Ambulance UK - April 2020

EDITOR’S COMMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENT
Who would have thought a few short weeks ago that we would be working and living
as we are at the moment? Then my local trust was in the middle of a CQC inspection,
looking in detail at every aspect of the way we work. We were asking ourselves, what
is it that makes us responsive, and what do we do that is outstanding.
Here we are, a few weeks later, and in the middle of a new reality. We no longer need to ask what evidence
we have of responsiveness. Nor do we have to look too far to see what outstanding work is being done on a
daily basis, by our clinicians and the rest of the NHS.
“The way
we have
responded to
this crisis as
a system is
outstanding.
What we
have seen
over the last
month has
rewritten
that book.
It is truly
amazing.”
We’ve seen hospitals that usually run at over 100% capacity, create beds, space and equipment to such an
extent that they are, as I write, running at well under 60% capacity. To add to that, there are now Nightingale
hospitals and recovery units in operation, that weren’t even thought of a month ago. In the ambulance
service we have seen non-emergency staff volunteer to do emergency work, and within a week being
trained, inducted and working with our emergency clinicians.
The way we have responded to this crisis as a system is outstanding. We have all seen change teams and
transformation teams spend years trying to achieve things. What we have seen over the last month has
rewritten that book. It is truly amazing.
But for a system to make such drastic changes, it takes people. Ambulance clinicians have always been a
flexible bunch. They learn to live with uncertainty. It comes from the work we do, and is in the genes of out
of hospital work. At the moment, that pace of change is unprecedented. The PPE requirements alone have
changed at least twice a week for the past three weeks. This combined with the paucity of equipment at
times has naturally caused concern. I get that. But what I also see is that despite that concern; despite the
lack of a perfect solution; amidst that uncertainty, our clinicians are still getting out there and getting the job
done. As are our contact centre and control room staff.
I’ve always been proud to work for the ambulance service and the NHS, and this crisis has proved that this
pride was well-placed. No-one needs to look too far any more to see what makes the ambulance service
and clinicians outstanding.
So in finishing, I suppose I just need to say, wash your hands, keep your distance, and keep safe. I will see
you on the other side.
Dr Matt House, Co-Editor Ambulance UK
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
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