite industry need through

forward to working closely with

important contribution to make to

paramedics and the ambulance

our dedicated and independent

Andy and his team to raise

the health and care professions we

profession in the UK and represents

professional support services

awareness and encourage

regulate. Having a health condition

its members in all matters affecting

team and TASC 0800 ‘Here to

support from the ambulance

or disability should not be seen as

clinical practice. It supports both

Support’ Freephone support line.

sector and the general public.”

a barrier to becoming a registered

those working in and those who are

We aim to help provide access

health and care professional.

considering joining the ambulance

to rehabilitation, mental health

Professor Andy Newton,

Many people who have disabilities

services profession.

services, bereavement support,

Chairman of the College of

debt advice and welfare support

Paramedics, said: “Paramedics

in cases of real hardship.

face tremendous challenges

be invaluable in the development

commented:

successfully complete our approved training programmes, go

Lorna said: “We had an excellent

on to register with us and practise

meeting with Professor Newton

as health and care professionals.

and his staff to discuss the

“Our meeting with the College

being immensely rewarding, are

charity’s plans to develop a

of Paramedics enabled us to

also increasingly demanding,

“We hope that this revised

range of support and services to

raise awareness of TASC and

stressful and sometimes

guidance will encourage, enable

help those working across the

its services and the need to

dangerous.

and support disabled people

ambulance services sector.

identify regional champions

in their work which although

and supporters to help raise

“Although there is a paucity of

to become HCPC-registered

“As the professional body for

awareness and vital funds needed

research in the UK regarding

professionals.”

the ambulance profession in the

to develop our work.

the individual impact of working

who are considering or training

as a paramedic, published

UK, the College of Paramedics The Guide is available in a

supports its members to achieve

“We have also recently launched

data from abroad confirms

range of different formats

the highest standards of patient

a pilot scheme for the physical

that it is a career choice that

available on request by

care. Many of its members will

rehabilitation of ambulance staff

has a very high injury rate.

emailing publications@

face considerable challenges

and are providing funding through

The development of TASC

hcpc-uk.org, or you can

in their line of duty including

grants for an initial group of staff

is therefore timely and is an

download a copy by visiting

pressures which may result in

to undergo treatment at dedicated

initiative that the College of

our dedicated webpage: www.

severe stress, musculoskeletal

centres across the UK.

Paramedics supports.”

hcpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/ healthanddisability/

College of Paramedics The College of Paramedics has been finding out about the new UK charity which provides help and support to underpressure staff working within the ambulance service.

TASC, The Ambulance Services Charity, was established this year provide vital advice and support services to both serving and retired ambulance personnel and their families in times of severe crisis, bereavement or urgent need.

TASC Chairman Cliff Randall and Chief Executive Lorna BirseStewart met with College of Paramedics Chairman, Professor

(from left to right) Professor Andy Newton, Chairman of the College of Paramedics with Cliff Randall, Chairman of The Ambulance Services Charity.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

as the national charity to help

307

NEWSLINE SECAMB

East Sussex cardiac arrest patient thanks ambulance crews An East Sussex woman, who was given CPR by her husband and son, before being fully resuscitated by South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has been reunited with the life-saving team.

Julie Francis, 50, who suffered a cardiac arrest at her home in Plumpton Green, on the evening of 1 July 2014, has since gone on to make a full recovery.

Julie was eating a tuna sandwich

so we also got oxygen from the garage which I was breathing in to get into Julie while doing compressions and rescue breaths.”

had run back to the family home

their actions which gave Julie the

from nearby North Chailey before

very best chance of survival. It’s

his mum was taken to Royal

vital CPR is commenced as soon

Sussex County Hospital, having

as possible and this is a perfect

regained consciousness.

example of the importance of

Alex, who had received first aid training through his diving and work, continued to attempt to resuscitate Julie with Tom until paramedic Neil Bustin and Emergency Care Support Worker Robert Henderson arrived along with Community First Responder, Jonathan Dowe.

Julie received expert care at the

We worked really well as a team to

hospital receiving angioplasty

help Julie and we wish her and her

treatment and having an internal

family all the best for the future.”

people learning life-saving skills.

Next to arrive was Paramedic Jennie Bleach and Student Paramedic Stuart Lade. Together the team continued to resuscitate Julie and administered a shock with a defibrillator to restart Julie’s heart.

when she suddenly collapsed in front of husband Alex. Alex acted quickly by telling son Tom, 20, to dial 999 and help him commence CPR. “It was controlled panic,” explains Alex. “I’m a keen scuba diver

Additional back up was provided

by Critical Care Paramedic Paul Windsor and Paramedic Tom Hastings who joined the team in stabilising Julie. Meanwhile Julie and Alex’s other son, Ollie, 18,

defibrillator fitted for what was discovered to be a genetic heart condition. Two weeks in hospital were followed by four weeks

CFRS prescribed a cash boost

recovering at home before Julie was able to return to her work in

A group of life saving volunteers

the village store.

have been ‘prescribed’ a cash boost thanks to the generosity

Julie said: “Expressing my

of a Coventry based company.

gratitude to everyone involved is difficult. A person can’t say

Celesio UK, parent company

thank you enough when an

of LloydsPharmacy and AAH

event like this happens. It takes

Pharmaceuticals based in

a special kind of person to work

Coventry, has presented a cheque

for the ambulance service and

for £2,000 to Coventry Community

obviously Alex and Tom made a

Responders (CCR).

huge difference prior to everyone arriving. The care I received in

CCR is a Community First

hospital was amazing too. I’m

Responder scheme whose

not good with hospitals and I was

volunteers are trained by West

glad to be out but I couldn’t fault a

Midlands Ambulance Service to

single part.”

a nationally recognised standard.

They can be called upon to attend

Alex was keen to stress the

medical emergencies in their area

importance of everyone taking the

while a blue-light vehicle is en-route.

time to learn CPR explaining that a lot of people had undergone

Carl Rose, who’s been involved with

courses after hearing of what

the Coventry responders for about

happened to Julie. “I think it’s so

2 years, said: “Being a CFR means

important that people take the

that I have the opportunity to give

time to learn CPR and it should

something back to the community I

be compulsory for pupils to learn

work in. It is very satisfying knowing

in school too. I was obviously so

that you have made a difference to

worried but I just tried to be as

someone’s life.

calm as possible and do what I had been taught. I did it. I may

“I am heavily involved in the

have broken six of her ribs but

fundraising we carry out so that we

she’s alive.”

can provide the best service we can.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

We are very grateful to Celesio UK Critical Care Paramedic Paul

for such a generous donation. We’ll

Winsor added: “On behalf of the

be able to buy even more equipment

whole team, it was great to meet

which means more people are

up with Julie and her family and

available to respond to incidents

see her recovery first hand. I

such as cardiac arrests, heart attacks

have no doubt that the actions of

and strokes, where every second can

Alex and Tom were instrumental

make a difference.”

in ensuring my colleagues were able to restart Julie’s heart. Alex

CCR Group Chairman, Mark

and Tom should be very proud of

Tolan, added: “Being a CFR is

308 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE hugely rewarding; knowing that

Coventry Community Responders

Service, you can find out more

visit the exhibitors stalls, and

you’re helping someone who is

undertake is vital for the health

details at: www.wmas.nhs.

attend the skills workshops for

in need of medical assistance.

of those people living within a

uk/Pages/Community-First-

no additional cost. The PHEM/

As a professional first aid trainer,

community we serve.”

Responders.aspx All vacancies

HEMS day running on Tuesday

are advertised via the NHS Jobs

19th April will be covering the

website www.jobs.nhs.uk

latest developments in Pre

my volunteering as a CFR also presents me with a range of

Cllr. David Skinner, Westwood

medical experiences which I can

Ward in Coventry, said: “When I

pass on to those people I teach.

was taken ill, the First Responders arrived before my wife had even

Hospital Emergency Medicine

Trauma Care

including night HEMS, immersive simulation, thoracotomy for blunt trauma and paediatric trauma.

Cormac Tobin, Managing Director

finished the 999 call. I was in

at Celesio UK, commented:

University Hospital Coventry &

“I admire the volunteers, who

Warwickshire within 40 minutes

Care conference will be held at

Trauma Care also hosts a poster

despite having full time jobs,

or so. I have the most profound

Yarnfield Park Conference Centre

competition where pre-hospital

give up their time to help local

respect for the first responders

in Staffordshire from Sunday

practitioners can showcase

emergency services look after

and West Midlands Ambulance

17th – Thursday 21st April

the trauma audit or research

their patients.

Service overall.”

2016. This multi-disciplinary event

they have completed in their

provides trauma education for

local practice. The deadline for

Carl added: “We’ve also had a

everyone involved in UK trauma

submission of abstracts is 1st February 2016.

“I believe we need to raise

The 17th international Trauma

second funding boost; Shiraz &

management from volunteer first-

causes and recognise the people

Sons Pharmacies across Coventry

aiders to Major Trauma Centre

doing incredible work at a local

will place collecting tins in their

specialists.

level.

stores to allow members of the

awareness of such notable

“We are very pleased to support such an honourable cause. The

Details about the poster competition, the full conference

public to support the good work

The Paramedic programme will

programme and on-line

of the Coventry Community

be held on Monday 18th April

registration can be found at

Responders.”

and is just £50 to attend for the

www.traumacare.org.uk. There

whole day. Candidates have the

are also some free open access

work undertaken throughout Celesio UK is about helping

If you would like to volunteer

opportunity to move between

videos of previous conference

patients directly within their

as a community first responder

sessions to experience the

presentations on the website to

communities; we feel the work the

for West Midlands Ambulance

parallel educational streams,

inspire you.

A comfortable environment whatever the weather Simple to use, effective in performance and reliable in operation. The Eberspächer climate control system.

A world of CoMforT

w w w. e b e r s p a c h e r. c o m – 0 1 4 2 5 4 8 0 1 5 1

NEWSLINE Westminster MPs Media Release

ambulance staff working across

impact that this has on the health

State for Health, Jeremy Hunt,

all sectors of the industry.

and well-being of ambulance

so we can ensure that the needs

personnel can surface in many

of the ambulance services

The charity outlined its aims to

different ways – physically and

community and TASC are very

significantly improve the current

mentally.

much on the agenda.”

The Ambulance Services

provision including a range of

Charity (TASC) is hoping

rehabilitation and welfare support

“Not only is there a responsibility

Mark Pawsey said: “It is clear that

to bring industry concerns

including dedicated treatment

to support the health and well-

TASC is there to serve a very real

to Health Minister Jeremy

programmes and facilities, a

being of ambulance staff but it

and substantial need. The welfare

Hunt after meeting MPs at

National TASC centre to allow

also makes total economic sense

Westminster.

improved treatment for physical

to reduce days lost to physical

and stress issues including PTSD

injury or stress-related illness by

The charity, which has its

and a support programme for

significantly improving the care

headquarters in Coventry,

bereaved ambulance service

and support on offer and thereby

West Midlands, met with three

families.

help maintain an efficient frontline service.

Warwickshire MPs at Westminster to outline its progress since its

Lorna Birse-Stewart said: “We

formation earlier this year and to

are very grateful for Mark Pawsey

“However as TASC is a new

press claims for more support

for setting up the session and it

national charity we are competing

from central Government.

allowed us to show the historic

with many others for limited

provision gap between the

resources and we feel it is vital to

TASC CEO Lorna Birse-Stewart

ambulance service and other

ensure that decision-makers are

and Chairman Cliff Randall met

emergency services and the

fully briefed on our aims and also

with Rugby MP Mark Pawsey,

growing need for more support

the needs of the men and women

Craig Tracey, MP for North

funding for those working in the

serving across the our ambulance

Warwickshire and Bedworth, and

ambulance service industry.

services industry.

on-Avon, at Portcullis House in

“Ambulance personnel face

“The three MPs were extremely

Westminster.

tremendous challenges and

engaged in what we had to

pressures in their work which

present and have offered support

The 45-minute session highlighted

although being immensely

in several ways. They have

the current lack of charitable

rewarding is also increasingly

promised not only to support us

and other support available

demanding, stressful and

but have agreed to try to arrange

for frontline paramedics and

sometimes dangerous. The

a meeting with The Secretary of

Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford-

of the ambulance and paramedic community is of key importance not only for the professionals involved, but also to help maintain an essential service.

“The ambulance service and paramedics play a vital role in protecting our communities and Lorna and Cliff very clearly outlined the pressures they face and the plans TASC has to develop much needed services and support. I, and my colleagues, will continue to work closely with the TASC to ensure that the charity’s message is heard at the highest levels within Government.”

EMAS

Courses for the professional development of paramedics Courses for the professional development of paramedics within East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) are to be delivered by Coventry University.

The collaboration is part of a new contract awarded by Health Education East Midlands (HEEM) to Coventry University

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

to jointly deliver paramedic courses with EMAS. The three-year contract will initially see the delivery of a foundation degree in paramedic science by Coventry University’s Faculty of Health and Life (From left to right) Craig Tracey MP, Nadhim Zahawi MP, Lorna Birse-Stewart (TASC), Mark Pawsey MP and Cliff Randall (TASC)

310 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

Sciences and EMAS. The first intake of learners to

NEWSLINE study the foundation degree

support this profession, which

A Norfolk girl has been praised

Emma, 30, whose

will start in January 2016,

has received national focus.

for keeping a cool head in an

supraventricular tachycardia

emergency when she found her

(SVT) causes her heart to beat

mum unconscious.

too fast, said she was very

providing an excellent career development for existing EMAS

“HEEM will work to ensure the

staff who would like to become

learner is at the heart of the

paramedics.

education and training, and will

Sasha Nutley, from Marham,

monitor this contract throughout

demonstrated maturity beyond

“I have taught her about when

this learner journey.”

her years by dialling 999 on the

to phone 999, just in case, but

night of Sunday, 6th September.

this was the first time she had

Coventry University’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

proud of her daughter.

is an established provider of

Jackie Moore, EMAS Acting

paramedic education with

Deputy Director of Workforce

With no-one else in the house

existing courses in paramedic

Development, said: “I am really pleased to have launched

and her dad at work, Sasha,

“My heart had gone really fast

science and paramedic studies

and I tried to bring it down,

foundation degrees.

our partnership with Coventry

who has since turned fiveyears-old, dialled 999 and

but it was so fast and I had

was put through to East of

chest pain. I felt my chest

England Ambulance Service

getting quite tight and got on

NHS Trust (EEAST) Call Handler

to the sofa. I woke up to find

Lizzie Martin at its emergency

paramedics in the house and I

operations centre in Norwich.

wondered what was going on!

Sasha was unable to wake mum

“Sasha was really excited about

Emma, who has a heart condition,

getting a certificate for what she

and explained her mum’s

did.”

University. This partnership is to Professor Guy Daly, Executive

support internal progressions

Dean of Faculty of Health and

routes for our clinical staff by

Life Sciences, said: “We are

providing funded paramedic

delighted to have been awarded

and post registration education.

this new contract which consolidates our on-going

“We really look forward to

relationship with HEEM.

working with the university and providing our clinical staff with

“We are extremely pleased

high quality education so that

to be working with EMAS

they can provide patients in

in the development of its

the East Midlands with the best

paramedic workforce as well

care possible.”

as contributing to the ongoing evolution of the paramedic profession more generally.

“Our collaboration with EMAS will help to support the advancement of paramedic education in the East Midlands.

to call it.

symptoms. She’d been unable to wake Emma for 30 minutes and

Lizzie added that she was very

spoke with Lizzie until the arrival of

impressed by the girl’s attitude.

an ambulance crew.

“She was cool as a cucumber

EEAST

Norfolk girl praised after calling 999 for her unconscious mum

Sasha attends Cherry Tree

and answered all the questions

Academy Infants in Marham and

I asked her and explained that

was presented with a certificate

her mummy had a poorly heart

praising her outstanding actions

beat and she could not wake

on Tuesday (6th October) at a

her. She did really well,” she

school assembly.

said.

At the same time, we will be providing EMAS staff with the education and training that they need in order to progress professionally.”

Jane Johnson, Executive Lead for Transformation and Innovation at HEEM, said: “HEEM are proud to have commissioned Coventry University to deliver this for internal EMAS staff.

Fundamentally we are all here to serve the patient to ensure best patient centred care is delivered.

“Over the past couple of years, HEEM have been working with a wide range of stakeholders to identify how we can best

Prof Guy Daly is pictured at the contract signing at Coventry University’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences with Kerry Gulliver, EMAS Acting Director of People and Engagement, left, and Jane Johnson, right.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

education and training

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

NEWSLINE DAAT

New role for record-breaking air ambulance pilot The helicopter pilot who has the longest service record and the most mission flights with a single Air Ambulance charity is to use his vast accumulation of knowledge and experience to become the Safety Manager at Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT).

Captain Rob Mackie has flown with DAAT for 23 years recording an amazing 7890 missions during his service but, as he approached his 60th birthday, regulations demand he gives up single pilot flying.

Heléna Holt, CEO of DAAT added “Thankfully we will not be saying goodbye to Rob. When we were awarded our own Air Operating

Certificate (AOC) last year, Rob took on the role of Safety Manager and played an integral part in setting up our safety management systems. It was a challenging time for all the team as Devon Air Ambulance Trading Company Limited (DAATCL) were the first Air Ambulance to have developed and been awarded an AOC fully compliant with the new EASA regulations.

“I am delighted that Rob has agreed to continue in this role and will be overseeing the surveying of all the community helipads needed to introduce night flying next winter.”

Devon born, former Army pilot and Falklands veteran Rob, added: “It will take some adjusting to give up flying after a lifetime in the pilot’s seat but what better way to do so than continue with DAAT in a highly significant role.

I am greatly looking forward to the challenges my new role will

generate especially as it allows me to continue working with a great team.”

‘CQC facing mounting backlog of CQC ambulance inspections’ – Larry Society A report published by The Larrey Society, the crosssector “think tank” for emergency medical services contains disturbing statistics which question the efficiency and effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission’s regulatory inspection of ambulance services.

The key points of the report, based on Freedom of Information data provided by the CQC and the conclusions of the Society’s own research are:

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

312 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

• The CQC faces a mounting backlog of inspections with 1 in 3 of the 333 providers registered to run ambulance services having never had an inspection. Seven of these providers have been waiting since 2012 or earlier, including one who registered in 2010.

• Ambulance personnel in the NHS, private and voluntary sectors, had generally a negative view when asked if CQC inspections were effective in finding out if the provider is safe and effective; less than 4 out of 10 agreed they asked the right things and there was a strong belief that the inspections should be routinely carried out unannounced and the inspectors should make a point to randomly talk with selected staff members from the front line, rather than relying on chosen staff or management;

NEWSLINE In her opening speech, Chloe

The Association of Air Ambulances

ambulance providers exploiting

explained how she was honored

(AAA), which represents the

to stop them operating but

a loophole, but providing

to be the chair of such a dynamic

majority of air ambulance charities,

in 2015, for the first time, a

registerable services

group of organisations that

ambulance services and the

do amazing work within the

supply chain throughout the

community. She explained that

UK, supported the reception for

regime, with more enforcement,

the APPGAA was there to help

the third year, bringing patients,

rather than warnings

engage local MP’s in the delivery

charities, ambulance services and

of air ambulance activity.

legislators together.

The Secretary of State for Health,

Bill Sivewright, Chairman of the

Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt delivered a

AAA thanked everyone for their

speech which praised the work

attendance and welcomed the

of the UK’s air ambulances and

Secretary of State’s comments.

ambulance services:

He responded:

• 14 providers have been subject to enforced deregistration

• Look to clamp down on event

new applicant has had their • Start to tighten the inspection

application refused.

The inspections are carried out to check that the ambulance providers are: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led and they are then judged as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate As one respondent to the

Secretary Of State for Health Praises Ambulance Services and Air Ambulance Charities

“In July I was lucky enough

“Our focus is entirely on

A reception held by the

to experience the amazing

patients and we must deliver a

All Party Parliamentary

work you deliver to the most

seamless service to ensure we

“CQC day is like when your

Group for Air Ambulances

critically ill. It was one of the

do not develop in silos. To that

relatives come round for

(APPGAA) took place on the

most impressive things I have

end, I am confident that all the

Christmas. Everything is tidied

House of Commons Terrace,

seen and showed the NHS at its

members of the Association of

Westminster on 26 October

finest. I would like to thank the

Air Ambulances do their bit, be

2015. The event, hosted by

paramedics, doctors and pilots

that funded by charities or by

Chairman of the APPGAA

who deliver these services; I

the NHS to ensure we deliver the

Chloe Smith MP for Norwich

am amazed how you all unwind

best possible service we can.”

or else!”

North, gave members of

at the end of your day after

both Houses of Parliament

looking after these very ill NHS

More information on the

The Larrey Society strongly

the opportunity to meet

patients. I would also like to

APPGAA and the air ambulance

with representatives from

thank the volunteers across the

community can be found on the

air ambulance charities and

UK for all their dedication and

AAA website by visiting:

ambulance services.

hard work.”

www.aoaa.org.uk

Society’s research is quoted as saying:

away and

ridiculously clean.

You’re all told to be on your best behaviour and not to say boo to a goose until they’ve gone

supports the principle of an effective regulator helping to make sure that services are safe and effective, and urges the CQC to: • Clear the backlog of uninspected providers as a matter of urgency • Ensure that all new providers are inspected within six months of registration, or earlier • Look to ensure that all providers are inspected at least annually

new inspection format, to increase industry confidence • Move to a system of more unannounced inspections • Engage more with front line staff during inspections – selected at random

L to R Bill Sivewright Chair of Association of Air Ambulances, Secretary of State for Health Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, Chloe Smith MP Norwich North Chair of the APPGAA, Clive Dickin National Director Association of Air Ambulances.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

• Accelerate the roll-out of the

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

NEWSLINE The challenge of team leadership Mike Davis PhD, freelance consultant in continuing medical education and Tony Little, BSc, DIPMgmnt, PGCertEd, SRPara, Clinical Tutor/Tactical Support Officer/Radiation Protection Supervisor (CBRN), London Ambulance Service NHS Trust It will come as no surprise that among recent concerns about patient safety and the attention paid to non-technical skills, there is consideration of how teams are trained to work together, with an emphasis on leadership and followership. Among the questions asked about this issue includes: “Is a team leader born or made?” This is often put in the context of charismatic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela, and others.

This raises the question: “Is a leader born or made?” If it is the latter, the educational challenge is about the nature of the curriculum that would develop leader type characteristics. If it is the former, the community has to wait for the leaders to appear spontaneously – surely a risky solution.

A member of the public sees a middle-aged man collapse at the bus stop. He has seen Vinnie Jones in the British Heart Foundation TV adverts and he quickly calls for

After a period of time the decision is made to move the patient to hospital. The patient is accompanied by at least two paramedics and the Advanced Paramedic Practitioner to ensure there is still clear leadership throughout. A pre alert call is placed to the nearest hospital informing them of the imminent arrival of this cardiac arrest thus allowing them to assemble their team allocate roles. On arrival, the Advanced Paramedic Practitioner provides a comprehensive hand-over to the cardiac arrest team leader indicating everything the ambulance crews had done during the cardiac arrest from arrival to handover.

manage the patient until he arrives at the hospital where there is a quick and efficient handover to the cardiac arrest team, who manage the case until ROSC and transfer to a cardiac ward.

At no point did the circumstances demand a dominant, inspirational leader with a particular disposition, (a Mandela, for example), to emerge. Rather, the accident of situation and the arrival of paramedics of various experience, led to the emergence of a series of opportunistic leadership opportunities. Leadership then, is often determined by situational, rather than dispositional factors.

SECAMB

SECAmb Fleet wins prestigious Commercial Fleet Award South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) was honoured at the recent Commercial Fleet Awards ceremony by winning the Public Sector & Blue Light Fleet of the Year 2015 category.

The SECAmb fleet team which has been on a modernisation programme in recent years competed against entries from other ambulance trusts, police, councils and the National Blood Service at the awards which were held in Telford.

In this case, leadership is passed from the bystanders to the paramedics who variously

The event, hosted by Gaby Roslin, is seen as an integral part of the commercial fleet industry calendar and offers a vital opportunity to the industry to share best practice. Fleet operators have the opportunity to demonstrate commitment to the highest standards in terms of operational excellence, innovation, technology, efficiency and safety.

The judges said that SECAmb is an ‘example of comprehensive fleet management’, showing good use of its road safety programme with demonstrable results.

Judges also praised SECAmb’s development of the national ambulance driver risk indexing tool and the dynamic speed control system to better manage driver performance. They also highlighted SECAmb utilising new technology in vehicle design and materials towards standardising the equipment carried by ambulances to achieve clear improved efficiencies.

Justin Wand, Head of Fleet and Logistics for SECAmb said: “This is a great accolade for the Trust and real recognition of the hard work completed every day by our technical teams.

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

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

It is, however, a category error: confusing dispositional (personal style, patterns of interaction) with situational (context, time, available personnel) factors. Leadership can be considered as a phenomenon of groups rather than individual personality and while some individuals may be more disposed to taking leadership (by virtue of who they are and how they relate to the world), it is something that is available to everybody. Consider this example:

help. A teenage girl dials 999 on her mobile. He starts CPR and soon finds it difficult to maintain so he asks the girl if she can help and between the two of them, they manage to keep going until the ambulance arrives. The paramedics quickly take over and the patient is quickly placed onto a defibrillator to ascertain the presenting heart rhythm. As more paramedics and ambulance staff arrive, a “pit crew” is ascertained in order to provide the patient with optimum care.

One paramedic secures the airway while another secures access to establish a drug regime. During this time the senior paramedic is taking a “hands off” approach to ensure the resuscitation attempt is run smoothly and succinctly and ensure that there are staff delivering good effective CPR throughout the resuscitation attempt with minimal interruptions. An Advanced Paramedic Practitioner arrives and the patient is immediately connected to a mechanical compression device. The Advanced Paramedic Practitioner will now take over the running of the resuscitation, again using a hands off approach to ensure that optimum care is being delivered. During this time the full spectrum of ALS is being delivered to the patient.

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

NEWSLINE DAAT

A New Charity Partner for Devon Air Ambulance Trust Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) is proud to announce its selection as one of South West Water’s charitable partners for the next 3 years. DAAT’s selection follows a staff vote.

Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director at Devon Air Ambulance Trust, says “We are delighted that South West Water has chosen us

communities we serve in many

Marine Charitable Trust Fund and

London’s Air Ambulance,

different ways, from education

plans to continue fundraising

alongside partners Barts

and careers events through to

efforts for DAAT as the partnership

Health NHS Trust and London

community volunteering and

goes forward.

Ambulance Service, scooped the ‘Cross-sector Partnership’

working arrangements with charities such as the river and

South West Water representatives

award at the Charity Times

wildlife trusts, the Citizens’ Advice

Nick Smale, Lucy Cooper, Autumn

Awards for their pioneering

Bureau, Age UK and the South

Mogford-Abbott and Adam

work on REBOA, a technique to

West Lakes Trust.

Rousell (pictured left to right)

control haemorrhage in trauma

“This year we asked staff to help us select charitable partners with a direct relevance to our business and our region. In the free choice section, staff voted overwhelmingly to support the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

to be a charity partner over the

“We are delighted to add

next few years. We can proudly

Devon Air Ambulance to our

say that South West Water’s grant

family of community and charity

is helping us to save lives in our

partnerships.”

community”.

recently visited DAAT’s Exeter Airbase to see the operation firsthand and learn more about the service their funds are supporting.

London’s Air Ambulance, Barts Health and London Ambulance Service win Charity Times Award

patients.

REBOA was first developed in the Emergency Department at The Royal London Hospital, and after two years of development, the procedure was delivered for the first time at the roadside with London’s Air Ambulance.

It has been the culmination of several years of hard work by a variety of teams and individuals including The Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, interventional radiologists, trauma

The company took part in this South West Water’s Head of

year’s Commando Challenge

Winner for ‘Cross-sector

surgeons and anaesthetists, as

Communications Alan Hyde

which benefits Devon Air

Partnership of the Year’ for work

well as paramedics from London

said “We already support the

Ambulance Trust and the Royal

on REBOA

Ambulance Service.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

South West Water Representatives visit DAAT’s Exeter Airbase: L to R- Nick Smale, Lucy Cooper, Autumn Mogford-Abbott and Adam Rousell

316 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

NEWSLINE Now in its sixteenth year,

Upper Conwy Valley in a

appealing to organisations across

Regional First Responder Officer,

the Charity Times Awards

brand new partnership.

Wales – including workplaces,

said: “Every second counts

sports clubs and community

when you are trying to save

continue to be the pre-eminent celebration of best practice in

The Uwchaled Community First

centres – to let them know if they

someone’s life, and Community

the UK charity and not-for-profit

Responders have joined forces

have a defibrillator that could be

First Responder schemes are

sector. London’s Air Ambulance

with community councils and local

used to save a life in their latest

hugely beneficial in helping the

was also shortlisted for ‘PR

businesses to help purchase the

campaign, Be a Defib Hero.

ambulance service provide the

team of the Year’ for its 25th

devices and train people to use

Anniversary campaign, and for

them.

the ‘Fundraising Technology’

best possible pre-hospital care for It comes as new figures reveal that

patients.

almost 400 more patients in Wales

award alongside partner,

A cardiac arrest happens when

had defibrillation available to them

“Many of our volunteers have

Rapidata.

the heart suddenly stops pumping

in 2014-15 than in 2013-14.

taken experiences that life has thrown at them, such as seeing

blood around the body.

The Trust can provide training

a loved one suffer a heart attack,

A person may suffer permanent

on the use of defibrillators under

and have moulded them into a

damage to the brain and other

the Public Access Defibrillator

positive outlook to help family,

organs unless someone starts

Scheme (PADS), and so far it

friends and neighbours.

facilities at The Royal London

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

has trained more than 5,000

Hospital in Whitechapel.

(CPR) or delivers an electric shock

volunteers in the use of an AED.

“You can make a big difference

If you are interested in

skills that we can teach you. If

Barts Health NHS Trust employs and remunerates the advanced trauma doctors to the charity and provides its helipad

London’s Air Ambulance also works in partnership with London Ambulance Service, which provides the paramedics who are seconded to the charity.

Dr Gareth Davies, Medical Director at London’s Air Ambulance and Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Barts Health NHS Trust said: “It is always an honour to be nominated for any award, but we are particularly thrilled to be recognised at the Charity Times Awards with our key partners. Our aim is to provide our patients with the world’s most innovative and effective pre-hospital care in order to help save more lives in London, and our partnerships help us to achieve this.”

For more information on London’s Air Ambulance visit their website

Life-saving defibrillators rolled out across Upper Conwy Valley

defibrillator.

establishing a PADS site or joining Defibrillators are now in place

an existing team, call the PADS

in Llanrwst, Betws y Coed,

office on 02920 932917 or your

Llanddoged, Penmachno and

local contact Tomos Hughes on

Dolwyddelan.

07780990594.

Over the next six months, they

You can also visit

will also be rolled out in Capel

www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk

Garmon, Nebo, Ysbyty Ifan,

for more information and to

Melin y Coed, Pentrefoelas,

register your device.

Cerrigydrudion, Llangwm and Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr.

The Trust is also appealing to the

by just carrying out a few simple you are proud of the community in which you live, becoming a first responder can really help the heart of your village or town keeping beating long into the future.”

Visit the Community First Responder area of the website, and email amb_first.responder. north@wales.nhs.uk if you would like to volunteer.

people in North Wales to make Tomos Hughes, co-ordinator of

a difference to family, friends

the Uwchaled Community First

or neighbours in distress by

Responders, who responds to

becoming a Community First

999 calls to support the Welsh

Responder.

Ambulance Service, said: “Once somebody suffers a cardiac arrest

First responders are volunteers

every minute counts

who give up their spare time to attend appropriate 999 calls and

“They need immediate CPR from

give first hand emergency care to

those around them who will often

people in their own community.

be family members or passers-by.

As well as good-quality CPR the

All volunteers are trained by the

patient needs to be treated with a

ambulance service to administer

defibrillator.

basic first aid, oxygen therapy, CPR and the use of a defibrillator.

“Having defibrillators available in rural areas can make difference,

First responders do not replace

because research suggests

the normal response of a

that CPR and early defibrillation

paramedic in a rapid response

increases the probability of

vehicle or an emergency

survival to 80 percent.”

ambulance, but support the patient until they arrive.

Life-saving defibrillators are

The Welsh Ambulance Service

being rolled out across the

and British Heart Foundation are

Jason Williams, the Trust’s

“Having defibrillators available in rural areas can make difference, because research suggests that CPR and early defibrillation increases the probability of survival to 80 percent.”

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

londonsairambulance.co.uk.

through the chest wall using a

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NEWSLINE SECAMB

Life-saving partnership launches with SECAmb and Kent Fire and Rescue Service

Edenbridge). During that time fire crews have attended more than 8,200 medical incidents on behalf of the ambulance service.

In addition to this new scheme, KFRS has put defibrillators on all KFRS blue-light vehicles including fire engines and officer response cars. All staff using those vehicles

A potentially life-saving scheme

have been trained in their use.

which will see Kent firefighters attend certain medical

SECAmb Paramedic and

emergencies has begun this

Immediate Emergency Care

month.

Responder (IECR) project lead, Matt England said: “This is all

The first stage of the co-

about saving more lives. When

responding scheme involves

someone is in cardiac arrest,

crews from Sittingbourne,

with every minute that passes

Larkfield, Sevenoaks, Herne

their chances of survival diminish

Bay, Sheppey, Margate and

significantly. This great scheme

Tunbridge Wells. From April 2016

will give us up to an extra

it is expected that the scheme will

120 defibrillators out there in

roll out with all wholetime crews

communities across Kent which

across the county.

has to be a good thing. All the firefighters volunteered to be part

The scheme is part of the ongoing

of the scheme and act as an

work of the emergency services’

additional response to our crews.

collaboration with SECAmb. Firefighters will respond to life-

“We’ll always assign an

threatening emergencies such as

ambulance response to the

cardiac arrests, chest pains and

call at the same time but if the

breathing difficulties.

firefighters reach the scene of an emergency before ambulance

As with the existing community

crews, they will be able to begin

first responder scheme, they

vital life-saving treatment.”

will always be backed up, and qualified ambulance crews will be

David Escudier, KFRS

assigned at the same time as the

Operational and Development

firefighters who will respond in fire

Manager, said: “We have

engines or in fire service cars.

been responding to medical emergencies on behalf of

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

Firefighters involved in the pilot

SECAmb in some areas since

have all undertaken the immediate

2004 and have had a lot of

emergency care responder

public support for this work. We

training. Developed by SECAmb,

are therefore delighted to be

the training will enable firefighters

able to work with SECAmb to

to provide treatment to patients in

extend this potentially life-saving

the moments before ambulance

work. It makes sense that if an

crews arrive.

equipped and trained firefighter can get to a medical emergency

In Kent it builds on the existing

first, or is already on the scene

co-responding work that Kent Fire

of an incident, that they provide

and Rescue Service (KFRS) has

appropriate medical assistance

been doing on behalf of SECAmb

while an ambulance is on its

since November 2004. This has

way. We hope that this pilot will

involved seven on-call stations

prove a success and we can roll

(Hoo, Wye, Marden, Dymchurch,

it out to other wholetime stations

Paddock Wood, Eastchurch and

next year.”

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

NEWSLINE HART to the rescue When a 51-year-old female fell from the cliffs at Thatcher Point, Torquay, the worst was feared.

The casualty had suffered several fractures and with the tide closing in crews responding to the incident had to work quickly.

Paramedics from Torquay were first on scene followed by the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

HART, alongside the local crews, the RNLI and the Torquay Coastguard Rescue Team, worked to stabilise the patient and get her ready for onward travel to hospital. Both air ambulances that serve Devon were already tasked so the Coastguard rescue helicopter was called for.

As a result of the fall the casualty suffered several fractures to her legs as well as chest injuries. She was taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for further treatment.

Chris Chambers, Head of EPRR and Special Operations at SWASFT, said: “This incident showed a great example of multi-agency working.

This is exactly the type of incident HART are trained and equipped to deal with and, alongside our local crews and the Coastguard and RNLI, we were able to treat the casualty at the scene before transferring her to hospital.”

John Bunce, Station Officer at Torbay Coastguard Rescue Team, added: “I would like to thank the SWASFT crews for their excellent work in treating and extracting the casualty from what was a very unusual position.

“Throughout the incident the interaction between the local Paramedics, HART and the Coastguard rescue team was very positive providing excellent care for the casualty and the best method of extraction and onward travel to hospital.”

The Trust has two HART based at Bristol and just outside of Exeter. The teams work with the other emergency services within hazardous and challenging environments. For more information about our HART visit: http://www.swast.nhs.uk/What%20 We%20Do/hazardous-arearesponse-team.htm

TASC charitable support Ambulance staff at South East Coast Ambulance Service Trust will be able to access charitable support provided through TASC, The Ambulance Services Charity.

TASC, The Ambulance Services Charity was established this year as the national charity to help provide vital advice and support services to both serving and retired ambulance personnel and their families and dependents in times of crisis, bereavement or severe difficulty.

TASC Chairman Cliff Randall and Chief Executive Lorna Birse-Stewart visited South East Coast Ambulance Service in Banstead, Surrey, to meet Chief Executive Paul Sutton, Human Resources Director Francesca Okosi, and other members of staff.

(From left to right) Lorna Birse-Stewart (TASC) with Paul Sutton (South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust) and Cliff Randall (TASC) Lorna said the purpose of the visit was to raise awareness of the advice and support services available through the charity and identify regional champions and supporters to help raise awareness and vital funds needed to help develop this work.

“We had a very positive meeting with key representatives at South East Coast Ambulance Service who welcomed the range of services TASC is making available,” she said.

“TASC was established to meet very important needs in the ambulance services community, with staff often facing significant challenges and pressures in their line of duty including pressures which may sometimes result in severe stress, musculoskeletal injury, isolation, financial problems and ‘burn out’.

“We have also recently launched a pilot scheme for the physical rehabilitation of ambulance staff and are providing funding for 15 places

“Our meeting with the South East Coast Ambulance Service is one of many visits we have been invited to across the UK to raise awareness of and support for TASC. The charity depends on support from across the ambulance sector and we are now looking for champions from across the regions to become volunteer leads.

“Their support will be invaluable not only in helping us increase awareness of the range of help available now, but also in raising funds for planned programmes of work that TASC aims to deliver.”

Paul Sutton, Chief Executive of South East Coast Ambulance Trust, added: “We were keen to meet with TASC to discuss the services they are able to provide ambulance service staff. We are very aware that a career in the ambulance service is challenging and we have support mechanisms in place to help all of our staff. The work of the charity will also be extremely worthwhile and we are looking forward to working closely with it in the future.”

For more details and information about TASC visit www.theASC. org.uk, or telephone 02477 987 922. The Support Line number is 0800 1032 999.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

“We aim to provide a single point of contact through our dedicated and independent professional Support Services team and TASC ‘Here to Help’ Freephone support line which will help provide access to rehabilitation, mental health services, bereavement support and welfare debt advice.

where staff can undergo treatment at dedicated centres across the UK.

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

NEWSLINE TASC Pilot Scheme a “vital service” The first paramedic to undergo rehabilitation as part of a pilot scheme launched by The Ambulance Services Charity has said that rehabilitation is a “vital service” that all ambulance personnel should be able to access.

Kat Chignell, who lives in Somerset, was awarded a place to undergo a two-week rehabilitation programme at the Police Treatment Centre in Harrogate, as part of a new scheme commissioned by TASC, The Ambulance Services Charity.

Kat Chignell, Paramedic at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT)

The national charity is providing funding for places which will initially enable 15 ambulance staff to access physical rehabilitation at designated treatment centres across the UK. Kat was working as a paramedic for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) when an incident occurred with a patient which left her needing surgery on her shoulder.

“I was nervous about being the

“I would encourage other

first paramedic to ever receive

paramedics and ambulance staff

treatment at the centre but

in need of rehabilitation to get in

from the minute I arrived I was

touch with TASC about taking part

welcomed by all of the staff and

in the pilot programme.

other police officer patients.

“It is comforting to know that we can “They were pleased to see that

access charitable support which

ambulance staff are being given the

helps look after us as ambulance

opportunity to access rehabilitation

staff, just as we help to look after

as they too understand both the

people every day on the frontline.

mental and physical pressures we face in the job.

“Finally I’d like to say thank you to TASC for this rehabilitation

She said: “It was a really difficult

“I took part in two weeks of

time for me after the incident and

opportunity; all the staff at the

intensive rehabilitation which

it became quite clear that I would

Police Treatment Centre for looking

included daily physio, pilates

need intensive rehabilitation in

after me through my stay with them;

classes, strength and conditioning

order to get back to frontline

and all the officers also receiving

work, hydroptherapy sessions and

duties as a paramedic.

treatment for make me feel

relaxation. I was also able to chat to

welcome and part of the family.

a counsellor on site who has helped “This is why I am so grateful

me to face up to the injury mentally.

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

to TASC for providing me with

TASC, The Ambulance Services Charity, was established this year

the opportunity to undertake

“It was hugely beneficial to receive

as the leading UK charity to help

treatment at The Police Treatment

advice from expert staff and I

provide vital advice and support

Centre in Harrogate.

have noticed a massive difference

services to both serving and

in the mobility and strength of

retired ambulance personnel and

“It is a top-class facility and

my shoulder since undergoing

their families and dependents in

the work they achieve there is

treatment. I have also come home

times of difficulty, bereavement

amazing. Not only do they help

with a list of recommendations

and urgent need.

with your physical rehabilitation,

and exercises so that I continue

they also help you to overcome

with my rehabilitation over the next

the mental challenges too.

few weeks.

Lorna Birse-Stewart, Chief Executive at TASC, said: “We are pleased

320 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

to see that the treatment Kat has received as part of TASCs pilot programme has made a significant difference to her recovery.

“TASC understands how important it is for ambulance staff to be able to access support which will help them recover from injury and aid their return back to work.

“Ambulance staff respond to serious accidents and incidents on a day-to-day basis and often face considerable challenges and pressures in the line of duty which can affect their health and wellbeing.

“The pilot scheme is only the start of TASCs plans to develop a much larger ambulance service rehabilitation programme at fire fighter and police treatment centres. However, to achieve this we need the whole ambulance service sector and the general public to get behind us and support the work of the charity.”

For more details and information about TASC visit www.theASC.org.uk, or telephone 02477 987 922.

The Support Line number is 0800 1032 999.

IN PERSON AAAC News

Liz Campbell announced as Independent Chair of Association of Air Ambulances Charity The Association of Air Ambulances is pleased to announce the appointment of Liz Campbell as the Independent Chair of the Association of Air Ambulances Charity (AAAC), a legally independent body which is designed to funnel national donations into individual air ambulance charities.

Liz replaces Chloe Smith MP; the interim Independent Chair of the AAAC and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to

Liz Campbell

the role. Her achievements and leadership has seen Liz become the Director of Wellbeing of Women; a medical research charity that has just celebrated its 50th year, Chairman and Vice Chairman of Surrey Police Authority and a NonExecutive Director of the NHS to name a few. She will now play a key role in leading the AAAC along with its Board of Trustees.

DAA News

Devon Air Ambulance CEO recognised in National Awards Heléna Holt, CEO of Devon Air Ambulance Trust, received national recognition when

Chloe Smith MP said:

she picked up the first runner up prize in the ‘Boss of the Year’ category at the Executive

“The Association of Air Ambulances Charity

PA Magazine Annual Awards held at the

is a vehicle which allows air ambulance

Institute of Directors in London.

charities to approach national or large regional organisations who may want to

Heléna said “I was honoured to have been

make donations to the air ambulance

nominated by my Executive Assistant Melanie

sector as a whole. The formation of the charity was a key element of securing £5 million of LIBOR money and is already being used to enhance air ambulances at a local level.

Stevens for this prestigious national award. I never imagined I would be shortlisted, let alone be the first runner up.”

Melanie Stevens added “We spend such a lot

and before that St James’s House, a mental health charity in North London before being able to move back home to what she describes as her ‘dream job’ in Devon.

Heléna has also previously served as a trustee, holding positions as Chair and Treasurer in the councils for voluntary services for both Camden and Tower Hamlets, gaining a valuable understanding of the vital importance of strong governance.

It’s truly been an award-winning year for the Charity as a whole picking up the PwC West of England Business of the Year (under £30 million category) earlier this year.

Devon Air Ambulance Trust has also been shortlisted for Western Morning News Business Awards Employer of the Year.

of time at work that to have a good working

“I am delighted with Liz’s appointment and trust that with her guidance and direction, air ambulance charities across the UK will funds raised to further enhance the service for the benefit of the patients they serve.”

Executive Assistant role, is essential. Heléna and I have been working together for almost six years and have a well-established and mutually respectful relationship.”

Heléna has been CEO at Devon Air Ambulance Trust since October 2007 and has

Liz Campbell said:

been instrumental in many initiatives including the forthcoming introduction of night flying in

“I am honoured to be appointed to this

Autumn 2016.

exciting role. I look forward to supporting the amazing work of the UK air ambulance

Prior to joining the Charity, South Hams born

community.”

Heléna was Director of the Attlee Foundation

Heléna Holt, CEO of Devon Air Ambulance Trust

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

see the benefit of the AAAC and use any

relationship with your boss, especially in an

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

IN PERSON SECAMB News

Sussex cardiac arrest patient donates defibrillator

On the arrival of the ambulance team,

“It really is all about teamwork from the

Paramedic Practitioner Stuart Rutland,

moment the 999 call was made to Molly.

Ambulance Technician Trevor Comber and

I’d also like to take the opportunity to urge

Paramedic Kevin Allsobrook, it became clear

everyone to learn CPR as you never know

A man from Horsham, West Sussex,

that the ambulance itself would not be able

when you might be called upon to perform it.

whose life was saved by South East Coast

to get close to the lake. Stuart, who attended

On behalf of all my colleagues I’d like to wish

Ambulance Service (SECAmb) crews has

by car, took his vehicle to Neil to begin

Neil all the very best for the future.”

been reunited with the ambulance team

assessment.

SECAmb and the local Community First

and kindly funded the placement of another As it was very clear Neil needed hospital

Responders will be working to establish the

treatment Stuart took Neil back to the

best location for the defibrillator in Horsham

Father of two Neil James, 54, was on a fishing

ambulance in his car but moments later

town centre.

trip with work friends and colleagues a little

Neil went into cardiac arrest. The team

over two months ago, (28 August), when he

acted quickly to administer a shock with a

began to feel unwell. Neil admits that he had

defibrillator and begin CPR. Having stabilised

felt unwell and became out of breath with

Neil, the team began the journey to Royal

chest pain some two weeks earlier but ignored

Sussex County Hospital but he rearrested

his family’s advice to visit his GP.

another five times en route to hospital and

defibrillator in his home town.

went on to receive a total of nine shocks.

SWASFT News

Non Executive Director appointed to House of Lords A non-executive director at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Arriving at the fishing lake in East Hoathly, near Lewes, slightly ahead of his friends, Adam

On arrival at hospital Neil was fitted with a stent

(SWASFT) has been appointed to the House

and Henry Richards and Lea Harrison, Neil

to repair a blocked main artery before being

of Lords as a non-party political peer by the

felt a severe pain across his chest along with

discharged after four days to recover at home.

House of Lords Appointments Commission.

He said: “I, my family and friends wanted to

The Appointments Commission is an

“I also had a thumping headache and didn’t

meet everyone involved face to face to say

independent non-statutory advisory body set

want to keep my eyes open”, added Neil.

thank you. In our daily lives we constantly

up to make recommendations for non-party

“I knew I was extremely poorly and when

say thank you to people – people such as

political peerages. It recommends individuals

the others arrived I asked them to call an

the shop assistant, the postman, the delivery

on merit and their ability to contribute

ambulance.”

driver. I strongly feel that just saying thank you

effectively to the work of the House.

Due to the remote location, Henry rushed the

to all those that saved my life is not enough.

half mile to the main road to wave down the

I therefore donated a new defibrillator so that

Appointed as a SWASFT non-executive

crew while Emergency Medical Advisor, Molly

it can be used in Horsham to help save other

director in August 2006, Professor Mary

people’s lives. You can’t put a price on a

Watkins is chairman of the Trust’s Quality

person’s life.”

and Governance Committee. Away from

nausea and faintness.

Smith, provided advice over the phone.

Neil adds: “Molly was very professional when talking to my colleagues and continually asked what symptoms I was suffering while behind the scenes help was being organised to get assistance to me as soon as possible.

She asked to talk to me but I was too ill to speak more than a handful of words. She kept everyone calm.”

SWASFT Mary is a Professor of Nursing, Neil also has nothing but praise for everyone

currently Emeritus Professor of Healthcare and

else involved in his treatment and recovery

Leadership at Plymouth University. Mary has

and added: “The hospital staff were amazing.

also published widely in the field of nursing

I’ve also had good support from my GP and

education and leadership, and was the first

have recently started a six-week course of

editor of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

rehabilitation classes and I’m recovering slowly but well.”

Speaking about the appointment to the House of Lords Trust chair Heather Strawbridge said:

AMBULANCE UK - DECEMBER

Neil added: “I’ve since been told of Horsham

“Mary has a particular expertise in the field of

Heartsafe, which is looking to increase the

mental health and has a wealth of experience of

number of defibrillators across the region. I’m

working in partnership with social services and

happy that I’m contributing to that and would

the voluntary sector. Her work with SWASFT is

urge everyone to take the opportunity to learn

second to none and she is fully deserving of

CPR as I will be along with my friends and

this appointment to the House of Lords.”

family.”

Chief executive Ken Wenman added: “Mary Paramedic Practitioner Stuart Rutland added:

works tirelessly for the Trust and Plymouth

“It was great to see Neil again and to meet and

University where she is extremely well respected

speak to his family and friends. We don’t often

by the staff and students. I know she will

get to see our patients again and I was really

continue her efforts at the House of Lords where

struck by Neil’s appreciation of us as a team.

I am sure she will be able to make an impact.”

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

AUK_August_AUK_August_2013 11/10/2013 10:53 Page 254 AUK_August_AUK_August_2013 11/10/2013 10:53 Page 254

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323

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1 2

Bobrow BJ, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2013 Mar 7. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2012.12.020. [Epub ahead of print].

Sell RE, et al. Circulation. 2009;120 (18 Supplement): S1441.

MCN EP 1410 0063