Ambulance UK April 2021

NEWSLINE
EEAST
Cuddle pockets
launched at EEAST
The East of England Ambulance
Service (EEAST) has introduced
bespoke, handmade cuddle
pockets so that stillborn babies
can be transported to hospital
with compassion and sensitivity.
The knitted pockets are designed
for babies who are less than 24
weeks, who are placed inside
and the ribbons tied together.
The baby’s parents are then
encouraged to hold their baby
during the journey.
EEAST is one of the first
ambulance services in the country
to begin using the pockets, which
have been donated by non-profit
organisation Cuddles UK. Each is
unique and has been handmade
by volunteer knitters who are
coordinated by Cuddles UK using
Facebook.
The initiative has been introduced
following feedback from patients
and crews, and aims to make
sure bereaved parents and
their babies are treated with the
highest levels of dignity.
Daimon Wheddon, clinical lead for
the project, said: “We know just
how difficult the loss of a baby
can be for both the parents and
for the crews who attend, and
wanted to do what we could to
make the journey to hospital less
distressing for everyone.
Jenni McClagish, patient safety
specialist with EEAST, with a
cuddle pocket
“Thankfully, cuddle pockets will
not be needed very often. But
when they are, they can make
such a difference for the patient
and our crews.
“We are very grateful to Cuddles
UK for supporting us, and to the
members of our staff who given
up their time to knit these unique
pockets.”
Feedback from crews who have
used the pockets so far has been
positive. One staff member said:
“The cuddle pockets will go a
long way in helping make this
experience less traumatising for
patients as well as crews.”
A second added: “It made a huge
difference, especially for the mum
who had something unique for
her baby to rest in on the way to
hospital. Cuddle pockets give
us a dignified way to transport
babies who are born too early.”
Wendy Matthews OBE, regional
chief midwife, said: “Treating any
pregnancy loss in a dignified
and compassionate way is so
vital to improving the experience
of families when they suffer a
tragedy.
“The cuddle pockets also allow
the ambulance crew dealing
with these situations to give care
in a sensitive way. For parents,
knowing that their babies are
being treated with the upmost
respect is so important.”
Cuddle pockets are available on
all 700 of EEAST’s ambulances
and ambulance officer vehicles.
Air Ambulance -
Charity
Solutions UK have offered the 21
air ambulance charities access
to our ambulance specific online
training for their crews. We
are hoping that the crews take
advantage of the offer to use our
Moving and Handling, Conflict
Resolution and Advanced
Stroke Life Support training. Our
donation provides each learner
with an annual licence, so if you
are an eligible crew member
you should take advantage of
the offer before the end of 2021.
We want to support as many of
the charities and their crews as
possible.
Courses offered:
Our ‘Moving People 2021’
online course content meets
and exceeds the requirements
of all Skills for Health, Wales,
and all Scotland Manual
Handling passport schemes. On
completion the theory learnt will
equip learners with the relevant
theoretical knowledge and skills
as required by FutureQuals AAP
in respect of patient handling.
Packed full of filmed scenarios
to problem solve it is action
packed learning online. It has
proven to test the knowledge
and skills of very experienced
staff as well. Visit www.
myeskils.com/solutionsonline/
movingpeople2020demo/ to
access a free demo – Moving
People bespoke to the Ambulance
Community 2021
Our new 2021 version of the
online Conflict Resolution
course has been specifically
developed with and for the
ambulance community. On
successful completion of this
course its participants will
receive a Solutions certificate
of achievement. Again, packed
full of filmed scenarios to risk
assess it is action packed on line
learning. Visit www.myeskils.
com/solutionsonline/CRT%20
for%20the%20Ambulance%20
Community%202021%20
Demo/ to access a free demo –
Conflict Resolution training for the
ambulance community 2021
Our unique ASLS – Advanced
Stroke Life Support is focused
on the MEND (Miami Emergency
Neurological Deficit) exam which
is conducted after the FAST test
and reduces the chances of
missing a stroke. The course was
developed in conjunction with
the University of Miami, and the
NHS! Our training certificates are
endorsed by the UK Stroke Forum
and the University of Miami.
Visit http://www.myeskils.com/
solutionsonline/Stroke_Demo/
to access a free demo – ASLS
About Air Ambulance UK:
The charities they support and
have welcomed access to our
training as a donation are;
Midlands Air Ambulance, Great
Western Air Ambulance, Essex
& Herts Air Ambulance, North
West Air Ambulance, London
Air Ambulance, Hampshire &
The Isle of Wight Air Ambulance,
Cornwall Air Ambulance,
Devon Air Ambulance, Dorset
& Somerset Air Ambulance,
Wales Air Ambulance, Wiltshire
Air Ambulance, Thames Air
Ambulance, Kent, Surrey
& Sussex Air Ambulance,
MAGPAS Air Ambulance, The Air
Ambulance Service, Lincolnshire
& Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance,
Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Air
Ambulance Northern Ireland,
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance,
Great North Air Ambulance & East
Anglian Air Ambulance
There are 21 air ambulance
charities who operate 40
helicopters alongside their
amazing crews. Each day
air ambulances teams are
dispatched to over 70 missions
collectively, most of which are
funded by voluntary donations
and partnerships.
If you would like to donate to the
charity, please visit:
www.airambulancesuk.org/
donate-now
If you work for any of the above
charities and want to take
advantage and access the free
courses, please contact:
mandiepearson@
solutionstraining.co.uk
If you require any further details
about Solutions Training or to view
more information on the courses
we are offering, please visit:
www.solutionstraining.co.uk
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
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