Volume 32 No. 2
April 2017
DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS
In this issue DIPRTM - A Paramedics Summary Burns First Aid - Timing is Everything Life Connections Conference Programmes
PRO
INTRODUCING
AFFORDABLE HIGH QUALITY OBJECTIVE CPR FEEDBACK
FEATURES:
…While being able to gain obvious feedback, real time visual prompts engage the user to improve technique and muscle memory. I can see this becoming a cornerstone to any BLS training: allowing EMS providers, the ability to deliver exquisite BLS when needed. Jim Walmsley, MSc, PgCert, MCPara, Critical Care Paramedic Lead, South East Coast Ambulance Service
• Quality Score using algorithm determined by leading European Opinion Leaders • Configured for AHA and ERC (2015) Guidelines • Overall CPR Quality Score calculated and presented over time • Objective CPR metrics available as complete event AND by individual CPR cycle • Set for differing responder skill level – Healthcare Professional or Layperson • Up to 6 manikins can be monitored at one time. Connected via Bluetooth to an Android tablet & intuitive app • Set for ventilation only and compression only • Tested & Evaluated by European in-hospital & pre-hospital resuscitation experts
TO DISCUSS IN DETAIL OR TO ARRANGE A FORMAL DEMONSTRATION
Please call Innosonian Europe today 03333 445534 or email enquiries@innosonian.eu www.innosonian.eu
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Ambulance UK This issue edited by:
53
EDITOR’S COMMENT
55
FEATURES
55 DIPRTM - A Paramedics Summary
56 Burns First Aid - Timing is Everything
58
NEWSLINE
CIRCULATION:
87
IN PERSON
Media House, 48 High Street
91
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Tel: 01322 660434 Fax: 01322 666539
94
THE CLASSIFIED SITE
Barry Johns c/o Media Publishing Company 48 High Street SWANLEY BR8 8BQ ADVERTISING: Terry Gardner, Brenda Pickering
Media Publishing Company SWANLEY, Kent, BR8 8BQ
ces Show...
E: info@mediapublishingcompany.com www.ambulanceukonline.com PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY: February, April, June, August, October, December COPYRIGHT: Media Publishing Company
COVER STORY
Media House 48 High Street SWANLEY, Kent, BR8 8BQ
O&H Vehicle Conversions O&H Vehicle Conversions are one of the leading vehicle converters in the UK. For over 25 years we have been an established converter specialising in Patient Transport Service (PTS) Ambulances, front line A&E Ambulances, Wheelchair Access Vehicles (WAV’s) and Welfare vehicles. We are based on a 6 acres site in Goole, East Yorkshire, housing a purpose built 60,000 sq ft manufacturing facility.
es Show, er 2016.
PUBLISHERS STATEMENT: The views and opinions expressed in this issue are not necessarily those of the Publisher, the Editors or Media Publishing Company. Next Issue June 2017
O&H Vehicle Conversions invests heavily to ensure that our extensive product range continues to offer customers the most innovative and easy to use vehicles on the market.
Subscription Information – April 2017
The recognition of being a solution provider to a service industry is a primary consideration in the approach that O&H Vehicle Conversions adopts.
subscription in both the UK and overseas.
Ambulance UK is available through a personal, company or institutional UK: Individuals - £24.00 (inc postage) Companies - £60.00 (inc postage) Rest of the World:
and the
£50.00 (inc. surface postage) We are also able to process your subscriptions via most major credit
www.ohvc.co.uk
cards. Please ask for details. Cheques should be made payable to MEDIA PUBLISHING.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
£75.00 (airmail)
Designed in the UK by Hansell Design
51 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
Is your fleet ready? Short and long lease ambulances now in stock
DLL have many years of experience as a leading finance partner in the supply of ambulances and other specialist vehicles to both public and private organisations. Whether you need short or long term hire, please contact us today so that we can help fulfil your requirements and tailor a rental solution that suits yours needs. We constantly have stock of used vehicles available for sale, hire or rental. Get in touch today and see what counts.
View our latest stock and save up to 15% at our open day!* Join us on the 25th of May at our offices in Watford, Hertfordshire and meet our dedicated asset sales team who can advise you on our current stock and help find a financial solution that suits your fleet needs. Plus you may recieve an on the day discount of up to 15%.* Contact us today to register your interest quoting “AmbulanceUK”.
Contact Us Michelle Carter remarketing.uk@dllgroup.com Inventory Sales T: +44 7500 068 055 *Subject to approval by De Lage Landen Leasing Limited - Terms and conditions apply
Amy Welch Inventory Sales T: +44 7753 470 412
EDITOR’S COMMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENT Welcome to the April edition of Ambulance UK, traditionally a time when we look forward with anticipation on a new financial year, and the re-setting of the ‘clock’ on the requisite quality standards. Having just emerged from one of the busiest winter periods on record for the NHS, the perennial question of how will the service cope with the continuing pressures remains.
Despite a somewhat negative opening to the editorial, the Ambulance Service has an enviable reputation of rising to such challenges, as evidenced regularly in our publication, and no doubt will do so once again, despite the plethora of the various challenges and difficulties presented. The tragic events in Westminster on the 22nd March highlighted the critical role of our emergency services, and reminded us of the importance of living in a society that requires a well-funded and efficient health service, which provides a high quality level of care to all our patients. Innovation, best practice sharing and integrated partnership working remain key components in the development of the service, and having had the privilege of witnessing the level of prehospital care in over 50 Countries, we can still be extremely proud of the clinical ‘gold standard’ delivered everyday by our impressive workforce of clinicians and support staff.
Barry Johns, Co-Editor Ambulance UK
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
“Having just emerged from one of the busiest winter periods on record for the NHS, the perennial question of how will the service cope with the continuing pressures remains.”
The budget announcement by the Chancellor of additional funds for social care, sustainability and transformation plans, and additional GPs in ‘front door triage’ of hospital A&E Departments, which whilst all welcome, would I suggest, still fall short in the NHS being able to recover its Key targets. Comments made by NHS Providers states that it is ‘Mission Impossible’, and one keen observer even suggested that it was like ‘putting a plaster on an arterial bleed’. The recent announcement of additional clinical triage staff in 999 and 111 call centres is also another positive move, although the inherent ‘risk averse’ culture would still result in a default setting of the ambulance service - so another difficult year ahead!
53 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
FEATURE
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
54 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
FEATURE
DIPLOMA IN RETRIEVAL AND TRANSFER MEDICINE (DIPRTM) A PARAMEDIC’S SUMMARY Introduction
OSPE:
DipRTM is awarded by the RCSEd through its Faculty of Pre Hospital Care and was conceived by a multi disciplinary group of clinicians who work in retrieval medicine internationally. The exam’s main focus is the retrieval of patients from one hospital facility to another.
The OPSE circuit takes place on day 2 of the exam. Each candidate will
An increasing number paramedics and nurses are now involved in pre hospital critical care and retrieval medicine. Due to the multi disciplinary nature of retrieval medicine it is prudent that a recognised examination exists which allows candidates to demonstrate a safe, robust and proficient approach to retrieval medicine. Launched in 2012, the DipRTM offers candidates the opportunity to apply themselves to the comprehensive syllabus and then undertake a written exam and OSPE stations over a 2 day period. The DipRTM is open to doctors, nurses and paramedics as retrieval medicine is rarely a solo undertaking. Often the most cohesive and efficient retrieval teams will draw on clinicians from a range of backgrounds and experience. Since its inception, a variety of nurses and paramedics have successfully completed the DipRTM.
rotate though a dozen or so scenarios designed to test their skills and knowledge of retrieval medicine. All OSPE stations address elements of the syllabus to ensure that as much subject matter as possible is presented to each candidate.
Personal thoughts: The author is from a paramedic background and spent several years working on road ambulances prior to becoming involved with aeromedical retrieval. After 2 years working within a retrieval service I considered the DipRTM as an attractive development opportunity and consequently applied for and sat the exam. The syllabus for the exam covers a wide range of material related to retrieval medicine. When studying I found it increasingly important to make sure I had a good grasp of each syllabus section and the content within it. The core texts are invaluable learning aids as are the
Syllabus
associated reading materials. I was part of a study group where we practiced equipment familiarisation, drills and Q&A sessions as much
The DipRTM syllabus is a comprehensive document from which the exam questions and OSPE scenarios are derived. There is a strict adherence to this policy therefore candidates can expect only to be tested on material they will have previously covered in the syllabus. There are 6 sections including: 1. Clinical 2. Environmental 3. Operational 4. Equipment 5. Communication 6. Management & Leadership
considering the content of the syllabus. Reading all questions thoroughly and keeping to time were the two main learning points from the written paper. For the OSPE stations having a structured and systematic approach was found to be very useful. This, coupled with pre existing experience, allowed me to proceed with each OPSE topic in a safe, competent and logical manner. This technique is what examiners are looking for. Although I was studying for an exam, the process of learning for the DipRTM allowed me to gain a significant amount of new knowledge that I may otherwise not have had. Broadening my understanding of retrieval and transfer medicine has certainly allowed me to better understand the challenges and requirements for safely conducting patient care in the retrieval environment. Becoming an examiner for the DipRTM has now allowed me to support and contribute to its continued delivery. As highlighted before, it is
Written Exam
a systematic and safe approach along with good time keeping and
The written paper is divided into 2 parts with one being single best answer questions and the other following a multi source answer format. Both written papers are completed on day 1 of the exam. Attention to what is being asked in each question as well as focused time keeping is important to making sure the candidate has the opportunity to answer all the questions.
attention to detail which will produce a successful DipRTM candidate. I would strongly encourage other paramedic colleagues, working
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Candidates will be expected to already have experience of working within the retrieval and transfer environment. There are several core texts which will assist the candidate with working through the syllabus. These core texts are augmented by additional suggested reading material. This, along with the candidate’s practical skills, knowledge and experience, will assist with the successful completion of the DipRTM.
as possible in order to polish our skills for the OSPE stations, again
in retrieval and transfer medicine, to consider the DipRTM as an achievable and desirable adjunct to their professional practice.
55 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.
FEATURE
BURNS FIRST AID TIMING IS EVERYTHING By Kristina Stiles Burn Care Advisor - Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lead Nurse - London and South East of England Burn Network Executive Committee Member - British Burn Association krissie.stiles@nhs.net Burns are devastating and painful injuries that have life-changing consequences for the burn survivors and their families.
major contributors to morbidity and mortality in burn injuries related to first interventions at the scene – hypothermia and burn depth progression.
The burn survivor’s journey begins at the time of injury. Every service, and every emergency and health care professional involved become part of their “story”. From the time of burn injury, the casualty is rescued, resuscitated, assessed and treated by non-specialist providers in the initial stages of their care. This process can take many hours and is dependent on the severity of injury, as the burn survivor is handed from fire and rescue to ambulance service, then onto emergency department and subsequently onto the regional burn service. Each service, each point of contact, each intervention leaves a trace on the patient that will only become evident hours, days or even months later. Each action and inaction has potential to make a difference and will directly impact burn survivor’s outcome and quality of life.
Burn injured patients lose heat from their skin through evaporation and their body loses it’s ability to raise their temperature. This inability to generate heat and the resulting hypothermia is directly responsible for subsequent bleeding, infections, poor wound healing, and increased morbidity and mortality of these patients. Children and elderly are particularly susceptible as their skin is much thinner. Precautions against the development of hypothermia at the scene are essential and aggressive warming measures should be implemented to preserve body heat. Minimal skin exposure, segmental cooling of the burn wound, irrigation fluids at 15°C or warmer, ClingFilm wound cover, insulating foil and cotton blankets, head caps and increasing ambient temperature (in ambulance/emergency department) - are acceptable warming measures that can be utilised to conserve body heat.
Burn injuries are equally traumatic for the emergency responders who have to deliver initial first aid measures during the acute period of injury in challenging environments, with limited equipment and resources. In case of a severe burn injury, priorities always lie with the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol. However, emergency responders also need to be aware of the two
British Burn Association advises that cooling the burn wound with tepid water for 20 minutes within three hours of injury is the most important factor in reducing burn wound severity. Cooling reduces swelling and depth of injury, provides pain relief, cleans the wound and improves healing, which prevents
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
56 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
FEATURE burn wound progression and will result in a more superficial burn that heals with less scarring or contractures. The challenge for the emergency responders lies in the fact that often patients will have applied their own “first aid” measures like toothpaste, butter, oil, eggs or ice to the wounds. None of these are beneficial to wound healing. In fact, oil-based substances can trap heat in the tissues and ice may cause further cold injury, leading to detrimental burn depth progression. Jewellery can compromise blood flow to the swelling injury site; clothing and nappies can retain heat and therefore all should be removed as early as possible. Whilst bystanders and care givers often provide some cooling at the scene, responders should be mindful of the fact that the advocated treatment of 20 minutes can seem like a lifetime and may be an unrealistic expectation for non-professionals, especially when dealing with traumatic and distressing injuries. Responsibility should be with emergency responders to administer appropriate first aid. National Burn Injury Database shows that only 39% of all adults and 48% of all children with a burn injury receive appropriate first aid at the scene, which is concerning considering the fact that the quality of the initial first aid measures will have long term psychological, social, physical and functional consequences for patients with a burn injury. Cool water application acts as an analgesic, therefore pain may increase upon cessation of cooling at great discomfort and distress to the patient. Unless clinically inadvisable, cooling may be continued to ensure patient comfort until formal analgesia has taken effect. In order for the 20 minutes of cooling to be tolerated by the patient, the temperature of the water may need to be warmer than 15°C. Importance of cooling should not outweigh the value of active measures to prevent heat loss and responders must ensure that segmental cooling is implemented, only the burn area is cooled and the rest of the patient is kept warm.
19th of October 2016 was the 3rd annual National Burn Awareness Day promoted by the British Burn Association. It was an opportunity for specialist services to engage with their pre-hospital, trauma, emergency and primary care partner agencies to heighten the general awareness concerning burn injury. Essentially, the National Burn Awareness Day allows the appropriate first aid message to reach the most important first aider who is already present at the scene at the time of the burn injury – the burn survivor themself.
on et re el.n mo erj ad at Re w.w ww AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Professional burn care, anywhere - anytime!
57 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE Groundbreaking emergency services partnership sweeps the board at Gwent Police Awards A groundbreaking emergency services partnership which helps to save lives and resources has swept the board at the Gwent Police Awards. The Joint Response Unit (JRU), operated by the Welsh Ambulance Service and Gwent Police, sees a Paramedic and a Special Constable attending incidents such as assaults and road traffic collisions together, to provide medical assistance and free up their colleagues to help others. Their work was recognised at the police force’s annual awards ceremony held at the Celtic Manor Hotel on Monday 20 March The team of five paramedics and ten Special Constables were awarded the Commandant’s Cup for Joint Working. There were also two awards for Welsh Ambulance Service JRU Project Lead Chris Hughes, who spearheaded the initiative after witnessing a similar operation
involving London Ambulance Service and the Metropolitan Police. He received a Chief Constable’s Commendation after responding on the JRU to help save the life of a man, who was stabbed in an unprovoked attack in Caerphilly last year, as well as the Folley Shield for his positive contribution to the work of the special constabulary. Chris said: “It’s fantastic that the team has been recognised in this way and it is very much a team effort between us and the police. “We have Special Constables on board who man the police radio, know the terminology, and can help us to communicate with police officers at the scene of incidents. “By picking these calls as they come in, as paramedics we’re also able to arrive quickly to provide timely medical assessment and treatment. “Quite often now you’ll hear police officers asking for the Joint Response Unit to attend as they know how effectively we work, and in most cases we’re able to free up the availability of ambulance crews and police officers to help other members of the community.” The JRU was originally launched in July last year after it was found that
Photo: Peter Anderson
Welsh Ambulance Service JRU Project Lead Chris Hughes received a Chief Constable’s Commendation and the Folley Shield. between October 2015 and March 2016, the two emergency services attended 2,249 incidents together. Under the scheme, the team in a specially marked vehicle carry out shifts covering the Aneurin Bevan Health Board area, self-selecting appropriate 999 incidents via remote access to calls coming into local control rooms. During its first month, members of the response unit attended 72 incidents and only required back up from an emergency ambulance on 15 occasions, while the Trust’s Urgent Care Service also provided support five times. This enables ambulance crews who would normally attend to respond to members of the public facing potentially life-threatening emergencies elsewhere in the region. Their attendance also means that police officers at the scene are made available to move on to other cases when appropriate.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Photo: Peter Anderson
Members of the Joint Response Unit receive the Commandant’s Cup for Joint Working from Chief Constable Jeff Farrar.
Deputy Chief Constable Julian Williams from Gwent Police said: “The JRU should be seen as a success for both Gwent Police and Welsh Ambulance Service, making considerable savings, financially and in officer time. “This initiative is a very
58 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
worthy winner of this year’s Commandant’s Cup. “Chris is a dedicated and committed individual who wants to make a real difference in providing medical support to and for all officers of Gwent Police.” Currently the team works three ten-hour shifts per week on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when the emergency services often experience their highest demand. Each member of the Special Constabulary team has been given additional training by the Welsh Ambulance so that they can assist paramedics with medical incidents. Richard Lee, Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “The Joint Response Unit is a great example of team working across agencies and these awards are a testament to everyone who has made it a success. “Chris in particular took the initiative to look into how the London JRU operates and to find out how it could be replicated within the Gwent area. “Thanks to the commitment of him and the team, both our emergency services and our patients are now witnessing the benefits.”
NEWSLINE WMAS
WMAS increases HART teams to a magnificent seven West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is investing over £400,000 to strengthen its Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) beyond the standard national requirements. The Trust has to have 42 HART paramedics, which breaks down into seven teams of six. However, in order to add extra resilience, WMAS has employed an extra seven HART paramedics to ensure an operational capability of seven teams of seven. HART provides paramedic care to patients within a hazardous environment that would otherwise be beyond the reach
job HART are required to attend,
problematic. He was unable to
ever done to me and it was the
it also further develops the skillset
go out unaccompanied because
most angry I’ve ever been in my
of an additional seven members
he has mobility and balance
life. I would rather be punched
of staff into the diverse operating
difficulties and was slowly
in the face.”
environment of Hazardous Area
losing what his independence.
Response Teams.
charged following the incident
“By increasing the number of
£500 to purchase specialist
and a warrant is currently out
HART paramedics within the
equipment designed for people
for her re-arrest.
West Midlands, we are further
with disabilities to enable him
enhancing the service patients
to make himself a drink, a meal,
The spit kit, which London
receive throughout the region
and a walking frame that helped
Ambulance Service has
when calling 999 in their hour of
him keep his balance and would
developed with the help of the
need.”
enable him to sit and rest if
Metropolitan Police Service, will
necessary, allowing him to go
allow medics to take swabs of
out safely on his own.
saliva which will be passed on
WMAS trialled the Urban Search and Rescue element of HART in
structures or within contaminated environments. HART staff can also operate within the Warm
to the police to track down the
2008, before going fully live with
The grant not only gave him
offender. The swabs can also
the incident response unit and its
some independence it also helped to improve his mental
be tested for disease.
associated specialist vehicles in 2009. During the next two years
health and wellbeing by offering
WMAS HART was at the forefront
him someone to talk to who
of implementing both the inland
understood.
water capability and firearms element that can now be seen in HART teams across the country.
of NHS care. This can include working at height, collapsed
The woman was arrested and TASC provided a grant of
Paramedic’s Story – specialist equipment needed
Zone of a firearms incidents
Andy added: “I think the spit kits are a great idea and it would have provided useful additional evidence at the
LAS
time. Anything that increases
New ‘spit kits’ issued to track down offenders who spit at London’s life savers
our chances of prosecuting
Ambulance crews across
Of these around 50 included
people who commit this kind of revolting act is really welcome.” There were 456 physical assaults against crews last year. spitting.
to triage, treat and extricate
A former paramedic, Mr
London are being issued with
patients.
S, contacted TASC to ask
DNA kits so police can trace
for help to purchase some
patients who spit on them.
Assistant Director of Operations of spitting on someone is
Having an additional seventh
specialist equipment that
member of the team also allows
would enable him to remain
The introduction of ‘spit kits’
them to provide a more robust
independent in his own home.
into every London Ambulance
response to HART incidents but
Service vehicle in the capital
Ian Johns said: “The act degrading and disgusting and will not be tolerated. We will do everything in our power to make
He was forced to leave a NHS
comes as emergency service
team can work with Trust staff at
Ambulance Service in UK after
staff are more at risk of assault
sure those responsible are dealt
bariatric incidents using specialist
10 years’ service when he
than ever.
with through the courts.
equipment that has been issued
was diagnosed with multiple
to HART. All ambulances are
sclerosis and his health
East London-based paramedic
“Our staff should not be
able to carry a bariatric stretcher.
deteriorated and limited his
Andy Whitehouse was on duty
expected to tolerate abuse while
They are held at each hub as well
capabilities to carry out his role
in a fast response car last year
responding to emergency calls
as specialist bariatric vehicles
as Paramedic.
when he attended reports of a
and treating patients. We’re
woman having a seizure on the
the first ambulance service to
In addition to the MS diagnosis
street. After Andy had treated
introduce these kits and I hope
HART and Special Operations
he was also suffering from
the woman at the scene and
it will act as a deterrent.”
Manager for WMAS, James
angina and his mental health
an ambulance had arrived to
Price, said: “The significance of
and wellbeing suffered and was
transport her to hospital, the
It is hoped the DNA kits, made
the Trust’s decision to extend
diagnosed with depression.
woman turned to Andy, said
up of swabs, gloves and special
‘this is what I think of you lot’,
evidence bags for collecting
and spat in his face.
samples, will increase the
across the Trust.
our HART teams cannot be underestimated.
The symptoms of his MS,
number of prosecutions of
muscle spasms, stiffness and “Not only does it give us
weakness of his limbs meant
Andy said: “It was the most
people who assault frontline
increased resilience in terms of a
that making himself a drink was
disgusting thing anyone had
ambulance crews.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
also the seventh member of the
59 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE Advancing Acute Pain Management
At last, PENTHROX® is here...
Fast, effective pain management designed for fast, efficient patient management. PENTHROX is indicated for the emergency relief of moderate to severe pain in conscious adult patients with trauma and associated pain1
Now there’s a PCA* in a non-invasive, lightweight, portable, handheld inhaler for the emergency relief of moderate to severe pain in conscious adults with trauma. With easy set-up, administration and proven pain relief within 6-10 inhalations,1,2 PENTHROX quickly controls patient pain without the need for canisters, cannulas or opioid-related ED attendances.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
60
PENTHROX 3mL inhalation vapour, liquid: Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) before prescribing. Abbreviated Prescribing Information. Presentation: Each vial of PENTHROX contains 3mL of methoxyflurane 99.9%, a clear, almost colourless, volatile liquid, with a characteristic fruity odour. Each PENTHROX combination pack consists of one 3mL bottle, one PENTHROX Inhaler and one Activated Carbon (AC) chamber. Indications: Emergency relief of moderate to severe pain in conscious adult patients with trauma and associated pain. Dosage and administration: PENTHROX should be self-administered under supervision of a person trained in its administration, using the hand held PENTHROX Inhaler. Adults: One bottle of 3mL PENTHROX to be vaporised in a PENTHROX Inhaler. On finishing the 3mL dose, another 3mL may be used. The dose should not exceed 6mL in a single administration. Methoxyflurane may cause renal failure if the recommended dose is exceeded. The lowest effective dosage to provide analgesia should be used. Onset of pain relief is rapid and occurs after 6-10 inhalations. Patients are able to titrate the amount of PENTHROX inhaled and should be instructed to inhale intermittently to achieve adequate analgesia. Continuous inhalation provides analgesic relief for up to 25-30 minutes; intermittent inhalation may provide longer analgesic relief. Administration on consecutive days is not recommended and the total dose to a patient in a week should not exceed 15mL. Children: PENTHROX should not be used in children under 18 years. For detailed information on the method of administration refer to the SPC. Contraindications: Use as an anaesthetic agent. Hypersensitivity to PENTHROX or any fluorinated anaesthetic. Patients with known or genetically susceptible to malignant hyperthermia or a history of severe adverse reactions in either patient or relatives. Patients who have a history of showing signs of liver damage after previous methoxyflurane use or halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthesia. Clinically significant renal impairment. Altered level of consciousness due to any cause including head injury, drugs or alcohol. Clinically evident cardiovascular instability. Clinically evident respiratory depression. Warnings and Precautions: Methoxyflurane causes significant nephrotoxicity at high doses. Nephrotoxicity is also related to the rate of metabolism. Factors that increase the rate of metabolism such as drugs that induce hepatic enzymes can increase the risk of toxicity with methoxyflurane as well as sub-groups of people with genetic variations that may result in fast metaboliser status. The lowest effective dose should be administered, especially in the elderly or patients with other known risk factors of renal disease. Methoxyflurane should be cautiously used in patients with conditions that would predispose to renal injury. Methoxyflurane is metabolised in the liver, therefore increased exposures in patients with hepatic impairment can cause toxicity. PENTHROX should be used with care in patients with underlying hepatic conditions or with risks for hepatic dysfunction. Previous exposure to halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetics (including methoxyflurane when used as an anaesthetic agent), especially if the interval is less than 3 months, may increase the potential for hepatic injury. Cautious clinical
judgement should be exercised when PENTHROX is to be used more frequently than on one occasion every 3 months. Potential effects on blood pressure and heart rate are known class-effects of high-dose methoxyflurane used in anaesthesia and other anaesthetics. Caution required in elderly due to possible reduction in blood pressure. Potential CNS effects such as sedation, euphoria, amnesia, ability to concentrate, altered sensorimotor co-ordination and change in mood are known class-effects. The CNS effects can be a risk factor for potential abuse. To reduce occupational exposure to methoxyflurane, the PENTHROX Inhaler should always be used with the AC Chamber which adsorbs exhaled methoxyflurane. Multiple use of PENTHROX Inhaler without the AC Chamber creates additional risk. Elevation of liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen and serum uric acid have been reported in exposed maternity ward staff when methoxyflurane was used in the past at the time of labour and delivery. PENTHROX is not appropriate for providing relief of break-through pain/exacerbations in chronic pain conditions or for the relief of trauma related pain in closely repeated episodes for the same patient. Interactions: Methoxyflurane is metabolised by the CYP 450 enzymes, particularly CYP 2E1 and to some extent CYP 2A6. It is possible that enzyme inducers (such as alcohol or isoniazid for CYP 2E1 and phenobarbital or rifampicin for CYP 2A6) which increase the rate of methoxyflurane metabolism might increase its potential toxicity and they should be avoided concomitantly with methoxyflurane. Concomitant use of PENTHROX with CNS depressants, such as opioids, sedatives or hypnotics, general anaesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquillisers, skeletal muscle relaxants, sedating antihistamines and alcohol may produce additive depressant effects. If opioids are given concomitantly with PENTHROX, the patient should be observed closely. Concomitant use of methoxyflurane with medicines (eg contrast agents and some antibiotics) which are known to have a nephrotoxic effect should be avoided as there may be an additive effect on nephrotoxicity; tetracycline, gentamicin, colistin, polymyxin B and amphotericin B have known nephrotoxic potential. Sevoflurane anaesthesia should be avoided following methoxyflurane analgesia, as sevoflurane increases serum fluoride levels and methoxyflurane nephrotoxicity is associated with raised serum fluoride. When methoxyflurane was used for anaesthesia at the higher doses of 40–60mL, there were reports of drug interaction with hepatic enzyme inducers (eg barbiturates) increasing metabolism of methoxyflurane and resulting in a few reported cases of nephrotoxicity; reduction of renal blood flow and hence anticipated enhanced renal effect when used in combination with drugs (eg barbiturates) reducing cardiac output; and class effect on cardiac depression, which may be enhanced by other cardiac depressant drugs, eg intravenous practolol during cardiac surgery. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation: No clinical data on effects of methoxyflurane on fertility are available. As with all medicines care should be exercised when administered during pregnancy especially the first trimester. There is insufficient information on the excretion of methoxyflurane in human milk. Caution should be exercised when methoxyflurane is administered to a nursing mother. Effects
on ability to drive and use machines: Methoxyflurane may have a minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery if they are feeling drowsy or dizzy. Undesirable effects: The most common non-serious reactions are CNS type reactions such as dizziness and somnolence (≥1/100 to <1/10) and are generally easily reversible. Serious dose-related nephrotoxicity has only been associated with methoxyflurane when used in large doses over prolonged periods during general anaesthesia. Adverse drug reactions observed in PENTHROX clinical trials in analgesia: Common (≥1/100 to <1/10): Amnesia, anxiety, depression, dizziness, dysarthria, dysgeusia, euphoria, headache, sensory neuropathy, somnolence, hypotension, coughing, dry mouth, nausea, feeling drunk, sweating; uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100): paraesthesia, diplopia, oral discomfort, fatigue, feeling abnormal, increased appetite and shivering. Post-marketing experience: rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000) reports of hepatic failure/hepatitis have been observed with analgesic use of methoxyflurane. Other events linked to methoxyflurane use in analgesia include drowsiness, agitation, restlessness, dissociation, affect lability, disorientation, altered state of consciousness, choking, hypoxia, oxygen saturation decreased, blood pressure fluctuation, vomiting, hepatitis, increased liver enzymes, jaundice, liver injury, increased serum uric acid, urea nitrogen and creatinine, renal failure, blurred vision and nystagmus. Overdose: Refer to SPC. Legal Category: POM. NHS Price: £17.89. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Medical Developments UK Limited c/o Price Bailey LLP, Causeway House, 1 Dane Street, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts, CM23 3BT, United Kingdom. MA Number: PL 42467/0001. Full prescribing information available from: Galen Limited, Seagoe Industrial Estate, Craigavon, BT63 5UA, United Kingdom. Date of Preparation: November 2015.
Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. Adverse events should also be reported to Galen Limited on 028 3833 4974 and select the customer services option, or e-mail customer.services@galen-pharma.com. Medical information enquiries should also be directed to Galen Limited.
Reference: 1. Penthrox Summary of Product Characteristics. December 2016. 2. Coffey F et al. Emerg Med J 2014; 31: 613-618. Date of preparation: March 2017. MAT-PEN-UK-000040.
Before administering PENTHROX, make sure you have read and fully understood the SmPC and educational materials, which provide important information about how to safely use the device to minimise risk of serious side effects. PENTHROX educational materials and training on its administration are available from Galen on request. For recruitment vacancies www.ambulanceukonline.com *PENTHROX should be self-administered under supervision of afurther person trained in its administration, usingvisit: the handheld PENTHROX Inhaler.1
For more information visit: www.penthrox.co.uk
NEWSLINE EEAST
“Worth their weight in gold”: ambulance service praised in recent survey “First class”, “brilliant”, and “fantastic” were to name a few of the latest compliments made about staff at the region’s ambulance service. More than 110 people responded to the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) January experience survey, with 98% either satisfied or very satisfied with the overall level of service they received from staff. For the third consecutive month, the latest figures revealed that 100% of respondents felt they could trust staff and that they were treated with privacy, dignity, and respect. A patient from east Norfolk said: “Your handling of my case was first class; I cannot fault it any way, thank you so much.” Whilst another respondent from north Bedfordshire said: “I don’t think anything could have been done any better; it was quick and efficient, they took great care of my husband.” Other high scoring areas of the report included the level of care received by staff, with every respondent either satisfied or very satisfied. Similarly all found that the cleanliness of both the interior of the ambulance and equipment used was either acceptable or fairly acceptable.
Kevin Brown, Director of Service Delivery, said: “We strive to provide a consistently high level excellent patient care delivered with the highest degree of professionalism.
He added: “My thanks to those who took the time to complete this survey, their feedback is vital to us further improving our service as we look forward into 2017 and beyond.” To view the reports in full, visit: http://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/ performance/patient-surveys/ Patient-experience-reportemergency-services-january-2017. pdf NEAS
GPs wanted to support NHS 111 patients and reduce demand on NHS services Recruitment underway as part of clinical hub expansion North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) is offering General Practitioners the chance to work within its clinical hub in order to provide a better service to patients and reduce the demand on the emergency care system. Every year the service answers over one million emergency 999 and NHS 111 calls, responds to over 300,000 incidents that resulted in a patient being taken to hospital, treats and discharges up to 20,000 patients with telephone advice as well as more than 80,000 patients discharged at home. Emergency care crews reach over 100,000 incidents within the national target of 8 minutes. The clinical hub provides enhanced clinical support to call handlers and patients. Clinicians working in the hub offer access to a range of healthcare professionals and clinical assessment to patients who have contacted the NHS 111 service. NEAS is now expanding this service to offer 111 patients the support of a General Practitioner to provide professional advice over the phone. This service has the
potential to decrease the demand on the emergency, primary and secondary services. For example, an NHS 111 caller who requires advice from a GP could be treated and discharged over the phone avoiding the need to attend another service. This opportunity will give GPs the chance to develop their skills and influence the development of the region’s urgent and emergency care re-design. GPs in the hub will work collaboratively with a range of healthcare professionals including Nurses, Paramedics and Advanced Practitioners. GP Dr Mathew Beattie ,Urgent Care Medical Director at NEAS explains, “This expansion will give GPs the opportunity to work with paramedics, nurses and a range of healthcare professionals outside of the normal GP environment to share learning and experiences. Having GPs in our Operations Centre has the potential to offer a much smoother experience to healthcare over the telephone or referral to another NHS provider in a timely manner. The future of urgent and emergency care is in greater integration of skills and services, like this. NEAS is currently offering GP opportunities to work within its Operations Centre at Newburn Riverside, Newcastle upon Tyne and Hebburn, South Tyneside with the potential to work remotely in the future. The GP service will be available to patients in the out of hours period therefore we are seeking GPs who can support us weeknight evenings, overnight and at weekends. Dr Beattie ends, “As a regional provider, NEAS is at the heart of implementing the urgent and emergency care review, working in close partnership with the wider NHS across the North East to deliver a seamless urgent and emergency care service. We already deliver effective and high performing 111 and 999 services. Our ambition is to lead the way in the design and delivery of urgent and emergency care, utilising the clinical hub as the driver for improved demand management”.
SECAMB
SECAmb vehicles to carry important 999 and 111 messages South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is supporting NHS England in a public information campaign on when to call 999 and NHS 111. All of the Trust’s operational ambulances and cars will carry messages on how the two services work together. The posters, which have been designed and funded by NHS England, have this week started to be placed on vehicles. The Trust hopes the posters will help remind people that 999 is for serious and life-threatening emergencies only and to contact NHS 111 when they require urgent advice and assistance for conditions that are not lifethreatening. SECAmb Head of Fleet and Logistics John Griffiths said: “We pleased to be able to assist in ensuring these important messages are communicated to the public via our vehicles. We hope that the presence of the posters on highly visible ambulances and cars will remind people to make the right choice.” Dr Helen Thomas, National Medical Advisor for Integrated Urgent Care said: “It’s really good to see the NHS 111 non-emergency number sitting alongside 999 on these ambulances. “This gives a clear message that 999 is for life-threatening emergencies - but if you’re in need of urgent help and it’s not an emergency there is another number to call – NHS 111. “The service is now helping around 15 million callers a year to get the right care in the right place, first time – reducing pressure on A&E and 999 services.”
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
It was also revealed that almost 94% of people found that the handling of their call was either very acceptable or acceptable. An area of improvement was the length of time people waited for their ambulance, with almost 90% describing their waits as either very acceptable, acceptable, or fairly acceptable.
The feedback from this recent survey is a testimony to our values and work ethic.”
61 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE NWAS
CQC rating for North West Ambulance Service Health and social care regulator Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its report following a planned week long inspection of North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust in May 2016. This is the first CQC inspection of NWAS to be rated and the Trust was pleased to receive a rating of ‘good’ in relation to care, responsiveness and effectiveness but was disappointed to receive an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’. Ratings were also provided for each of NWAS’ core functions and found that the Trust’s NHS 111, patient transport services and emergency operations centres were ‘good’, however, the emergency and urgent care service ‘requires improvement’. Outstanding practice was noted in other areas, including the delivery of the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Teams, the implementation of community care pathways and use of new technology to map public defibrillator locations and sharing that information with control centres so they could be used to help patients in the community.
NWAS Chief Executive, Derek Cartwright comments: “As an organisation which has patients at the heart of all we do, I was extremely pleased to hear that the CQC believes our staff to be caring and compassionate and that we regard safety and quality as a priority. This is one of the key components of an organisation which exists to provide care for patients and it is heartening to hear from the CQC what I have always known. Our staff work hard every day to do the very best they can for patients – from saving lives to offering comfort to relatives, and they should be very proud that this has been recognised. “We accept the comments in the report relating to improvements required for procedures, guidelines and training, however the inspection took place almost ten months ago and the majority of the points highlighted have already been addressed. For the remainder, we are working to a robust action plan which is being monitored by the Executive team and our Commissioners. These relate to the Trust’s duty of candour and safeguarding of adults procedures and policies, together with the need to increase the recording and learning from incidents. “The Trust is also addressing its capacity to consent procedures in line with the Mental Capacity
Act of 2005, provide support and training in the management of bariatric patients, strengthen the complaints procedures and improve compliance with the Fit and Proper Persons regulations.” With regard to its care and compassion towards patients and their clinical treatment, the CQC noted: “Communication with callers who contacted 999 was effective and reassuring. Staff were compassionate, reassuring and treated callers with dignity and respect.” “There were systems in place to meet the needs of patients in rural locations, which included partnership working with health, social and the voluntary care sector” “Staff were dedicated and committed to caring for patients and often went above and beyond the expectations of their employer to provide care.” “Emotional support was offered to patients and their relatives in both life-threatening and emergency situations and also during less urgent situations.”
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Derek adds: “The last 12 months have been extremely challenging for the organisation with unprecedented demand for our services, and it is unfortunate that by not reviewing policies and guidelines as often as we should, we are in the position we are now. We are determined to right this as soon as possible and ensure that staff are given adequate time to complete their mandatory training. This will be a team effort across the whole of the organisation and I am confident that the CQC will see huge improvements when they next visit.” EEAST
Ambulance service shortlisted in prestigious awards A new app that brings clinical guidelines to the fingertips of
62 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
ambulance staff and volunteers has been shortlisted in the HSJ Value In Healthcare Awards. The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) launched the clinical app, one of the first of its kind for a UK ambulance service, last year. The app was developed by EEAST to allow clinical colleagues and volunteers to view both Trust and national guidance at the click of a button. Colleagues with an iOS or Android phone or tablet have access, straight from their device, to everything from drug doses and equipment instructions to treatment and care pathways. Developed with Aimer Media and published by Class Professional Publishing, the free and EEASTexclusive app contains the huge knowledge base ambulance clinicians of all grades are expected to know, and acts as a vital sense-checker and reminder tool. Lewis Andrews, EEAST’s Quality Improvement and Professional Standards Lead, was part of the app development team and said: “I am delighted that the clinical app has been shortlisted for this award. It demonstrates how technology can be harnessed to give our staff and volunteers the information they need at the touch of a button. In the ambulance service you never know what you are going to be faced with at the next 999 call and our colleagues are expected to know and retain a huge breadth of knowledge. Having this app helps support them in delivering excellent patient care.” Nearly 2,000 staff and volunteers have now signed up the app, showing the value it has brought to the service in a little under four months. The app has been shortlisted in the HSJ Value in Healthcare Awards in the category of ‘the use of information technology to drive value in clinical services.’ The next step will be for the Trust to present to the judging panel in April, with the winners being announced in May.
LIFE CONNECTIONS
FANCY A REWARDING AND INTERESTING DAY OUT? Diary Date: The International Centre, Telford, Tuesday June 6 and Wednesday June 7 Register Now As a Delegate or Visitor: www.lifeconnections.uk.com Life Connections 2017 will this year be running alongside the Emergency Fleet Exhibition/NAPFM Conference taking place at the International Centre, Telford and, once again Life Connections will be hosting four individual conferences over the two day period for the benefit of those involved with pre-hospital care, accident & emergency, resuscitation, first aid, etc. The theme of this year’s event again being ‘Connecting Lifesavers with One Common Goal’. A Paramedic Conference and a First Aid Conference will be taking place on Tuesday 6th June with a Resuscitation Conference and an Emergency First Responder Conference being held on Wednesday 7th June. To date a number of keynote speakers from the UK and overseas have agreed to give presentations which this year include: Professor Sir Keith Porter - Fatal Fractures, Georgina McNamara - Sepsis - The Hidden Killer, Paul Savage OBE - Control of Major Haemorrhage & the Application of Tourniquets & Haemostats, Professor Julia Williams - Can The Fire and Ambulance Services Work Together?, Dr Marc Gillis - Alveolar Ventilation via Continuous Chest Compression - No Pause Should be Your Cause, Dr Simon Le Clerc - Future Haemorrhage Control, Andy Thomas - Using Science to Improve Your CPR... It’s Time for Feedback. John Talbot, Amy Chan-Dominy, Will Broughton, Pete Gregory, Amanda Potterton, Steve Pratten, Nic Morecroft and David Halliwell will also be giving thought provoking and interesting presentations and, with delegate rates starting from just £24 (including VAT) to include lunch/tea/coffee/free parking, etc. this unique multi-conference event offers tremendous value for money - for full conference programme details please visit our dedicated website: www.lifeconnections.uk.com In addition to the above, on Tuesday 6th June Pre-Hospital Care Consultancy Ltd are running a course for community first responders which includes: Airway/Oxygenation and Ventilation, Circulation & Shock and Traumatic Brain Injury & Spinal Trauma - only 12 places are available on this course. On Wednesday June 7, the same organisation
are running an Essentials of Advanced Airway Management workshop which includes Prediction of the Difficult Airway, BVM & Laryngoscopy, etc. and only 8 places remain available. Once again both programmes can be found on our dedicated website: www.lifeconnections.uk.com Visitors are also welcome to attend the exhibition areas of this Ambex type event where, in Halls 1, 2 and 3 they will find a number of Trade stands displaying the latest in fleet vehicles and vehicle technology, further stands displaying emergency equipment etc. can be found in The Emergency Equipment Zone situated in the Foyer of Hall 3. It is anticipated that over 120 exhibitors will be showcasing their products. For security reasons those wishing to register as a visitor only, need to pre register via our web site www.lifeconnections.uk.com, this years confirmed exhibitors include: Amazon Medical, BMW Group, CAPITA, Cartwright Conversions, CM Specialist Vehicles, Distinctive Medical, Eberspacher, Ford Motor Company, Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK & Ireland Ltd, Honda UK, Hyundai, Intersurgical, Jaguar Land Rover, Medtree, Mitsubishi Motors UK, NMI Safety, Ortus Technology Ltd, RDT Ltd, Simulaids, S MacNeillie & Son Ltd, Vauxhall Motors, Volkswagen Group UK, Volvo Car UK Ltd, WAS, Wel Medical, Yamaha Motor Europe, to name but a few therefore those taking time out to attend as a delegate or visitor will have plenty to see and do. For a full list of exhibitors please visit: both the NAPFM (www.napfmevent.org.uk) and Life Connections (www.lifeconnections.uk.com) websites. By linking these two very unique events, we are providing delegates and visitors with the opportunity for cross communication via the exhibition areas which brings together the vehicle and equipment sides of the emergency sector. For full conference details, please visit: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
www.lifeconnections.uk.com
63
NEWSLINE NEAS
First responders launched on Holy Island North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has been working with islanders and partner agencies on Holy Island in Northumberland to recruit, train and deploy a team of first responders. Co-responders and Community First Responders (CFRs) volunteer to help North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) by responding to life threatening emergencies within their local community prior to the arrival of an ambulance.
emergencies, such as chest pain,
The HM Coastguards are
A spokesperson from Holy
breathing difficulties, cardiac
available 24 hours a day, 7
Island Parish Council explains,
arrest, and unconsciousness, if
days a week and are on call
“We are delighted by the
they are the nearest resource,
at all times, some also have
completion of this training.
followed by the next nearest
other working commitments
Since the removal of the
emergency care crew.
such as Kyle Luke, Coastguard
Boulmer Air Sea Rescue we
Rescue Officer, who owns the
have been in regular dialogue
popular ‘Crown and Anchor’
with NEAS and the HM
pub on the island and Emma
Coastguard to ensure that the
Rothera, Coastguard Rescue
Emergency Services can reach
Officer who is also a landscape
the island quickly at high tide
photographer and writer.
and in bad weather. Having
They exist in cities, towns and villages where it may be a challenge for the emergency ambulance to arrive within the crucial first few minutes. Their aim is to provide immediate care to a patient where every second counts; a patient who suffers a cardiac arrest stands a much better chance of survival if someone with a defibrillator can attend the patient in the first minutes of collapse. Alex Mason, NEAS Community Development Officer, said: “Holy Island is an island cut off from
resources based on the island Whilst CFR training was on going, HM Coastguard officers attended two emergency incidents on the island. Kyle says, “We have seen this weekend just how difficult it can be to get access to the island during an emergency. Having CFRs who are able to deal with situations when the emergency
Working closely with the HM
the main land twice a day by
Coastguard, the parish council
the tide, with a population of
and local residents, NEAS has
around 160 permanent residents
now provided training for six co-
with hundreds of thousands
responders to deal with first aid
of visitors. In the event of any
emergencies on the island.
incidents on the island, we
Now trained, the new team
already work closely with the HM
have been issued with
Responders are often everyday
Coastguard to agree the best
standard equipment including
members of the general public
option for access to and from
an automated defibrillator,
who are trained by NEAS in basic
the island be that land, sea or
oxygen, suction unit and simple
first aid and life support. They
air. However, having responders
airways adjuncts. They are
are provided with oxygen and
on the island will provide even
also issued with a range of
a defibrillator and are deployed
more support to patients and our
medical consumables, such as
by NEAS to life threatening
crews.”
dressings.
services can’t get to the patient easily is massively beneficial to us.”
Alex continues: “When HM Coastguard staff are on station, they will log on to show that they are available and in the event of an ambulance being unable to access Holy Island
with a number of islanders trained in their use is really important. This is greatly welcomed and our thanks go to HM Coastguard, NEAS and in particular to the volunteers themselves.” In 2016, there was 26,341 life threatening or potentially life threatening incidents in the Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area. Of those, 1,477 were responded to by community first responders from schemes in Berwick, Belford, Wooler and Seahouses. This further development in Holy Island is part of county and region wide recruitment for responders to boost resources across the North East. As well as the CFR schemes, there are also more than 75 community public access defibrillators (CPAD) across Northumberland, with hundreds of members of the community trained by NEAS to undertake basic first aid.
or to get immediate care to the
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
casualty, the Co-Responders
Alex adds: “A responder’s role
can be paged by the HM
may be to simply provide vital
Coastguard Operation’s room
reassurance to patients and
and communicate directly with
their families but in extreme
us.”
cases such as a cardiac arrest, they will be able to perform CPR
The Island community already
and use a defibrillator to deliver
have access to a Community
a shock to the person’s heart
Public Access Defibrillator
that will make an enormous
(CPAD), with a number of
difference their patient’s chance
residents who are trained in its
of survival and the quality of
use.
their life in recovery.”
64 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
Paramedic Practice Conference Programme
NEWSLINE
Tuesday 6TH June 2017 The International Centre, Telford, TF3 4JH.
Thanks to the generosity of our Sponsor, RDT, we can offer the first 50 registered delegates a reduced rate of only £30 (incl VAT) to include lunch, tea/coffee, etc. Topics & Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change
Time
Presentation
Speaker
Position
Professor Julia Williams
Professor of Paramedic Science
David Halliwell
MSc Paramedic Flfl
Amy Chan-Dominy
Paediatric Consultant
John Talbot
Professional Lead Paramedic
Registration
09.30 – 09.45
Introduction
09.45 – 10.15
T.B.C.
10.15 – 10.45
Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
10.45 – 11.30
Tea/Coffee/Exhibition
11.30 – 12.00
Overdose – First Line of Treatment
12.00 – 12.30
Paediatrics: Should We Just Take Them All In?
Will Broughton
Education Director (Paramedic)
12.30 – 13.00
T.B.C.
Pete Gregory
Head of Allied Health
13.00 – 14.15
Lunch/Exhibition
14.15 – 14.45
Fatal Fractures
Professor Sir Keith Porter
Professor of Clinical Traumatology
14.45 – 15.15
Sudden Death in Athletes
Amanda Potterton
Critical Care Nurse
15.15 – 16.00
Tea/Coffee/Exhibition
16.00 – 16.30
Alveolar Ventilation via Continuous Chest Compression (AV-CCC) – No pause should be your cause
Dr Marc Gillis
Head of Emergency Service Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden,Belgium
16.30 – Close
Can the Fire & Ambulance Service Work Together?
Professor Julia Williams
Professor of Paramedic Science
To register please visit: www.lifeconnections.uk.com or call: 01322 660434
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
08.30 – 09.30
65
NEWSLINE Work begins on £1m HELP Appeal funded helipad at Aintree Hospital, Liverpool Work has started on a £1m helipad at Aintree University Hospital funded by the HELP Appeal, which will give seriously injured patients arriving by air ambulances immediate access to the Emergency Department and specialist treatment. This new helipad will serve patients from across Cheshire
from Devon to Scotland and the
Mrs Sharon Scott, Divisional
helipads like this one so critically
new Aintree Hospital helipad,
Medical Director of Surgery and
important for patients across the
will ensure patients are quickly
Anaesthesia at Aintree, said:
region. Its close proximity to the
transferred to Aintree’s new state
“The new helipad is fantastic
hospital will enhance the lifesaving
of the art Urgent Care and Trauma
news for our patients. It will make
service we provide, as we will
Centre.
a tremendous difference to them
no longer have to rely on a land
and their families, and it is all
ambulance to transfer patients
Specialists at the regional major trauma centre, which brings together teams from Aintree and neuro-surgery experts from The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, say the new helipad will save vital minutes when transferring trauma patients from air ambulance into the hospital. Robert Bertram, CEO of the
possible thanks to the generosity of the HELP Appeal.” Ms Catherine McMahon, Consultant Neurosurgeon at The Walton Centre, said: “We are excited about the completion of the helipad on the Aintree site which will help cut crucial minutes from the transfer time of patients to the Major Trauma Centre. When you have been the victim of a
to the emergency department. Overall, we anticipate that this new addition at Aintree will save around 10-12 minutes per patient – enough to save a life.” The HELP Appeal has been providing significant grants to fund life-saving helipads around England and Scotland since 2009. The helipad at Aintree, which is being built by BAM Construction,
and Merseyside, and will reduce
HELP Appeal, said: “It is very
transfer time for patients in critical
satisfying to see that work is now
care; at present air ambulances
starting on this life-saving helipad
must land on local playing fields,
at Aintree University Hospital,
which can increase transfer times
and to see this project get off the
by 30 minutes.
ground. As the only charity in the
Mark Evans, Clinical Service
Manager for BAM, said: “The
UK providing funding for hospital
Manager at the North West
construction of the helipad at
The HELP Appeal is the only
helipads, we are delighted to be
Air Ambulance Charity, said:
Aintree will bring huge benefits
charity in the UK providing
able to donate the full £1 million
“Every second counts in matters
and we are proud to be part of the
funding for life-saving helipad
needed to fund its construction.”
of severe trauma, which makes
team to make this happen.”
severe head injury, every minute counts and this new development will help us to reduce morbidity
is expected to be fully operational in summer.
and save lives.” Rob Bailey, Construction
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
66 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE
First Aid Conference Programme
Tuesday 6th June 2017 The International Centre, Telford, TF3 4JH.
Thanks to the generosity of our two Sponsors, Simulaids and WEL Medical, we can offer the first 50 registered delegates a reduced rate of only £48 (incl VAT) to include lunch/tea/coffee and free parking.
Time
Presentation Registration
09.30 – 09.45
Introduction
09.45 – 10.15
Overdose – First Line of Treatment
10.15 – 10.45
Sudden Death in Athletes
10.45 – 11.15
Tea/Coffee/Exhibition
11.15 – 12.00
T.B.C.
12.00 – 12.30
Shock & How it Should be Taught in First Aid
12.30 – 13.00
CitizenAID
13.00 – 14.15
Lunch / Exhibition
14.15 – 15.15
Part 1 – Control of Major Haemorrhage & the Application of Tourniquets & Haemostats
15.15 – 16.00
Tea/Coffee/Exhibition
16.00 – Close
Part 2 – Control of Major Haemorrhage & the Application of Tourniquets & Haemostats
Position
John Talbot
Professional Lead Paramedic Science
Amanda Potterton
Critical Care Nurse
David Halliwell
MSc Paramedic Flfl
Christoph Schroth
Lecturer in Paramedic Science
Professor Sir Keith Porter
Professor of Clinical Traumatology
Paul Savage OBE
Lecturer
Paul Savage OBE
Lecturer
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
08.30 – 09.30
Speaker
Topics & Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change.
To register please visit: www.lifeconnections.uk.com or call: 01322 660434
67 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE NEAS
NEAS Paramedics pick up awards for services to trauma patients A team of North East paramedics working to improve the lives of major trauma patients has picked up a national award. Every year, North East Ambulance Service crews attend around 300,000 incidents, of which around 1,500 are categorised as major trauma with an average of three incidents a day. North East Ambulance Service’s trauma team responds to major trauma incidents across the region as well as working in partnership with other agencies to promote public health and developing pre-hospital
knowledge for their colleagues through trauma workshops. Since being created in 2012, the team has exceeded national expectations at both a regional and national level, helping to change trauma care practices through research, most of which is done in members’ own time. In the most recent peer review of national and regional major trauma services, NEAS was one of only three services to have 100% compliance with no significant concerns or immediate risks.
Consultant Paramedic Paul Aiken-Fell is pictured with Anthony Marsh, Chairman of AACE Consultant Paramedic Paul Aitken-
The group’s efforts were recognised at NEAS’s 2016 Beyond the Call of Duty Awards. On the back of that award, the team was put forward for the Association of Ambulance Chief Executive (AACE) Outstanding Service Awards.
Fell, who leads the team, picked up the Specialist Paramedic Award on behalf of the team at the event, held on 7 February. He said: “Working closely with the Northern Trauma Network and all the operational staff here
at NEAS, we have undoubtedly made a huge impact on survival rates from major trauma. “I’m really proud of the team and what we have achieved. As a Trust, we’re now looking to build on this work to help us save more lives across the North East.”
Your job is not the typical 9-5 and your training shouldn’t be either. Ruth Lee Ltd can help create realistic training for the emergency services with a range of manikins and fire simulation products. Our Full-Bodied CPR or Airway Management manikins can be positioned in dangerous locations or trapped in tight spots to allow you to train in a more realistic way. With obesity on the rise, our Bariatric manikins weigh in at 90, 180 or 260 kgs allowing you to train to manoeuvre larger patients safely. AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
TALK TO THE EXPERTS + 44 1490 413 282 WWW.RUTHLEE.CO.UK
COMING SOON - we have worked with North West Ambulance Service to create a Detachable manikin for Paramedic Return to Work Assessments. No single component weighs more than 25 kgs. Call today or visit us online.
68 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE
EFR Conference Programme Wednesday 7th June 2017 The International Centre, Telford, TF3 4JH. Thanks to the generosity of our Sponsor, PhysioControl, we are able to offer the first 60 registered delegates a reduced rate of only £24 (incl VAT) to include lunch, tea, coffee, free parking etc. Time
Presentation
Speaker
Position
Nic Morecroft
Chair for National Ambulance Forum
Perfect Partners
08.30 – 09.30
Registration
09.30 – 09.45
Introduction
09.45 – 10.15
Grown-Up Congenital Heart Disease – ABC
Amy Chan-Dominy
10.15 – 10.45
Using Science to Improve your CPR… It’s Time for Feedback
Andy Thomas
Senior Paramedic, Critical Care Ambulance Response Unit
10.45 – 11.30
Tea/Coffee, Exhibition
11.30 – 12.15
Sepsis – The Hidden Killer
Georgina McNamara
UK Sepsis Trust
12.15 – 12.45
The Role of CFR’s in Cardiac Arrest
Steve Pratten
Community Response Manager
12.45 – 14.15
Lunch and Exhibition
14.15 – 14.45
The Success of Cardiac Arrest
Sam Mongoro
Cardiac Arrest Survivor
14.45 – 15.15
Penthrox – A New Inhalationary Analgesic
Professor Sir Keith Porter
Professor of Traumatology
15.15 – 16.00
Tea/Coffee and Exhibition
16.00 – 16.45
National Qualification
Nic Morecroft
Chair for National Ambulance Forum
16.45 – Close
Q&A
Nic Morecroft
Chair for National Ambulance Forum
Paediatric Consultant
To register please visit: www.lifeconnections.uk.com or call: 01322 660434
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Topics & Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change
Designed based on years of partnership with EMS, the LIFEPAK® 15 monitor/defibrillator and the LUCAS® 2 chest compression system work together to support your team in managing 69 you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know. cardiacDoarrests.
NEWSLINE LAS
London Ambulance Service releases 999 call to show shocking abuse of call handlers A 999 caller - who made chilling threats to an emergency call handler - has changed the way London Ambulance Service manages abusive calls. The Service released a recording of the call which led to all call takers being trained in conflict resolution. http://track.vuelio.uk.com/z.z?l= aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHVi ZS5jb20vd2F0Y2g%2fdj1XR2kzS GQ3ZUc4RQ%3d%3d&r=82181 40069&d=3205924&p=1&t=h& h=504f34f54a2c0b5d446217225 08c587d The man – who is calling about a friend - shouts down the phone and swears 30 times during the three minute call. Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Jon, remains calm and professional throughout saying: “All I’m worried about is the patient so you need to calm down.” Despite his advice the caller says, “I’ll come to your switchboard and kill you”. Call handler Jon said: “I didn’t want to listen to this call again, I didn’t want to relive the experience but it is important for people to hear it so they can understand what can happen to us while we are doing our job.” AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Jules Lockett, Education and Development Manager, said: “Listening to this call is truly shocking. “We are used to dealing with people who are distressed and upset or even angry but we should not be subjected to this kind of abuse.
“Our call handlers need to be able to take patient details, so they can get the right help to them as quickly as possible. Abuse like this obstructs our ability to deliver patient care.”
traffic more easily. Although they don’t generally carry patients to hospital, they are staffed by a paramedic who is able to administer life-saving treatment at the scene of an emergency.
The Service is now training its 500 control room staff in how to diffuse volatile situations.
Neil Maher, Assistant Director Service Delivery Support for North West Ambulance Service said: “The Trust relies heavily on rapid response vehicles to be able to attend patients as quickly as possible.
Jules said: “No training would calm this caller down who rang back three times and continued to be verbally abusive. “However, we are now encouraging our control room staff to report abusive calls and get support if they experience this at work. We also encourage them to alert their manager and end the call once we have given pre arrival instructions. London Ambulance Service receives around 5,000 emergency calls a day into its emergency control rooms NWAS
Ambulance Service set to save millions with introduction of Electric Vehicles North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) is set to become more environmentally friendly as they plan to introduce electrically powered rapid response vehicles (RRVs) into their fleet. NWAS will be one of the first ambulance services in the country to introduce electric cars as part of their standard fleet and it is expected that it could save the Trust up to £2.5 million in fuel costs over the four year lease period.
“The introduction of these electrically powered cars will not only provide huge cost savings for the Trust, it will also have a huge impact on our carbon footprint, reducing the carbon contribution from our RRVs from 1379.28 tonnes to 100.8 tonnes.” Maintenance and lease costs are also reduced with the introduction of the new RRV model, with an overall expected annual saving of over £4,300 per vehicle. NWAS currently has 174 rapid response vehicles throughout the North West and will initially be introducing four electrically powered vehicles as a trial. The Trust will look to replace all RRVs with the new electric models gradually in the coming years once the life-span of the current vehicles comes to an end. The four vehicles, initially being trialled in Bury and Rochdale, will be an updated version of the BMW i3 model which has won various awards including UK Car of the Year and Green Car of the Year.
RRVs are motorcars that have been converted into emergency response vehicles. They are designed to be able to attend emergencies quicker than regular ambulances because they are smaller and can get through
70 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
The BMW i3 REx AC model, which is already being used in Police and Fire Services in the UK, is equipped with a system that can support the vehicle by extending the mileage range using a small petrol engine that can generate electricity for the battery. This will only be used in extreme circumstances but will provide additional reliability for NWAS. Neil continues: Neil continues: “Although electric cars have been around for some time, improvements in technology from BMW have allowed the Trust to be confident enough to use them for emergency response units. “The vehicles are fitted with additional technology meaning the engine can be powered by petrol in the unlikely event that the battery does run out. With the correct charging routines and future battery advancement it is hoped that this system will only be used on a small number of occasions to allow the Trust to achieve a target of zero emissions. “Although the technology available on the market has not yet advanced far enough to allow the Trust to introduce electric vehicles throughout its entire ambulance fleet, this is a very exciting starting point and we are looking forward to further advances in the future.” A number of electric charging points have been installed across the Trust and the first vehicles are expected to be in operation by early April.
NEWSLINE
Resuscitation Today Conference Programme
Wednesday 7th June 2017
The International Centre, Telford, TF3 4JH
Thanks to the generosity of our Sponsor, Distinctive Medical, we can offer the first 50 registered delegates a reduced rate of £30 (inc VAT) to include lunch/tea/coffee, etc. Time
Presentation
Speaker
Position
David Halliwell
MSc Paramedic Flfl
Dr Simon Le Clerc
Military Consultant in Emergency Medicine
08.30 – 09.30
Registration
09.30 – 09.45
Introduction
09.45 – 10.30
Future Haemorrhage Control Techniques
10.30 – 11.15
Alveolar Ventilation via Continuous Chest Compression (AV-CCC) – No pause should be your cause
11.15 – 12.00
Tea/Coffee, Exhibition
12.00 – 12.30
Grown-Up Congenital Heart Disease ABC
Amy Chan-Dominy
Paediatric Consultant
12.30 – 13.00
Pitcrew Resuscitation….Microgains to Improve Outcome
Andy Thomas
Senior Paramedic Critical Care Ambulance Response Unit
13.00 – 13.30
Fatal Fractures
Prof. Sir Keith Porter
Professor of Traumatology
13.30 – 15.00
Lunch and Exhibition
15.00 – 15.45
Sepsis – The Hidden Killer
Georgina McNamara
UK Sepsis Trust
15.45 – 16.15
Difficult Airway Management
16.15 – 16.45
T.B.C.
David Halliwell
MSc Paramedic Flfl
16.45 – Close
Q&A
David Halliwell
MSc Paramedic Flfl
Dr Marc Gillis
Head of Emergency Service Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden,Belgium
Dr Kate Crewdson AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Topics & Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change.
To register please visit: www.lifeconnections.uk.com or call: 01322 660434
71 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Think
outside a box with
72 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Think
outside a box with
73 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
NEWSLINE HIOWAA
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance grant fund dedicated blood bike
at precisely the required
call takers is clear and the
temperature. The blood carried
appropriate help is sent.
is type O negative blood, known as the ‘universal donor,’ as it is
“We hope this card will not only
safe to give to any patient.
improve the safety of pregnant women, but mean help will get
Hampshire and Isle of Wight
to them quicker and even if this
Air Ambulance flies seven
card helps to save one life then
days a week and attends
it’s worth it.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight
an average of two to three
Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) have
missions a day, many of them
Heidi Eldridge, MAMA Academy
grant funded the purchase
life saving. The charity receives
Chief Executive, said: “MAMA
of a dedicated blood bike for
no government, statutory or
Academy is delighted to be
use by SERV-Wessex, whose
national lottery funding for
working alongside the London
volunteer blood bikers operate
routine operations, and is
Ambulance Service to ensure
a regular transportation service
entirely dependent on donations
that the safety of mothers
from University Hospital
Any blood that is not used
received from members of the
remains a key priority. Our
Southampton to the HIOWAA
within 48 hours during
public, companies and grant-
ambulance cards are a simple
airbase in Thruxton, changing
emergency missions is then
making bodies to keep the Air
transported back to University
Ambulance flying and saving
initiative designed to help more
the blood carried by the Air Ambulance every 48 hours.
Hospital Southampton for
lives.
The dedicated blood bike, a
use in theatres. The journey
Yamaha FJR 1300, is one of the
from University Hospital
first of its kind and is liveried in
Southampton to the HIOWAA
the distinctive green and yellow
Airbase in Thruxton is a round
branding of Hampshire and Isle
trip of approximately 80 miles.
of Wight Air Ambulance and carries the Charity logo.
Tim Bennett from SERV Wessex
babies arrive safely and we hope to expand this exciting project across the country later
LAS
Card launched to improve safety of expectant mothers
in the year.” The initiative is also supported by The Royal College of Midwives. Chief Executive Cathy Warwick said: “We very
commented ‘Our volunteer riders HIOWAA CEO Alex Lochrane
A simple card designed to
much welcome the launch of
are proud to be associated
commented ‘This grant has
give guidance to midwives
the midwives communication
with HIOWAA and to be able
cemented our relationship with
when to call for an emergency
to play their part in helping to
card. Any effort or initiative that
the fabulous blood bikers who
ambulance is being launched
bring the hospital to the patient.
goes toward improving safety
give their time to provide an
with the aim of saving more
SERV Wessex is a charitable
for mothers and babies must be
babies’ lives.
indispensable service’.
organisation and, like HIOWAA,
commended.
London Ambulance Service
“Midwives attending home
Consultant Midwife Amanda
births and working in birth
relies upon charitable donations’. Using sophisticated temperature controlled packaging, which
HIOWAA began carrying blood
Mansfield has worked with Heidi
keeps the blood safe to use,
on board all flights in April 2014.
centres across London will find
Eldridge of MAMA Academy to
volunteer blood bikers carry one
Using technology first utilised by
the information on this card
produce the card, which will be
fresh box of two units of blood to
the British military in Afghanistan,
beneficial as it will enable them
sent out to midwives working
the HIOWAA Critical Care team in
the Charity is able to store blood
to make communications with
in stand-alone birth centres
Thruxton three times a week.
on board the Air Ambulance
emergency call takers more
and attending homebirths in
efficient, ensuring the right
London.
support is dispatched and ultimately get mother and baby
Amanda said: “Our ambulance crews attend an average of 15 calls a month from midwives AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
at birth centres or home births and some concerns were raised about when they should call for an ambulance and exactly what information is needed. So we’ve worked with the
the emergency care they may need in the most efficient time.”
IAA announces Stryker EMS as a new business partner
midwife community and Heidi to produce these cards so
The IAA is pleased to announce
that communication between
Stryker EMS as a new business
midwives and our emergency
partner.
74 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE
Alan Howson, Executive Chairman of the IAA with Paul Bean, (Business Director, right) and Luke Bateman (UK Territory Manager, left) from Stryker EMS signing the agreement Alan Howson, Executive Chairman of the IAA commented “We are delighted Stryker EMS has chosen to work with and support the IAA as a business partners. Stryker are a very large and forward looking company and this is a brilliant endorsement for the IAA
Ambulance Leadership Forum award winners
and our standing. We look forward to working with Stryker EMS and promoting their products and services to our members and the independent ambulance sector.”
EMAS
EMAS scoop two awards at national ambulance event It was celebrations all round as EMAS received two awards at the national Ambulance
support to staff and acts as
progression routes available
Harminder Baines, Education
a problem solver, counsellor,
within the ambulance service.
Transformation Manager at
resource manager and a shoulder
HEEM said: “Health Education
to lean on. She works tirelessly
“Other colleagues have
England have worked on
without moan or question, always
embraced the campaign by
raises the mood of our staff and is
becoming ambassadors,
Promoting Paramedic Diversity
hugely deserving of this national
working with colleagues across
recognition.”
the service to educate and engage with communities
The second award was in
through events, media
recognition of excellence for
interviews and live shifts on
promoting good practice around
social media. It’s still early days
diversity and inclusion. It was
for our long-term campaign
and have supported initiatives like the East Midlands Ambulance Service which is a fine example of the fantastic work our ambulance trust, universities and wider stakeholders are engaging with
presented to the team at EMAS
however initial figures show
to promote the profession to
Leadership Forum (ALF) awards
for their ‘Serving your community’
an 30% increase in frontline
ensure we have a workforce that
ceremony.
recruitment campaign.
applications, demonstrating a
is reflective of the communities
positive start”.
it serves.”
Jo Saunders, Divisional
The campaign, which was funded
Administrator for Leicestershire,
by Health Education England
Rutland and Northamptonshire
East Midlands, aims to encourage
won the Administrative Support
local people, including those
Award for her dedication to
from Black Asian Minority Ethnic
supporting our frontline services.
(BAME) communities, to consider a career in the ambulance service allowing EMAS to better reflect the
Manager for Leicestershire,
communities it services.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Mark Gregory, EMAS General Rutland and Northamptonshire: “Jo has worked for the ambulance
Melanie Wright, Deputy Director
service for 20 years and amassed
of Communications and
a huge understanding of how
Engagement at EMAS said:
it works. She consistently goes
“Our thanks go to the frontline
above and beyond what is
colleagues who put their face
expected of her and works on
and name to this campaign to
her own initiative. She is a huge
highlight the career options and
Divisional administrator Jo Saunders with Anthony Marsh
75 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
PIP Absorb Analyse Assess u o , y t a It s w h to do d traine
Discover how your healthcare experience can help assess the individual needs of people with disabilities and health conditions Locations Wales, East Midlands, West Midlands & Northern Ireland We’re looking for Paramedics to create factual, structured reports for the DWP. Utilising your healthcare experience, you’ll be compassionate and understanding of complex conditions, using appropriate questioning skills to make recommendations that assist their benefit claim. It’s what you trained to do. As the leading provider of outsourcing and support service solutions, Capita employ qualified health experts to conduct independent disability assessments. Joining us as a disability assessor you’ll be:
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
• Understanding the detailed history of the claimant’s condition(s) and the impact on their daily living and mobility • Building a detailed understanding of their unique condition, contributing with your own recommendations • Gathering and understanding supporting evidence from other experts • Producing and presenting a comprehensive report to the DWP • Earning up to £34,000 + fantastic benefits* You will receive full training and ongoing support within the role. So, if you have a full UK Driving Licence and at least two years post-registration experience (NMC/HCPC/GMC registered with a valid pin) then email PIPrecruitment@capita.co.uk for more information. *Terms and conditions apply
76 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE LAS
Innovator behind London’s cycle paramedics praised at Healthcare Heroes exhibition
saving interventions alone in busy
Our cycle paramedics carry all the
The cycle response unit which
areas which are difficult to travel
equipment they need to enable
was launched as a trial in 1999
through in a car or ambulance.
them to respond to emergency
in the capital’s West End, is now
calls, and can often reach
made up of over 50 paramedics
Tom says:
patients faster than ambulances
working all over London.
“It’s an honour to be recognised
in congested areas of the capital.
in the Healthcare Heroes
We now have teams in the West
Paul Woodrow, Director of
exhibition alongside others
End, the City of London, Stratford,
Operations says:
working in our industry.
Kingston & Richmond, Heathrow Airport and at train stations such
“In the last five years alone, our
“London is an incredibly busy city,
as Kings Cross & St Pancras and
cycle paramedics have cared for
capital’s cycle response unit
which is why I knew sitting in my
London Bridge.
over 76,000 patients, from those
has been hailed as a Healthcare
ambulance that the cycle response
Hero, in an exhibition at the
unit would be so successful.
At the exhibition I met just one
through to life-threatening
British Medical Association.
They are able to reach patients
of our cardiac arrest survivors
conditions.
quickly and start to give life-saving
who at 29yrs old had a cardiac
The Cycle Response Unit Manager
treatment while an ambulance is on
arrest in Oxford Street, one of my
“Over 50 per cent of the patients
and former BMX champion created
the way or free up the ambulance
cycle team arrived first on scene
they see are treated on scene,
the city’s first cycle response unit,
if not needed. The dedicated cycle
and shocked her back to life. It
meaning they are able to deal with
a team of paramedics fully trained
teams patrol and stay in the busiest
was an emotional and humbling
the incident alone and save the
to treat patients and provide life-
areas waiting for an emergency call.
experience.”
use of vital ambulance crews.”
London Ambulance medic Tom Lynch MBE who set up the
with relatively minor complaints
Pre-Hospital Care Consultancy Ltd “PHTLS for First Responders Course”
Pre-Hospital Care Consultancy Ltd Essentials of Advanced Airway Management
Tuesday June 6,
Wednesday June 7,
Telford International Centre, Telford
Telford International Centre, Telford
This continuing education course that teaches the principles of PHTLS is ideal for first responders, EMS practitioners, etc. Topics being covered include: Airway/ Oxygenation & Ventilation, Circulation and Shock, Traumatic Brain Injury & Spinal Trauma.
Learn the full range of Airway Management techniques, including: The Use of Extraglotic Devices, Video Assisted Intubation and Surgical Cricothyrotomy. Only 10 places are available at a rate of £80.00 plus VAT (50% below normal Course costs).
To register please visit:
To register please visit:
www.lifeconnections.uk.com
www.lifeconnections.uk.com
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Only 12 places are available at a rate of £80.00 plus VAT (50% below normal Course costs).
77 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE Remember Ambex? We think you will enjoy this new combined event!!! Life Connections 2017 & Emergency Fleet Exhibition/ NAPFM conference
Porter, David Halliwell, Dr
(SECAmb) staff were joined
public from the Warlingham area
Mark Gillis, Dr Simon Le
by volunteers and members
were recognised for their actions
Clerc etc, and thanks to the
of the public at the second
in saving the life of Warlingham
generosity of our 5 sponsors,
of the Trust’s annual award
man John Sinkins at Whyteleafe
RDT Ltd, Simulaids, WEL Medical,
ceremonies.
Railway Station. The bystanders, who started CPR and used a
Distinctive Medical and Physio Control we are able to offer
The ceremony, for the west of
public access defibrillator, were
delegates early bird rates starting
SECAmb’s region, was held on
reunited with John and his wife
from only £24 to include Lunch,
Thursday 9 March at Woodlands
Inder for the first time on the night.
Tea, Coffee etc so book early to
Park Hotel, near Cobham, Surrey. Elsewhere, Kate Nebbett,
avoid dissappointment !!!! To see the full Conference Programmes
The event saw staff recognised for
Dispatch Team Leader at the
and to register please visit
long service and Chief Executive’s
Trust’s Surrey Emergency
www.lifeconnections.uk.com.
Commendations awarded across
Operations Centre in Banstead
a range of categories including
picked up a commendation
In addition to the above Pre
clinical excellence, patient care
for her actions in stopping to
With over 120 exhibitors
Hospital Care Consultancy are
and for actions above and beyond
help when she saw a car off
showcasing the latest Fleet
running a PHTLS First Responder
the call of duty.
a road and smoking down an
Vehicles, Vehicle Technology and
Workshop on Tuesday June 6 and
Emergency Medical Equipment,
a Airway Management Course
The Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey,
those taking time out to attend
on June 7, once again both
Charles Fowler, attended as
as a delegate or visitor to this
programmes can be found on
the Queen’s representative to
Co-responding fire crews from
exciting new event, are assured
www.lifeconnections.uk.com.
present Queen’s Medals for 20
Walton and Sevenoaks picked
years’ frontline service and good
up awards for their crucial role
Those wishing to attend as visitors
conduct, while Trust staff were
in attending patients suffering
only are required to register online
also recognised for 20 years, 30
cardiac arrests while a team
Amazon Medical, BMW
at www.lifeconnections.uk.com,
years, 40 years and in the case of
of Goldalming clinicians were
Group, CAPITA, Cartwright
The Telford International is offering
recently retired Brian Smith from
recognised for their skill,
Conversions, Distinctive
FREE Parking and there are
Redhill, an amazing 50 years’
professionalism and calmness
Medical, Eberspacher, Ford
catering facilities inside where tea
NHS service.
when attending an 18-month old
Motor Company, Goodyear
/ coffee and sandwiches etc can
Dunlop Tyres UK, Honda,
be purchased..
DIARY DATE June 6 & 7 Telford International Centre, Telford.
of there being plenty to see and do as this years exhibitors include
embankment near Horsham, West Sussex.
in respiratory arrest. Having joined the ambulance service in 1966, Brian’s career
SECAmb Acting Chief Executive
Jaguar, Land Rover, Medtree,
This very unique event once
moved full circle and recently
David Hammond said: “It is
Mitsubishi, NMI Safety,
again gives delegates and
ended on the patient transport
always extremely humbling to
Ortus Technology, Physio
visitors the opportunity of cross
service. Always working in the
hear of the incredible stories
Control, RDT Ltd, Simulaids,
communication, has been created
Surrey area, Brian career has
highlighted at our awards each
S Macneillie, Vauxhall,
for the benefit of those involved
included periods serving Dorking,
year. These are just a handful of
Volkswagon, Volvo, WAS, Wel
in Pre Hospital and Hospital Care
Godstone and Gatwick.
examples of the amazing work
Medical, Yamaha Motor Group,
hence our theme “Connecting
Zoll to name but a few.
Lifesavers with one common
In summing up his career he said:
across our region. It is also great
goal“. We therefore hope you
“I’ve helped save lives and even
to celebrate the long service of so
will take time out to attend.
deliver babies. These moments
many staff and for us to be able to
make everything worth it and
recognise the dedication shown
Hyundai, Intersurgical,
Once again Life Connections will be made up of 4 individual
which is going on every day
Conferences over the 2 day
Terry Gardner
that’s why I did the job – you
by volunteers including our vital
period, this year we are running
Event Organiser.
never knew what to expect.”
Community First Responders.”
Member of public and School
Details of every award winner
Business Manager at Peter
can be found below
a Paramedic and First Aid Conference on day one with a AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Resuscitation anf EFR Conference in place for day two. A number of topical presentations are already in place that include Sepsis - The Hidden Killer, Fatal Fractures, The Control of Major Haemorrhage, Overdose - The
SECAMB
Long service and special achievements celebrated at Trust awards
First line of trearment, being given by keynote speakers
South East Coast Ambulance
including Professor Sir Keith
Service NHS Foundation Trust
Gladwin Primary School, Portslade, East Sussex, Christine
Chief Executive
Kidman was recognised for her
Commendations
actions in providing life-saving CPR to a seven-year-old pupil –
Clinical Excellence – Barry
just 24 hours after completing a
Armour, Paramedic Practitioner,
CPR refresher course.
Redhill – For championing the work of palliative care teams
And another four members of
78 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
locally and for his volunteer work
NEWSLINE to gain valuable experience in this
Fire and Rescue Sevenoaks
Queen’s Ambulance Service
20 years’ NHS Long Service
challenging subject.
firefighters, Danny Barratt, Jason
medals for Long Service &
medals (for staff not eligible to
Jones, Aston Gallivan and David
Good conduct were presented
receive Queen’s Medal)
Clinical Excellence – Godalming
Ratcliffe – for the clinical treatment
clinicians, Eloise Sabbara,
provided when co-responding to
Paramedic; Grace Harman,
reports a man was under a car
Student Paramedic; Ian King,
and not breathing.
Associate Practitioner; James
to: Marie Clifford, PALS, Lewes Shaun Baron, Critical Care
Linda Cripps, Retired, CEO Office,
Paramedic, Worthing
Lewes
Cowie, Paramedic; Oliver
Outstanding Patient Care
Richard Brackenbury, Paramedic
Fitzgerald, Student Paramedic;
– Surrey Fire and Rescue
Practitioner, Tangmere
Samuel Garman, Clinical
firefighters, Walton station, Eric
Team Leader – For their skill,
Daniels, Will Keenan, Barry Culver
professionalism and calmness
and Colin Francis – for the clinical
when attending an 18-month old
treatment provided when co-
Steven Burdon, Paramedic,
in respiratory arrest in November
responding to a patient in cardiac
Polegate
2015.
arrest in Walton.
Stuart Dallas, Clinical Supervisor,
Polegate
Banstead
Christopher Neal, Clinical Team
Sue Humphries, Paramedic, EOC
Leader, Gatwick
Chris Britton, Retired Paramedic, Horsham
30 years’ NHS Long Service Award: Philip Coles, Ambulance Technician, Worthing David Keeley, Paramedic,
Clinical Excellence – Madeleine
Public Commendation –
Howley, Paramedic Ashford,
Christine Kidman, School
Kent; Julia Gasking, Ambulance
Business Manager, Peter Gladwin
Lewes
Technician, Ashford, Kent; John
Primary School, Portslade, East
Duncan Jones, Clinical
40 years’ NHS Long Service
Sweeney - Clinical Team Leader,
Sussex – for providing life-saving
Operations Manager, Gatwick
Award:
Ashford, Nick Harrison – Critical Care Paramedic, Paddock Wood, Mick Carter – Critical Care Paramedic, Gatwick - For their clinical excellence in treating a man who had been stabbed
CPR to a seven-year-old pupil – just 24 hours after completing a CPR refresher course.
Andrew Kinder, Clinical Team Leader, Gatwick
Public Commendation – To a group of Warlingham area members
Leader, Walton
50 years’ NHS Long Service
Damien Lau-Kee, Clinical Team
Award:
of the public - PC Stuart Longmire,
Above and Beyond the Call
Bruce – for their quick thinking and
Steve Mackenzie, Paramedic,
actions in providing CPR and using
Worthing
a public access defibrillator on a
Cheryl McCormick, Clinical Team
Dispatch Team Leader, Banstead Emergency Operations Centre – For her actions in stopping to help when she saw a car off a road and smoking down an embankment near Horsham, West Sussex.
Ruth Harper, Jon Hill and Charlotte
man who collapsed at Whyteleafe Railway Station.
Duty – Sisters and Emergency Medical Advisors, Banstead
Leader, Chertsey
Leader, Leatherhead
Brian Smith, Retired, Surrey (Dorking, Godstone, Gatwick) Community First Responders 10 years’ Long Service Award
Caryll Overy, Paramedic,
Employee of the Year – Kim
Haywards Heath
John Kempton MBE, Oxted
Blakeburn, Dispatcher, Quality
David Strudwick, Paramedic
Alison Law, Steyning
Team, Banstead – for her
Practitioner, Redhill
David Nelson, Pulborough and
Neil Swain, Paramedic, Epsom
West Chiltington
for new Emergency Medical
Paul Trevains, Clinical Supervisor,
Christine Peters, Steyning
Advisors.
Banstead EOC
Richard Taylor, Farnborough
dedication and hard work in
Above and Beyond the Call of
Dorking
James Laidlaw, Clinical Team
outside a pub in Ashford.
of Duty – Kate Nebbett –
Carol Boakes, PTS Control,
improving the recruitment process
EOC, Chloe Gardner and Joanne Ashworth – for their actions in stopping and starting CPR when they came across an RTC in which a motorcyclist had been
Outstanding Patient Care – Matt Webb, Paramedic, Epsom and Kathryn Cowley, Paramedic, Gatwick – for their actions and clinical interventions after coming across a serious RTC on the M3.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
seriously injured on the M25.
Outstanding Patient Care – Kent
79 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE paramedic, police officer, and
EEAST
Mental health scheme shortlisted in prestigious awards
mental health professional
An initiative that ensures
based at police headquarters
patients who are experiencing mental health crises are given the correct care quickly has been shortlisted in the Health
joining forces in one car set up to respond to mental health crisis calls 365 days a year. Operating from 3pm – 1am, and in Kempston and Luton, the car covers the whole county. Lisa Merkitt from the East of
Service Journal (HSJ) Value in
England Ambulance Service
Healthcare award.
NHS Trust (EEAST) said: “It is
receive the appropriate care
Mind BLMK and the Samaritans.
in emergency situations. I am extremely proud to be a part of
a privilege to be nominated for
Jaki Whittred from Bedfordshire
this project and look forward
The Mental Health Street Triage
such a prestigious award and
to the scheme becoming an
Police said: “The Mental
is a collaborative scheme
the team are immensely proud
integral part of emergency care
ran between agencies in
that we have been nationally
across the county.”
Bedfordshire, including the
recognised for all of our hard
East of England Ambulance
work.
continuing to work incredibly hard to ensure patients across
The Mental Health Street Triage
Service NHS Trust (EEAST). The
Health Street Triage team are
is a partnership between East
the county are accessing appropriate care. I am really proud that the scheme has
team is one of eight that has
She added: “The Mental
London NHS Foundation Trust
been shortlisted, from a total of
Health Street Triage team
(ELFT), Bedfordshire Police,
1,500 entries, with the winner
work tirelessly to provide an
EEAST, Bedfordshire Clinical
prestigious award, and that the
announced on 24th May.
invaluable and innovative
Commissioning Group, Luton
partnership working between
service to patients across
Clinical Commissioning Group
all agencies involved is being
Bedfordshire ensuring they
and mental health charities
recognised nationally.”
The project involves a
been shortlisted for this
Welcome to the next generation in simulation technology. The iSimulate ALSi Simulation platform provides an economical, highly advanced and realistic patient condition simulation package that enables advanced patient simulations that can be run quickly and easily without the need for expensive and complex manikins or monitors.
• Smart and easy to use scenario builder • Over 50 ECG waveforms • Over 20 additional parameter settings
It is so easy to use you can be up and running in less than 2 minutes allowing you to train anywhere and at anytime with a fully featured, multi-parameter monitor, AED and defibrillator without the cost and complexity of traditional simulators.
• Ability to use 12-lead ECG, import video and x-ray images • Realistic trending of vitals over time
Run off only two iPad’s, students view a realistic patient monitor while the instructor uses a handheld control ipad to control everything from parameters to time.
Monitor Mode
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
AED Mode
• Sophisticated and realistic vital signs monitor • Instant CPR and PEA simulation • Safe to use on a simulated live casualty
Defibrillator Mode
Facilitator Screen
Advanced simulation, without the cost The iSimulate ALSi Simulation Platform provides an economical, highly advanced and realistic patient condition simulation package that enables advanced patient simulations that can be run quickly and easily without the need for expensive and complex manikins or monitors.
80 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
education
equipment
enterprise
NEWSLINE YAS
Yorkshire Ambulance Service secures ‘Good’ rating from Care Quality Commission Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust has secured a ‘Good’ rating from the recent independent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection despite considerable challenges from increased demand and funding pressures. The CQC, as the regulatory body of health and social care in England, carried out detailed inspections of Yorkshire Ambulance Service, including its NHS 111 service, during September and October 2016 and determined that the Trust had achieved ‘Good’ in quality and safety across the organisation. Rod Barnes, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the CQC’s recent inspection of our organisation. Their assessment reflects the high quality of service provided by our dedicated staff who work tirelessly every day to provide timely and safe services for our patients. It makes me immensely proud that the commitment of our staff and volunteers and the great care they provide have been formally recognised.
“We are also pleased that the
“We continue to work with our local commissioners to develop the service in response to patients’ urgent care needs and recent innovations include the provision of more specialist staff to provide advice to patients on mental health, palliative and pharmacy-related calls.
Kath Lavery, the Trust’s Chairman, said:
The Welsh Ambulance
and look forward to going
Service’s new Clinical
through the review and its
Response Model is set to be
recommendations in detail.”
“Although I have only been at Yorkshire Ambulance Service for a relatively short time, I have realised very quickly just how much care and compassion our staff show to patients, often in very challenging circumstances. “It is well-documented how busy the NHS is with ever-increasing demand and it is testament to our leadership team and every member of staff, whatever their role, that their determination to put patients first and do the very best for them remains our highest priority. My sincere thanks go to everyone at the Trust for all that they do because this is their achievement.” On the NHS 111 report, Dr Philip Foster, Director for Planned and Urgent Care at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We are proud to be one of the best performing NHS 111 services in the country and that is very much down to the fantastic work done by our staff.
“We are committed to further developing the NHS 111 service for the benefit of patients in the knowledge that we have such a strong foundation on which to build.”
Statement on Welsh Ambulance Service’s Clinical Response Model
Medical Director Brendan Lloyd said: “Our new clinical response model was first introduced around 18 months ago to turn us into an ambulance service focussed on improving the clinical outcomes for our patients. “Since then we have made great strides forward however, with demand on our ambulance service increasing year-on-year, we are certainly not resting on our laurels and know there remains work to be done. “We need to continue to transform the way in which we deliver our services if we are to meet these demands and ensure the best results for patients. “We’ve worked closely with PACEC throughout this process
implemented on a permanent basis, it has been announced.
Richard Lee, the Trust’s Director of Operations, said: “We’re pleased
Welsh Government Health
to have been given the backing
Secretary Vaughan Gething
to continue our improvement
has made a written statement
journey and further improve the
recommending the continuation
standards of care we provide for
and development of the model,
our patients.
which was first introduced in October 2015.
“There have been very real and tangible signs of progress since
The pilot signalled a move
we made these changes, which
away from time-based targets,
mean that the RED calls we are
placing a greater focus on
attending are now genuine life-
patient experience and clinical
threatening emergencies.
outcomes, and has inspired other services – like the Scottish
“Thanks to the commitment of
Ambulance Service – to follow
our staff and volunteers this also
suit.
means that we are consistently reaching the most seriously ill or
To monitor how effectively
injured patients across Wales in a
the model was working, the
timely manner and providing them
Emergency Ambulance Services
with the most appropriate care for
Committee (EASC) enlisted
their needs.
a leading consultancy firm called PACEC to undertake an
“While we are satisfied with our
independent evaluation.
progress to date, we know there is still work to be done, particularly
Their findings have now been
for patients in our AMBER
published and support its
category, and that is certainly our
continuation.
focus moving forward.”
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
“All of our services demonstrated significant improvement since the CQC’s inspection in January 2015. We do recognise, however, that there is always more we can do to improve our services and the reports have highlighted a number of areas for attention. We will use the CQC’s feedback to help shape future developments and raise standards further.
CQC has highlighted a number of areas of outstanding practice. These include our Red Arrest Team providing senior clinical support for patients who suffer a cardiac arrest, partnership working to improve integrated urgent and emergency care across the region, the introduction of palliative care nurses in our NHS 111 call centres to support end-of-life care, and clinical developments within our Hazardous Area Response Team. They also praised the Trust’s volunteer community first responder schemes, our commitment to supporting the placement of public access defibrillators in local communities and our Restart a Heart campaign to train schoolchildren in the vital skill of CPR.”
81 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE EMAS
VISIT US College of Paramedics National Conference
St Johns Hotel, Solihull 9-10 May 2017
East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) will invest more than £3 million
them to signpost patients and carers to the most appropriate local treatment or care facility, or to access any pre-existing care plans for the patient to ensure we treat them in accordance to their wishes.
East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) will invest more
patient specific information
electronic patient record system
– ambulance crews often
during the next two years.
complete paper report forms
“This significant investment will help us to improve the care and treatment received by patients across the East Midlands,” said Steve Bowyer, EMAS Head of
Resuscitation and Emergency Care
A full range of products for use in an emergency and resuscitation situation.
• •
Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) Pocket Resuscitation Mask Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide Delivery Systems Airway Management Oxygen Therapy
ambulance vehicle, at the scene of an incident in various weather conditions, making
Technology.
records clear and succinct.
The system will be used by EMAS
• Readily available data for our
ambulance crews across the
research and audit teams –
region, bringing many benefits,
waiting for paper report forms
including: • Supporting clinical decision making: ambulance crews can access online information conditions and treatment.
to be received can delay our ability to identify trends and areas where improvements have or can be made, or to access important information for Coroners purposes. Equally the automated introduction of
• Providing prompt transfer
electrocardiograms (relating
of patient care to other
to cardiac care) into the
health organisations: before
patient record will support
leaving the scene of an
improvements in sharing of
incident or whilst en route to can electronically send details about the patient to the emergency department including appropriate
To view the full range visit www.intersurgical.co.uk/info/emergency
in the back of a fast moving
it a challenge to keep written
hospital, ambulance crews
The complete solution from the respiratory care specialists
in difficult environments eg
Information, Management and
about medical and traumatic
• • •
• Improving the legibility of
than £3 million to enhance its
photographs from the scene
important information with receiving hospitals, and to aid our research, development and education work. • Enhancing the security of
of the incident eg road traffic
patient records – electronic
collision or electrocardiogram
storage of records is a more
readings, to help doctors
robust, secure way to store
determine the extent of injury
patient records compared to
that may have been sustained.
paper copies.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
This allows staff in the hospital to prepare and be ready to act when the patient arrives.
Quality, innovation and choice lnteract with us
www.intersurgical.co.uk
• Increasing the integration of care systems across the
strategic objectives for 20172019 is to continue to develop our service for the benefit of our
healthcare environment: via the
patients and staff. This investment
system ambulance crews can
significantly improves our ability
access details about alternative
to do that by providing the right IT
healthcare providers, allowing
solutions.
82 AMBULANCE_UK_03.17_resus.indd 1
Steve added: “One of our
22/03/2017 13:12 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE “The new software has a more modern appearance and additional functionality which includes integration with hospital booking-in systems, incorporation with our medical equipment used to save lives (eg defibrillators used to treat people in cardiac arrest), and useful tools such as a NHS service telephone number search and medical spell checker.
and long term care of the patient. We’re delighted to have been selected by EMAS, and to further grow our 3ES customer base.”
“We involved a staff group in the development of our business case for this project and have chosen to replace the current Toughbook laptops with a new tablet which has been chosen based on feedback relating to its weight, handling, infection prevention and control compliance and screen ease of use. The devices will also have 4G connectivity to improve data transfer.”
kicked in the face by his horse
NEAS
“Thank you for coming to the rescue” Emotional reunion for man
A man who underwent hours of facial surgery after being kicked in the face by his horse has been reunited with the ambulance staff who came to his aid. Matthew Oates, aged 20, was leading his girlfriend Beth’s horse, Larry, round the grounds at Spring House Farm in Darlington
The new system will begin to be rolled out across of all of EMAS from April 2017, with the project completing in September.
in September last year when
The system and software will be provided by two organisations, Medusa and Getac UK Ltd.
Matthew’s friends called 999
“Medusa’s software has been utilised by NHS Ambulance Trusts within England for almost 10 years and we are pleased that EMAS have chosen to upgrade to our latest Siren ePCR solution via the G-Cloud framework,” said Ian Wilkinson, Vice President of International Operations at Medusa Medical Technologies. “EMAS are an innovative Ambulance Service who want to ensure they deliver the best service possible to the East Midlands and Siren ePCR will help them achieve this”.
Larry suddenly bucked, kicking Matthew in the face and knocking him to the ground.
straight away and explained what had happened to experienced North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) call handler Michelle Manson, who arranged immediate help. Paramedic Carol Anne Wilkinson and Emergency Care Assistant Daniel Stephens were at the farm within minutes and transported Matthew to University Hospital North Tees for further examination. He was then blue lighted to the Maxillofacial Surgery team at James Cook University Hospital, where he underwent several hours of facial surgery to repair damage to his chin, jaw and eye socket.
then just being on my hands and
reassurance was key for Matthew,
knees and being covered in blood.
he kept asking if he was going to die and kept hold of Carol’s hand
“Everything was broken – my chin was split in half, both jaw joints were in bits and the palette cracked through the middle. My eye sockets were pushed in and I had a metal plate on my teeth.
throughout the journey. It’s great to be able to see the recovery he’s made and to see him looking so well.” For call handler Michelle, who
“It’s taken some time but I’m
has been answering the region’s
now back to normal and just so
999 calls for just over two years
thankful to be here.
at NEAS and is now helping to train new call handlers, meeting
“I can’t thank these guys enough.
Matthew was particularly special.
It was great to be able to meet them again and thank them in person. I’m now really looking forward to starting my course and hopefully being able to call them my colleagues.” Carol Anne, who joined NEAS
Michelle said: “An incident like Matthew’s really sticks in your mind because it’s so unusual. It’s really nice to be able to find out what happened after I put the phone down.
12 years ago and qualified as a paramedic eight years ago, said:
“As call handlers we see snippets
“Poor Matthew was covered in blood
of the worst moment of a person’s
when we arrived so it was hard for
life but as soon as we put the
us to be able to see the extent of
phone down, that’s where our
his injuries properly. After spending
involvement ends; we pass the
Having now made a full recovery,
some time on the field with him, we
Matthew, who has just been
got him into the ambulance to clean
accepted on the student paramedic
him up and properly assess and
degree course at Teesside
treat him. We cannulated him and
University, was keen to meet the
gave him intravenous morphine to
crew and call handler who came to
ease his pain and got him straight to
his aid and thank them.
hospital.”
He said: “I can remember the
Daniel, who joined NEAS six years
Matthew and Beth and to see how
horse getting in front of me and
ago, added: “More than anything
well he’s doing.”
incident to the crew then they do their job and their involvement ends. We don’t usually get to find out what happened to them and if they’re ok. “It was really lovely to meet
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
“We had a clear understanding of EMAS’ requirements and were able to provide the hardware, services, solutions and support that would meet their business and user needs,” said Ian Jenner, Emergency Services Business Development Manager at Getac UK Ltd. “The Getac RX10 rugged tablets will enable EMAS staff to access and update patient medical records in real time, which is critical for the immediate
Matthew Oates and Larry the horse with (left to right) 999 Call Handler Michelle Manson, Paramedic Carol Anne Wilkinson and Emergency Care Assistant Daniel Stephens
83 Life Connections - The Affordable CPD Provider: www.lifeconnections.uk.com
NEWSLINE said: “West Midlands Ambulance
this was highlighted by the CQC
do what is right for our patients
Trust rated ‘oustanding’ by Care Quality Commission
Service is the only ambulance
as was our strong and stable
and their colleagues. As well as
trust to be rated outstanding by
leadership team.
those highlighted we also see
WMAS
this in other areas such as our
the CQC. I am incredibly proud of my staff and the volunteers who
“I am delighted that they also
clinical performance and financial
support us, for providing the best
recognised that we are at the
objectives.
West Midlands Ambulance Service is delighted to receive an ‘outstanding’ rating which is the highest possible rating from health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
possible care to patients across
forefront of making improvements
the West Midlands.
in dealing with the ever-increasing
“We will continue to do everything
number of emergency calls we
possible to raise our standards
“Helping others is at the heart
receive by recruiting hundreds
further. I would like to thank all of
of everything we do and I am
of paramedics, the introduction
our staff and volunteers for their
hugely pleased that the CQC
of new vehicles and trialling
outstanding professionalism,
saw a positive, patient centred
innovative ways to minimise the
continued dedication and hard
culture within the Trust with hard
time patients must wait.
work.”
The CQC report, published today, follows the regulators inspections to the Trust during the Summer of 2016.
working staff proud to work here and making a real difference to
“I accept the comments in the
West Midlands Ambulance Service
patients’ lives. Compassion is
report relating to improvements
Chairman, Sir Graham Meldrum,
a large part of our role and I am
required in patient transport
added: “This is an excellent start
equally proud that the report
services. We have already
to 2017 not only for our staff and
highlighted staff were outstanding
implemented a number of
volunteers but for the people of the
in the way they support people who
improvements since the inspection
West Midlands. It is an inevitable
are distressed or overwhelmed in
and will continue to make further
fact that, every single day, people
stressful situations.
improvements so that we can
will call 999 for help in their hour of
improve their rating.
need. The CQC report shows that
The report specifically highlighted “staff were outstanding in the way that they supported patients.” It also outlined the “hard work of staff is exemplary and making a real difference to patients.” West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh,
“Quality and safety are key
patients are receiving the highest
priorities for us; they are essential
“One of the great strengths of
standard of care and compassion
for running an effective ambulance
this organisation are the staff
from our staff as well as providing
service and I’m pleased that
and the way they work so hard to
appropriate care in the right place and at the right time. “Despite the challenges faced by the NHS and the heavy demands placed upon the ambulance service, the Trust will continue to focus on patient care. I am very proud of all of you who provide such an excellent standard of service. Please accept my sincere thanks for all that you do.” The CQC’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said: “I am extremely pleased to announce that West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is the first ambulance service in England to receive an outstanding rating.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
As demand for emergency care grows year by year, our ambulance services have never been busier. I know the trust is at the forefront of national improvements in the ambulance service, exploring better ways to deal with emergency calls so that people get appropriate care in the right place at the right time.”
84 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE Student conference recreates medical emergencies Student paramedics from across the country got handson specialist training alongside the professionals at The Better Paramedic conference which was held at the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol on Saturday 18 March 2017. This is the second student paramedic conference run by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and saw 200 students thrown into real life emergency situations recreated with mass casualties. The students were expected to take part
SWASFT’s University Liaison
in the emergency scenarios
Officer, Jennings Mitchell, said:
using a range of state-of-the-
“We had a fantastic day there
art ambulance vehicles and
was so much action for the
Team (HART) work alongside
equipment. Staff running the
students to take part in that will
the police, fire and rescue
life-saving master classes told
help prepare them for real life
services in hazardous
students of new techniques and
situations on the road. The role of
environments. The HART
gave an accurate account of
the paramedic is a tremendously
team created a mass casualty
what life is really like on the busy
rewarding one. The students
emergency situation in a club
frontline.
attending this conference are
with injured teenagers (see
emergencies – This help to
the paramedics of the future
photos) using actors, make-
improve students’ confidence
Keynote speaker Professor
and we are passionate about
up and lots of fake blood to
in supporting women giving
Jonathan Benger, National
accompanying them on this
allow students to experience
Clinical Director for Urgent Care
journey. SWASFT is proudly
some of the complex clinical
birth, using realistic maternity
for NHS England, said; “The
leading the country in many
challenges they may face and
paramedic’s future is bright, and
areas of pre-hospital care and
develop their understanding of
we are already seeing major
we want to share this expertise
the roles and procedures in a
changes to how paramedics
to ensure that tomorrow’s
terrorist incident.
clinically treat patients on the
paramedics are the best they
front line and this will only
can be. Our master classes are
progress further.”
delivered by subject experts and
Emergency Medical Service
are very relevant to everyday
and Air Operations described
front-line situations.”
some of the key skills,
The conference delegates also heard the amazing story of how
Demonstrations on the day were:
of the ST segment and other ECG components, and will
• The Hazardous Area Response
discuss real cases to improve students’ knowledge of the identification and treatment of these conditions. • Maternity and Obstetric
manikins to give a truly ‘hands on’ experience. IMAGES used in this news release courtesy of Bristol Post.
• Critical Care, Helicopter
techniques and procedures Ken Wenman, SWASFT Chief
used by Critical Care teams to
major heart attacks, while on a
Executive, said: “Our paramedics
facilitate enhanced patient care
bike ride, and how quick thinking
treat more patients at the scene
in life-threatening conditions.
paramedics saved his life.
than any other ambulance trust making us the best performing
• The Chest pain master class
The journey from student to
in the country. We want to recruit
– chest pain is a common
registered paramedic can be a
the best of the best among all
presentation in the prehospital
challenging one but SWASFT
paramedics and this conference
setting; the session seeks
wants to support students to
gives students amazing
to enhance knowledge of
become not just paramedics, but
experiences and learning they
differential diagnosis in chest
better paramedics.
can’t get in the classroom.”
pain and refine interpretation
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
patient Paul Pensom survived two
85 Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know.
NEWSLINE Great Western Air Ambulance charity It is something that can save a life. Something that could be the difference between a patient dying at the roadside or surviving to hospital. The ability to give a pre-hospital blood transfusion is a vital step forward - and one that the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) is proud to be able to provide. Covering a wide area, which includes major motorways and rural areas, the Critical Care Team treat traumatically injured casualties on a regular basis. From road traffic collisions, to horse riding incidents, these patients are severally injured - and have potentially lost a lot of blood. Waiting until they arrive at hospital for a blood transfusion could be too late, and in a situation where every minute counts giving blood at the scene can be crucial to their survival. With this in mind GWAAC Critical Care Doctors Harvey Pynn and Tim Hooper set out on an 18 month journey of information gathering, meetings and planning to carry blood on board the helicopter and critical care cars.
Due to their previous military experiences they were the best people to lead this project. Both have experience of treating soldiers who have been wounded on the battlefield. The injuries these soldiers sustained required them to receive blood in the remote pre-hospital setting in order to ensure they had the greatest chance of survival. The GWAAC Critical Care Team attend to the most seriously ill and injured people across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and parts of Wiltshire. Of these cases in 2016 25.9% were trauma injuries, and 19.8% were RTCs. Although the patterns of injury in the military and civilian environments are different, the severity of injuries may be similar and therapy transferable. Dr Pynn said: “There is evidence that it is beneficial for patients to receive a blood transfusion no more than an hour post injury. Often patients are in the prehospital setting for longer than this so the ability to give a blood transfusion at the roadside will be beneficial, and could help improve their chances of survival.”
During the planning stage Dr Pynn and Dr Hooper worked with Critical Care Paramedics Neil Hooper, and Matt Baskerville (who recently joined the team from Wiltshire Air Ambulance), to enable GWAAC to become one of the first air ambulances in the South West to carry blood. This is a joint venture with WAA though with GWAAC providing all the senior governance and leadership advice for them.
The blood is collected daily from the North Bristol Trust Transfusion Laboratory at Southmead Hospital and delivered to GWAAC’s airbase in Filton by the charity Freewheelers EVS, which covers the South West. Additional deliveries can be made if required by the air crews. If the blood is not used, it will be returned to Southmead Hospital by the volunteer blood bikers
The process involved a service level agreement with the North Bristol Trust Transfusion Laboratory at Southmead Hospital, who would supply the blood, and the charity Freewheelers EVS, who would deliver it to the airbase in Filton. All the GWAA clinicians were trained in the indications and delivery of pre-hospital blood transfusion. August 2015 saw the hard work paying off - as GWAAC went live with blood. A few days after the launch a biker was seriously injured in an RTC, and so became the first person to receive a transfusion from the GWAAC team. GWAAC now carries two units of O negative blood - which can be given to any patient. When that patient reaches hospital they may receive further blood products that match their blood type.
after 24 hours. The blood storage boxes maintain the temperature of the blood within in very narrow limits for well over 24 hours. Any unused blood units are therefore able to be put back into the Southmead Hospital blood bank, preventing waste. During the first year 62 prehospital blood transfusions were carried out. Of these 84% were in trauma cases. In total over 80 transfusions have taken place since the project went live. The next step for the charity is to start carrying plasma, which helps the blood to clot. Blood is made up of several components. GWAAC carry red blood cells, which is one part. The other two parts are plasma and platelets. By carrying plasma it will aid the resuscitation by improving the patient’s ability to clot. When plasma is stored it is frozen so a specialist defroster is required to thaw it before the crew receive it. This will take place at the laboratory in Southmead Hospital. The
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
plasma will then be delivered with the blood by Freewheelers to the base. By carrying it with the blood it means that the components are together, and can be given to a patient at the same time. It is hoped that this will go live by summer 2017.
86 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON News
Stuart wins national award for outstanding service Congratulations go to Stuart Rankine, NWAS vehicle and equipment manager, who was awarded a prestigious award at this year’s Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF), hosted and run by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives. The annual event is designed to recognise ambulance service staff who have shown particular commitment to helping improve and deliver patient care during the past year. Stuart was recognised in the Support Services category for his efforts in delivering thousands of pounds of savings across the Trust. Derek Cartwright, NWAS Chief Executive, said: “Stuart moved from Operations to managing a small but significant team, delivering everything from vehicles to equipment to uniform, to keep services running smoothly. Stuart and his team have delivered thousands of pounds of savings across the Trust. They have set up excellent audit tools, been actively involved in vehicle design and frequently produced business cases to the Board detailing proposed improvements and efficiencies that ultimately support frontline services. Stuart is a credit to the Trust and a true unsung support services asset.”
Stuart said: “I am proud to receive this award and I very proud of the team that I work with who have helped to make it all possible. I would like to thank Derek for nominating me and appreciating my work over the years. I will continue to enjoy my role within the Trust and look forward to future challenges.” This year’s Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF), hosted and run by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, was held at Chesford Grange in Warwickshire on 7-8 Feb 2017. ALF brings together award recipients from right across the UK’s Ambulance services to be recognised for ‘Outstanding Service’ and representing a wide range of delivery areas from administration right through to volunteering and welfare.
News
Volunteer lifesaver thanked after attending 2,000 emergency calls A volunteer lifesaver has been recognised after attending 2,000 emergency calls. Clayton Watts has supported members of the community in Llanelli as a Community First Responder (CFR) with the Welsh Ambulance Service for the last five and a half years.
First Responder Officer Stephen Roberts thanks Clayton Watts, who recently attended his 2,000th emergency call. He has now been thanked by the Trust for his dedication after recently going to his 2,000th call out. Since joining the Llanelli First Responder scheme Clayton has helped more than 100 patients in cardiac arrest, who were in urgent need of lifesaving care. Clayton described being part of the CFR scheme as a ‘privilege’. He said: “What I get out of being a first responder is helping those in their hour of need. “It’s a definite sense of satisfaction when relatives recognise you days later in a shop or on the street and thank you for being there for their relative, which I also pass on to the crews who attended. “I’m proud to be part of a service that makes a difference in people’s lives. It’s a privilege to work alongside amazing professional Paramedics, Technicians and other CFRs.” As well as assisting patients as a first responder, he has also organised fundraising events for the Llanelli, Burry Port and Pontyberem CFR schemes, which between them raised around £4,500. Last year he volunteered to take part in the Shoctober campaign, which saw pupils at 200 primary schools across Wales taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
From left to right: Derek Cartwright, NWAS Chief Executive, with Stuart Rankine, NWAS Vehicle and Equipment Manager, and his wife Ruth.
“We are extremely proud of Clayton and all our volunteers, who support the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust in giving the best possible pre-hospital care to our patients.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
First Responder Officer Stephen Roberts said: “We’d like to thank Clayton for his dedication, commitment and continual support to his community while responding to emergency 999 calls alongside our Emergency Medical Services resources.
87 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
IN PERSON News
London’s Air Ambulance Strengthens Board with Three New Trustees London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers a 24/7 advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, has strengthened its Board with the appointment of three new Trustees. The new Trustees, Adrian Walker, Bob Forsyth and Ed Owen together bring a wealth of experience across the charity, banking and finance, communications, accounting, audit and governance, and medical research
the benefit of Londoners and the capital’s many
Barts Health NHS Trust provides the doctors
visitors. I am honoured to be working with the
and some financial support and the London
London’s Air Ambulance team.”
Ambulance Service provides the paramedics and expertise to dispatch the service. The
Bob Forsyth, Senior Assurance Partner,
charity relies heavily on voluntary donations
Ernst & Young LLP
and has a world class reputation for delivering clinical innovation and excellence at the scene
Bob has been a partner for Ernst & Young
of the incident. Find out more about the charity
since 1992, taking on various management
and its people at londonsairambulance.co.uk.
roles from Head of Marketing to his current role as UK Head of Audit Quality. As a client service partner, Bob has helped many companies improve their financial and corporate governance, and developed the firm’s best practice model for audit committees.
sectors.
Bob Forsyth said: “I am thrilled to be involved
Chairman of London’s Air Ambulance,
prehospital medicine. I have huge respect for
with London’s Air Ambulance and its work in
Mark Vickers said: “The past five years have seen transformational growth in all aspects of the Charity, not least in the enhancement of frontline operations and our service delivery capability, including the acquisition and
the medical, operational and charity crew and I am looking forward to working alongside them as they continue to provide a life-saving service to the capital. I am excited to offer my support as the charity embarks on the next chapter of
operation of a second helicopter.
its incredible journey.”
“Our strategy for the next five years will
Ed Owen, Head of Engagement &
focus on further improving our patient care and developing long term pre-hospital
Communications, Medicines Discovery Catapult (former CEO of Cystic Fibrosis).
clinical expertise through the Institute. The appointments of Adrian, Bob and Ed further
Before joining Medicines Discovery Catapult
strengthen our Board to lead us through this
in December 2016, Ed was Chief Executive
next stage of our development. They come at
of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, one of the UK’s
an exciting time with our new CEO Jonathan
leading medical research charities. Under
Jenkins taking up his role. It is fantastic to have
his leadership, the Trust implemented a new
been able to attract such high calibre talent into
research strategy and established plans for a
the Charity and we are delighted to welcome
national clinical trials platform in cystic fibrosis.
them onto the Board.”
Ed now leads work at the Catapult to ensure
News
Chris collects Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal after Birthday Honours recognition A welsh Ambulance Service boss has spoken of his pride after receiving the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal. Chris Sims, Head of Operations – Resilience, was presented with the medal by Prince Charles at a ceremony held on Friday (10th February 2017) at Buckingham Palace. It comes after he was named as the recipient of the award, which was established to recognise individuals’ distinguished and meritorious service, in the Birthday Honours List in 2016. Chris, from Cardiff, said the occasion was made even more special by having his wife Lesley and daughters Charlotte, Brittany and Kaitlin in attendance.
medical research charities play a greater role Adrian Walker, Managing Director, Head of
in future drug discovery and development in
Global Transaction Banking, Lloyds Banking
the UK. Between 1997 and 2005 Ed was a
Group
government adviser in the Home Office and Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Adrian joined Lloyds Banking Group as
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Managing Director of Leveraged Finance in
Ed Owen said: “As someone who lives and
2007 and became Head of Global Transaction
works in London I know how vital London’s Air
Banking in November 2015. Adrian comes to
Ambulance is to the people of this city. The
London’s Air Ambulance with over 30 years’
service is run by a very professional and hard-
experience spanning retail, corporate and
working team and I am excited to be joining
investment banking activities and is a highly
them. I look forward to bringing my experience
experienced leader and strategist, proficient in
to bear and to help the charity make an even
leading transformational change and business
greater impact over the next few years.”
development. London’s Air Ambulance treats on average Adrian Walker said: “I am thrilled to be joining
five critically injured people in London each
the Board of London’s Air Ambulance. The
day, performing medical interventions at the
Charity has my absolute commitment and I will
scene of the incident which are normally only
do my very best to help it prosper and grow for
found in a hospital emergency department.
The Welsh Ambulance Service’s Head of Operations – Resilience, Chris Sims, collects his Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal at Buckingham Palace.
88 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON He said: “It was amazing and so well organised, it was incredible really. It was nice to have the family there and Prince Charles was doing the investiture. “Everybody gets a chance to have a chat
News
News
Trust appoints new Independent Non-Executive Director
SECAmb tutor recognised at national awards
with him and he asked me what it was like
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS
working for the ambulance service and how
Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is pleased
long I’d been in the job.
to announce the appointment of a new Independent Non-Executive Director.
“I was immensely proud to know my family was sat there in the audience when I think
Dr Angela Smith, from Brighton, will initially
of all the years I’ve done this job and
serve a three-year term running until February
missed a few birthdays through shift work
2020, and replaces Trevor Willington whose
and various things.
final term of office ended at the end of January.
A South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) tutor has been recognised at the annual Ambulance Association of Chief Executive (AACE) awards. Paramedic Practice Educator, Kimberley Alexander, based at Leatherhead, Surrey, was nominated by the Trust for the in the tutor and educator category for her enthusiasm, experience and empathy for students. Having worked incredibly hard as a student herself, prior to qualifying as a paramedic, she
“It was nice to be able to involve them in
is extremely dedicated and to her role and has
something like this as a thanks to them.”
supported a number of CPD activities for both students and staff during the last 12 months.
Chris has been a stalwart with the Welsh Ambulance Service for almost 32 years and
She regularly attends the University of Surrey,
has held no less than 18 different roles in
who supported the nomination, to support
that time.
practical teaching sessions during her own time.
He started his career with the then South Glamorgan Ambulance Service as part of
She was also heavily involved in the Trust’s
the Patient Care Service before joining the
‘Restart a Heart’ day held at the university
Emergency Medical Service.
helping to train hundreds of individuals; including students, lecturers and members of the public in CPR.
After becoming a paramedic, he rose through the ranks to work in the control
While her career was mostly focused on the
room and has since undertaken a large
International Financial Services Sector, Angela
number of roles including Regional Staff
spent some time as a Partner at KPMG and
Officer and Regional Director.
retired recently from a senior public sector role. Through her career Angela has gained
He was also operational lead for the creation of the Trust’s new South East regional headquarters at Vantage Point House in Cwmbran.
substantial Board and Committee experience, chairing several Finance and Risk Committees. Angela joins fellow independent nonexecutives, Sir Peter Dixon (Interim Chairman),
More recently, Chris has been responsible for the rollout and management of the service’s Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART), before taking on his current role in 2014.
Lucy Bloem, Tim Howe, Graham Colbert, Al Rymer and Terry Parkin. She will chair the
SECAmb Acting Chief Executive, Geraint Davies said: “I was delighted to be present to witness Kimberley receive her award. She is a very worthy winner and I would like to thank her for her continued commitment to her role.” Kimberley said: “I was very surprised but proud to win an award for something I thoroughly enjoy doing. I myself had an amazing mentor and feel it has impacted on my practice and teaching now.”
Trust’s Audit Committee. Welcoming the appointment, SECAmb Chairman Peter Dixon, said: “I’m delighted that
Ambulance Service, said: “Chris has been at the forefront of a number of important
Angela has joined the Board. I look forward to working with her and I know her wealth of experience will ensure she makes a strong contribution to the Trust.”
developments within the Trust and that’s why we’re proud that he has been
Angela said: “Ambulance services are a critical
recognised in such a distinguished manner.
part of the NHS and an essential feature of modern British life. SECAmb is particularly
“We hope that he and his family enjoyed
noted for its dedicated and caring colleagues
the investiture on what must have been a
and I am delighted to have this opportunity to
memorable day for all of them.”
contribute.”
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Tracy Myhill, Chief Executive of the Welsh
89 Do you have anything you would like to add or include? Please contact us and let us know.
IN PERSON News
Exceptional volunteer recognised for national award posthumously A dedicated volunteer at the region’s ambulance service has received a national award posthumously. Keith Marshall was a committed volunteer with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) for five years, giving thousands of his hours to saving lives as a community first responder (CFR) in the Wattisham group in Suffolk. On Keith’s behalf his wife, Mary, received his Outstanding Service Award for volunteering at the Ambulance Leadership Forum awards evening held on Tuesday 7 February. Keith and Mary established the Wattisham group and sought to raise money and recruit more volunteers to their cause. A year into his CFR role he attended a 999 emergency and suffered a cardiac arrest whilst attending the patient. Thankfully, Keith was resuscitated and continued to make a positive contribution to EEAST and his community. Following his cardiac arrest, Keith stepped down as a CFR but continued to co-ordinate and manage the Wattisham CFR group. He also was elected as a governor for the Trust when it was applying for NHS Foundation Trust status. He then joined the Trust’s User Group, helping out at events, taking an active role in the Infection, Prevention and Control group and being a loyal advocate for the Trust at partnership meetings. In 2014, Keith’s efforts were recognised when he was given the Trust’s Distinguished Service Award, for the effort and value that he gave to the service and to his community. At the time, Keith said: “EEAST has given me one of the
most rewarding compliments a volunteer could ever imagine and I am immensely proud in being chosen to receive the award.” Chief Executive Robert Morton said: “I had the pleasure to meet Keith. His knowledge and expertise made him an incredibly valued asset to the Trust, and we will be forever grateful for the thousands of hours he volunteered to help our service – whether through his community first responder or Trust User Group work. Keith was a friend to the teams that had the pleasure of working with him, and he will be sorely missed.” News
North West Ambulance Service paramedic awarded prestigious fellowship
Sir John Day joined the Royal Air Force having
A paramedic for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has been awarded a highly prestigious fellowship which will see him spend more than seven weeks in Canada, Australia and New Zealand with an aim to look at Community Resuscitation.
flying instructor. During his 38 years in the
graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and then served a distinguished and varied career in the service, both as a front line helicopter pilot and fixed-wing Royal Air Force he served in a wide range of appointments, including Director of Operations in the Ministry of Defence with responsibility for all the United Kingdom’s military operations. In 2003 he retired as an Air Chief Marshal, having been the Commander-in-Chief Strike
Matt Dugdale, 24, from Warrington applied for the Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship last September and was shortlisted to more than 250 applicants who were invited to attend an interview in London in January. Matt was awarded the fellowship in February, becoming only the second paramedic in the UK to be awarded the fellowship, after Mike Jackson, who is also employed by NWAS. Matt said “I started as a Community First Responder (CFR) within the trust nearly six years ago and I am now keen to see CFRs develop both within NWAS and other services in the UK. I can’t wait to begin my travels and explore best practice within the countries I have chosen.” The focus of his work will be on the utilisation of CFRs in the pre-hospital setting. Following the trip, Matt will work on a 15,000 word report which will help to bring new ideas and best practice to both NWAS and other ambulance services throughout the UK.
Command, with command of all the Royal Air Force’s operational forces. He then became BAE Systems’ Senior Military Adviser, moving on from that role in December 2010. Recently, Sir John has served as a Trustee of the Royal Air Force Museum, including nearly 6 years as the Chairman of Trustees, and as a Trustee of the Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation, a charity dedicated to improving lives through vocational education. He is also a Trustee of the Burma Star Association and he joined the HIOWAA Board in July 2016. Retiring Chairman Noel Dobbs commented ‘I am delighted that Sir John has been appointed as Chairman of Trustees at this very exciting period of growth for HIOWAA. His wealth of experience will be invaluable and he is the perfect candidate to take the Charity forward as it enters its 10th anniversary year’.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Sir John Day commented ‘Despite being News
HIOWAA appoints Sir John Day as Chairman of Trustees
one of the youngest Air Ambulance charities, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance remains at the forefront of pre-hospital emergency care, delivering a vital service to our communities. I am honoured to be taking
HIOWAA are pleased to announce that Sir John
over as Chairman of a charity that prides itself
Day has been appointed to the role of Chairman
as being a leader in its field and I look forward
of Trustees with immediate effect. Sir John takes
to playing my part in helping to keep the Air
over from retiring Chairman Noel Dobbs.
Ambulance flying and saving lives’.
90 For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
PRODUCT SHOWCASE Does classroom based training adequately prepare emergency response workers?
Rescue Service, Armed Forces and other rescue teams. They believe that realistic training is vital to enable healthcare professionals to prepare mentally for any kind of emergency which they may encounter.
As an ambulance worker, you don’t work an average office job…so why would you train in the confines of the classroom?
Realistic training scenarios help professionals gain real skills
Wouldn’t it be great to complete training which is engaging, interesting and memorable – and most importantly, which is a better reflection of the situations and environments you face daily?
In 2016, many healthcare workers participated in Exercise Unified Response (EUR), a large scale and complex, live and command post exercise based on a significant building collapse and incorporating heavy transport and mass causalities.
Ruth Lee Ltd are committed to helping professionals who save lives to train effectively. They are experts in the manufacture of rescue training manikins and other products. With more than 60 years’ experience, they have created a range of training manikins after consultation with the Ambulance Service, Fire &
full dismemberment, as well as impalement capabilities, emergency workers then had to work together to construct a plan to rescue the ‘casualty’ safely. Ruth Lee Ltd also recently helped the North & Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency to create a realistic emergency scenario in one of their tunnels. This training exercise simulated a car crash, where two vehicles had burst into flames, causing that area of the tunnel to fill with smoke. As well as providing manikins, Ruth Lee supplied a range of smoke machines, lighting and theatrical props, which created a realistic, yet safe, training exercise. Step out of the classroom
Ruth Lee, supplied a range of training manikins to this multi-agency exercise, to help represent ‘casualties’ trapped in difficult situations, including an impalement. Using one of Ruth Lee’s Multi-Trauma manikins, which has detachable limbs to simulate partial or
We hope you’ll agree the above training exercises sound interesting and relevant. Remember, just because you want to create something more realistic than classroom training, it doesn’t mean that
you need to work on such a large scale, or spend massive parts of your budget. Ruth Lee can advise on a range of suitable training manikins and fire simulation products which will help you create memorable training. You could consider using one of Ruth Lee’s Full-Bodied Airway Management or CPR manikins and partially trapping it under some rubble. Alternatively, consider how you would help a bariatric patient who has fallen whilst getting out of the shower in a small bathroom. We have a range of Bariatric manikins to help you train for this scenario. Above all, Ruth Lee can help you to think creatively and ‘realistically’ to create training which is much better suited to the emergency situations you deal with daily...we are sure you and your patients will see the benefits.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Ruth Lee Ltd are committed to helping professionals who save lives to train effectively. They are experts in the manufacture of rescue training manikins and other products.
91 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
PRODUCT SHOWCASE UK MOD awards £14 million medical monitor contract to RDT The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £14 million triservice contract for medical monitors to Hampshire-based company RDT, a world-leader and fast-growing specialist in pre-hospital care solutions. The new agreement will see the delivery of around 900 compact, easy-to-use and reliable vital signs Tempus Pro monitors, which will enable the UK military to manage medical incidents in the remote and challenging locations in which they regularly operate. Tempus Pro uniquely consolidates several functions onto one system, ensuring that Armed Forces medical personnel can provide the best quality of care possible to critically injured service men and women in very challenging environments. Tempus Pro monitors will be deployed on medical evacuation vehicles and aircraft, battalion aid stations, hospital ships, field hospitals and in far forward locations by special operations teams.
This award is the latest in a long line of successes for RDT, which has achieved 60 % growth in the last 12 months. RDT is a significant exporter, generating more than 60 % of its revenue from international sales. Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, said: “RDT is a ground-breaking company and its success in securing this contract demonstrates the strong entrepreneurial, engineering and technological talent available in Basingstoke. This talent pool supports a thriving hub of high growth, high tech businesses in the town. The contract will sustain over 60 jobs at RDT’s local facility and has helped in the creation of 20 new roles. I congratulate Graham and his team on this tremendous achievement.” The MOD selected RDT’s Tempus Pro monitoring system after an extensive evaluation programme that highlighted how this very small and robust monitoring platform delivers significantly more capability for British troops than existing solutions. Over the next five years, the MOD will replace all existing monitors with the Tempus Pro system. RDT has already delivered 444 monitors to the Armed Forces.
Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said: “Our Armed Forces serve with incredible commitment and bravery, and the new Tempus Pro monitor will ensure that they will receive the best possible care and treatment should they be wounded or taken ill on operations. Backed by our rising defence budget and our £178 billion equipment plan, our investment in these cutting-edge medical monitors demonstrates how we are working with our NATO allies to provide lifesaving equipment to our frontline personnel.” Before awarding the contract, the Defence Equipment and Support organisation (DE&S) conducted an intensive year-long, multidiscipline monitor evaluation process that saw the system deployed and rigorously tested in extremely harsh and challenging locations. Traditionally, several various monitor types have had to be used at different levels of care in the patient pathway. Thanks to the modular and flexible nature of RDT’s Tempus Pro system, the UK MOD is now able to standardise on one monitor to provide streamlined medical support and critical patient care information from the battlefield onwards. This means the Record of Care of all sick and injured patients can
easily move with them as they progress through different levels of care, and ultimately be saved into their permanent patient record. A single monitoring solution has been an objective of the UK military for some time. It is only possible because of the forward-thinking and innovative way in which RDT has approached the development of its medical monitoring technology. Chief Executive Officer of the DE&S, Tony Douglas, said: “This state-of-the-art piece of equipment shows how we are delivering proven, world-leading equipment to our Armed Forces. The Tempus Pro monitor is a step forward in innovation and safety, demonstrating how we are committed to improving the medical care received by those keeping our country safe. This deal also highlights DE&S’ strong, collaborative partnership with industry, benefitting both our Armed Forces and the wider UK economy by sustaining around 60 UK jobs.” Graham Murphy, RDT CEO, added: “We are incredibly proud to be providing the Tempus Pro to our Armed Forces, who do such important work to keep us all safe. One of the reasons the Tempus Pro is being adopted by the UK and many other NATO militaries is because of its unique ability to be enhanced in the field as new technologies emerge or needs evolve. The world is an ever-changing place and this flexibility is important to all our customers. To that end, RDT has an exciting set of new features in development to which the MOD will have full access as they become available.”
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
For more information, please contact: RDT Pavilion C2, Ashwood Park, Ashwood Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England RG23 8BG +44(0)1256 362 400
92 For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
PRODUCT SHOWCASE at The Emergency Services Show... O&H O&H Vehicle safety of everyone who comes into contact with any patient transfer
or blue light vehicle are met with
Conversions
an approach based around consultancy and innovation,
O&H Vehicle Conversions are one of the leading vehicle converters in the UK. For over 25 years we have been an established converter specialising in Patient Transport Service (PTS) Ambulances, front line A&E Ambulances, Wheelchair Access Vehicles (WAV’s) and Welfare vehicles. We are based on a 6 acres site in Goole, East Yorkshire, housing a purpose built 60,000 sq ft manufacturing facility. O&H Vehicle Conversions invests heavily to ensure that our extensive product range continues to offer customers the
helping customers to achieve
frontline service. What’s more, the friendly customer services team are available and happy to help and can be contacted using the customer’s preferred method of communication.
face in their working life and assist in finding solutions that provide a better place for patients throughout the UK. After all, the patients are those people most important in our minds, and rightly so.
mutually agreed objectives.
“The time of transactional relationships has passed. Our build process is lean and Customers of today know what flexible, working closely with they want from a provider, they vehicle manufacturers to ensure understand the value that the that all modifications carried out right partner can offer to their complement the quality, durability organisation. At O&H, we are and safety of the original vehicle. looking for partners who want to Regardless of whether it’s a single work together to help improve vehicle or a large volume contract, the current situation. As such we our flexible approach to supplying recognise that we need to be vehicles means that we can apply part of the solution, not part of the same levels of quality and the problem. Whether a current attention to detail. customer or not, we want to speak with all service providers, to help Partnership does not end when a O&Hvehicle will beisat The Emergency Services Show, the challenges that they understand delivered. O&H Vehicle
NEC Birmingham, 21-22nd September 2016.
People are at the centre of what we believe and form the foundation of our business. We are fortunate to have such a fantastic depth of knowledge and talent within our team, who will ensure that there are exciting times ahead both for O&H and our customers. The future is extremely bright and we are looking forward to introducing new innovations to the market. I am sure that with our energy, expertise and determination, we can help to shape the future to make it a better, safer place”
Conversions offer aftersales
whoinside service on customers our PPV stand G31, and the most innovative and easy to use Findexperts PTS / A&E vehicles outside at that OS70. throughout the UK, ensuring vehicles on the market. vehicles are consistently kept on
The recognition of being a
www.ohvc.co.uk
the road and readily available for
solution provider to a service industry is a primary consideration in the approach that O&H Vehicle Conversions adopts. By working hard with our clients to understand the specific challenges that they face in their day-to-day working life, we use our expertise to find solutions that ultimately improve the lives of those patients who need the service, whether it be to preserve or enhance their lives. A key part of our service delivery is through our trained experts; whether it may be our Technical Sales Managers, our in-house design team, or any other of AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
our highly skilled manufacturing teams, customers can take confidence in the knowledge that they will benefit from a first-class end-to-end solution. Challenges such as the working environment of staff, increased fuel efficiencies, environment footprint reductions, and of course the
93 For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
AUK_August_AUK_August_2013 11/10/2013 10:53 Page 254
ww
THE CLASSIFIED SITE For For further further information make information or or to to make aa reservation reservation please please contact contact
Terry Terry or or Brenda Rachel Tel: Tel: 01322 01322 660434 660434 Fax: Fax: 01322 666539 email:
info@mediapublishing info@mediapublishing company.com or by post to: Media Media House, 48 High Street 48 Swanley Swanley KentBR8 BR88BQ BQ Kent
Life Connections 2014
Pre-Hospital Care Pre-Hospital Care Consultancy Ltd Consultancy Ltd Exmed Study Day of Advanced “PHTLS for First Essentials Theme: Difficult Airway Course EMS™ – An introduction Responders Course” Airway Thursday 15TH May 2014 Management Kettering Conference Centre, Kettering NN15June 6PB 7, Tuesday June 6, Wednesday
Telford InternationalPRESENTATION Centre, Telford TIME: A.M 08.30 - 09.00
Registration
This continuing education course 09.00 - 09.15 Introduction & History of the Course that teaches the principles of 09.15 - 09.45 The Airway Algorithms PHTLS is ideal for first responders, 09-45 - 10.30 Prediction of the Difficult Airway EMS practitioners, etc. Topics 10.30 - 11.15 BVM and Laryngoscopy being covered include: Airway/ 11.15 11.30 Tea/Coffee, Exhibition Oxygenation & Ventilation, rotations/30 min. each) 11.30 - 12.00 and Skills Stations (4 Circulation Shock, Traumatic Group 1 ETI Trauma. Brain Injury &BVM, Spinal Group 2
EGD’s & Rescue Airways
Telford Centre, Telford TIME: P.M International PRESENTATION 12.00 - 12.30
Skill Stations
14.00 - 14.30
Skill Stations
Learn the full range of Airway Rotation 2 Management techniques, including: 12.30 - 13.30 Lunch, Exhibition The Use of Extraglotic Devices, 13.30 - 14.00 Skill Stations Video Assisted Intubation and Rotation 3 Surgical Cricothyrotomy. Rotationare 4 Only 10 places available at 14.30 - 14.45 Airway Self Scope Video(50% a rate of £80.00 plus VAT below normal Course costs). 14.45 - 15.00 Tea/Coffee, Exhibition
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
Only 123 places are available Group Needle & Surgical Airway at 15.00 - 17.00 a rate of £80.00 plus VAT (50% Group 4 Video Laryngoscopy 17.00 below normal Course costs). Topics and Speakers correct at the time of press but may be subject to change
Practical Moulages Wrap up CPD certificate provider
Delegate Rate: £72.00 (inc VAT) includes: delegate bag, refreshments and the opportunity to visit over 60 trade stands.
To register please visit:
To register please visit:
Only 7 places remain available!! www.lifeconnections.uk.com www.lifeconnections.uk.com
To register call 01322 660434 or visit:
94
www.lifeconnections.uk.com For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
ww.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 20-21 September 2017 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 20-21 September 2017 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall
THE CLASSIFIED SITE
“Knowing what the roles of my emergency services colleagues are during an incident is invaluable, and can only improve outcomes for patients.”
Photograph © ESS
Mike Pickett, Paramedic, Yorkshire Ambulance Service
A unique event for everyone who works in the emergency services. Over 400 exhibitors, free seminars and product demonstrations.
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
The Emergency Services Show 2017 – it’s all about you Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham. Wed 20 – Thu 21 September 2017. Free entry at www.emergencyuk.com.
Event partners
Media partners
For all your equipment needs visit: www.ambulanceservicesuppliers.com
95
Does he need a trauma centre or the local hospital? Twenty-year-old male in a motor vehicle accident. Airbag has deployed. Car has significant front-end damage. Is he bleeding internally? Will he need a trauma centre? These are some of the questions you need to answer on a suspected trauma call, as haemorrhage is the leading cause of death after injury.1 The new trauma parameters on the ZOLL X SeriesÂŽ help you accurately and quickly assess your patients so you can feel more confident in your treatment decisions.
Insight for informed decisions. www.zoll.com/uk/trauma-care Acosta JA, et al. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 1998;186(5):528-533.
1
Š2016 ZOLL Medical Corporation, Chelmsford, MA, USA. X Series and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. MCN IP 1601 0092-05