Ambulance UK February 2021

Volume 36 No. 1

February 2021

DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS

Celebrating 42 years of support

to the NHS and the Emergency Services

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS

Ambulance UK

5 EDITOR’S COMMENT

8 FEATURES

8 Predicting resource demand in a time of CHAOS

12 NEWSLINE

26 IN PERSON

31 COMPANY NEWS

This issue edited by:

Sam English

c/o Media Publishing Company

48 High Street

SWANLEY BR8 8BQ

ADVERTISING:

Terry Gardner, Samantha Marsh

CIRCULATION:

Media Publishing Company

Media House, 48 High Street

SWANLEY, Kent, BR8 8BQ

Tel: 01322 660434 Fax: 01322 666539

E: info@mediapublishingcompany.com

www.ambulanceukonline.com

COVER STORY

Founded in November 1979, DS Medical looks to celebrate its 42nd

year of business supporting healthcare professionals. We have been the

proud providers of exceptional pre-hospital and primary care products

to our varied health care customers for over four decades. Our aim is to

continue to develop fantastic products and services.

PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY:

February, April, June, August,

October, December

COPYRIGHT:

Media Publishing Company

Media House

48 High Street

SWANLEY, Kent, BR8 8BQ

You don’t have to look far to see the growth we have exhibited over the years.

Our product range has expanded from stethoscopes and general first aid

supplies for the pre-hospital care market, to emergency medical equipment,

haemostats, and consumables for all stages of medical support. With the

introduction of manufacturing 13 years ago DS Medical is able to provide a

range of Response Bags that many of the leading NHS Ambulance Trusts and

other institutions utilise on their vehicles and for their personnel, making DS

Medical one of the leading suppliers of medical care products in the UK.

Since 1979, attention to detail and customer care have been core values

held by DS Medical. Over the years we have developed close bonds with

numerable institutions, NHS, Fire, Police, Maritime, and Industry, enabling us to

add to our expertise, understanding and support of client requirements within

the emergency services industry.

Increased long-standing supplier relationships with renowned global

manufacturers leave us confident that our consumers can rely on us for

products that ensure excellent patient care.

In our 42 years of business, our primary focus has never wavered from our

customers’ needs. Aiming to deliver the best customer care, our four decades

of medical expertise, industry knowledge and our in-house clinician means we

are able to do just that.

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 April 2021

Subscription Information – February 2021

Ambulance UK is available through

a personal, company or institutional

subscription in both the UK and overseas.

UK:

Individuals - £24.00 (inc postage)

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AMBULANCE UK - FEBRUARY

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

3

Just breathe

Why Penthrox?

Penthrox is a non-opioid inhaled

analgesic that provides simple, fast &

effective pain relief for your patients. 1

Superior pain relief for moderate to

severe trauma pain vs Standard

Analgesic Treatment (SAT) *2,3

It can be self-administered by patients

under the supervision of any person

trained in its use. 1

Visit the Penthrox University and complete the

administration training on how to use Penthrox.

1 hours’ worth of CPD points available.

www.penthrox.co.uk

Penthrox is indicated for the emergency relief of moderate to severe

pain in conscious adult patients with trauma and associated pain 1

For more information and support for your service

contact Simon Nevitt: 07920363590

simon.nevitt@galen-pharma.com

PENTHROX 99.9%, 3 ml inhalation vapour, liquid

(methoxyflurane): Please refer to the Summary of Product

Characteristics (SmPC) before prescribing. Abbreviated

Prescribing Information. Presentation: Each bottle of PENTHROX

contains 3 ml of methoxyflurane 99.9%, a clear, almost colourless,

volatile liquid, with a characteristic fruity odour. Each PENTHROX

combination pack consists of one bottle of 3 ml PENTHROX, 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. It is inhaled through the custombuilt

PENTHROX inhaler. Adults: One bottle of 3 ml PENTHROX as

a single dose, administered using the device provided. A second

bottle should only be used where needed. The frequency at which

PENTHROX can be safely used is not established. The following

administration schedule is recommended: no more than 6 ml in a

single day, administration on consecutive days is not recommended

and the total dose to a patient in a week should not exceed 15 ml.

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 of a bottle containing 3 ml

provides analgesic relief for up to 25-30 minutes; intermittent

inhalation may provide longer analgesic relief. Patients should be

advised to use the lowest possible dose to achieve pain relief. Renal

impairment: Methoxyflurane may cause renal failure if the

recommended dose is exceeded. Caution should be exercised for

patients diagnosed with clinical conditions that would pre-dispose

to renal injury. Hepatic impairment: Cautious clinical judgement

should be exercised when PENTHROX is to be used more

frequently than on one occasion every 3 months. Paediatric

population: PENTHROX should not be used in children and

adolescents under 18 years. For detailed information on the

method of administration refer to the SmPC. Contraindications:

Use as an anaesthetic agent. Hypersensitivity to methoxyflurane,

any fluorinated anaesthetic or to any of the excipients. Patients who

are known to be or genetically susceptible to malignant

hyperthermia. Patients or patients with a known family history of

severe adverse reactions after being administered with inhaled

anaesthetics. Patients who have a history of showing signs of liver

damage after previous methoxyflurane use or halogenated

hydrocarbon anaesthesia. Clinically significant renal impairment.

MAT-PEN-UK-000362 Date of preparation: January 2021

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: To ensure the safe use of PENTHROX as an analgesic

the lowest effective dose to control pain should be used and it

should be used with caution in the elderly or other patients with

known risk factors for renal disease, and in patients diagnosed with

clinical conditions which may pre-dispose to renal injury.

Methoxyflurane causes significant nephrotoxicity at high doses.

Nephrotoxicity is thought to be associated with inorganic fluoride

ions, a metabolic breakdown product. When administered as

instructed for the analgesic indication, a single dose of 3 ml

methoxyflurane produces serum levels of inorganic fluoride ions

below 10 micromol/l. In the past when used as an anaesthetic

agent, methoxyflurane at high doses caused significant

nephrotoxicity, which was determined to occur at serum levels of

inorganic fluoride ions greater than 40 micromol/l. 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 subgroups

of people with genetic variations that may result in fast

metaboliser status. 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. Potential effects on blood pressure

and heart rate are known class-effects of high-dose methoxyflurane

used in anaesthesia and other anaesthetics. Caution is required with

use in the 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 possibility of CNS effects may

be seen as a risk factor for potential abuse, however reports are very

rare in post-marketing use. 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. PENTHROX contains the excipient,

butylated hydroxytoluene (E321) which may cause local skin

reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis), or irritation to the eyes and

mucous membranes. 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. Interactions: There are no reported

drug interactions when used at the analgesic dosage (3 – 6 ml).

Methoxyflurane is metabolised by the CYP 450 enzymes, particularly

CYP 2E1, CYP 2B6 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 and carbamazepine,

efavirenz, rifampicin or nevirapine for CYP 2B6) which increase the

rate of methoxyflurane metabolism might increase its potential

toxicity and they should be avoided concomitantly with

methoxyflurane. Concomitant use of methoxyflurane with

medicines (e.g. 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. 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. When

methoxyflurane was used for anaesthesia at the higher doses of

40–60 ml, there were reports of drug interaction with hepatic

enzyme inducers (e.g. 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 (e.g.

barbiturates) reducing cardiac output; and class effect on cardiac

depression, which may be enhanced by other cardiac depressant

drugs, e.g. intravenous practolol during cardiac surgery. Fertility,

pregnancy and lactation: No clinical data on effects of

methoxyflurane on fertility are available. Studies in animals have

shown reproduction toxicity. 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 common nonserious

reactions are CNS type reactions such as dizziness and

somnolence and are generally easily reversible. Serious doserelated

nephrotoxicity has only been associated with methoxyflurane

when used in large doses over prolonged periods during general

anaesthesia. The following adverse drug reactions have either been

observed in PENTHROX clinical trials in analgesia, with analgesic

use of methoxyflurane following post-marketing experience or are

linked to methoxyflurane use in analgesia found in post-marketing

experience and in scientific literature (refer to the SmPC for further

details): Very common (≥1/10): dizziness; common (≥1/100 to

EDITOR’S COMMENT

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Welcome to this issue of AUK

Normally at this point I’d be mentioning the ‘X’ word and all the joy that usually accompanies it. Somehow,

it just doesn’t seem appropriate this year and rather than be reflective as 2021 starts, I’m pretty sure most

of us would rather scratch 2020 from our memories. It’s been such a difficult time for so many people in so

many ways that to contemplate last year can only engender two feelings, sadness and pride…sadness for

loss in all its forms and pride in the NHS and more specifically in the way the Ambulance Service has played

a significant role in the pandemic response. I’ve just looked at the photographs from SCAS Emma Williams

which whilst sobering, highlight the vital role we all play in fighting back. Its also nice to see ambulance staff

recognised alongside other health service colleagues for their efforts in the Honours list.

“...its

wonderful

to see

NWAS

pick up the

Ambulance

Trust of

the year

award, it

makes me

extremely

proud to

wear the

uniform...”

In my turn, its wonderful to see NWAS pick up the Ambulance Trust of the year award, it makes me

extremely proud to wear the uniform, moreso because I remember when Ian Walmsley, sector manager for

East Lancs and myself set up the falls response joint initiative in the space of two weeks five years ago, still

going strong and several awards later, Gail Smith has done a marvellous job of managing and expanding

the service, it remains an example of NWAS forward vision, innovation and commitment to patient centred

care. Ian is due to retire this year and having known and worked with him for 30 plus years, I know his

professionalism, care and humour in difficult times will be sorely missed, I wish him all the best for his

retirement.

So 2021 is upon us and rather like a black cloud that forgot its silver lining, the year has begun with more

miserable times. The small light at the end of a very long tunnel is just about visible with vaccination

accelerating faster than just about anywhere else in the world, again a tribute to our NHS, and at least we

can start to look forward so better times ahead and maybe even a holiday of sorts. With the fall out from

Covid likely to last far longer than the disease, I hope you all manage to get some form of break from the

relentless pressure, even if that just means a camping trip to Cornwall or Cumbria with your families. I wish

you all the very best for the coming year, stay sane and safe and indulge in the AUK podcasts with your feet

up and a cup of your favourite!

Sam English, Co-Editor Ambulance UK


For the latest Ambulance Service News visit: www.ambulancenewsdesk.com

5

FEATURE

www.theortusgroup.com

E: hello@theortusgroup.com

T: +44(0)8454594705

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Compatability: The corpuls aed corPatch electrodes and the corPatch CPR feedback sensor are fully

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Thorax Compression Device

Thanks to the Bluetooth connection, the corpuls cpr seamlessly

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corpuls3, and C3T. This ensures safer treatment and increased

hands-off time therefore ultimately increasing the patient’s chance of

survival.

6

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Specifications

Scoop Board - Patient in Transit

Weight: 5.5kg (arm with battery and stamp

Compression Depth: 2-6cm

Frequency: 80-120/min

Therapy Mode: 30:2 | 15.2 | continuous

Blueotooth and NFC

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key with alarm and 4 soft keys

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Treatment of children from 8 years old,

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Exclusively available to the UK market from The Ortus Group.

Visit our website to find out more: www.theortusgroup.com


7

FEATURE

PREDICTING RESOURCE

DEMAND IN A TIME OF CHAOS

Simon Mortimore, assistant director of Business Information at South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS)

How do you predict the unpredictable? That’s a question I’m sure many of

us asked as we began to understand the seriousness of COVID-19 in the

early months of 2020. As an ambulance service covering 5 million people

from North Oxfordshire to the South Coast of the UK, we are constantly

balancing how we meet the needs of the population we serve.

It is a challenge to make sure we have our vehicles in the right locations

in a normal year – in a pandemic, with no comparable experience, it

tested us (as it tested the entire healthcare sector, and indeed everyone)

like nothing that had come before.

So, how did we manage this? How did we continue to offer a

consistency service, while managing stretched resources, with the

increased complexity of COVID-19?

The key was ensuring having access to accurate, timely and relevant

data. As one of ten mainland ambulance services covering England, we

were part of the country’s multiagency national COVID-19 response. At

the height of the pandemic, that included having multiple conference

calls a day with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, sharing

data to inform local, regional and national efforts.

We could not have done this if our data took weeks to come through.

From the very beginning of the pandemic, we realised we needed to be

able to do four things:

• Identify hotspots to inform resource demand planning

• Capture data today to inform our actions tomorrow

• Sharing intelligence across multiple agencies, both to improve our

overall understanding and sense check our ideas, as well as ensure

consistency across key metrics

• Integrate additional data sources to enhance our own experience and

ability to react appropriately

presentations of information, and share it with relevant stakeholders

to inform their decision-making. This included being able to meet the

needs and preferences of different audiences – whether they wanted

their data in charts and numbers or maps, we were able to provide the

same information in a variety of ways with the click of a button.

The level of insights we were able to generate had a direct impact on

our understanding of how COVID-19 was affecting our region and

where resources were needed. For example, within our coverage we

have the demographically very similar urban areas of Portsmouth and

Slough. However, we started to see hotspots developing in Slough,

while Portsmouth had a much lower rate of cases. Reviewing the data,

we were able to identify that Portsmouth’s location as an island had

made it much easier for the city to manage social distancing and how

traffic came in and out of the area. Slough, with its position at the end of

the M4, has a much higher transitory population, even during lockdown,

leading to more hotspots.

By having access to data, we could see all this and plan accordingly. We

were able to react with the right resources, whether vehicle, paramedic or

equipment, as well as predict where future resources would be needed.

We’ve also been able to develop early warning indicators, which has

helped us plan for both the usual winter challenges, but future waves

of coronavirus as well. As I write this the first vaccines are being rolled

out, but I don’t think anyone believes the challenges we have faced will

disappear overnight. That’s why our continued use of data is critical to

make sure that we can deal with whatever comes up, and make sure our

patients receive the best possible care in the shortest amount of time.


To do that, we needed appropriate systems. However, we quickly

realised that many of our existing platforms and tools were not suitable

for capturing and analysing the data we would need for COVID-19, and

would be overwhelmed if we tried to use them in such a way. This would

have had implications both for our pandemic response and other parts

of the organisation.

In the early stages, our solution was to capture data in Excel. It was

simple to use and easy to quickly identify data sources. However,

that was always a temporary solution. With speed of the essence, we

needed something that could automate our analysis and presentation of

data, as well as integrate with a variety of sources and tools, including

external demographic datasets from data agency Doorda and the

mapping technology of the Ordnance Survey.

To do that, we migrated over to Qlik Sense. In doing so, we were able to

organise, review and analyse data constantly, automating reports and

8

For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

FREE EDUCATIONAL PODCASTS

Visit www.ambulanceukonline.com

FEATURE

In the knowledge that conferences and exhibitions are currently on hold we are delighted to offer you

the opportunity to hear the following podcasts listed on www.ambulanceukonline.com

further podcasts being added on a regular basis:

Management of Traumatic Cardiac Arrest - Richard Lyons

Peak Performance Under Pressure - Stephen Hearns

Obstetric Emergencies in the Pre Hospital Environment - Lucy Powls

Basic ECG recognition - Steve Evans MBE

Picking up the Pieces - Dr John Chatterjee & Steve Jones

This unique section on our web site also gives you the opportunity to see the following products being

demonstrated:

• I-view(tm) video laryyngoscope

• Water Rescue toddler

• EOlife Ventillation Monitor

• Quantum Life Warmer

We are also seeking further presentation/podcasts to add to this exciting new educational concept

therefore if you have anything to submit that would interest those working in Pre Hospital Care,

Resuscitation and Simulation please forward it to info@mediapublishingcompany.com

IT’S FREE - IT’S EDUCATIONAL - IT’S REWARDING

WWW.AMBULANCEUKONLINE.COM

Volume 35 No. 5

DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS

October 2020

Discover the Quantum

DIFFERENCE

THE Prehospital Blood &Fluid Warming Solution

Blood &

Fl

uid

Wa

rm

in

ng

Sy

ys

te

m

Volume 30 No. 4

Winter 2020

Gastroenterology Today

New Ways of Working

within Endoscopy

One of the impacts of Covid-19 is

the way the NHS is accepting and

encouraging new ways of working.

But is this true in endoscopy?

In this edition, we look at insourcing

with 18 Week Support as a solution,

the actual experience of our nurses

and clinicians working on these

short-term contracts and explore

the differences in working life with

18 Week Support compared to their

day to day jobs in their home trusts.

Volume 7 No. 2

Autumn 2020

Resuscitation Today

A Resource for all involved in the Teaching and Practice of Resuscitation

Volume 2 No. 2

Autumn 2020

SimulationToday

A resource for all involved in the teaching and practice of simulation

ENHANCE PAEDIATRIC SIMULATION WITH REALITi

Train critical skills required for your most vulnerable patients


FAST | EFFECTIVE | SAFE | INTUITIVE | LIGHTWEIGHT | POWERFUL

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See reverse for Simulation Today

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

9

ADVERTORIAL

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THE FRONTLINE AMBULANCE

OF THE FUTURE

Fully operational at 3.5 Tonne

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10

Reducing Emissions

Reducing Fuel Consumption

Driving recruitment driven on a ‘B’ Licence

Ready for the Step to Zero Emission EV

The ambulance of choice for

St John Ambulance

WAS UK Ltd • E: wasukinfo@was-vehicles.co.uk • T: 0845 45 927 85

www.was-vehicles.com @WASAmbulances @was.vehicles @wasambulances @WASAmbulances

For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

The 3.5t Environmental

Ambulance of the Future

FEATURE

After the release of the WAS 3.5 tonne frontline Ambulance back in 2019, further advancements have

been made leading to the production of the fully automatic MAN TGE varient. This fully operational frontline

vehicle has been adopted by St John Ambulance after WAS were awarded the contract to supply.

This innovative vehicle means that St John Ambulance is operating one of the most modern fleets in the

UK if not globally.

Re-engineered

To achieve this lightweight ambulance, WAS

has analsyed every component within the

conversion and re-engineered it to save

weight without compromising its structural

integrity. This also meant procuring third party

components with weight benefits even if the

cost was higher to purchase. Tom Howlett,

Sales Engineering Manager at WAS UK,

explains: “Our biggest engineering goal was

reducing the weight of our box body, while

still ensuring the construction passed all

the stringent safety testing. Our engineering

experts at WAS GmbH have worked tirelessly

to achieve this goal and to ensure WAS

continue to lead the way in the ambulance

market”.

THE WAS 3.5T FRONTLINE AMBULANCE BASED ON THE FULLY AUTOMATIC MAN TGE

Reduction in fuel emissions

This vehicle is set to become the

enviromental ambulance of the future

with its ability to deliver reductions in fuel

and emissions on a 3.5t GVW vehicle,

compared to market equivalents at 4.25t

GVW. When designing this ambulance,

WAS always had an eye on the future.

With that in mind this ambulance

conversion is now also viable for a zero

emission vehicle platform. All electric

vehicles can be driven on a ‘B’ licence

up to 4.25t GVW and the WAS box body

conversion is perfectly placed to make

this step. A frontline vehicle that can

be driven on a ‘B’ licence delivers huge

benefits in terms of recruiting staff.

REDUCING FUEL AND EMISSIONS

Automatic loading stretcher

The specification includes an automatic

loading stretcher system dualed with a

powered carry chair. These patient loading

systems, which reduce musculoskeletal

injuries are likely to become the patient

loading methods on zero emission

ambulances moving forwards. Electric

vehicles with the need of large mileage

ranges will have batteries situated behind the

rear axle to deliver the range, this will require

innovative patient loading solutions fit for the

next generation ambulance.


After winning the contract to supply

St John Ambulance, there are 11 vehicles

in service with another 25 to be delivered

starting in March this year. Tom Howlett, Sales

Engineering Manager at WAS UK, recalls:

“Working with St John Ambulance has been

very exciting. The services fleet is undergoing

a massive modernisation campaign and this

modernisation together with the forward

thinking team of St John Ambulance has

enabled this design to work and function

as a fully operational BS EN1789 compliant

vehicle”.

Craig Harman, National Ambulance

& Community Response Director at


Craig Harman comments: “Having consulted

with staff and volunteers at every stage of

the development of our new fleet, we are

confident that they provide a much-improved

experience for both them and our patients.

The new design gives us a larger operating

space and familiarity across all vehicles

which will save time and enhance the patient

experience. All in all, they will make a huge

difference to the work that we do, and I can’t

wait to see more of them out on the road”.

Rob MacIntosh, National Fleet

Manager at St John Ambulance

Rob MacIntosh adds: “Adding these vehicles

to our fleet is a huge step forward for us.

They use less fuel, require less maintenance

and the upgraded engines mean that we are

also making emissions savings. The multifunctional

aspect of these new ambulances

means that we can elongate their life span

by rotating them on different types of duties.

They’ll make a big difference to us now and

into the future. After nationally evaluating the

prototype vehicle, the feedback couldn’t have

been better which confirms we are going in

the right direction”.


If you’d like to find out more information about the new WAS 3.5 tonne vehicle, please contact:

wasukinfo@was-vehicles.co.uk, or speak with Tom Howlett on: 07496 982199 or 0845 459 2785.

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

11

NEWSLINE

Air ambulance

receives

heartwarming

donation for vital

lifesaving equipment

The County Air Ambulance

HELP Appeal, the only charity

in the country that funds

NHS hospital helipads, has

generously funded £22,000 for

five new critical blood-warming

machines for Great Western Air

Ambulance Charity.

Great Western Air Ambulance

Charity (GWAAC) crew consists

of Critical Care Doctors and

Specialist Paramedics who bring

the skills of a hospital emergency

department direct to those in

urgent need.

As part of their extensive kit,

they carry blood and fresh

frozen plasma together with the

equipment necessary to give a

blood transfusion at the scene

of an incident. In 2019 GWAAC’s

Critical Care Team gave 37

patients emergency blood and

plasma transfusions on scene.

To give a safe transfusion, the

blood needs to be warmed close

to body temperature before being

used. Whether the team are

attending a patient by helicopter

or critical care car, they need

the right kit at hand to be able

to respond quickly with the right

treatment. This includes having

reliable and effective blood

warming machines, so that they

can safely administer blood

transfusions.

The charity’s current blood

warming machines were nearing

the end of their lives, and so

new ones were required, costing

£4,400 each. As a charity, GWAAC

receives no day-to-day funding

from the NHS or Government,

and relies on generous grants

and donations to raise the money

needed to provide their lifesaving

service.

Since the launch of GWAAC

in 2008, the charity has been

fortunate to have a strong

partnership with the County Air

Ambulance, receiving almost £4

million in funding. This has helped

to develop the charity’s operations

and make significant advances in

pre-hospital emergency care for

patients in GWAAC’s region.

GWAAC’s Chief Executive, Anna

Perry, said: “We’re so grateful for

grants and donations such as this

one that allow us to purchase vital

kit for our crew to give patients the

best possible chance of a positive

outcome. Without support like

this, we simply couldn’t make a

difference to so many lives and

families across the region, so on

behalf of all of our communities –

thank you.”

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive

of the County Air Ambulance

HELP Appeal said: “The charity

has a very strong connection with

GWAAC having provided funding

during its first few years. Through

our HELP Appeal we have funded

helipads at Bristol Royal Infirmary

and Southmead hospital, which

have helped to save many

lives. We’ll always go where we

are needed most and GWAAC

urgently needed our support. We

are pleased that we can continue

helping them to save the lives of

critically ill patients.”


12


Four things in one pack,

NEWSLINE

one less thing to think about

LAS

Paramedic pilot

introduced to help

ease pressure on GP

services this winter

A new pilot saw London

Ambulance Service paramedics

working in GP surgeries across

the London borough of Merton

to help improve the care

patients receive and reduce the

pressures on GPs this winter.

Using e-bikes, twelve paramedics

will be supporting Merton Health

– a collective of 6 Primary Care

Networks (PCNs) made up of

local GP practices – by cycling

to patients in the community and

helping deliver this season’s flu

vaccinations. Each PCN will be

assigned two paramedics who will

work on rotational shifts between

the ambulance service and the

practices.

pilot will help relieve pressure on GP

surgeries and ensure ambulances

go where they are most needed.

“Nobody wants to go to hospital

unless they have to and with

finite resources, our highlyskilled

clinicians are well placed

to assess whether patients

need care at home or if hospital

treatment is required.

“We’re proud to partner with

Merton Health and to provide

their Primary Care Networks with

our skilled paramedics. Merton

are truly leading the way and we

look forward to exploring further

opportunities with other Primary

Care Networks in the future.”

The pilot works to support the

NHS’s Long Term Plan in its

ambition to provide integrated

care to patients within the

community, in which the

paramedic’s role is a vital part in

treating more patients at home.

The medics will also help assess

and treat those suffering with long

term conditions, patients that

have recently been discharged

from hospital, and also patients

who have coronavirus and a

pre-existing health condition.

Once the patient is assessed,

the paramedics will work with

GPs to refer patients to the most

appropriate follow-up care and

assist with their care plans.

Starting November, the six-month

pilot aims to alleviate some of

the pressures on GP surgeries,

speed up the time it takes for

patients to be seen and make

sure they’re seen by the most

appropriate clinicians. It is hoped

that it will also reduce pressure

on the London Ambulance

Service by cutting the need to

send ambulances and avoiding

unnecessary attendance at A&E.

Chief Operating Officer of

London Ambulance Service,

Khadir Meer said: “Winter is an

extremely busy time for our health

service and with the exceptional

year we have had, we hope this

Mariam Ganesaratnam, Chief

Executive Officer of Merton

Health said: “This year has been

a challenge for the entire NHS,

with pressures building in general

practice and A&E’s and our

hospitals seeing an increase in

admissions. We have been pulling

out the stops to ensure that we

are prepared for winter and that

our teams are resilient.

“I have had the pleasure of working

with London Ambulance Service

paramedics on the frontline and

we believe that this new service

will bring significant benefits to our

networks, practices and our patients.

These paramedics will be vital to

relieving winter pressures and will

be a real asset to Primary Care

Networks in Merton. This has been

an exciting opportunity and we hope

that this partnership extends beyond

the six month pilot.”

The pilot is expected to run

until April 2021 and subject to

evaluation, London Ambulance

Service hopes to make this a

permanent feature with the aim to

further expand it across London.

www.i-gel.com

Quality, innovation and choice


13

NEWSLINE

A 24/7 Air

Ambulance for Wales

The Wales Air Ambulance

has achieved its ambition to

become a 24/7 service thanks

to the donations from the

people of Wales.

The Charity, which will celebrate

its 20th anniversary in 2021,

will start operating an overnight

helicopter from Tuesday, 1

December.

The cost of running the

helicopters during the day

currently stands at £6.5 million

every year. To maintain the

overnight helicopter, Wales

Air Ambulance must raise an

additional £1.5 million, bringing

the annual fundraising total

required for a 24/7 operation to

£8 million.

While the helicopter operation is

supported by the people of Wales

through charitable donations to

the Wales Air Ambulance, the

medical capability on board

the aircraft is delivered thanks

to a unique Third Sector-Public

Sector partnership between the

Charity, Welsh Government and

NHS Wales. In place since 2015,

this collaboration resulted in

the creation of the Emergency

Medical Retrieval and Transfer

Service (EMRTS Cymru), more

commonly known as the ‘Welsh

Flying Medics’, which provides

pioneering pre-hospital critical

and emergency medical care

across Wales. The aviation part

of the service is run by Babcock

Mission Critical Services Onshore

on behalf of the Wales Air

Ambulance.

The need for an overnight Wales

Air Ambulance was identified

following detailed research into life

or limb-threatening emergencies

that took place outside the

services’ operational hours of

8am to 8pm. Over a 12-month

period, there were approximately

990 cases of ‘unmet need’ and

the demand was most prevalent

in South-East Wales.

While plans for the introduction of

the overnight aircraft were being

finalised, a road-based consultant

and critical care practitioner have

been operating between 7pm and

7am every night from the Charity’s

Cardiff Heliport based since July

2020. From 1 December, they will

be joined by a double pilot crew,

allowing them to cover the whole

of Wales.

Minister for Health and Social

Services, Vaughan Gething, said:

I am delighted the Wales Air

Ambulance Service has achieved

its ambition to become a 24/7

service. The introduction of the

overnight helicopter will provide

emergency air cover to more

people who have a clinical need

for immediate treatment across

Wales.

It has been a pleasure to see

the charity go from strength to

strength since its launch on St

David’s Day in 2001. The work of

the charity and its’ hardworking

staff and volunteers has helped

Wales to lead the way in best

practice, clinical excellence and

innovation and contributed to the

charity becoming the largest air

ambulance operation in the UK.

WAA Chairman, David Gilbert

OBE said: At the start of the

year, we said that our aim was

to deliver an overnight helicopter

by the end of 2020. There have

been many years of planning

and preparation with our NHS

and aviation partners to make it a

reality. Despite the challenges of

the pandemic, we felt it was more

important than ever to provide

the people of Wales with a 24/7

lifesaving service.

In 2021, the Charity will mark

20 years of service and what

better way to acknowledge that

milestone than the introduction of

a 24/7 air ambulance operation.

This has been two decades in the

making and we would not be here

without the people of Wales and

their incredible generosity, as well

as our staff and volunteers.

Times are extremely difficult

for everybody, but we’ve been

overwhelmed by the support

we’ve received. We appreciate

that some people may not be able

to continue their support at the

moment, but for those who can,

together we can ensure that we

maintain a 24/7 service and save

lives.

Professor David Lockey, EMRTS

National Director, said: The EDstandard

care we deliver at the

roadside improves the chances

of survival and long-term recovery

from trauma and critical illness.

Our aim has always been to

deliver equity of access to this

advanced pre-hospital critical

care across Wales, regardless

of location or time of day. Our

research has shown that there

is a need for an extended air

ambulance service overnight and

we have already experienced this

demand since the introduction of

our overnight road-based service

in July this year.

This phase of our 24/7 expansion,

the introduction of a Wales Air

Ambulance Charity helicopter, is

a huge step forward for both our

service, and for pre-hospital care

in Wales. This has been made

possible thanks to the ongoing

work and partnership between

the public and third sectors, as

well as the people of Wales who

support the Charity.î

For more information and for

ways to support the Wales Air

Ambulance Charity, please visit

www.walesairambulance.com/247


The Service, which effectively

takes the emergency room

to the patients, is made up of

senior NHS Wales doctors and

critical care practitioners who

can deliver critical emergency

treatments not routinely available

outside the hospital environment.

They include including surgical

procedures, blood transfusions

and emergency anaesthesia.

14


NEWSLINE



15

NEWSLINE


NWAS

Ambulance service

demand remained

high over the festive

period

The week between Christmas

and New Year is traditionally

one of our busiest times of year,

and this year was no exception,

albeit slightly less than the

previous year.

On New Year’s Day alone we

received nearly five thousand 999

calls*, which was around 350

calls fewer (6½ %) than last year,

while on Christmas Day and New

Year’s Eve levels were only slightly

reduced.

Director of Operations, Ged

Blezard said: “As always, we were

well prepared for the spike in calls

over the whole festive period with

months of planning and additional

resources available.

“The reduction in New Year’s Day

calls undoubtedly was down to

the restrictions placed over the

region which prevented the usual

alcohol related incidents in town

and city centres. However the

number of 999 calls we received

on New Year’s Day still represents

a high level of demand and

coronavirus itself continues to add

it’s own complications”

“However we have continued to

meet the challenges to provide a

safe service not only across our

999 emergency service, but also

our 111 and Patient Transport

services thanks to the skill and

effort of all the NWAS staff that

worked over the festive period

“Alongside our dedicated

workforce, we are also very

grateful for the support from our

Community First Responders

and other volunteers at this time.

Many have been helping to man a

specialist fleet of welfare vehicles

during busy shifts, supplying

drinks, snacks and wellbeing

advice to staff as they convey

patients to hospitals across the

region. The fact that they are

volunteers and give their time

freely makes their contribution

even more commendable.”

“I would like to thank everyone

for their support during this

busy time and using the service

appropriately. We must prioritise

life-threatening emergencies

which can mean that patients

in a less serious condition do

experience a wait. We have been

able to reduce wait times as

much as possible by managing

calls through our clinical hub

providing medical advice over the

phone and treating patients in the

community wherever possible,

reducing unnecessary emergency

department admissions.

“As we head into January and

February and the cold winter

continues, we are expecting the

high demand to continue and

ask for the public to continue to

help us by only calling 999 in lifethreatening

emergencies.”

*This statistic includes 999 calls,

duplicate calls, incidents at events

where NWAS is the medical

provider and 111 pass throughs.

LAS

Capital’s bluelight

services join

together to care for

Londoners during

second Covid wave

A new blue-light partnership

between London Ambulance

Service and Metropolitan Police

Service will see police officers

across the capital driving

ambulances and assisting

medics to help boost the

emergency response to the

Covid-19 pandemic.

The Metropolitan Police Service

has agreed to provide around

75 police officers to London

Ambulance Service. The

new partnership will help the

ambulance service to continue to

put more ambulances on the road

responding to Londoners that

need them.

The officers, who began training

on Wednesday 13 January, are

blue light driving trained, have

basic first aid skills and know the

streets of London well, making

them the ideal partners to assist

the ambulance service during this

period of unprecedented demand.

Metropolitan Police

Commissioner, Dame Cressida

Dick visited the training on

Wednesday at Wembley Stadium

connected by EE.

Jason Hallahan, Emergency

Planning and Resilience Officer

for London Ambulance Service,

walked Ms Dick around the set

up and showed her how officers

are being trained on vehicle

familiarisation, manual handling

and ambulance equipment –

before the Commissioner spoke

with the Chief Executive of London

Ambulance Service, Garrett

Emmerson.

London Ambulance Service Chief

Executive Garrett Emmerson said:

“London Ambulance Service and

the Metropolitan Police Service

have worked hand in glove over

many decades responding

together to all of the most

challenging incidents in the recent

history of London.

“It makes perfect sense that in

the face of sustained levels of

unprecedented demand we are

taking steps to help our staff

and volunteers care for London

by enlisting the help of our MPS

colleagues.

“Partnership working with our

emergency services colleagues is

an essential part of our response

to the pandemic and will help us

to reach more patients in need of

our help during this difficult time.

We are also training more London

Fire Brigade firefighters, whose

support since April 2020 has been

invaluable.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner

Cressida Dick said although only

75 drivers were required initially,

hundreds of volunteers came

forward.

“London Ambulance Service really

are in quite severe difficulties with

servicing all the calls that they have

at the moment because of the

tremendous pressures brought by

the COVID virus,” she said.

“They asked whether we might

be able to assist – I had dozens

of volunteers and we have 75

officers who are assisting the

paramedics as they go about their

daily business.

“They are skilled police drivers,

they’re good decision makers and

I’m really pleased that we are able

to help the LAS at this incredibly

difficult time in this way.”

This training - which includes

familiarisation with ambulances

and some of the equipment such

as carry chairs and trolley lifts, is

being given at Wembley Stadium,

thanks to the ongoing support of

the Football Association.

Mark Burrows, The FA’s Chief

Operating Officer, said: “At this

unprecedented time in which

our emergency services are

under such sustained pressure,

we are privileged to be able to

play a small part in supporting

the London Ambulance Service,

Metropolitan Police Service and

London Fire Brigade in their

efforts to care for people across

the capital.

“After assisting with the delivery

of a similar exercise back in

16


NEWSLINE

April, we were ready and willing

to offer our venue and welcome

the LAS, MPS and LFB back to

Wembley Stadium as they face

this challenging phase of the

pandemic. We continue to offer

our full support to our bluelight

services as they conduct

this important training exercise

and would like to reiterate our

gratitude to our emergency

services as they work to save lives

both in London and across the

country.”

The police officers from the

Metropolitan Police Service will

be receive the training this week

alongside up to 80 London Fire

Brigade firefighters and around

40 staff from private ambulance

providers.

A similar partnership between

London Fire Brigade announced

in April saw 300 firefighters

helping with a number of roles

across the ambulance service

– including driving ambulances,

support which is ongoing.

SECAMB

Badge aims to make

communication

easier for hearing

impaired staff

diagnosed with chronic middle

ear disease prior to starting

university and has had to undergo

several surgeries meaning that

she now requires hearing aids in

both ears.

The badge will mean any

SECAmb staff with hearing issues

can be identified easily at the

scene of an incident or in the

workplace potentially without

having to explain their impairment

each time.

Jenna has also produced a

short video to explain how

communication with people with

hearing impairments can be

improved – especially given the

difficulties wearing a mask during

the pandemic creates.

Using the mnemonic FACE,

the video encourages face-toface

communication, attention,

clear calm communication, and

being aware of the immediate

environment. The video can be

viewed on YouTube.

Jenna said: “The last time I

was off sick for surgery, I was

concerned about coming back as

I was going to be bilaterally deaf

at work for the first time. It was

at that point that it occurred to

me that hearing impaired people

almost instinctively adjust their

behaviours, their positioning and

their communication in order

to optimise their understanding

when other people are speaking

to them but there is actually an

awful lot more that everyone

around that hearing impaired

person could be doing to improve

things further still.

“The kind of situation I was most

concerned about was something

serious such as a cardiac arrest

where there would be multiple

clinicians in attendance and

potentially crews who weren’t

familiar with me.

“I felt firstly some education was

needed and also that the badge

could be useful as a simple

visual indication that a person

has a hearing impairment and

could benefit from some adjusted

communication techniques. I

don’t think people should have to

draw huge amounts of attention to

themselves to make it known they

have a hearing impairment.

“I really hope the badge along

with increased awareness can

make communicating at work

easier for staff, our partners and in

turn our patients.”

ONLINE-EXPO

For the benefit of those

unable to attend conferences

and exhibitions an online

rolling conference/product

demonstration page has

been set up on: www.

ambulanceukonline.com

where you will find a podcast

entitled ‘Picking up the Pieces’

created by Adam Kay, Dr John

Chatterjee and paramedic

Steve Jones. Although a

serious topic Adam, Jon and

Steve add a sense of humour

and lightheartedness when

explaining how they processed

the Trauma they witnessed on

a daily basis when working for

London’s Air Ambulance.

We are also seeking presentations

and podcasts that will be of

interest to pre hospital care

and hospital specialists for this

exciting new concept therefore, if

you have anything to submit that

you feel would be of interest to

your colleagues, please forward

it for consideration to: info@

mediapublishingcompany.com

A paramedic with a hearing

impairment has developed

a new way of informing

colleagues and other

emergency services of hers and

others disability when working.

Jenna Gibson, based at

Thameside ambulance station

in Kent, came up with the idea

which will see South East Coast

Ambulance Service (SECAmb)

staff with a hearing impairment

be able to request a speciallydesigned

pin badge from the

Trust’s ‘Enable’ disability network

to wear on their epaulettes.

Jenna, who qualified as a

paramedic seven years ago, was


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

17

NEWSLINE

EMAS

Paramedic Science’s

Tom hasn’t let COVID

or MS stand in his way

Remarkable, humble and

always remaining patientfocused

is how one paramedic

student describes another,

who took on studying during

the pandemic while managing

a serious health condition.

Tom Rothwell – from Derbyshire

and pictured in the group photo

below, second left of the back

row – started the University

of Northampton’s popular

Foundation course in Paramedic

Science in November 2018 after

working in what, on the surface,

seems a very different career.

He explains: “In a previous life I

was an outdoor sports instructor

and sports centre manager,

roles that actually aren’t a million

miles from what I was interested

in studying.

“Of course, working at a sports

centre isn’t exactly the same, but I

had skills I thought would help me

progress to a healthcare career. I

enjoyed working in a public facing

role and integrating with people

and I volunteered with the Peak

District mountain rescue service

– in a non-medical role – and

also enjoyed rock climbing, so I

was quite used to being outdoors

in the rain! Also, and this might

sound corny, but I really enjoy

helping people.”

A professional jump for some,

but Tom easily settled in to

the university life, comfortably

handling class work, placements

with East Midlands Ambulance

Service and making friends with

his peers.

Those peers include Tim Burrows

– front row in the group photo

– who picks up the story: “I’ve

known Tom for a while now and

my initial impression when I first

met him was what most people

will think: outdoorsy, great guy.

But when you get to know him a

bit more, you’ll see very quickly

that doesn’t do him justice.

“Humble doesn’t cover who he is

or how he has coped what what’s

happened since starting the

course. He has been a student

representative at the University

– he supported me when I first

started and other students and

even his own Mum when she was

ill. That’s what made his diagnosis

even more shocking.”

Just months in to his course, Tom

received a body blow after an

innocuous health complaint: “I

had my first placement in January

2019 and loved being ‘on call’

with seasoned paramedics – it

was fantastic!

“The rest of the year followed suit

with a second placement and I

was about to start my third in April

when I started to feel unwell; I felt

dizzy and had vertigo. I had many

GP appointments but nothing

untoward was diagnosed – I was

told it was just an ear infection.

Then, things got worse.

“Most days I had real difficulty

getting out of bed. Then on other

days, I felt relatively OK and could

walk with ease. My ‘yo-yoing’

health was hell and I had to take

time off from the course.

“Typical, lazy university student

you might think, but this really

wasn’t me – I was a man of

action who climbed mountains!

Eventually, I had enough and went

back to my GP where I saw a

registrar who was convinced that I

didn’t have an ear infection.

“They referred me to the Royal

Derby Hospital for a medical

assessment and I spent three

days there. When I left, my world

had changed: they diagnosed


18


NEWSLINE

me as having relapsing, remitting

Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It was

devastating. I didn’t really

understand what it was and had

no idea if the symptoms I had

would resolve.”

MS is a condition that can affect

the brain and spinal cord causing

a wide range of symptoms,

including problems with vision,

arm or leg movement, sensation

or balance. It’s a lifelong condition

and the symptoms can be mild or

severe and worsen with time. Life

expectancy can be reduced.

Tom now settled into a radically

different life marked by the need

to take specific medication to

control the symptoms of the

condition. A side effect of these

is that a person’s immune system

is suppressed, and he missed

several weeks of lectures.

Miraculously, as he explains, this

and having to shield for most of

this year due to the pandemic

were to no academic avail:

“Because of the MS, I had 15

weeks off during the first year of

my degree which really put me

behind. Thankfully I passed all

of my exams, but I couldn’t have

done that without the help of my

peers.

“Then, for my second year, the

pandemic hit and as a vulnerable

person I had to shield. Most of

the teaching went online so I kept

up to speed and the support

sessions with my Personal

Academic Tutor were brilliant.”

Tom also had professional pickme-ups

from his fellow students

including Tim, who adds: “Every

university student brings with

them their own challenges,

whether staff or student but Tom

really caught the curve ball life

threw at him and chucked it back.

The person he is, is why his story

should be heard. He fights just as

hard for his patients as he would

for a friend or himself.

“Whether he is helping an

elderly woman who has had

a fall or supporting me when I

first started the course, to be

that adaptive – especially when

you are training for a profession

as fluid as ours – and dealing

with your own health problems

as well as being a student, that

deserves to be celebrated. I’m

a mature student and I thought

that would be hard enough,

but what Tom’s achieved is

remarkable.”

Tom concludes his story with

some good news: “I have been

offered a job as a paramedic

with East Midlands Ambulance

Service and I am currently going

through occupational health

and pre-employment checks.

I’m looking forward to starting

with them, but at the moment

I’m taking every day as it comes

and hoping I can go out on

placement in January and finish

the course!

“I have really enjoyed my time at

university, even with everything

that has happened – these really

have been exceptional months

– but I want to recognise all of

my academic cohort. All of the

students have done amazingly

well during very difficult times.

They’ve pulled together to

become the paramedics I know

they will be.”

SECAMB

SECAmb signs

Neurodiversity

Charter

South East Coast Ambulance

Service NHS Foundation

Trust (SECAmb) has signed

a charter committing to

becoming a neurodiversityfriendly

employer.

Neurodiversity is the collective

term for cognitive conditions

such as Autism, Attention Deficit

Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD),

Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia, which

are natural variations in the

way people think and process

information.

The term recognises both the

unique strengths that can derive

from thinking differently, as well

as the difficulties that people

who have these conditions may

encounter in the workplace.

SECAmb Chief Executive, Philip

Astle, marked International Day

of Persons with Disabilities

recently by signing the charter

with SECAmb Resource

Dispatcher and GMB union rep,

Jo Smith.

SECAmb’s Inclusion Team and

the union worked in partnership

to develop the charter which

is the first of its kind in the

ambulance sector.

The charter includes a

commitment to ensuring the

following:

• All reasonable steps must be

taken to ensure that policies,

practices, and culture do

not discriminate against

neurodivergent people.

• Neurodivergent people may

not have a formal diagnosis

or assessment, and a lack of

diagnostic support can be a

barrier within the workplace for

both workers and employers

- workers must not be subject

to unfavourable treatment

if they choose to disclose a

neurodivergent condition.

• People who are

Neurodivergent potentially

face discrimination and stigma

in wider society. As a result

of this, they may be unwilling

to disclose a diagnosis or

assessment, and they must

not be subject to unfavourable

treatment because they

choose not to disclose a

neurodivergent condition.

• Each person is unique

and there can be a high

degree of overlap between

neurodivergent conditions,

and consequently any support

needs must be identified and

implemented on the basis

of personal evaluation and

individual consultation – not

assumptions and stereotypes.

SECAmb CEO Philip Astle said:

“I am proud to sign this charter

which places SECAmb at the

frontline for other Trusts to follow

and aspire to in also becoming

a Neurodiversity-friendly employer.

“It is important that we work

with colleagues to enable them

to be the best they can by not

only implementing reasonable

adjustments, but by also

considering what we can do

to take into account differing

needs at the start of planning

processes and policies. The

charter is a key step in this,

outlining our commitment to being

a more neurodiversity-friendly

organisation and supporting

colleagues.”

GMB representative Jo Smith

said: “GMB Union in SECAmb is

proud and honoured to be piloting

this Neurodiversity campaign for

the GMB national team.

“We are confident that with

our knowledge, along with

the support from the Trust’s

inclusion team, that we can put

SECAmb as a leader for other

Trusts to follow and aspire to

in becoming a Neurodiversityfriendly

employer. I am very

honoured to be leading on

this campaign on behalf of

GMB national Equalities officer

Nell Andrew, making sure the

Neurodiverse community have a

voice and support in SECAmb.

“Being able to say that SECAmb is

the first ambulance service in the

UK to sign this charter is something

I will forever be proud of.”



19

NEWSLINE

SECAMB

Staff move into new

Brighton ambulance

centre

Ambulance crews and staff

have started to move into to

a much-anticipated, state-ofthe-art

new ambulance centre

serving Brighton and Hove and

the surrounding towns.

The development, at Woollards

Field, near the A27 at Falmer, is

the latest Make Ready Centre

to be opened by South East

Coast Ambulance Service NHS

Foundation Trust (SECAmb).

The centre is named Chamberlain

House in recognition of Professor

Douglas Chamberlain, who

founded the first UK paramedics

in the city 50 years ago next year

and who worked as an advisor for

SECAmb for many years.

The Trust’s Make Ready system

minimises the risk of cross

infection and keeps vehicles on

the road for longer with speciallytrained

operatives regularly deepcleaning,

restocking and checking

vehicles for mechanical faults. A

dedicated fleet team will be based

at the new centre’s workshops.

The new system allows for a

central reporting model which

involved ambulance crews who

previously started and ended

their shifts in Brighton, Hove

and Lewes instead starting and

finishing at the new centre – a way

of working already in place across

much of SECAmb’s region.

The Make Ready Centre, which

also contains modern training and

meeting facilities, is supported

by a network of dedicated

Ambulance Community Response

Posts, (ACRPs), with suitable rest

facilities for crews between calls

and when on a break.

The ACRPs are strategically

placed to protect the service

provided to the region. Response

posts are currently located in

Seven Dials and Hanover District

in Brighton, Lewes, Peacehaven,

Newhaven and Hove. Shifts begin

and end on a staggered basis to

ensure that ambulance cover is

maintained in all areas served by

the new centre.

New ACRPs at the old Brighton

ambulance station on Elm

Grove and Lewes ambulance

station sites are subject to wider

development plans. The Brighton

station site falls into the footprint

of plans for a new Health Hub

on part of the Brighton General

Hospital site.

Ambulance crews from Burgess

Hill and Haywards Heath will

continue to start and end their

shifts in the towns but will feed

into the new centre as required

throughout shifts and also benefit

by having cleaned, re-equipped

vehicles delivered to their station

in advance of the start of shifts.

SECAmb Operating Unit Manager

for the Brighton area Tim Fellows

said: “This is a really important

development for SECAmb. Our

old station has served the city

well for decades but the move to

a modern building, which better

reflects the service our crews

provide, will be a real benefit to

staff and, in turn, patients.

“The facilities that Chamberlain

House provides ensures our

staff have access to improved

educational and skills training

as well as increased access to

leadership team support. It is very

fitting that the city, which is the

birthplace of the UK paramedic

profession, has the estate to

match its prestigious history.”

SECAmb has already developed

four purpose-built Make Ready

centres in Ashford in Kent, and in

Crawley, Tangmere and Polegate

in Sussex. It also has Make Ready

Centres in Chertsey, Paddock

Wood, Hastings and Thanet.

EMAS

Dedicated paramedic

recognised as local

hero

A Derbyshire paramedic

described as being ‘selfless,

kind-hearted and truly

embodying what it means to be

from the county’ has received

a local award recognising her

impact on the community.

Tracy Cunningham was chosen

to receive the Derbyshire Live

Heroes Emergency Services

Award after being nominated by

her colleagues within the county

for her extraordinary work in Derby

where she works as a community

paramedic.


Helping homeless and vulnerable

people in need suffering with their

mental health, drug addiction and

historical abuse, Tracy regularly

treats hundreds of people in a

safe space at the city and helps to

get them back on their feet.

Tracy, who alongside saving lives

in her day job, mentors new staff,

coaching and encouraging them

throughout the first few years of

their career, and offers emotional

support to colleagues as a Peer to

Peer volunteer.

20


NEWSLINE

local ambulance crews faced with

hugely complex incidents, where

people’s lives are at serious

risk. This RRV will help these

volunteers to reach incidents

quickly and safely to help treat

patients and give them the best

possible chance of survival and

recovery.”

The vehicle was purchased via

BMW Government & Authorities

Division and converted by

Coleman Milne Specialist Vehicle

Division where Paul Gilbert added:

“It was a pleasure to carry out

this conversion on behalf of

CSIBASICS. We fully understood

what a difference this vehicle

And in 2018 she launched a

homeless shelter on Christmas

Day in conjunction with her

church. This shelter provided

overnight shelter for 50 people

who would otherwise have

been sleeping rough in freezing

temperatures throughout January

and February.

For her tireless contribution, Tracy

was also awarded the honour of

‘Hero of Derbyshire 2020’, being

chosen from the overall winners

which came as a complete surprise.

Hardyal Dhindsa, Police and

Crime Commissioner for

Derbyshire described Tracy as

someone who ‘goes the extra

mile to help others, is selfless,

kind-hearted and cares for

those around her no matter their

struggles and is a worthy winner

of the award’.

Samantha Westwell, Ambulance

Operations Manager for

Derbyshire said:

“Congratulations to Tracy on

winning a very well deserved

award supporting some of the

most vulnerable people in our

community”.

Tracy Cunningham

NWAS

Cheshire and

Shropshire

emergency

volunteers launch

lifesaving vehicle

The Cheshire and Shropshire

Immediate Care Group (CSI

BASICS), a network of volunteer

medical staff, who give up

their free time to support the

North West Ambulance Service

in emergency incidents, has

launched a new BMW Rapid

Response Vehicle. This was

made possible after the group

successfully applied for a

£50,000 grant from the British

Association for Immediate Care.

This comes from an annual

donation of £250,000 made

by the County Air Ambulance

HELP Appeal to support the

work of groups affiliated to

the Association who provide

voluntary immediate care

services across the UK.

The BMW X5 will be active across

Cheshire and Shropshire, carrying

volunteer medical teams to the

scene of critically ill or injured

patients in the community or at

the roadside.

Despite COVID, the number of

CSI BASICS’ volunteers continues

to grow. It currently has nine

responders who have so far

attended 75 incidents in 2020,

with the majority of these incidents

being Road Traffic Collisions.

These responders are supported

by a further eight volunteers, who

keep the charity running.

Cheshire and Shropshire

Immediate Care Group’s Chair, Dr

Graeme Spencer said:

“We are extremely grateful for

the generous donation from the

HELP Appeal. The new car future

proofs our ability to respond to

the sickest patients in a safe and

timely manner.”

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of

the County Air Ambulance HELP

Appeal added:

“These volunteers are the unsung

heroes of emergency care. This

important addition to their fleet

of cars is in recognition of their

lifesaving work - all carried out

in their spare time - supporting

would make and we worked

closely with the team to make sure

the vehicle would meet the specific

requirements of the team.”

CSI BASICS already operate

a second-hand vehicle, which

required a large amount of work in

2020. Thankfully, a local business,

Jigsaw Medical came to the

rescue and covered the cost for

the charity. However, following this

scare, it was realised that a new

vehicle was urgently needed.

The Cheshire and Shropshire

Immediate Care Group is one

of a network of schemes across

the UK which operates under the

umbrella of the British Association

for Immediate Care – a national

organisation.

The HELP Appeal was created

11 years ago by the County Air

Ambulance Trust. It is the only

charity in the country dedicated

to funding NHS hospital helipads.

To date it has funded 39 helipads,

which have received over 16,000

landings. The HELP Appeal relies

solely on charitable donations and

does not receive any government

funding or money from the

National Lottery. For more

information on the charity visit

www.helpappeal.org.uk or call

0800 3898 999.



21

NEWSLINE

EEAST

EEAST is investing

£25m in state-of-theart

technology

The East of England Ambulance

Service NHS Trust (EEAST)

is investing more than £25m

in state-of-the-art technology

which will further improve the

safety and quality of care which

staff are able to provide to

patients.

The investment will see every

frontline member of staff issued

with an iPad so that they can

access a brand new electronic

patient care record (ePCR)

system quickly and easily while

on the road. This includes details

of previous ambulance call outs

and the patient’s attendances at

their GP surgery or acute hospital,

as well as vital information about

any medications they are taking,

recent test results and allergies

they may have.

Crews will also be able to use

the technology to access clinical

information and guidance and

complete mandatory training, as

well as make real-time referrals to

agencies such as social care and

child protection.

The introduction of the new

ePCR also means crews will be

able to share information easily

and securely with healthcare

partners while alerting hospital

staff when patients are being

brought in, in turn helping

ensure fast and efficient

handovers and better clinical

outcomes.

EEAST is the first ambulance

service globally to introduce

this particular technology. The

project has been funded with

£5m from NHSX, as part of its

digital aspirant programme,

which has been matched

by EEAST. Over the next ten

years, the Trust has pledged

to increase this investment by

an additional £15m to further

refine the technology so that

it interacts fully with all of the

different computer systems used

by acute hospitals across the

east of England.

Dr Tom Davis, Acting Chief

Executive at EEAST, said:

“This significant investment will

transform the working lives of

our crews by providing them

with a huge array of information

at their fingertips, in turn helping

them to continue providing safe,

high quality care to our patients.

“The technology will let them

view a full patient history for the

very first time, making it easier to

deliver individually-tailored care.

It will also allow them to share

electronic information with GPs,

acute hospitals and community

services reliably and efficiently,

in turn reducing duplication and

improving the experience which

patients have when receiving

care as they will only need to tell

their story once.

“In addition, we will also be able

to provide hospital colleagues

with much more information

about our sickest patients before

we even reach the emergency

department so that they can

prepare any special equipment

or tests in advance. As well

as resulting in better patient

outcomes, we estimate this will

also reduce handover times by

around five minutes, which will

help our crews get back on the

road more quickly by freeing up

an estimated 1,680 days every

single year.

“The new technology will also

help our crews to do the things

which many of us take for

granted, such as check emails

and access mandatory training

while they are out and about

rather than having to log onto a

shared computer back at base

during their breaks.

“This move towards a paperless

system is something we have

been planning for some time, so

we are delighted that we are now

in a position to start rolling out

the technology which will support

our crews to deliver even better

patient care.”

SECAMB

Wellbeing app to

offer further support

for SECAmb staff and

volunteers


Service NHS Foundation Trust

(SECAmb) staff and volunteers

now have access a wellbeing

app designed to support their

mental health.

Backup Buddy, provides an

additional opportunity for

staff and volunteers including

Community First Responders

(CFRs) to seek help and advice

privately and informally on a

wide range of mental health

matters. SECAmb follows in the

footsteps of a number of police

services to offer the app to

staff and is the first ambulance

service to offer a new version

tailored specifically its staff and

volunteers.


The app, which runs alongside

a wide range of support offered

by SECAmb’s Wellbeing

Hub, provides 24hr access to

information, advice and tips on

how to maintain good mental

health as well as how support

can be offered to others. It also

contains several useful contact

numbers for help and support.

The app’s stories section also

provides a selection of staff

sharing and talking about their

mental health experiences.

22


NEWSLINE

SECAmb Wellbeing Manager,

Jade Bennett, said: “We are

pleased to offer this app which

we hope will further encourage

our staff and volunteers to think

about and, and if they wish,

speak to others about their

mental health.

“This is a great addition

to the support available at

SECAmb and a subject which

should be discussed. In these

unprecedented times, it is more

important than ever that we

take care of ourselves and each

other.”

NWAS

Named Ambulance

Trust of the Year

The prize giving ceremony

was presented virtually by TV

broadcaster and GP Dr. Hilary

Jones. The HB Awards are

staged each year to recognise

excellence and innovation in

the NHS.

The Ambulance Service of the

Year Award goes to the trust

that has embraced change and

demonstrated a decrease in

response times, the ability to

provide treatment at the scene

of an accident, and the provision

of outpatient services; with the

nomination coming from the

magazine’s own editorial and

research team.

This nomination relates to the

East Lancashire Falls Response

Service Team, the collaboration of

a paramedic and an occupational

therapist who respond to non-life

threatening 999 calls for falls,

so that patients can be treated

at home without having to go to

hospital or can be referred to an

appropriate community service.

They wrap services around the

patient – for ongoing support in

order to help prevent further falls.

The partnership between NWAS

and East Lancashire Hospitals

NHS Trust has seen 83% of

patients (almost 5000) treated

by the team. It was particularly

important during the first wave

of the pandemic to relieve the

burden on hospitals.

Paramedic Gail Smith who’s been

on the car since the beginning

said, “I’m absolutely delighted

and very humbled we’ve picked

up this award. The work the team

does is so important, keeping

more patients at home; where

they’re more comfortable and

want to be, whilst also saving

other NHS resources. I’m

incredibly proud to be involved

and of the success we’ve had.

NWAS Chief Executive Daren

Mochrie commented, “I’m so

pleased to have picked up this

award. It makes it even more

special because we did not

put ourselves forward for this,

which shows other people and

organisations are seeing the

fantastic work we do, especially

that of the falls team in Burnley.

This is a great initiative which puts

patient care right at the heart of

what we do – ensuring they have

a better experience and outcome

without compromising on the care

they receive.

“I want to thank the team

and everyone else for their

hard work, in what’s been an

extremely challenging 2020. I’m

tremendously proud of the efforts

of all staff and the professionalism

and determination shown this

year, and I hope they can all enjoy

in the success of this award.”

‘Stronger

deterrents needed’

as thousands of

emergency workers

assaulted

Ambulance workers’ union

warns that Crown Prosecution

Service figures are ‘tip of the

iceberg’

GMB, the union for ambulance

workers, has responded to new

Crown Prosecution Service

(CPS) figures on assaults against

emergency workers that were

linked to COVID-19.

According to new CPS statistics,

1,688 people were charged

with assaulting an emergency

worker in ways that were linked to

COVID-19 in the six months to 30

September last year. Examples

included emergency workers

being coughed on or spat at.

Assaults on emergency workers

was the most common reason

that people were charged for

offences linked to COVID-19. [1]

GMB warned that the true

number of assaults will have been

much higher as many assailants

have not been charged, and

that employers could do more

to support workers in taking

complaints to the police.

Rachel Harrison, GMB National

Officer, said:

“No-one should go to work

in fear of being assaulted.

Emergency workers’ jobs are

extremely challenging at the best

of times, and assaults during the

pandemic are putting lives at risk.

“It is clear that ambulance

workers and others in emergency

services need much more

protection and support. The

law is only as strong as its

enforcement, and sadly these

figures are just the tip of the

iceberg.

“Stronger deterrents are

urgently needed to make sure

that perpetrators are brought

to justice. That is why GMB is

campaigning for NHS Trusts to

improve their support to workers

at risk of assault, and for better

working between agencies to

ensure that more assailants

are held accountable for their

actions.’



23

NEWSLINE

The College of

Paramedics Opens

Dr John Hinds

Scholarship Call for

Entries

Craigavon, N.I., 25 January

2021 – The College of

Paramedics, in association

with Galen, the privatelyowned

pharmaceutical sales

and marketing company

is pleased to announce

that applications for this

year’s Dr John Hinds

Scholarship Award will open

on Tuesday 26th January

2021. The recipient will win

a place on the much-coveted

Anaesthesia Trauma and

Critical Care (ATACC) course

and have their case study

published in the College

of Paramedics’ magazine,

‘Paramedic INSIGHT’.

The recipient of the scholarship

will take up a fully funded place

on ATACC’S three-day course

in the UK, widely accepted as

the most advanced trauma

course currently available in

the world. Associated travel

costs will also be covered.

Entrants are required to write

a case study which should

be written to protect patient

confidentiality, using original

text, and with all appropriate

references included. It must be

countersigned by a paramedic

colleague who is prepared to

confirm that your submission is

a genuine case study.

This scholarship is presented

in memory of the late Dr John

Hinds, who was regarded

as an inspirational leader by

paramedics and emergency

medical technicians and indeed

by anyone with an interest in

pre-hospital care within Ireland.

A world-renowned critical care

physician, Dr Hinds gave a

huge amount of his own time

to educating and supporting

paramedics and ambulance

staff throughout the Island

of Ireland. He died in 2015

following a motorcycle accident.

Dr Dennise Broderick, Managing

Director & President, Galen, said:

“This award is not only a fitting

and lasting tribute to Dr Hinds

but it also provides a unique

opportunity for healthcare

professionals to advance their

expertise and gain access

to a highly coveted training

programme. Dr Hinds was a

pioneering leader in the field of

emergency trauma care who

dedicated his life to helping

others and Galen is therefore

proud to support this annual

scholarship programme in his

honour.”

Last year’s recipient, Orla Morrow

of Northern Ireland Ambulance

Service, Belfast commented:

“The ATACC programme is

accredited by the Royal College

of Surgeons and is an extremely

coveted course worldwide.

It provides an opportunity to

learn and experience, through

simulation, the most up-todate

and advanced trauma

skills within the pre-hospital

environment and offers a range

of examples of how to apply

these in practice. I was delighted

to win my scholarship and would

like to thank both Almac and the

Hinds family for providing this

amazing opportunity.”

Submissions must be

made using the Dr John

Hinds Scholarship Award

Entry Form - https://www.

collegeofparamedics.co.uk/

college-governance/honours

and submitted via email to

awards@collegeofparamedics.

co.uk by 1200hrs on Friday

26 March 2021. The College

Honours and Awards Committee

will then select the winning piece.

Due to restrictions imposed as

result of COVID-19, the 2021

award will be presented to

the recipient at a ceremony in

September.

Submissions should be

750–1,000 words, excluding

references and appendices.

As a condition of the award,

the recipient will be required to

submit their case study.

WHY NOT WRITE FOR US?

Ambulance UK welcomes the submission of

clinical papers and case reports or news that

you feel will be of interest to your colleagues.


Material submitted will be seen by those working within the public and private

sector of the Ambulance Service, Air Ambulance Operators, BASICS Doctors etc.

All submissions should be forwarded to info@mediapublishingcompany.com

If you have any queries please contact the publisher Terry Gardner via:

info@mediapublishingcompany.com

24


NEWSLINE

SWASFT

Ground-breaking

critical care transfer

service wins regional

award

A pioneering South Western

Ambulance Service NHS

Foundation Trust (SWASFT)

programme to help relieve

pressure on the region’s

hospitals during the Covid-19

(Coronavirus) pandemic has

been formally recognised.

The South West Critical Care

Transfer Service has been

chosen as the regional winner

in The Excellence in Urgent and

Emergency Care Award category

of the NHS Parliamentary Awards

2020. It is now on the shortlist for

the national award.

The initiative, which was piloted

in April 2020, involved safely

moving critically ill patients

between intensive care units.

Dr Scott Grier, the South West

Critical Care Network (SWCCN)

Lead for Transfer, was tasked

with developing the service.

Although a service of this type

would normally take six months

to develop, it was ready to launch

within a timescale of just nine

days, with the first patients being

transferred on 9 April 2020.

The ground-breaking service

operated for four weeks before

being put on standby. During that

time it transported 35 patients,

visiting every intensive care

hospital in the Severn region

(Bristol, Gloucester, Cheltenham,

Swindon, Bath, Weston-super-

Mare, Taunton) as well as

London, Wales and Devon.

Following the success of

the pilot, the concept was

developed further and led to the

commissioning and launch of

Retrieve, a dedicated South West

adult critical care transfer service,

which is one of the first of its kind

in England.

Retrieve, which is now hosted at

University Hospitals Bristol and

Weston (UHBW), will transfer

adults aged 16 and above and

compliments similar services for

children and newborns which are

also hosted by UHBW.

work with a large number of

colleagues and partners in the

region to develop such a positive

legacy from the pandemic,

fundamentally changing the way

critically ill and injured patients

are transferring around the South

West.”

Jack Lopresti, MP for Filton and

Bradley Stoke, put forward the

South West Critical Care Transfer

Service’s nomination.

He said: “I am absolutely

delighted that the South West

Critical Care Transfer Service

has been named a regional

champion in the Excellence in

Urgent and Emergency Care

Award Category for the NHS

Parliamentary Awards, and are on

the shortlist for a national award

next year.

“The service was rapidly set

up over the summer and has

since been vital in our region’s

response to the coronavirus

pandemic. The staff work

incredibly hard and should be

very proud of their achievements

this year. It was an honour to be

able to nominate them for this

important award.”

SECAmb Chief Executive

Officer, Philip Astle, said:

“I would like to take this

opportunity to publicly thank

everyone who works for

SECAmb as well as our many

volunteers whose support

during the pandemic has been

more valuable than ever.

“I would also like to thank

our colleagues in the wider

NHS and those of our partner

organisations for their continued

support.

“2020 has been an extremely

challenging year and we know

that while the vaccine provides

us with a chance to imagine

an end to the pandemic, it is

clear that right now we must

all continue to work together to

stop the spread of the virus.

“I am incredibly proud

and humbled by the work

that I see going on across

our region every day. I am

often overwhelmed by the

determination and the resilience

shown by everyone to ensure

that we are there for our

patients but also for each other.

He collaborated with Dr Phil

Cowburn, Acute Care Medical

Director for SWASFT and the

Nightingale Hospital Bristol team

to develop the concept bringing

together components of the

South West Critical Care Network

(SWCCN), Great Western Air

Ambulance Charity, Wiltshire

Air Ambulance, and SWASFT

Hazardous Area Response Team

(HART).

The service utilised dedicated

SWASFT vehicles, medical

staff and equipment in an

effort to reduce pressure on

999 ambulance resources and

hospital medical teams. It was

supported by a team of specialist

paramedics, redeployed from

the air ambulances and HART

extended skills paramedics.

Dr Scott Grier, lead consultant

for the Retrieve service, said: “I

am delighted that the South West

Critical Care Transfer Service

has been nominated for an NHS

Parliamentary Award.

“This service was a collaboration

between the SWCCN, SWASFT

and the Nightingale hospitals in

the South West to deliver a new

critical care transfer service to

enable COVID-19 patients to be

moved around our region.

“This temporary service has led

to the development of Retrieve,

an NHS commissioned adult

critical care transfer service for

the South West - one of the first

in the country.

“It has been a privilege to

SECAMB

SECAmb thanks staff

and volunteers as

demand remains

high


Service NHS Foundation

Trust, (SECAmb), has thanked

its staff and volunteers for

their efforts and ongoing

commitment following an

extremely challenging year.

The service also thanks the

public for its continued support

and is urging everyone to

continue to follow all the latest

coronavirus restrictions and

guidance in their area to limit the

spread of the virus.

“2020 has highlighted to me

to an even greater extent

the commitment, skill and

dedication of our staff and

volunteers whatever their role

at SECAmb. I wish everyone a

safe and happy new year.”

SECAmb continues to

experience significant pressure

and is working hard to reach

everyone who needs help as

quickly as possible.

While call volume in the first

few hours of 2021 was down

on last year, over the course of

24 hours on New Year’s Eve,

SECAmb answered more than

2,700 calls – an increase of

more than 200 compared to the

same period last year.



25

IN PERSON

WMAS News

Assistant Chief honoured

with Queen’s Ambulance

Medal

response to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Under his leadership, NARU is now recognised

as a world-class central resource for the

national management and co-ordination of

the pre-hospital mass casualty response to

particularly high-risk and challenging event.

executive while the recruitment process for a

substantive chief executive takes place. The

process to recruit a permanent chief executive

for the Trust is expected to start at the end

of this month, with the appointment of a

successful candidate expected in April 2021.

An Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer from

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS)

has been named in this year’s New Year’s

Honour’s List.

Keith Prior, who is a National Ambulance

Resilience Unit (NARU) Director, has a career

spanning 39-years in the ambulance service

and he has been awarded the Queen’s

Ambulance Medal (QAM) to reflect his

dedication and distinguished service to his

profession.

The QAM ensures that the dedication of

ambulance staff has the same level of

Royal recognition as other members of the

emergency services.

Starting out as an ambulance service cadet in

Greater Manchester aged 16, Keith has devoted

his career to improving patient care and saving

countless lives as a paramedic and in managerial

roles. As well as working in Manchester, he has

also worked for Yorkshire Ambulance Service and

the Welsh Ambulance Service, joining WMAS full

time in 2011, having already had two pervious

spells in the West Midlands.

In his role at NARU, Keith has made a

significant contribution to UK national resilience

by ensuring the effective ambulance response

to major, mass-casualty events including

London terror attacks, severe flooding and the

Keith, who spends a large amount of his time

working away from home, is popular with staff,

demonstrates loyalty and compassion to those

he works with and also supports many local

community projects outside of work.

Speaking about his award, Keith said: “I am

extremely honoured to receive this award

for what is ultimately, doing a job that I

love. Throughout my 39-year career within

the ambulance service I have worked with

some fantastic people and I fully recognise

that I would not be in this position without

a great deal of hard work and support from

colleagues, wherever I have worked.

“I am proud to have helped so many people

since I started off as a cadet aged 16 and feel

privileged to have been able to continue doing

so in the years that have followed.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank

my family for their continued support, without

which, I would not have been able to enjoy the

fantastic career that I have.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief

Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “I have known

Keith for 20 years and he deserves huge credit

for the commitment he has always shown to

providing and delivering the very best level of

patient care.

“For him to receive the QAM is a fitting tribute

to his many years of hard work in many

different areas of the ambulance service and

I would like to thank him for his dedication

and tremendous service he has provided to

patients all over the country.”

Dorothy joined the Trust as interim chief

executive in 2018, and was appointed to the

role permanently in 2019.

Nicola Scrivings, Chair of EEAST said: “On

behalf of the Board of EEAST, I would like

to thank Dorothy for her leadership which

has enabled the Trust to deliver significant

improvements to its performance during her

time as chief executive.

“Under her leadership, the Trust moved from

being the worst performing ambulance trust

in England to one that regularly met and

even outperformed national standards. Staff

recruitment and finances also improved, and

new approaches to leadership meant the Trust

was as well positioned as possible to meet the

challenges of COVID-19.

“We send Dorothy our warmest wishes for the

future.”

Dorothy said: “It is with great sadness that I

have decided to relinquish my post to focus

on my wellbeing - staff are at the heart of this

service, and it has been an absolute pleasure

working with employees of EEAST.

“I am hugely proud and thankful for the work

we have done together to improve patient

safety and experience, and I wish every

success for EEAST in the future.”

SECAM News

3 members of staff

recognised in New Year

Honours List


Keith Prior. Image courtesy of West Midlands

Ambulance Service

EEAST News

Dorothy Hosein steps down

as Chief Executive of EEAST

Dorothy Hosein has stepped down as chief

executive of the East of England Ambulance

Service NHS Trust following a period of ill

health.

Dr Tom Davis, medical director and deputy

chief executive, will continue as interim chief

South East Coast Ambulance Service

NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is

delighted that three members of its staff

have been recognised in the New Year’s

Honours list.

Director of Operations, Joe Garcia, Director

of Quality and Nursing, Bethan Eaton-

Haskins and Ambulance Technician, Peter

Glover, all receive MBEs for their service

and commitment over many years.

26


IN PERSON

Joe and Bethan receive MBEs in particular

for their leadership during the pandemic,

while Peter is recognised for his service

to the NHS, community resuscitation and

services to the wider community.

Joe, from Eastbourne in East Sussex, is

serving in his 36th year in the ambulance

service, following a short career in the

Royal Marines. He has been instrumental

in the Trust’s operational response to

the coronavirus pandemic and also in

SECAmb’s much-improved Care Quality

Commission rating. He is due to retire in the

spring.

Bethan Eaton-Haskins

to have been part of that and played a role

within it.”

Peter Glover said: “I’m gobsmacked and

humbled. I still don’t really believe it’s true.

Staff and volunteers at SECAmb give their

very best knowing it will make a difference

to patients. To play a small role in that

is something I care deeply about and

I’m honoured to be a part of it. I do this

because I love it and I am so proud of my

family in green, who do an incredible job

day-in, day-out.”

Bethan, from Sevenoaks, Kent, joined

SECAmb three years ago following a

range of other roles in a career spanning

more than 20 years. As well as working

with Joe and senior leaders on a number

of key quality and patient experience

improvements, Bethan has led the Trust’s

COVID-19 response since the start of

the year and was formally appointed as

SECAmb’s COVID-19 Director alongside her

Director of Quality and Nursing role.

Ambulance Technician, Peter from Frimley,

Surrey, has worked for the ambulance

service for 20 years. He works annualised

hours in a front-line ambulance role,

completing shifts at weekends or evenings,

since moving to a role in primary health

care in 2017. Peter is passionate about the

teaching of CPR and life-saving skills and

has played a key role in the installation of

public access defibrillators within his local

community and beyond.

SECAmb Chief Officer Philip Astle said:

Joe Garcia

“I am really pleased that Joe, Bethan

and Peter have been recognised in this

year’s New Year’s Honours. Their inclusion

is testament to the dedication and

commitment they have shown to serving

their communities and helping others over

many years. It is also particularly fitting that

in this year, when the ambulance service

has been at the forefront of responding to

the pandemic, we have three members of

staff on the list. Every hour of every day

ambulance staff are doing amazing work to

keep people safe. Joe, Bethan and Peter

all agree that their honours should be seen

as a recognition of the excellence of all

those associated with the South East Coast

Ambulance Service.”

Joe Garcia said: “I am delighted and

humbled to have been recognised for the

service I have been able to offer to my

colleagues in what we have referred to as

‘Team SECAmb’ during this pandemic.

“My colleagues throughout all quarters of

the Trust are doing an amazing job under

very difficult conditions. I am also very

proud of my operational leadership team.

Every one of them has worked tirelessly to

improve the standards for both our patients

and staff in SECAmb. I has been a great

honour to be able to say I was part of this

team.”

Bethan Eaton-Haskins said: “I am incredibly

humbled to have been nominated and

awarded this honour. All the staff within

SECAmb have worked together tirelessly

as a team to ensure we can continue to

provide excellent services to patients during

this difficult year and I am immensely proud

GWAAC News

New Head of Operations

to join Great Western Air

Ambulance Charity

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity

(GWAAC) has appointed a Head of

Operations to enhance leadership at the

charity in light of the growing and more

complex demands on their lifesaving service.

Nick Tindal will join the charity this month,

February 2021, in the new role, which will

enhance the charity’s current management

team. From managing military operations,

commanding ships to running a complex

airbase, Nick brings with him a wealth of

experience in operational management and

aviation.

Nick said: “I am very excited to join and help

manage a charity that clearly does so much

to save lives across a vast swathe of the West

Country”.

Peter Glover


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

27

IN PERSON


Nick’s recent post was Commanding Officer

at RNAS Yeovilton, the largest military

helicopter base in Europe, where he was

responsible for delivering critical aviation

capability for UK warships and military

operations across the globe. A helicopter pilot

by profession, Nick started his career flying

Sea Kings and Lynx from warships across

the world. Previous roles span across the

Ministry of Defence, Navy Command, where

he led planning for cutting-edge future Royal

Navy aircraft, and multiple tours at sea, where

he had extensive accountability for complex

aviation activity.

As well as his extensive career, Nick has also

given a lot of his time to charitable services,

acting as Trustee for many organisations,

including Chairman of Fleet Air Arm Museum

Advisory Committee and Royal Navy (Roman

Catholic) Trust.

Vice Admiral Keith Blount CB OBE, said of

Nick: “A naturally generous and charitable

individual, the ethos and ethics of what the

charity seeks to achieve will quickly become

second nature. He will bring a natural energy,

sense of humour and purpose to the role. In

sum, you have found a cracker in Nick that

will do much to ensure that the great work

of the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity

continues and grows! I wish him and the

charity every success going forward.”

Anna Perry, CEO of GWAAC, said: “We are

delighted to welcome Nick to Great Western

Air Ambulance Charity. We are a small team,

doing what we can with charitable funding,

and the demands on our clinical crew have

never been greater. Nick will bring focus to

our operational management, allowing us to

work more effectively with other organisations,

and help us save even more people in need.”

GWAAC was formed in 2007 and is the

youngest air ambulance in England and

Wales. Over the last 13 years, the charity has

seen many clinical advances, and operations

have increased year on year, meaning the

management has become more complex and

challenging, developing the need for increased

management capacity and expertise.

Nick’s new position of Head of Operations at

the charity will provide leadership for operational

crew and ensure that operations and premises

are safe, compliant, effective, efficient and

sustainable. Nick will seek to develop strategic

change and implement initiatives to improve

service delivery – helping to achieve GWAAC’s

strategic goals and continue to fulfil the charity’s

core focus of delivering the best pre-hospital

emergency medicine to those in urgent need in

GWAAC’s region.

News

Former Charity Chairman

Honoured in Queen’s

Honours List

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s former

chairman, Brendan Connor from Solihull,

has been named in the Queen’s New Year’s

Honours List with the Order of the British

Empire (OBE).

An OBE is presented to individuals in recognition

of their contributions to the arts and sciences,

work with charitable and welfare organisations,

and public service outside the civil service.

His outstanding contribution to the community

most notably included his chairmanship of

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, a position

he held for seven years, until 2018. During

his tenure the charity became independent

from the NHS, purchased two new state of

the art Eurocopter helicopters and raised over

£10m annually to fund the service from its

three airbases at RAF Cosford in Shropshire,

Strensham in Worcestershire and Tatenhill in

Staffordshire.

Commenting on the honour, Hanna Sebright,

chief executive for Midlands Air Ambulance

Charity said: “Brendan joined our organisation

in 2011 as our first independent chairman, not

long after we separated from the ambulance

service and became an independent charity.

It was a challenging yet rewarding transition

period and his strategic guidance from that

point led us to become a strong and robust

pre-hospital service, delivering advanced

clinical care at the incident scene to thousands

of people in critical need each year.

“I am thrilled his immeasurable contribution

to our service and several other deserving

causes has been recognised in such a formal

way, it is thoroughly deserved.”

On receiving the news late December 2020,

Mr Connor said: “I am delighted to accept this

honour which came as a great surprise! Being

chair of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity was

an enormous privilege and honour; but the

provision of the service to those in dire need

could not be sustained without the boundless

generosity of the wider Midlands communities

every year. Long may it continue!”

2021 marks Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s

‘Air30’ 30th anniversary, and since its inception in

1991 the pilots, advanced critical care paramedics

and pre-hospital emergency medicine doctors

have undertaken over 62,000 missions via air

ambulances and critical care cars.

To find out how you can help to fund

a lifesaving mission with Midlands Air

Ambulance Charity and get involved with the

Air30 anniversary celebrations, please visit:

midlandsairambulance.com and follow the

organisation on social media.

GWAAC News

Local air ambulance charity

Doctor awarded MBE in New

Year Honours

Critical Care Doctor, Phil Cowburn, with

local Great Western Air Ambulance Charity

(GWAAC) has been awarded an MBE in

the Queen’s New Year Honours list for

his services to pre-hospital emergency

care, most recently during the COVID-19

pandemic.

Phil is part of the GWAAC Critical Care Team

who remained operational throughout 2020

despite the COVID-19 pandemic. During

this time, Phil collaborated with a wider team

to help relieve pressure on the region’s

hospitals by setting up the South West Critical

Care Transfer Service – the first of its kind in

England. Over a four-week period, the service

transported 35 critically-ill patients between

intensive care hospitals and has since

28


IN PERSON

won an award in The Excellence in Urgent

and Emergency Care category of the NHS

Parliamentary Awards 2020.

Dr Phil Cowburn, who is also Acute Care

Medical Director for South Western Ambulance

Service NHS Foundation Trust, appeared

alongside hundreds of unsung heroes of

the coronavirus pandemic in the New Year

Honours list for 2021, which recognises the

outstanding achievements of people in the UK.

Dr Cowburn said: “I am truly humbled by this

recognition. To me this is not really a personal

accolade, it is a celebration of the great teams

I work with. None of the great achievements

could have succeeded without the superb

group of colleagues I have the pleasure of

working alongside.

“The passion and enthusiasm to deliver excellent

patient care is so embedded within GWAAC and

SWASFT; particularly the Critical Care Teams and

Hazardous Area Response Teams. The progress

made in improving paramedic practice within this

region is exemplary.

“This year has put immense pressures on

the entire NHS. However, the collaboration

between colleagues in the air ambulances, NHS

ambulance service and hospitals has maintained

high quality care and developed services that will

continue for the future. Working together we can

achieve so much.”

Dr Phil Cowburn has been involved in prehospital

care for over 20 years, completing his

emergency medicine training here in the South

West. Phil was fundamental in setting up the

local air ambulance charity in 2007, where he

joined Professor Jonathan Benger, Founding

Clinical Director, Trustee and Critical Care Doctor

for GWAAC, to begin delivering the critical care

service to those in need across the region.

In 2012, he became the Medical Director

of GWAAC for two years, and continues

today to be a member of the Critical Care

Team who were called to over 2,000 patients

across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset,

North Somerset, Gloucestershire and South

Gloucestershire in 2019 alone.

Phil has been integral to the charity’s

development, putting GWAAC at the forefront

of advances in critical care. He worked to

develop the Specialist Paramedic role to

ensure that critically-ill patients receive the

highest level of specialist care from the team,

and rolled this out across other South West

air ambulances. He has developed career

paths and advanced pre-hospital emergency

medicine across the charity and further afield.

CEO of Great Western Air Ambulance Charity,

Anna Perry, said: “I am delighted Phil has been

recognised for his outstanding and extensive

contribution to Pre-Hospital Emergency Care. We

are extremely proud that Phil has been honoured

with an MBE, and I would like to thank him for his

inspirational efforts and congratulate him on his

thoroughly deserved award.

“Phil is a humble person, and feels he only

achieves what he does with the help of the

whole Critical Care Team at GWAAC. We value

all our Critical Care Doctors and Specialist

Paramedics and know our service wouldn’t

be possible without their time and dedication.

Throughout the pandemic, they have remained

right here and ready alongside other frontline

NHS workers, putting their own lives at risk - to

save the lives of others in urgent need during

these incredibly challenging times.”

To find out more about the work of Great

Western Air Ambulance Charity, visit

www.gwaac.com.

YAS News

Queen’s Ambulance Medal

for Distinguished Service

awarded to Yorkshire

Ambulance Service Manager

Cathryn James, Paramedic and Clinical

Pathways Manager at Yorkshire Ambulance

Service NHS Trust, has been awarded

the Queen’s Ambulance Medal for

Distinguished Service (QAM) in the Queen’s

New Year’s Honours List.

Cathryn is a long-serving and highly respected

member of staff, not just within Yorkshire

Ambulance Service, but also for the clinical

policy work she has been involved in on a

national basis.

Cathryn started working for the ambulance

service in 1981, originally as an ambulance

cadet and becoming a qualified paramedic in

1987. She is a highly experienced advanced

paramedic who continues to work clinically on

the frontline and as a clinical manager, leading

on alternative patient pathways.

In addition to her work in Yorkshire, since

2014 she has been seconded part-time from

Yorkshire Ambulance Service to the Association

of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE)

to provide clinical support to the National

Ambulance Medical Directors’ Group. She has

been pivotal in progressing national clinical

policy issues directly related to improving the

standards of care for patients across the UK

and also coordinates the ongoing development

of the UK Ambulance Services’ Clinical Practice

Guidelines (JRCALC).

She has played an integral role in making

improvements for older people who experience

a fall, working with partners to ensure that

patients receive a prompt and appropriate

response, establishing robust referral

pathways towards preventing further falls and

recently leading on the AACE national falls

response governance framework.

She is also registered for the British pool of

clinical volunteers who can be called upon to

provide assistance at natural disasters and

humanitarian emergencies overseas. She

has accompanied school trips as a volunteer

to support overseas charitable work and is

committed to helping young people to develop

their own skills.

Rod Barnes, Chief Executive of Yorkshire

Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “This is a

great honour which recognises Cathryn’s valued

contribution and nearly 40 years of dedicated

service to the people of Yorkshire. It also makes

her part of a select group of ambulance service

staff who have been recognised for exceptional

devotion to duty, outstanding ability, merit and

conduct in their roles.

“It would be difficult to find someone as

unassuming as Cathryn who has been so



29

IN PERSON

instrumental in developing services to ensure

patients receive the care they really need.

“Cathryn is a consummate professional and

her dedication to improving patient care is

truly outstanding. She is held in the highest

esteem by her clinical colleagues both within

and external to the ambulance sector. Her

work with AACE and other national groups has

undoubtedly improved the standards of care

delivered to patients by the ambulance sector

nationally.

“On behalf of Yorkshire Ambulance Service

I would like to thank her for all she has done

and continues to do for the benefit of patients.

She should be very proud of this brilliant

achievement.”

Cathryn James said: “I am so proud and

very humbled to be awarded the Queen’s

Ambulance Medal. I would not have received

this if it wasn’t for the support of all my

amazing colleagues and my family and friends

and I can’t thank them enough.

“My late father took me to the local ambulance

station in 1981 for an application form and

I have never looked back thanks to him. I

feel privileged to do a job that I love, caring

for others and playing a part in supporting

improvements to patient care.”

Cathryn will be presented with her medal at

Buckingham Palace in due course.

Other recipients of the Queen’s Ambulance

Medal in the New Year’s Honours List are:

• Lee Brooks, Director of Operations, Frontline

Emergency Ambulance Response, Non-

Emergency Patient Transport Service and

Clinical Contact Centre Services, Welsh

Ambulance Service NHS Trust

• Martin Flaherty OBE, Managing Director,

LAS News

London Ambulance Service

appoints senior paramedic to

its board to boost patient care

London Ambulance Service has announced

that Dr John Martin will join the Trust as its

Chief Paramedic and Quality Officer.

This newly-created role will see Dr Martin

also join the board of the country’s busiest

ambulance service. He will provide professional

development and guidance to paramedics and

other clinical staff. His brief will also help further

improve standards of patient care.

Dr Martin, is a registered and practising

paramedic and currently a director at

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS

Foundation Trust. He is also President of the

College of Paramedics. He takes up his post

on 1 March 2021.

The role brings together for the first time

responsibility for both clinical quality at the Trust

and for ensuring paramedics and ambulance

clinicians have access to world-class training,

education and professional development.

This post is a return to London for Dr Martin

who was based at Edmonton, Bounds Green,

Whipps Cross and Isleworth stations while

completing his three year Paramedic Science

degree at the University of Hertfordshire

almost 20 years ago.

Dr John Martin said:

“After a phenomenal but difficult year across

the NHS, I’m very excited to be coming back to

the London Ambulance Service where I trained

as a paramedic and back to ambulance

services more generally.

“After several years in wider healthcare roles,

I’m keen to explore innovative ways of working

that benefit our patients and can improve the

wellbeing and professional development of

staff and volunteers.”

Commenting on his appointment, Heather

Lawrence OBE, chair of the Trust Board, said:

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome John

to our trust board. London Ambulance Service

is constantly challenging itself to improve the

care we provide and outstanding patient care

requires exceptional clinicians.

“This appointment – the first of its kind in

the country bringing together the quality and

clinical education portfolios – is an investment

in developing our people for the benefit of

Londoners.”

Dr Martin will report to Chief Executive Officer

Garrett Emmerson who said:

“I’m delighted John is coming to London

Ambulance Service and bringing impressive

leadership to our quality and education

agendas so we can deliver outstanding patient

care to Londoners.

“His formidable breadth of experience - from

ambulance trusts to community care and

acute hospitals - make him well suited to build

partnerships and deliver new ways of working

as we create a world class ambulance service.”

The board-level position was created following

the decision of Chief Quality Officer Dr Trisha

Bain to retire at the end of February.

Paying tribute to Dr Bain, Garrett Emmerson said:

“When Trisha and I joined several years ago,

London Ambulance was in special measures. Her

work in the leadership team has helped to turn

the service into the high performing organisation

it is today and driven real improvements in patient

care. I would like to thank her for her work and

wish her well in her retirement.”

Dr Martin is married to Pippa, a Science

technician, and has three children. He enjoys

cycling, swimming and, occasionally, running.


Association of Ambulance Chief Executives

• Clare Langshaw, Ambulance Operations

Manager, Resilience and Specialist

Operations, Welsh Ambulance Service NHS

Trust

• Keith Prior, National Director, National

Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU), West

Midlands Ambulance Service University

NHS Foundation Trust

• Margaret Barclay, Resource Manager,

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Dr Martin brings a wealth of experience

gleaned from work at ambulance trusts, acute

hospitals and in the community including

development of mental health care provision.

Following a career as a paramedic with East

of England Ambulance Service between 2002

and 2014, Dr Martin was selected for an NHS

executive leadership programme. In the six

years since, he has performed a number

of director roles at Cambridge University

Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and latterly

with his current employer.

Dr John Martin

30


COMPANY NEWS

Terrafix, in

partnership with

Centerprise

International, have

been awarded the

Ambulance Radio

Programme, National

Ambulance In-

Vehicle Hardware

Contract (MP5)

Over the summer of 2020 The

Ambulance Radio Programme

(ARP) awarded Terrafix

Limited and Centerprise

International the contract to

develop, supply and support an

in-vehicle system comprising

of a resilient ‘smart’ vehicle

router, the Terrafix Vehicle

Router (TVR) and tablet device

capable of running the National

Mobilisation Application

(NMA).

The consortium was chosen by

competitive tender as the group

that best met the requirements for

the delivery of a resilient and reliable

state of the art, mission critical invehicle

mobile data solution.

Chris Green, Managing Director

of Terrafix:

“Winning the contract to

supply The Ambulance Radio

Programme with the Terrafix TVR

is a fantastic achievement for

the company. We, as one of the

leading Development Engineering

companies in the UK are proud

to keep Staffordshire very firmly

on the map for Innovation. We

are excited to have be chosen

and we will be utilising our

knowledge of the ambulance

mobile environment accumulated

over the past 28 years to ensure

that we provide Ambulances

across the UK with a resilient

Mobile Data and Vehicle Solution

to communicate, efficiently and

effectively with the control rooms

and dispatchers in a timely and

accurate manner.”

Jon Elliott, Director Government

for Centerprise:

“Centerprise are delighted

to partner with Terrafix and

complement their in-house

capability to deliver this nationally

significant programme to ARP”

The contract is part of The

Ambulance Radio Programme

(ARP) Mobile Data Vehicle

System (MDVS) for the UK NHS

Ambulance Trusts. The principle

of which is to provide resilient

mobile data communication

hardware suitable for vehicles

such as Ambulances, Rapid

Response and other emergency

vehicles, providing the in-vehicle

connectivity and functional

Terrafix Vehicle Router (TVR) & NMA Software in-vehicle solution

capabilities needed for the NMA Terrafix Limited

(National Mobilisation Application)

and other in-vehicle applications. Terrafix are a Staffordshire based

company that has over 30 years’

Designed and developed by experience in developing and

Terrafix the TVR is a bespoke providing bespoke automatic

engineered ‘smart’ mobile router vehicle location, mobile data and

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bearers including ESN and the

legacy Airwave system.

TERRAFIX LIMITED

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touch screen platform, running

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the NMA software alongside other

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The System will ensure

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Responders, even GP’s have

a common platform across the

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that will create a secure critical

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About Centerprise International

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31

The Number 1 in the

German Resuscitation Register

In more than 60% of all resuscitation cases, the

Mönchengladbach Fire Department achieved a positive result.

This is one of the highest ROSC rates in Germany.

But how exactly do they achieve this success?

The Mönchengladbach Fire Brigade team measures

the quality of its resuscitations in real time, thus has

the information necessary to save more lives.

In addition, all resuscitation cases are subsequently

analysed in detail with regard to the depth of the

compression, frequency, relief of the chest and

handoff times during resuscitation and used for

training and further education measures.

Here you can see how the Mönchengladbach Fire

Department measures the quality of their resuscitation

and what they have achieved as a result:

www.zoll.com/moenchengladbach

© 2020 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. ZOLL is a registered trademark of ZOLL Medical

Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands are the property of their respective

owners.

Ambulance UK February 2021

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