Ambulance UK - June 2021

Volume 36 No. 3 

June 2021 

DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS 

A BREATH OF 

FRESH AIR 

VCS publishes emissions test 

results for its class-leading DCA

Just breathe 

FIRST-LINE EMERGENCY ANALGESIC 

SUPERIOR PAIN RELIEF 

FOR MODERATE TO SEVERE TRAUMA PAIN 

Versus: 

Entonox 1 , IV Paracetamol 1,2 & IV Morphine 2 

PENTHROX is indicated for the emergency relief of moderate to severe pain in conscious adult patients with 

trauma and associated pain 3,4 

PENTHROX 99.9%, 3 ml inhalation vapour, liquid: 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 custom-built 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 predispose 

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. 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 sub-groups 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 coordination 

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 

Before administering PENTHROX, make sure you have read and fully understood the SmPC and educational materials, which provide important information about how 

to safely use the device to minimise risk of serious side effects. PENTHROX educational materials and training on its administration are available from Galen on request. 

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 non-serious reactions are CNS type 

reactions such as dizziness and somnolence and are generally easily reversible. 

Serious dose-related nephrotoxicity has only been associated with 

methoxyflurane when used in large doses over prolonged periods during 

general anaesthesia. 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

CONTENTS 

CONTENTS 

Ambulance UK 

68 EDITOR’S COMMENT 

70 FEATURES 

70 One For the Future? 

72 A breath of fresh air: the lightweight DCA helping 

ambulance services reach their environmental goals 

73 NEWSLINE 

91 IN PERSON 

94 COMPANY NEWS 

This issue edited by: 

Sam English 

c/o Media Publishing Company 

Greenoaks, Lockhill 

Upper Sapey, Worcester, WR6 6XR 

ADVERTISING: 

Terry Gardner, Samantha Marsh 

CIRCULATION: 

Media Publishing Company 

Greenoaks, Lockhill 


Tel: 01886 853715 

E: info@mediapublishingcompany.com 

www.ambulanceukonline.com 

PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY: 

February, April, June, August, 

October, December 

COVER STORY 

The answer to ambulance services’ short-term emissions and budget 

challenges could be in the humble diesel-powered dual crewed 

ambulance, according to conversion specialist, VCS. 

COPYRIGHT: 

Media Publishing Company 

Greenoaks 

Lockhill 


Figures revealed for the first time in Ambulance Today following tests conducted by VCS 

show that its dual crewed ambulance (DCA) demonstrates significant reductions in 

emissions and fuel consumption over industry benchmarks. 

The tests, which mimicked the duty cycles of several NHS ambulance services using 

VCS vehicles, were conducted at UTAC CERAM Millbrook’s industry-leading vehicle 

validation facility in Bedfordshire. 

Results showed that VCS’s Fiat Ducato-based DCA panel van achieves a 5.7% reduction 

in CO 2 

and a 10% fuel saving, meaning each vehicle could save more than 500 litres of 

fuel per year. 

For an ambulance service with a fleet of 480 vehicles, these savings start to add up, with 

the opportunity to reduce CO 2 

output by more than 2,300 tonnes over five years. The 

same fleet could also see a potential fuel saving of more than 1.2 million litres of fuel 

over five years which, at today’s fuel prices, equates to a financial saving of more than 

£1.4 million. 

Lower maintenance costs, owing to VCS’s lightweight design and high-quality 

production methods, coupled with its fuel efficiency, means that ambulance services 

can expect to save more than £2,900 per vehicle over the course of the life of a VCS 

DCA. Tests also demonstrated a 12.9% reduction in NO x 

emissions, equating to a fleet 

reduction of 579kg over five years. 

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 August 2021 

Subscription Information – June 2021 

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67

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

Welcome to this issue of AUK 

“The 

pandemic 

has been 

tough but 

at least 

now there 

seems to 

be a light at 

the end of 

the tunnel.” 

In this issue we take a little look at vehicles and equipment. I am particularly fascinated with the idea 

of a ‘concept’ ambulance, so much so that I’ve included one such idea. At first sight I thought this was 

pure fantasy, but then in an age of driverless cars and delivery drones it doesn’t seem that implausible. 

Six months ago, I made a move to the Digital arm of my service as CCIO, at that point we were on 

spreadsheets, systems didn’t speak to each other and hospital handover meant a paper report being 

completed and deposited with the patient. Despite the pandemic, we’ve now got system interoperability, 

external patient digital record access and a digital EPR which the hospital can view prior to the ambulance 

arrival. The speed of technological advance is both exciting and challenging. Almost every week we get a 

new suggestion for digitising aspects of the service, from stores checks to video call centres, once these 

would have been nice to haves, now they are must haves in most cases to keep pace with increasing 

complexities, time pressures and staff born and raised in an age of digital expectation. Maybe a self 

propelled ambulance, responding autonomously to an emergency generated by an implanted bio scanner 

is not as daft an idea as it once was. 

Sticking to technology for a second, I wanted to give a shout out to the scientists who created the Covid 

vaccines in record time. This week we got to meet indoors for the first time in ages, at my local hostelry they 

had two six person delayed Christmas parties and god knows how many baby showers. The pandemic 

has been tough but at least now there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Another big shout out to 

the teams who have been delivering vaccinations with phenomenal efficiency, they don’t give out badges 

or trophies, but it would be nice for the Government to recognise the contributions of all NHS staff without 

who we would still be in the same place as much of the rest of the world. Hopefully, now the corner has 

been turned we might even start to feel more normal, the enforced separation of families has undoubtedly 

been harsh on many, for me I felt it strange to be in the pub and try to hear and speak over the general 

background noise that has been absent for so long. I can’t help hoping that there is a degree of social 

responsibility handed back to people in the near future rather than the edicts of the lawmakers, but I guess 

that depends on all of us being sensible and getting the jab. 

With a last word on sensible, it would be nice if the weather would improve a bit, the UK is a great place 

which I think many people forget. This will be the first time since I was a child that I’ve booked a UK holiday, 

I’d forgotten how much variety there is here with sea, lakes, mountains and forest, now all I need is for the 

sun to shine…just a little bit! Think safe and sensible but I hope you all get time for a break this summer, 

wherever you get to, you all deserve it after the efforts of the last 12 months… 

Sam English, Co-Editor Ambulance UK 


68 

For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

FREE EDUCATIONAL PODCASTS 

In the knowledge that conferences and exhibitions are currently on hold, we are pleased to announce that 

contributions from BASICS Scotland and others has enabled us to offer you the opportunity to listen to the 

following 30 minute educational Podcasts FREE OF CHARGE and see products being demonstrated: 

Paediatric Cardiac Arrest - Jon McCormack 

Check Card Medicine - Paul Savage 

A Responders Perspective - Iain Craighead 

Head Injuries - Dr Jonathan Hanson 

Pain Assessment and Management - Martin Esposito 

The Advanced Practitioner in Critical Care - Joel Simmons 

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 

VISIT www.ambulanceukonline.com 

• Advanced Water Rescue Manakin 

• OREALITI Go by Isimulate 

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 


DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS 

October 2020 


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FEATURE 

ONE FOR THE FUTURE? 

Ahmed Zayed Radwan, Architect, Automotive Designer 

ahmedzayed_85@yahoo.com, +86 186 16599656 

Shanghai, China 

TIME is crucial to emergency medical services. Increased response 

time of ambulances to patients in crisis due to traffic congestion cause 

thousands of deaths annually around the world. In the US, statistics 

say that for a typical cardiac emergency, one minute of faster response 

translates into $1,542 of savings in hospital costs per patient leading to 

a $7B reduction in US healthcare expenditures per year, besides saving 

thousands of lives. 

The design comprises of two autonomous self balancing vehicles that 

carry paramedics and all medical equipment needed, when they arrive 

to destination of crisis the vehicles align by lidar feeds and start to 

physically attach to each other (please watch in video) unfolding a fully 

functional paramedic space to use. The lateral closures are designed 

to double as doors and floor\roof panels to carry loads (reference 

feasibility of pickup truck back doors to carry weight). 

Emerge is an experimental autonomous concept aiming to address 

the problem of increased response times by rethinking the ambulance 

architecture laterally straitening its road footprint to cut through traffic 

and pair to unfold paramedic space when in use. 

EMERGE is a concept integrating the technologies of autonomous 

mobility and self balancing technologies to help solve one of our major 

problems in our modern time mega cities. It could potentially be a more 

feasible alternative for helicopter and drone ambulances in terms of 

operation costs and spatial requirements. 


70 

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FEATURE 


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71

FEATURE 

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR: THE LIGHTWEIGHT 

DCA HELPING AMBULANCE SERVICES 

REACH THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS 

Ever since the UK government published the Climate Change Act 

in 2008, which targeted nationwide CO 2 

reductions of 80% by 2050, 

it was clear that radical change would be needed across the NHS. 

Since then, the NHS has made reducing carbon and air quality-limiting 

emissions a major priority, last year launching its ‘Greener NHS’ 

campaign, and with it, the pledge to deliver a net zero NHS by 2040. 

A so-called ‘greening’ of NHS Trusts’ ambulance fleets is a major 

part of NHS England’s plan to achieve a net zero service. Coupled 

with increasing financial pressures across many Trusts nationwide, 

running ambulances that use less fuel and therefore produce fewer 

emissions should be a priority for ambulance services everywhere. 

But how are ambulance services expected to make their fleets 

greener between now and 2040? 

The obvious and oft-heralded long-term solution is almost certain 

to be a wholesale electrification of the ambulance service. Indeed, 

in 2020 the UK’s first all-electric front line dual crewed ambulance, 

produced by market-leading converter VCS, entered service with 

West Midlands Ambulance Service. As we understand it, the initial 

trial has gone well, and the service is continuing to use the zeroemissions 

ambulance as part of its front-line fleet (we hope to bring 

you more on this soon). 

Put simply, Core Capture employs engineering practices and 

techniques from the aerospace industry to create a conversion that 

adds as little mass as possible, while being extremely resilient in 

order to meet stringent CEN testing requirements and the rigors of 

ambulance life. In practice, this means using lightweight composite 

materials and creating single moulded structures wherever possible. 

Core Capture is used across VCS’s range of DCAs, PTS and RRVs 

where practical. 

This results in a Fiat Ducato-based DCA panel van that has a gross 

vehicle weight of 4250kg, which VCS expects to be around 6.8% 

lighter in full operational setting than its next closest rival. This 

significant weight reduction has always been expected to reduce fuel 

consumption and emissions, but what are the actual figures? 

VCS’s UTAC CERAM Millbrook testing considered duty cycles from 

several of its NHS customers. It used a Fiat Ducato DCA panel van 

loaded for a combined emergency application and a non-emergency 

application based on data collected from ambulances in the field. 

Test results showed that VCS’s DCA achieves a combined average 

fuel consumption saving of more than 500 litres of fuel per vehicle per 

year, while emitting 267g/km CO 2 

. This represents a 10% fuel saving 

and a 5.7% reduction in CO 2 

over a one-year period per vehicle. 


Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also expected to be part of the 

zero-emissions ambulance fleet mix. These vehicles, which convert 

hydrogen gas to electric energy and produce water as the only 

by-product, could help offer zero emissions alternatives to use 

cases that have longer range requirements. The hydrogen refuelling 

infrastructure is still in its infancy, though, so it is impossible to 

say how quickly ambulance services may be able to adopt this 

technology wholesale. 

However, those ambulance services that need to reduce emissions 

and make cost savings today may still find the answer in the humble 

diesel engine and a well-engineered ambulance conversion. 

Ambulance converter, VCS has long claimed that its unique Core 

Capture manufacturing technology reduces the overall weight of the 

vehicle, which in turn increases fuel efficiency and limits emissions. 

Recently, VCS conducted a comprehensive testing programme on its 

dual crewed ambulance (DCA) at UTAC CERAM Millbrook’s worldclass 

validation facility in Bedfordshire, and we can share the results 

exclusively in Ambulance Today. 

More on that in a moment, but first, what is VCS’s Core Capture 

technology and what benefits does it have on ambulance 

construction? 

Armed with this data, the benefits for ambulance services across the 

country are clear. An NHS Trust ambulance service fleet with around 

480 vehicles could see a CO 2 

reduction of more than 2,300 tonnes 

over five years – the equivalent of removing around 300 new cars from 

the road over the same period. 

Even more impressive are the potential fuel savings that VCS’s DCA 

can offer. The same fleet of 480 ambulances will save more than 

1.2 million litres of fuel over five years which, at today’s fuel prices, 

equates to a financial saving of more than £1.4 million. Coupled with 

the lower maintenance costs due to VCS’s lightweight design, quality 

and world class workmanship, ambulance services can expect to save 

more than £2,900 per vehicle over the course of its life. 

Finally, it is important to acknowledge that CO 2 

is not the only emission 

that NHS Trusts must concern themselves with. In recent years, we 

have all seen the impact that NO x 

has had on air quality, and VCS was 

keen to know what effect its Core Capture technology had on reducing 

this, too. Suffice to say that testing showed a 12.9% reduction, 

equating in a fleet reduction of 579kg over five years. 

So, it’s clear, that while electric and hydrogen technology is 

approaching, VCS’s standard diesel fuelled DCA can still help 

ambulance services and communities breathe a little easier. 

72 


NEWSLINE 

NWAS 

Colleagues 

remembered 

with dedicated 

ambulances 

Steve Hynes, Deputy Director 

of Operations at NWAS who 

organised the memorial on the 

vehicles, said: “Stuart, Phil and 

Peter will be remembered for 

caring for those at their most 

vulnerable and in need. Whilst 

for several years. Now is the time 

for that challenge to be realised. 

By rowing continuously for over 60 

days to cross a 3,800 mile ocean 

in a 29ft boat, this is an adventure 

that will push my mind and body to 

the limit. 

North West Ambulance Service 

has unveiled three ambulances 

in honour of their former 

colleagues who sadly died from 

coronavirus. 

As a lasting tribute to their 

memory, two emergency 

ambulances and a patient 

transport ambulance have been 

inscribed with their names along 

with “Forever in our hearts”. 

Stuart Monk, a paramedic based 

in Wigan and Phil Rennie a 

Patient Transport Service Care 

Assistant based in Oldham, both 

passed away last summer. Peter 

Millington, a paramedic who 

worked in Wigan and recently 

worked as a capacity manager in 

our Regional Operations Control 

Centre (ROCC) passed away in 

March this year. 

The vehicles will be operational 

and helping those within the same 

communities each of the men 

previously served for many years. 

The two emergency ambulances 

will be out on the roads of 

Wigan and the patient transport 

ambulance will be travelling 

around the roads of Oldham. 

they are sadly no longer with 

us, our memories of these three 

outstanding colleagues will remain. 

“This is why we wanted to 

do something that gives their 

friends and colleagues a way to 

remember them but also to give 

others within the communities 

they served a chance to find out 

who they are by dedicating these 

vehicles to each of them. 

“This is our small way of us saying 

thank you to their professionalism, 

dedication and service.” 

The family of Peter Millington said: 

“We are so overwhelmed and 

grateful for this amazing gesture 

from the North West Ambulance 

Service. 

“We are very proud of our Dad and 

everything he achieved during the 

34 years he worked for the NHS. 

The ambulance is an incredible 

tribute to the time he served as a 

paramedic and all the hard work 

he contributed to the service. 

“We will forever be thankful for the 

acknowledgment of his dedication 

to the NHS and I know he would 

be incredibly proud to have an 

ambulance named after him and 

to know that he is still able to help 

people.” 

YAS 

Four friends, one 

boat, 60 days and 

3,800 miles 

Intrepid North Yorkshire 

Paramedic Tom Riley will be 

among a four-strong crew 

aiming to enter the record 

books by rowing non-stop from 

mainland Europe to mainland 

South America. 

The friends will embark on the 

3,800-mile journey from Portimao, 

on the south coast of Portugal, in 

December and will spend the next 

two months rowing in notoriously 

difficult conditions to Cayenne, 

the capital of French Guiana. 

Tom, of Northallerton, will be joined 

by bike mechanic Rob Lucas, 

of Sheffield, Justin Coleman, of 

Leicestershire, who has rowed the 

Atlantic before but not coast to 

coast, and Jim Davidson, a rowing 

coach from County Durham. 

Tom, who worked for North West 

Ambulance Service as a paramedic 

in Kendal in the Lake District before 

joining Yorkshire Ambulance 

Service in January 2020, said: “The 

idea of rowing across the Atlantic 

was planted some time ago and 

has been in the back of my mind 

“We will be the first crew of four 

to complete the mainland to 

mainland Atlantic route in a Pure 

class rowing boat which will make 

it a record-breaking crossing. 

Our row will be longer than 

most Atlantic crossings, we will 

be starting and finishing on the 

mainland rather than islands so 

we will cover 800 extra miles.” 

Proceeds from the event will go 

to Our Blue Light, which supports 

emergency/essential services with 

their mental health and wellbeing, 

and Surfers Against Sewage, 

a marine conservation charity 

working with communities to 

protect oceans, waves, beaches 

and marine life. 

Tom, a former pupil at Robert 

Wilkinson Primary Academy in 

Strensall and Huntington School 

in York, said: “Our Blue Light is a 

charity I’m really passionate about 

because I have seen how some of 

my colleagues struggle with their 

mental health and we also attend 

a lot of mental health calls.” 

To donate to Our Blue Light, 

visit www.justgiving.com/ 

fundraising/m2m-atlantic-four. 

To donate to Surfers Against 

Sewage visit www.justgiving. 

com/fundraising/M2M-Atlantic. 

Further information about the 

challenge is available at 

www.m2matlanticfour.com 


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73

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NEWSLINE 


EEAST 

“Helping people 

in their time of 

crisis is incredibly 

rewarding” 

A community first responder 

(CFR) who has helped more 

than 500 patients while 

volunteering with the East of 

England Ambulance Service 

(EEAST) has spoken of the 

enjoyment he takes from his 

role while encouraging others to 

consider following his lead. 

Alan Cartz, who is based in 

Watford, began volunteering with 

the service in 2017 and attended 

his 500th patient in mid-March. 

During that time, he has helped 

with everything from cardiac 

arrests to seizures, as well as 

supporting people with breathing 

difficulties and injuries. 

“I really enjoy working as a 

CFR – it’s great,” said Alan, who 

also volunteers with St John 

Ambulance and spent 40 years 

as a special with the police. “I find 

being able to help people in their 

time of crisis incredibly rewarding, 

and also enjoy the variety involved 

– we do everything from offering 

reassurance to performing CPR 

and saving lives. 

“I remember my very first call for 

EEAST, which was to a man who 

had been injured when a brick 

wall fell on him. I now do two or 

three days a week for the Trust, 

and three times out of five I will be 

the first on scene, arriving before 

the ambulance crew. That can be 

both exciting and nerve-wracking 

at the same time, as you are 

never quite sure what you will be 

facing.” 

Community first responders are 

volunteers who are trained to 

attend certain types of emergency 

calls in the area where they live 

or work. Their aim is to reach 

a potential life-threatening 

emergency in the first vital 

minutes before the ambulance 

crew arrives. 

“The crews are always incredibly 

appreciative when they arrive 

on scene, even if you’ve just 

taken observations and passed 

them on,” added Alan. “We also 

receive good feedback from 

patients and their families, as we 

are able to put a figurative arm 

round their shoulders during their 

darkest moment and help them to 

understand what is happening. 

“I decided to become a CFR as I 

enjoy doing things for others and 

have been interested in medicine 

ever since getting my first aid 

certificate when I was 11. I would 

absolutely recommend it to others 

– all you need is to be caring, 

have some free time and be able 

to stay calm under pressure. You’ll 

be given all of the medical training 

you need and there will always be 

someone on the end of a phone 

ready to help if you need advice.” 

Tom Barker, EEAST’s Community 

Response Manager for 

Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and 

West Essex, said: “Our CFRs 

play an incredibly important role, 

often reaching patients first and 

providing life-saving care before 

our crews arrive. 

“To attend to 500 patients 

in fewer than five years is a 

fantastic achievement and our 

congratulations go to Alan. He 

truly is a credit to the Trust.” 

NWAS 

NHS 111 pilot 

strengthens 

specialist care for 

children 

A partnership between North 

West Ambulance Service 

(NWAS) and Cheshire and 

Merseyside Children and 

Young People (CYP) Network, 

which sees specialist paediatric 

practitioners working alongside 

trained NHS 111 advisors, 

has helped to enhance care 

for children and their families 

when using NHS 111. 

When the pandemic hit in 

March last year, public concern 

grew and access to face-toface 

healthcare was restricted. 

NHS 111, which is delivered 

across the region by NWAS, 

experienced a rise of 93% 

in calls at the peak of the 

pandemic, which included an 

increase in calls concerning 

unwell children. 

In May 2020, six clinicians from 

the Cheshire and Merseyside 

Children and Young People (CYP) 

Network and an NWAS trainee 

advanced clinical practitioner 

volunteered to form a small team 

of paediatric 111 advisors. 

The paediatric 111 advisors 

focus on handling calls for 

children under the age of 

five and are on hand to offer 

additional clinical expertise 

alongside the 111 advisors to 

provide the best care and advice 

for youngsters and their families. 

Jackie Bell, Head of NHS 111, 

said: “Our 111 health and 

service advisors are highly 

trained to handle a wide-range 

of calls from members of 

the public of all ages, with a 

whole host of urgent medical 

needs, and they do a fantastic 

job. With demand on our 

service increasing throughout 

the pandemic we noticed an 

opportunity to bring in a small 

number of specialist roles with 

focused knowledge on certain 

areas where we were seeing 

a rise in calls. The paediatric 

clinicians have been a very 

welcome addition to the team, 

supporting patients and staff 

as we worked our way through 

a challenging period, and the 

scheme shows how partnership 

working can benefit patients 

across the region.” 

This collaboration has proved 

successful with data showing 

that more than half of the calls 

the paediatric clinicians handled 

were resolved at home with the 

care and advice they were able 

to provide over the telephone, 

where otherwise these patients 

may have turned to the 

emergency department, primary 

care or hospital services for 

support. 111 staff also reported 

positive feedback around 

working alongside clinicians with 

specialist knowledge to call on 

for advice if required. 

Following the successful trial, 

the partnership arrangements 

with the Cheshire and 

Merseyside CYP Network, 

Southport and Ormskirk NHS 

Hospital Trust and Alder Hey 

Children’s NHS Foundation 

Trust. have been extended 

throughout 2021. 

Kim Williams, Lead Nurse for 

the Cheshire and Merseyside 

CYP Network said: “The 

feedback received was 

extremely positive. Commitment 

from both organisations and 

provider trusts enabled us to 

provide an enhanced service to 

children, young people and their 

families during the peak of the 

pandemic. The benefits to the 

wider system are significant and 

it has raised a genuine interest 

and desire to explore how we 

might make this permanent in 

the future.” 

76 


DS Medical in partnership with Rocksnake supply paediatric 

critical care retrieval teams with customised response bags 

As all emergency response personnel will tell you, having the right 

response bag(s) in all their encountered environments is critical. 

When responding to a medical emergency, it is vital that all of the 

necessary equipment is easily accessible and logically ordered. 

Organisation is crucial and if you’re not organised, you won’t be as 

effective as you could or should be. 

DS Medical were first approached in June 2020 by SORT (Southampton 

and Oxford Retrieval Team) seeking a solution to a problem of ageing 

bags that no longer met their requirements. DS Medical have long held 

a reputation for medical bags and consumables which makes them a 

natural point of call for healthcare professionals. The very fact they are a 

local supplier meant the team could visit and assess the bags available. 

It was determined there was only one real option for the environments 

and requirements of the retrieval team, a trolley bag solution from the 

manufacturer Rocksnake. The team trialled and packed out the two bag 

modular option and sought relevant input from all team members over 

a period of a few weeks to ensure it was fit for purpose. The key factors 

for the team were ready identification of their bags, modular capability, 

ease of use, ease of transportation and ruggedness. 

Another extra was the unique capability to personalise each bag with 

their wonderful logos. To offer this option on a bag-by-bag basis was a 

fantastic extra. 

“We wanted them to be personalised for each paediatric hospital. Many 

retrieval teams have their own individual logos that are fun and colourful so the 

children who are being transported would recognise this and be welcoming 

of the bags on their travels, knowing they are for them and will help them,” 

comments Richard Bourke, the Managing Director at DS Medical. 

DS Medical have an exclusive UK agreement with the Austrian 

manufacturer Rocksnake. 

The Viper trolley bag range from Rocksnake was identified as most suitable 

for deployment with retrieval teams, emergency evacuation and community 

response teams. The design is modular and flexible which enables key 

equipment to be transported with minimal lifting, utilising the heavy-duty 

rollers built into the design to take the effort out of transportation. 

Traditional bags which are usually carried on their backs, can be 

extremely heavy. This not only created a potential risk of back injury, 

but it also slowed the response time for the teams. Trolley bags are an 

ideal companion within retrieval services, providing flexibility and ease 

of movement. They are also effective in hospitals and can be utilised 

as evacuation emergency bags. The natural environments of hospital 

design permit the bag to easily glide along. 

Francesca, Sister, Retrieval Team (SORT) comments, “the quality of the 

Rocksnake bags provided to us by DS Medical is excellent. We spent 

a long time searching for a replacement bag and these fitted the bill 

perfectly. They are robust, spacious bags with handy compartment zip 

up pouches. The fact these are customised for our services with our 

logo is also a great personal touch.” 

So successful have these bags been with the SORT team that two other 

paediatric teams have adopted the same style and approach – CATS 

(Children’s Acute Transport Services) and PaNDR (Paediatric and 

Neonatal Decision Support & Retrieval Services). 

Richard adds, “we are delighted to provide the teams at CATS, PaNDR 

and SORT with this superb range of bags to help their retrieval teams 

in transporting patients. Supplying equipment to benefit and enhance 

processes and ensure greater patient outcomes is our key objective to 

aid all healthcare professionals we work with.” 

DS Medical recognise the importance of superior design and seek 

partners that support and enhance their capabilities, and Rocksnake 

form an integral part of their supply chain. 

DS Medical have manufactured thousands of Response Bags for 

many Trusts over the years. Their branded response bags ERB II & 

Premier Response bag are utilised in many settings and their response 

bags designed for BLS/ALS make excellent crash bags in emergency 

departments. 

An integral part of their range is the ERB II bag which is ideal as a 

Resus bag in dental surgeries as they are excellent for standardising 

equipment. They have proven credentials for CFR’s and private 

individuals who want their own kit bags at a reasonable price. 

All our bags are robust in design, designed from a clinical objective of 

layout and function, adhere to infection control demands and can be 

used for many different settings including trauma, resuscitation, First Aid 

and fleet vehicle support bags. 

For more information about the Rocksnake bag, and to view a wider 

range of response bags suitable for any incident, please visit 

www.dsmedical.co.uk or call 01329 311451. 

T: 01329 311451 E: info@dsmedical.co.uk www.dsmedical.co.uk 

DS Medical: Eagle Building E2, Daedalus Drive, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire PO13 9FX

NEWSLINE 


NHS Lothian and 

the HELP Appeal 

are celebrating an 

important milestone 

NHS Lothian and the HELP 

Appeal are celebrating an 

important milestone as the new 

helipad located at the Royal 

Hospital for Children and Young 

People and the Department of 

Clinical Neuroscience (RHCYP/ 

DCN) officially opens. 

The helipad, located above the 

fourth floor of the RHCYP/DCN will 

serve both the Royal Infirmary of 

Edinburgh and the RHCYP/DCN 

giving direct access to child and 

adult emergency departments, 

as well as all other clinical 

departments based on site. 

Hospital helipads play a critical 

role in trauma care by helping to 

minimise the time it takes to transfer 

critically ill patients. Without them, 

patient treatment can be delayed, 

which can have a devastating 

impact on survival rates. 

Dr Jon McCormack, Clinical Lead 

for Paediatric Major Trauma, 

NHS Lothian explained that 

having access to a helipad plays 

an important role in optimising 

patient flow pathways for both 

planned and emergency transfers. 

He said, “The helipad will 

provide access to hospital 

services 24 hours a day, seven 

days a week, with three trained 

helideck responders being 

available to ensure safe landing 

and departure. This will help 

to enhance patient care by 

facilitating a seamless transition of 

patients from the air ambulance to 

in-patient services.” 

The helipad was part funded 

through the HELP Appeal, an 

initiative aimed at ensuring that 

patients who sustain life threatening 

critical injuries are able to be flown 

directly by air ambulance to a 

Major Trauma Centre, where all 

the specialist clinical skills and 

medical equipment are immediately 

available, improving their chances 

of survival and recovery. The HELP 

Appeal is the only charity in the 

country funding helipads at key 

hospitals. 

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive 

of the HELP Appeal said, “The 

amazing Royal Hospital for Children 

and Young People and the Royal 

Infirmary of Edinburgh treat 

some of the most seriously ill in 

Scotland. This lifesaving helipad will 

dramatically speed up the time it 

takes to transfer these patients from 

helicopter to hospital anytime of the 

day or night, giving them the best 

chance of survival and recovery. 

“We had no hesitation in providing 

the £700,000 needed to ensure 

the hospitals had a state of the art 

helipad – a crucial element in their 

emergency care offering – as it 

will save many lives. 

“With brand new helipads opening 

in Applecross and Campbeltown, 

and the helipad opening in 

Edinburgh today, we are so 

pleased that the HELP Appeal 

is making a positive impact in 

emergency care across Scotland. 

We look forward to helping many 

more hospitals secure helipads in 

the future.” 

Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief 

Executive, NHS Lothian said, 

“We are incredibly grateful for 

the support of the HELP Appeal 

in part-funding our new helipad. 

It really will make a positive 

difference to our patients and 

will no doubt save many lives not 

just here in Lothian, but across 

Scotland.” 

SECAMB 

Long service and 

achievements 

celebrated with 

virtual awards 

South East Coast Ambulance 

Service NHS Foundation Trust 

(SECAmb) staff and volunteers 

have been recognised for their 

long service and achievements 

in a virtual online awards 

ceremony. 

The event was arranged after 

SECAmb had to postpone two 

of its annual awards ceremonies 

in March 2020 due to COVID-19. 

Staff were given the choice to 

attend the virtual event or attend a 

future traditional ceremony when 

possible. 

The Lord Lieutenants of East 

Sussex and Surrey, Sir Peter Field 

and Michael More-Molyneux 

attended to recognise and 

congratulate staff receiving 

Queen’s Medals for Long Service 

and Good Conduct. The High 

Sherriff of Surrey, Shahid Azeem, 

was also in attendance. Staff and 

volunteers also picked up long 

service awards for 10, 20, 30 and 

an amazing 40 years’ NHS service 

(list of SECamb awards winners 

below). 

Marking 40 years keeping 

ambulances on the road was 

vehicle maintenance technician, 

Andrew Beech from Chertsey. 

Also celebrating 40 years was 

Worthing-based paramedic Chris 

Williams. 

Chris’s four decades with the 

ambulance service include 

attending numerous note-worthy 

incidents including being one of 

the first ambulance personnel 

in attendance at the Brighton 

bombing in 1984 and being part 

of the UK’s emergency response 

to Ebola in Sierra Leone in 2014. 

Staff also received Chief 

Executive commendations for 

their achievements. (Full list 

below). Among those receiving 

commendations was Brighton 

paramedic and operational 

team leader, Amy Brooker, for 

the support provided to a newly 

qualified paramedic struggling 

following a relocation from 

another ambulance service. 

Elsewhere Polegate-based 

Operations Manager, Nicole 

Barrow was recognised for 

the care and compassion she 

provided a colleague who was 

at the end of her life, following a 

battle with cancer. 

Team of the Year went to the 

Trust’s Mental Health Team for 

their dedication to improving 

mental health support to both 

patients and staff and their 

work to introduce mental health 

professionals in the Trust’s 999 

Emergency Operations Centres. 

SECAmb’s Employee of the Year 

Award this year went to Ambulance 

Technician, Steve McIntosh. Steve 

has served the Brighton area for 

some 25 years and undertakes a 

wide range of extra-curricular roles. 

He plays a vital role in promoting 

the importance of staff welfare 

78 


through his work as the local 

representative for The Ambulance 

Service Charity (TASC), which 

fundraises to help staff facing 

difficult times get the support they 

need. 

SECAmb Chief Executive Philip 

Astle said: “I am really pleased 

that we have been able to 

recognise some of the staff who 

were unable to receive their 

awards in March last year. I am 

always extremely humbled by 

the dedication of the decades of 

service we mark and incredibly 

proud of the special achievements 

of our commendation winners. 

These achievements are just a 

small selection of the amazing 

work which goes on day-in, dayout 

across our region. 

“This year has been particularly 

challenging for staff and it is vital 

that we continue to recognise 

the commitment shown to their 

communities and each other. 

I would like to thank the Lord 

Lieutenants of East Sussex and 

Surrey, Sir Peter Field and Michael 

More-Molyneux as well as the 

High Sheriff of Surrey, Shahid 

Azeem for being part of this 

unique event. I would also take 

this opportunity to thank all staff, 

whatever their role and length 

of service, for commitment they 

show and the work they do to 

serve patients across our region.” 

GNAAS 

Test and screening 

regime helps keep 

air ambulance 

charity flying high 

The Great North Air Ambulance 

Service has found a clever way 

of supporting its fundraising 

team in the community – by 

partnering with local firm 

Circular 1 Health to offer 

COVID-19 test and screening 

services for any employee 

wishing to take part. 

More than 400 COVID testing kits 

are being donated by Circular 

1 Health every four weeks to 

GNAAS’ bases at Progress 

House, near Eaglescliffe in 

County Durham, and Langwathby 

in north Cumbria. 

A regime of weekly testing and 

screening performed by Circular 

1 Health scientists is available to 

all staff working for GNAAS, since 

the offices are shared with the 

aircrew and clinical staff. 

Jim Entwistle, Head of Marketing 

and Communications for GNAAS, 

says that all charity fundraising 

has been severely hampered by 

the pandemic: “Despite the strain 

on resources, we still responded 

to 1200 incidents last year and 

expect this year to be busier 

as we come out of lockdown 

and visitors and local people 

take advantage of our beautiful 

countryside. 

“We never take the support 

of business and the public 

for granted and thanks to the 

generosity of Circular 1 Health, 

we have the option of regular 

testing as part of a series of 

measures to help our team to 

actively resume their fundraising 

activities.” 

Stuart Maclennan, the founder 

of Circular 1 Health which is 

headquartered in Carlisle, says 

he is delighted to offer the testing 

kits and access to his laboratories 

for such a worthwhile charity: “It’s 

a privilege for me and the team to 

know that we’re playing a small 

part in helping the air ambulance 

to ultimately save lives by offering 

a service that supports its people, 

its pilots and its clinical teams.” 

The Great North Air Ambulance 

Service costs more than £5 

million p.a to run and is entirely 

funded through charitable 

donations. It operates throughout 

the North East, Cumbria and 

North Yorkshire. 

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To view the full range visit 

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NEWSLINE 

SCAS 

SCAS Chief Executive 

joins the ultimate 

challenge to raise 

money for the 

ambulance staff 

charity 

SCAS Chief Executive, Will 

Hancock, has joined forces with 

colleagues from the College 

of Paramedics, Association of 

Ambulance Chief Executives 

and East Midlands Ambulance 

Service to raise money for The 

Ambulance Staff Charity. 

Completing the fastest zipline in 

the world and climbing Mount 

Snowdon at night might not be 

everyone’s idea of fun, but for 

Anna Parry, Kerry Gulliver, Tracy 

Nicholls and Will Hancock, they 

are hoping there will be plenty of 

laughs along the way when they 

take part in the tough Ultimate 

Fundraising Challenge to raise 

money for The Ambulance Service 

Charity – TASC – on 17 July, 2021. 

Will, has been joined by Anna, 

who is the Deputy Managing 

Director of the Association of 

Ambulance Chief Executives 

(AACE), Kerry, the Director 

of Human Resources and 

Organisational Development 

at East Midlands Ambulance 

Service, and Tracy, the CEO of 

the College of Paramedics, and 

they have decided to team up to 

raise £5,000 for TASC which helps 

care for the mental, physical and 

financial wellbeing of the UK’s 

ambulance community. 

Tracey said: “When I came up with 

this challenge it honestly seemed 

like a good idea in my head 

but now that it’s just over three 

months away the thought of the 

zip wire is absolutely terrifying me. 

It doesn’t help that my fitness isn’t 

the best. I walk my dogs a couple 

of miles a day but I’m really going 

to have to do more than that if I 

have any hope of completing this 

challenge. That’s why I’m keen to 

hear from any kind ambulance folk 

who can give me any good tips or 

advice on how best to train.” 

She added: “To say this challenge 

is outside the norm for me is 

an understatement but I’m 

determined to see it through and 

raise as much money as we can. 

I have been a lifelong member of 

the ambulance family and have 

lost friends and colleagues during 

the pandemic. But more than 

that, there seems to be literally 

nowhere else for our profession to 

go when they need help, except 

for TASC. How can you do a job 

like this, at a time like this, and not 

be affected? TASC do an amazing 

job at helping but I know how 

fragile funding streams can be so 

anything we can do to assist is 

important.” 

On 17 July, the foursome will step 

out of their comfort zones to take 

on Velocity, the fastest zipline in the 

world. Travelling at speeds of over 

100mph, this adrenalin-inducing 

challenge has been described 

as the ‘nearest thing to flying’ as 

participants soar over Penrhyn 

Quarry and get to experience 

spectacular views of the North 

Wales coastline and beyond. 

But the excitement doesn’t end 

there. Later that evening, they 

will be lacing up their walking 

boots, turning on their torches 

and trekking up 3560ft to the top 

of Mount Snowdon – the highest 

mountain in England and Wales 

– in a bid to raise much-needed 

funds for TASC. 

Anna Parry said: “I’ve actually 

climbed Snowdonia before but in 

The Eagle has landed! 

We are excited to announce the launch of the Eagle, 

part of the Mangar lifting cushion range 

• The Eagle has a smaller footprint than other lifting cushions, 

which makes it versatile and easy to use in tight spaces 

• Easy to fold and position under 

someone who has fallen 

• A slimline version of the Camel, the Eagle has 

an in-built backrest to give extra support 


• Lifts at least 35 stone 

• Reduces risk of musculoskeletal injury 

• Portable – use inside or outdoors 

For more information or to book a demonstration 

please email sales@mangarhealth.com or call 0800 2800 485. 

80 


TESTED 

daylight. For me, the toughest part 

of this challenge is going to be 

facing my fear – the zip wire. The 

closest I’ve ever come to anything 

like this is when I did a tandem skydive 

in Australia in my 20s which I 

loved….until my parachute failed to 

open. Fortunately, the reserve did! 

“I’m hoping the zipline won’t be 

so nerve-wracking, but even if it is 

I knew I had to be involved in this 

challenge because ambulance 

service staff have done such a 

tremendous job over the last 12 

months, as they always do. This 

is an opportunity to give a little 

back and support TASC in the 

great work they do for the sector, 

alongside trusts, in ensuring staff 

are able to access the mental 

health and wellbeing resources 

they might need.” 

Will Hancock agrees. He 

explained: “This ticks a lot of 

boxes for me – a charity doing 

hugely important work at a 

time when it has never been 

more essential. And personally 

speaking, I want to encourage 

everyone in the ambulance sector 

to ask for help if they need it. We 

know it is the hardest step yet it 

is the most important. It is vital 

to look after people who need 

help and who have committed 

themselves to helping others.” 

Kerry Gulliver says she 

wholeheartedly supports the 

work of TASC and jumped at 

the chance to take part in the 

fundraising challenge when 

asked. She said: “Our staff in the 

ambulance service do a difficult 

job, often under very challenging 

circumstances, providing care for 

patients when they need it most. 

This can have an impact on their 

mental health and wellbeing, 

which is why it is so important 

that we focus on doing whatever 

we can do to ensure that our 

ambulance staff can access 

the relevant support when they 

need it. TASC play a vital role in 

caring for the mental health and 

wellbeing of ambulance staff and 

their families, and that’s why I’m 

taking part in this challenge.” 

As someone who has been 

helped enormously by TASC, 

ambulance technician Wayne 

Thomson, is delighted that 

the charity will benefit from the 

Ultimate Fundraising Challenge. 

He said: “Without TASC’s help 

I would still be suffering with 

my PTSD and on medication to 

control my moods. My family 

and I are so grateful to TASC, we 

can’t thank them enough. Helps 

is there, don’t suffer in silence; 

just ask.” 

To show your support for Anna, 

Kerry, Tracy and Will, you can 

donate via their JustGiving page 

at https://www.justgiving.com/ 

fundraising/tracy-anna-will-kerry 

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81

NEWSLINE 

NWAS 

Meet Team NWAS 

siblings Gene and 

Lewis Quinn 

on their clinical knowledge in an 

emergency setting and seeing 

them put it into practice. I act as 

an extra arm of support – a terribly 

exciting and daunting thing all at 

the same time. 

demand is really key to making 

good decisions. 

Do you ever get to work 

together on anything or see 

each other on duty? 

on the back of an ambulance where 

older people are not afraid to tell me 

how much they do not like it, which 

keeps me humble! It is a wonderful 

vocation that I can no longer see my 

life without. 


From the armed forces to life 

in performance and singing, 

brothers Gene and Lewis Quinn 

started their careers on very 

different paths! Fast forward 16 

years and they are both very 

much pillars within our green 

family. 

Lewis (LQ) joined Team NWAS 

in 2015 as a full-time practicebased 

educator in our Education 

and Training Team. Lewis keeps 

connected to his emergency 

practice by also working shifts on 

the road as a qualified emergency 

medical technician (EMT). 

Gene (GQ) joined the ambulance 

service in 2005 and was the first 

direct entry paramedic into the then- 

Merseyside Regional Ambulance 

Service and has enjoyed many 

roles within his career. Gene has 

recently moved roles from interim 

head of service for Cheshire and 

Merseyside to interim head of 

service for Cumbria and Lancashire. 

Many ambulance crew colleagues 

will see Gene doing the job they 

do as he is a qualified paramedic 

and also works a shift on the road 

each month in addition to his 

responsibilities as head of service. 

What do you like about your roles? 

LQ – It’s being with the new 

learners, helping them to build 

In terms of being an EMT, I 

consider it a privilege to do the 

work that we do as we help people 

at their most vulnerable moments. 

I’m now pursuing further training 

to become a paramedic, but the 

EMT experience as a foundation 

for pursuing paramedic training is 

incontrovertible! 

GQ – I love working with our teams 

across the organisation to provide 

support for all. As a paramedic 

doing my best for patients, but 

also seeing how all the varied parts 

of NWAS connect to enable us to 

deliver our services. 

What can be tough about your 

role? 

LQ – The notion that I can’t be 

with every learner all at once, as 

much as I would like to be! So 

much of my role involves making 

sure that learners have the right 

support and so I reinforce this as 

much as I possibly can. 

GQ – Decisions can sometimes 

be tough, you have to consider 

lots of competing demands on 

the situation you are faced with 

and manage any unintended 

consequences. So taking time 

to sit and think through complex 

matters at times when we are 

dealing with high levels of activity/ 

LQ – We have worked together 

twice! One was an interesting shift 

in the heart of Liverpool when I 

first was on the road. Gene was 

my boss and I felt really nervous 

as I wanted my emergency 

response driving to be good! The 

second time I was much more 

relaxed as we worked together 

to provide emergency cover at a 

football match. 

From my perspective it has been 

a really wonderful thing to see 

how much respect Gene has as 

a clinician on the road. He was a 

clinical mentor first and foremost 

and he takes that with him 

wherever he goes and in whatever 

role he operates within. Gene has 

predominantly worked in Cheshire 

and Merseyside throughout his 

career and I am based in Cumbria 

and Lancashire which has meant 

we have seen less of each other 

in work. However with Gene’s new 

position as interim head of service 

for Cumbria and Lancashire, our 

paths may cross a little more! 

GQ – Communication plays such 

a big part of teamwork between 

crews. Working with my brother 

is ace, I know from a look or 

expression if something isn’t right 

or if he needs something. I enjoy 

working with family members and 

I’m sure now we’re in the same 

area of the North West, we will 

team up again. 

Did you both always want to 

join the ambulance service? 

LQ – No. I had a life before in 

education and training in performing 

and singing; I have sung in America, 

Europe, and the UK. I am an 

operatic tenor and so get to sing all 

of the romantic/heroic roles which I 

love. I often used my singing skills 

GQ – I didn’t have a clue what I 

wanted to do when I left school, 

other than being a wildlife 

filmmaker! I found myself qualifying 

as a paramedic in the Royal Navy 

and it felt a natural progression to 

join the ambulance service when I 

left the armed forces. I have loved 

all my roles in the ambulance 

service since the first day I joined 

and I would advocate NWAS as a 

brilliant employer. 

SECAMB 

Medway paramedic 

recognised for 

outstanding service 

A South East Coast Ambulance 

Service, (SECAmb), paramedic 

from Kent has been recognised 

with an Outstanding Service 

Award at this year’s Ambulance 

Leadership Forum (ALF). 

Jenna Gibson, based at Medway 

ambulance station, picked up the 

award at the annual conference 

which was held virtually on 

Tuesday 18 May. 

Jenna, who has a hearing 

impairment, was recognised for her 

work at SECAmb developing a new 

way of informing colleagues and 

other emergency services of her 

and others disability when working. 

Jenna came up with the idea 

which sees SECAmb staff with 

a hearing impairment able to 

request a specially-designed pin 

badge to wear on their epaulettes. 

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. 

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Jenna, who qualified as a 

paramedic eight years ago, was 

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. 

award for her work in raising 

awareness and improving 

the working environment for 

her colleagues. It’s really well 

deserved and I was pleased to 

present Jenna with her award 

last week ahead of today’s 

virtual event. It’s also fitting that 

a SECAmb paramedic has 

been recognised in the year 

that we mark 50 years since 

the UK’s first paramedics 

began responding to patients in 

Brighton.” 

Jenna said: “I am very proud to 

receive this award and would like 

to thank my colleagues for their 

help in making this idea come 

to life. I really hope the badge 

along with increased awareness 

can make communicating at 

work easier for staff, our partners 

and in turn our patients.” 

Jenna 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. The video 

can be viewed on YouTube 

here: https://www.youtube.com/ 

watch?v=wxR9JGGa8Sg. 

A further short film focusing on 

why Jenna came up with the idea 

can also be viewed on YouTube 

here: https://www.youtube.com/ 

watch?v=vP98ZUGjF3A 

SECAmb Chief Executive, Philip 

Astle said: “I’m delighted Jenna 

has received this prestigious 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 



83

NEWSLINE 

LAS 

London Ambulance 

Service holds 

memorial event 

held to remember 

colleagues who have 

passed away 

On Thursday 13 May staff 

and volunteers across 

London Ambulance Service 

came together to remember 

colleagues who passed away in 

the last year. 

At an event outside our 

headquarters building, Chief 

Executive Garrett Emmerson, 

our Trust Board Chair Heather 

Lawrence OBE, Deputy Chief 

Executive and Chief Operating 

Officer Khadir Meer and Chief 

Medical Officer Dr Fenella Wrigley 

joined a small group of staff in our 

new memorial garden. 

Garrett and Heather spoke of 

the immeasurable loss of our 

colleagues. A minute silence was 

then held. 

This was also an opportunity as 

a Service to reflect on what has 

been an extremely difficult year 

and to come together to support 

colleagues who have lost a 

loved one during the coronavirus 

pandemic. 

Due to the coronavirus restrictions 

on large gatherings of people, the 

event took place with a limited 

number of attendees – but it 

was live streamed to colleagues 

across the Service to watch inbetween 

taking 999 and 111 calls, 

responding to calls and carrying 

out other duties and was made 

available for staff and volunteers 

to watch back at a time of their 

choosing. 

Sadly, 19 members of London 

Ambulance Service staff and 

contractors have passed away 

in 2020 and 2021, some with 

COVID-19. 

The event was the first to be 

held in a newly-refurbished area 

outside our headquarters building, 

in a new memorial garden which 

was completed in recent weeks. 

The memorial garden was 

designed to be a space for our 

staff and volunteers to be able 

to reflect and to remember all 

colleagues we have lost over the 

years. 

A plaque in the garden reads: 

“There are special people in our 

lives who never leave us, even 

after they are gone.” 

London Ambulance Service’s 

Chief Executive, Garrett 

Emmerson, said: 

“The last year has been 

extremely difficult for us all, 

with the coronavirus pandemic 

taking a terrible toll on London 

and on communities across the 

country. 

“Sadly, our organisation 

has also experienced the 

immeasurable sadness of 

losing colleagues – who, as well 

as being colleagues, are muchloved 

and missed friends. 

“This afternoon we came 

together to remember them and 

to think of their loved ones and 

all who have lost someone over 

the past year. 

“Our new memorial garden will 

provide our hard-working teams 

a place for quiet reflection 

and to remember their late 

colleagues and friends for years 

to come.” 

SWASFT 

Assaults against 

ambulance 

colleagues rise 

during pandemic 

South Western Ambulance 

Service NHS Foundation 

Trust (SWASFT) workers are 

continuing to experience an 

escalating number of assaults 

and abuse by patients. 

SWASFT colleagues reported 

1,747 incidents of violence and 

aggression from patients and 

other members of the public 

during the 12 months after the UK 

first went into lockdown last year. 

The figures, from 24 March 2020 

to 23 March 2021, include 515 

verbal abuse incidents, 447 

aggressive behaviour incidents, 

and 322 physical assaults. 

They represent a 33% increase 

in reported incidents from the 

previous 12 months. 

Newly Qualified Paramedics Dan 

Williams and Kyiah Ellis were 

among those assaulted on duty 

by a patient. 

They responded to a potentially 

serious incident, involving a man 

who was reportedly unconscious 

on a bus, in the Weston area of 

Bath on 12 February. 

The man, who appeared to be 

under the influence of drugs, 

became physically and verbally 

aggressive soon after they arrived 

around 6.50pm. 


He exited the bus, headbutted its 

wing mirror and windscreen, and 

punched a parked car. 

Dan and Kyiah called for police 

assistance and retreated onto the 

bus for their safety. 

The man re-entered the bus 

and spat in Dan’s eye, while 

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NEWSLINE 

continuing to shout at him and 

Kyiah. He was arrested by police, 

taken into custody and charged. 

The man was convicted at Bath 

Magistrates’ Court on 15 February 

of three charges of assaulting 

emergency services workers, and 

one charge of criminal damage. 

He was sentenced to 32 weeks 

in prison and ordered to pay a 

total of £300 compensation to the 

victims. 

Dan and Kyiah said: “We 

welcome the prosecution, and 

thank the police and SWASFT 

for their support throughout this. 

We are disappointed that simply 

doing our job, and ultimately 

likely saving the life of the patient, 

resulted in us being assaulted 

and fearing for our own safety. 

Assaults against our ambulance 

colleagues are never acceptable, 

and leave a lasting effect on those 

there simply to help.” 

Another man was jailed for six 

months on 28 January following 

his assault on Paramedic Matt 

Bryant who was called to treat him 

in Plymouth. 

Matt said: “We are working so 

hard to help people during a 

global pandemic. But assaults 

are becoming more of a regular 

occurrence, and they have a 

significant impact on us.” 

Paramedic Mike Jones, who is 

SWASFT’s Violence Reduction 

Lead, said: “Sadly our people are 

victim every day to unacceptable 

behaviour from a minority of 

patients and other members of 

the public, while they are serving 

the communities of the South 

West and saving lives. Any such 

incident can have a lasting impact 

on them, their loved ones, and 

other colleagues. 

“We take whatever is necessary 

to protect our people from harm, 

including doing all we can to 

ensure offenders are prosecuted 

through the criminal justice 

system. 

“Please respect our people, and 

help them to help you.” 

The #Unacceptable campaign, 

launched in 2018, aims to 

highlight the abuse and assaults 

faced by emergency services 

workers while on the job. 

Bluelight UK Ltd 

When it comes to ambulance 

vehicles, there are very few 

with the expertise of Bluelight 

UK Ltd in their field. When 

the business started back 

in 2003, it’s purpose was to 

assist leasing companies in the 

disposal of their ambulance 

vehicles. They would arrange 

end of lease inspections, 

asset valuations and would 

purchase the vehicles from 

various leasing companies. 

They quickly developed a 

good reputation for their work 

ethic and became market 

leaders, having since provided 

ambulance and PTS vehicles to 

NHS Trusts, private ambulance 

services, major industries, 

charities and export markets. 

The business continued to 

grow. 

The Covid19 outbreak didn’t 

stop them. With their event 

cover rental fleet officially “out 

of service”, they assisted other 

private ambulance services with 

rental vehicles, and provided an 

outlet for leasing companies to 

dispose of their ageing fleets. 

Their no-nonsense ability to 

change with the times has helped 

future-proof their business model 

and will keep the wheels turning 

for many more years to come. 

MD, Simon Forster commented, 

“I love to see our customers’ 

vehicles on the road. For me, 

it’s a sign that we are doing 

something right. I’m proud too of 

our customer base. Most of our 

customers are so loyal and help 

us where they can. A favour goes 

a long way in this industry”. The 

family business is dedicated to 

“I have been working with the 

sales department at O&H for 

the last couple of years now 

and have never been as excited 

about future products as I am 

now,” added Simon. “Oliver 

and his team have managed to 

combine passion with engineering 

prowess. That is something this 

industry has been missing for too 

long. After all, the American box 

ambulance was brought in over 

20 years ago to be remountable 

and was never really a success 

because of the lack of interest in 

re-engineering”. 

Venari’s all new Ford Transit 3.5 

tonne box modular ambulance 

will be on show at the Emergency 

Services Show in September. 

With its roomy interior and 

class-leading build quality, this 

game-changer will be available 

in manual or auto with many of 

Ford’s options as standard. The 

diesel versions will be available 

first with hybrid and electric 

coming on line soon. If you 

are interested in new or used 

ambulance or PTS vehicles, you 

can contact Bluelight UK Ltd 

on 01942 888800 or sales@ 

bluelightuk.co.uk. Alternatively 

you can find them on www. 

bluelightuk.co.uk or meet Simon 

at Stand E51 at the Emergency 

Services Show 2021, NEC 

Birmingham. 

customer service and loyalty with 

a strong emphasis on value for 

money. Their site in Atherton near 

Manchester is ideally situated for 

service, paint and reconfiguring 

vehicles, whilst their wider 

network allows them to supply 

brand new vehicles through their 

exclusive agency agreement 

with Venari Group who are the 

parent company of O&H Vehicle 

Technology. 

O&H is still the NHS choice for 

patient transport service vehicles 

and is without a doubt the only 

truly British ambulance converter 

with any heritage. 

“I love to see 

our customers’ 

vehicles on the 

road. For me, 

it’s a sign that 

we are doing 

something right. 

I’m proud too 

of our customer 

base.” 



85

NEWSLINE 


NEAS 

Life-saving initiative 

for the Tees area 

New scheme assists 

communities most at need to 

purchase defibrillators 

Hundreds more lives will be saved 

across the Tees Valley in a new 

partnership between the North 

East Ambulance Service (NEAS) 

and Labmask. 

Money generated by the Labmask 

initiative, based at the Stokesleybased 

company Labman 

Automation, which supplied crucial 

personal protective equipment 

to the NHS at the height of the 

pandemic, is being ploughed 

back in to community resuscitation 

equipment across the Tees area. 

The investment of £50,000 of 

Labmask funds over the next 

14 months, together with NEAS 

charitable Trust Fund backing, will 

go towards helping communities 

purchase their own defibrillators and 

learn vital CPR skills and knowledge. 

Fewer than one in 20 people 

currently survive a cardiac arrest 

in the North East. This is the 

lowest rate in England lower 

than other European countries 

where the rate of survival is as 

much as one in two in some 

places. Amongst the factors that 

contribute to this is people not 

recognising that someone’s heart 

has stopped, people’s reluctance 

to start CPR and also the lack of 

early access to a defibrillator. 

Rob Hodgson, Senior Manager at 

Labman Automation and Labmask 

representative said: “We were 

looking to assist with a project 

that not only helps health care 

professionals, but also helps the 

community. This partnership with the 

NEAS allows us to ensure the North 

East is as safe as we can make it.” 

The company has manufactured 

hundreds of thousands of plastic 

face shields for hospitals to help 

with protection against COVID. 

They chose to work with NEAS 

because the ambulance service’s 

charitable fund had already been 

targeting areas where defibrillators 

were lacking in the community 

and supporting residents with a 

grant to support the purchase of 

life-saving equipment. 

Kevin Scollay, group director of 

finance for North East Ambulance 

Service, said: “By working together 

we can help fund public access 

defibrillators in areas we have 

identified as being in most need, 

as well as delivering familiarisation 

sessions to the communities, 

showing people how to deliver CPR 

and use a defibrillator, reducing 

peoples’ fears and anxiety about 

around cardiac arrest.” 

Within five minutes of someone’s 

heart stopping beating (cardiac 

arrest), there can be irreversible 

brain damage as a result of a 

lack of blood and oxygen. And 

for every minute that passes 

without CPR (pumping on the 

person’s chest) and defibrillation, 

the chance of survival decreases 

between 7 to 10 percent. 

Alex Mason, community 

resuscitation officer for NEAS, 

said: “The chance of survival 

increases just by someone 

realising what’s happened 

and calling an ambulance 

quickly. If they then start chest 

compressions, they are buying 

time and keeping the person’s 

brain supplied with blood and 

oxygen; and increase that chance 

of survival by 8 percent. If there 

is a defibrillator available and 

someone uses it, the chance 

increases by 20 percent.” 

The aim of this life-saving 

scheme is to increase the number 

defibrillators across the Tees 

Valley area where they are most 

needed. As communities in these 

identified areas come forward, 

NEAS and money from Labmask 

will partially fund the purchase of 

new defibrillators to be stored in 

weatherproof cabinets fixed to the 

outside of buildings. They will be 

available to the public 24 hours 

a day by calling 999. In addition, 

information and training for 

defibrillator use will be provided 

via familiarisation sessions, online 

videos and leaflets. 

YAS 

Prestigious national 

award for ambulance 

nurses 

Two nurses at Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service have been 

honoured for their outstanding 

leadership by Ruth May, Chief 

Nursing Officer for England. 

Clare Ashby, Deputy Director 

of Quality and Nursing, and Iffa 

Settle, Head of Safety and Infection 

Prevention and Control (IP&C) 

Lead, have received Chief Nursing 

Officer Silver Awards which 

recognise major contributions to 

patients and the profession by 

nurses and midwives. 

They were presented with their 

accolades by Ruth May via video 

link on 28 April. 

She said: “I am delighted to be 

able to present Clare and Iffa 

with Chief Nursing Officer awards 

and recognise their inspirational 

leadership at Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service. 

“They are both amazing and 

inspirational nurse leaders and I 

am really pleased that I have been 

able to personally thank them for 

their work.” 

Iffa Settle and Clare Ashby (L-R) 

Clare and Iffa were nominated by 

Steve Page, Executive Director 

of Quality, Governance and 

Performance Assurance for 

Yorkshire Ambulance Service. 

He said: “Clare and Iffa are key 

leaders in quality and safety and 

the Trust’s two qualified infection 

protection and control (IP&C) 

nurses. 

“In 2018-19 they made the 

case and led work to champion 

a £500,000 development for 

replacement of FFP3 masks with 

respiratory protective hoods for 

frontline staff, then leading the 

training and introduction into 

practice. This has proven very 

prescient and fundamentally 

improved our ability to protect 

staff against respiratory infection 

risks including COVID-19. 

“Beyond the impressive delivery 

of their day jobs, they have 

been amazing as a team during 

COVID-19 from its onset. They have 

provided specialist (frequently 24/7) 

IP&C leadership and have given 

intensive support and guidance 

for individual staff. They have 

supported the Trust and its staff 

through extremely challenging and 

uncharted situations. 

“They display visible and 

energised leadership, 

demonstrating the value of 

nursing skills, experience and 

patient-centred ethos in the 

multi-professional ambulance 

service environment. They have 

led developments resulting in 

86 


NEWSLINE 

multiple improvements in patient 

care and a sustained reduction 

in musculoskeletal injury for 

staff. They are champions of our 

just, learning culture, constantly 

seeking opportunities to improve 

patient and staff safety. They 

are excellent team players and 

dynamic problem solvers, valued 

by clinical and non-clinical 

colleagues alike. 

“They are a massive credit to 

their profession and provide 

visible, inspirational and trusted 

leadership to their colleagues.” 

On receiving the award, Iffa, who 

lives in York, said: “This award 

is so humbling – we have an 

amazing team around us and 

that’s what makes being a nurse 

in Yorkshire Ambulance Service 

such a privilege.” 

GWAAC 

Great Western Air 

Ambulance Charity 

- Busiest week on 

record for our crew 

GWAAC saw a record number 

of call-outs during the week 

12 –18 April with the crew 

responding to 52 incidents 

across the week. 

Our Critical Care Team bring the 

lifesaving skills of an emergency 

department directly to those 

in urgent need. Usually, they 

respond to around five patients a 

day, however, last week saw that 

rise to more than seven a day on 

average, with Friday 16th seeing 

them respond to 11 incidents 

During this time last year, they 

saw a significant drop in their 

call-outs, with just 77 incidents 

across the whole of April, but 

the recent ease in lockdown 

restrictions has seen numbers rise 

even higher than they were before 

the pandemic. In April 2019, they 

responded to 162 critically ill or 

injured patients, this year they 

are expecting a 20% increase in 

these figures, responding to an 

emergency every three hours on 

average this month so far. 

The team have seen a significant 

rise in trauma-related incidents, 

with the charity normally 

experiencing a 50/50 split between 

medical and trauma emergencies. 

Last week, 77% of call-outs were 

trauma-related, including 13 road 

traffic collisions as well as falls, 

they have used a broad range 

of their pre-hospital emergency 

care skills. From emergency 

blood transfusions to performing 

open chest surgery or placing a 

critically ill patient on a ventilator, 

the crews worked hard to improve 

the chance of a positive outcome 

for patients not expected to make 

it to hospital alive. 

GWAAC receives no day-today 

funding from the NHS or 

Government and relies on the 

communities we serve to raise 

the money needed to remain 

operational. At the same time as 

the demands on our emergency 

response service picked up, we 

re-opened our shop in Westburyon-Trym, 

with the support of the 

local community bringing in a 

record £4,000 in sales over the 

Clare, who lives in Leeds, added: 

“I’m very moved to have received 

such an award - we have an ethos 

of One Team in YAS, which was so 

visible during the pandemic and Iffa 

and I wouldn’t have been able to do 

our jobs if we didn’t have the support 

from across the organisation.” 

alone in a single day. 

The crew have remained right 

here and ready to respond 

throughout the whole of the 

COVID-19 pandemic, stepping 

up to support the NHS during 

the critical peak of the outbreak. 

stabbings, and burns. 

The crew’s specialist skills 

are incredibly important as 

they enable them to perform 

procedures usually only found in 

an operating theatre at the side of 

the roadside. Over the last week, 

first week – more than double 

what is usually expected. The 

charity is keen to say thank you 

to everyone who is supporting us 

in these times of high demand for 

our service and reduced income 

due to lack of normal fundraising 

activities. 



87

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NEWSLINE 

LNAA 

Lincs & Notts 

Air Ambulance 

receives keys to new 

Headquarters 

HELP Appeal funds its new 

helipad 

The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance 

(LNAA) has taken possession of 

its new Headquarters based on 

A15 Sleaford Road, next to RAF 

Waddington. 

The new purpose-built home, 

which will see staff, crew, 

helicopter and Critical Care 

Cars under one roof for the very 

first time, will provide a unique 

opportunity for the charity 

to welcome former patients, 

schools, volunteers, donors 

and fundraisers to see how their 

support really makes a difference. 

The crew and helicopter moved 

into the new headquarters and 

airbase in April and staff hope to 

join them in their new offices once 

Government restrictions have 

been lifted at the end of June. 

Chief Executive Officer Karen 

Jobling received the keys from 

builders Lindum Construction 

this afternoon. She said: “I am 

absolutely delighted to have 

received the keys for our new 

headquarters. Years of planning 

has gone into our new, futureproof 

headquarters; our new 

facility will be fundamental to our 

success for a rapidly advancing 

operation.” 

“With our day-to-day operations 

solely funded by donations, we 

were delighted when we secured 

a capital funding grant for this 

new build. It was a real boost and 

at a time when we needed it and 

has allowed our dream of a new 

headquarters to become a reality. 

“Our crew and charity staff are 

looking forward to moving into 

their new home and we cannot 

wait to welcome visitors when 

restrictions allow.” 

A brand-new helipad situated at 

the site of the new headquarters 

has been funded from the HELP 

Appeal, the only charity in the 

country dedicated to funding 

helipads at NHS hospitals and 

also helps with the funding of 

helipads at AA bases. 

The HELP Appeal covered the 

entire £316,152.55 cost of building 

the new helipad, which features 

state-of-the-art lighting to enable 

LNAA to operate around the clock 

as the charity carries out more 

missions through the night. The 

donation also funded a helicopter 

manoeuvring area to ensure that 

the helicopter is ready for take-off 

before its next mission. 

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive 

of the HELP Appeal said: “The 

LNAA’s new airbase helipad will 

be a vital element in ensuring 

the crew’s success in delivering 

a rapid response to critically 

ill patients in the region. With 

advanced lighting technology, 

LNAA crew can fly anytime of the 

day or night to the most serious 

incidents to transfer patients in 

urgent need of specialist care 

to hospital. The crew can then 

return to land safely back at their 

new airbase and be ready for 

whenever they are needed again. 

“This is the charity’s 9th helipad 

to be funded at an air ambulance 

air base and the 42nd helipad 

across the entire country. It’s a 

huge milestone and I’m delighted 

that we are able to support the 

life-saving work of the team at 

LNAA.” 

Llewis Enamels, Chief Pilot at 

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, 

said: “We’d like to extend a huge 

thank you to the HELP Appeal 

for their very generous donation 

towards our new bespoke helipad. 

There is an awful lot of design and 

technology that goes into a helipad 

for latest generation helicopter 

operations like ours, such as 

specialised reinforced concrete 

without the use of metals, infrared 

landing lights for use through night 

vision goggles & composite radar 

friendly fencing. 

“Their generosity has allowed us 

to design exactly what we need.” 

In 2019, the HELP Appeal 

donated £69,000 to fund the 

installation and upgrade of 

helipad lights at three different 

landing sites frequently used 

by the LNAA’s life-saving crew, 

including Fenland Airfield in South 

Lincolnshire and Nottingham 

Airport (Tollerton). To date, the 

HELP Appeal has donated over 

£385,000 to LNAA. 

The HELP Appeal and Lincs & 

Notts Air Ambulance rely solely 

on charitable donations and do 

not receive any direct government 

funding or money from the 

National Lottery for day-to-day 

operations. 

For more information on the HELP 

Appeal visit www.helpappeal. 

org.uk or call 0800 3898 999. 

To find out more about the lifesaving 

work of the Lincs & Notts 

Air Ambulance, visit 

www.ambucopter.org.uk 

EMAS 

Australian 

partnership goes 

from strength to 

strength 

Moving away from home to 

start a new job in a new area is 

always daunting - but imagine 

moving over 11,000 miles away 

from everything you know to 

start a new life in the UK. 

That’s exactly what our new 

Australian paramedics have 

done as they have made the East 

Midlands their home and coming 

to work for EMAS. 

Working predominantly with 

Charles Sturt University in 

New South Wales and other 

universities in the surrounding 

areas, EMAS has provided a 

number of opportunities over the 

last two years for Newly Qualified 

Paramedics to come work on the 

frontline in the East Midlands. 

With over 50 Australian 

paramedics now at EMAS, 

we asked them about their 

experience so far and how they 

are finding life in the UK. 

Maddison Brown, 21 from 

Bathurst, New South Wales is one 

of our newest Australian recruits 

to the service having arrived only 

two months ago on a wintery day 

in February. 

Leaving behind her exceptionally 

proud family, Maddison took the 

leap to join the service, seeing the 

opportunity as an adventure of a 

lifetime. 

She said: “Leaving home was 

hard, especially as I am only 

21 but my family know how 

passionate I am about the job 

that I do and have told me how 

proud they are of me taking this 

opportunity. 

“As soon as I had my interview 

with EMAS, it was sold to me. I 

knew it would be more than just a 

job, it is like a family. 

“I very quickly realised how 

different it would be in the UK 

when we were met with snow 

as we flew into the country and 

everything being on lockdown. 

“It has been slightly strange 

having to quarantine and not 

being able to explore my new 

home, but I am so fortunate to 

have bonded really well with 

my cohort and formed close 

friendships with them already. 



89

NEWSLINE 

“Everyone on station has been 

so lovely too and with restrictions 

lifting soon, we know that better 

days are coming.” 

Cameron Roxburgh, 30, from 

Young in New South Wales has 

also recently joined us arriving 

in the UK in February along with 

Maddison. 

He said: “I was lucky enough 

to gain an insight into EMAS 

thanks to my former lecturers at 

university who both used to work 

for the service before leaving for 

Australia. 

“I am really into my travel and so 

it sounded like a great opportunity 

not to be missed. I get to explore 

a new part of the world, while 

doing a job that I love. 

“The UK is a beautiful country and 

I was lucky enough to enjoy some 

of it before the pandemic hit. 

Whilst I am enjoying being here, I 

do miss my family, but I am lucky 

that we have Facetime to keep in 

touch. 

“I don’t see myself moving back 

to Australia any time soon and I 

will be looking to extend my visa 

when the time comes. I am really 

enjoying myself at EMAS and in 

the UK so far and can’t wait to see 

what the future holds.” 

Mitchell Bricklebank, 25 from Nowra 

in New South Wales arrived in the 

UK on the 24 January 2020 just 

before the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Based in our Leicestershire division, 

he has been with EMAS for just 

over a year. 

gone into this project to make 

sure it is a success and that our 

Australian paramedics feel at 

home in the East Midlands. 

testament to the hard work put in. 

We not only have our first cohort 

renewing their visas for another 

two years, but we also have more 


“Everyone has been so 

welcoming since we arrived, and 

it feels like you are part of one 

big family. Colleagues are always 

happy to talk to you and answer 

any questions you may have 

and that has played a big part in 

welcoming us to EMAS. It is great 

to now be out and about meeting 

the patients and helping them 

get the best care and solving any 

issues they have.” 

Roseanna Soundy, 23 from 

the Central Coast of Australia 

is one of our original cohort of 

Australians who arrived when the 

programme kickstarted in 2019. 

Living in Leicester, Rose has 

worked on the frontline for just 

under two years and is planning 

on extending her stay indefinitely. 

She said: “I was so impressed 

with EMAS and what the service 

has to offer that it made my 

decision to move to the UK so 

much easier. I knew that I wanted 

to pursue a career with the service 

with the range of opportunities 

and the chance of advancement 

given. 

He said: “With the full support 

of my family, I chose to move 

to the East Midlands when 

the opportunity to work as a 

paramedic presented itself. 

“It is safe to say that it was a 

strange time to move countries as 

I arrived in the UK around a month 

before COVID hit. 

“Dealing with COVID has been 

hard but I’ve met a great bunch 

of people and I wouldn’t change 

this experience at all. Everyone 

within the service has been so 

welcoming to us coming into the 

UK and joining the green EMAS 

family, and we’ve been loving the 

Aussie/British banter. 

“I can’t wait to get back to some 

sort of normality and being able to 

meet with a bunch of mates and 

have a beverage in a beer garden, 

followed by organising our next 

travel destinations.” 

Deborah Tweddle, Ambulance 

Operations Manager and project 

lead, said: 

“Over the last two years, a 

tremendous amount of work has 

“It has been a big leap for our 

Australian paramedics to travel 

over 11,000 miles to come and 

work in another country, leaving 

their families behind and starting a 

new life in the region, but one they 

are only excited to take. 

“We are exceptionally proud of 

everything we have achieved 

so far and to now have over 

50 Australian paramedics is 

Australians asking when our next 

vacancies will be advertised.” 

Our next cohort of Australian 

paramedics are due to arrive 

imminently and it is hoped that 

in the future, more Australians 

will come join EMAS and work 

in other regions across the area 

so they can experience the 

full potential of what the East 

Midlands has to offer. 

90 


IN PERSON 

EEAST News 

EEAST appoints new chief 

executive 

Following a competitive recruitment 

process, the East of England Ambulance 

Service has appointed Tom Abell as its new 

permanent chief executive. 

Tom, currently Deputy Chief Executive at Mid 

and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, will 

formally take up his role in the autumn. 

Announcing the appointment, EEAST’s Chair 

Nicola Scrivings said: “Tom brings significant 

experience in the NHS and, just as importantly, 

has been a key part in building a positive 

culture for staff. 

“These qualities will be central to building and 

leading a stable and successful executive 

team to continue to improve our culture for our 

valued staff, and maintain high-quality services 

for our patients.” 

In a message to EEAST’s staff today, Tom 

Abell said: “I’m delighted to have been 

appointed as Chief Executive. Having grown 

up in Norfolk and spent the vast majority 

of my career working across the East of 

England, I know the difference our staff 

make to the people we serve. I also know 

that, despite the professional and personal 

challenges we have all faced during the 

pandemic, EEAST has performed incredibly 

well operationally. 

“Many staff have spoken up recently about 

how the culture needs to change. Work has 

already begun to create positive change at 

EEAST and as chief executive, a key part of 

my role will be to support and equip staff to 

drive the improvements we want to see. These 

changes are ultimately the best way to make 

sure we provide excellent care to everyone in 

the East of England for the long-term.” 

Chair Nicola Scrivings also thanked EEAST’s 

deputy chief executive and medical director, Dr 

Tom Davis, for leading the service as interim 

chief executive since September last year. Dr 

Davis will return to these roles once Tom Abell 

starts. 

SECAMB News 

SECAmb appoints Executive 

Director of Operations 

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS 

Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is pleased 

to announce the appointment of a new 

Executive Director of Operations. 

Emma Williams, previously SECAmb’s Deputy 

Director of Operations, was appointed on an 

interim basis when former Executive Director 

Joe Garcia retired but now takes on the new 

role following an extensive recruitment and 

selection process. 

Emma joined SECAmb in September 2019 and 

began her career in the ambulance service 

in 1996 as a trainee qualified ambulance 

technician with London Ambulance Service. 

Progressing to qualify as a paramedic in 1999, 

she spent the next 10 years operating as a 

paramedic practitioner before undertaking a 

range of roles including service development, 

staff engagement and governance. 

In 2014 she became Head of Urgent Care 

at South Western Ambulance Service 

NHS Foundation Trust before leading a 

commissioning team in North East Hampshire 

prior to joining SECAmb. 

SECAmb Chief Executive Officer Philip Astle 

said: “I am very pleased to have Emma in this 

key role. She faced competition from a strong 

field of external candidates and I know she has 

the right skills for the Trust. She will be a great 

addition to the executive team and the Trust 

Board.” 

Emma said: “I am delighted to have been 

appointed to the role of Executive Director of 

Operations for SECAmb. As a paramedic who 

has always been committed to delivering high 

quality care to patients, and positive leadership 

to colleagues, I look forward to being part of 

an executive team who will lead SECAmb’s 

next steps to a brighter future for all.” 

WAAC News 

Wales great James Hook 

becomes ambassador for 

lifesaving charity 

Wales Air Ambulance is delighted to 

announce that former Wales and British 

and Irish Lions rugby international James 

Hook has become an ambassador for the 

lifesaving charity. 

James, who retired as a rugby union player 

last year, made 6 appearances for the British 

and Irish Lions on the 2009 tour of South Africa 

and won 81 caps for Wales. 

In his club career, he has represented Neath, 

Ospreys, Perpignan and Gloucester. He is 

currently a coach at the Ospreys. 

Wales Air Ambulance celebrates its 20th 

anniversary this year and James has had 

several interactions with the service over the 

last two decades, supporting its fundraising 

work along the way. 


James, 35, who is married to Kimberley, said: 


91

IN PERSON 

“I’m delighted to become an ambassador for 

the Wales Air Ambulance. It’s a cause that’s 

close to my heart as they attended my eldest 

son just over 10 years ago when he became 

very ill. I think it’s an amazing Charity and you 

don’t know how important it is until you need 

it. I was also at the scene of the Charity’s 

first-ever mission at Glynneath Rugby Club 20 

years ago. 

“It’s incredible to see how far it’s come over 

the last 20 years and it’s a huge honour to be 

involved with their lifesaving work.” 

James chose the Wales Air Ambulance as 

one of the charities that would benefit from his 

testimonial year in 2020. Unfortunately, due 

to the coronavirus pandemic, the testimonial 

events could not go ahead. 

The father-of-three boys, Harrison, Ollie and 

George, is also developing his career as a 

TV and radio pundit, working for BBC TV and 

Radio, ITV and Channel 4. During the 2021 Six 

Nations, he worked for BBC Radio 5 Live. 

Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance Chief 

Executive, said: “We are delighted to 

welcome James to the Charity as one of our 

ambassadors, especially during our milestone 

anniversary. James has first-hand experience 

of the essential work that our Charity does, 

24/7, for the people of Wales. 

“Our ambassadors, who volunteer their time, 

play a vital role in helping us to reach new 

people, inspiring fundraising opportunities and 

activities, and thanking our supporters and 

employees for the incredible work that they do. 

These are all vital for our Charity as we strive 

to raise £8 million every year to maintain our 

helicopter operation. 

“We hope that being an ambassador for Wales 

Air Ambulance will give James an enormous 

sense of satisfaction and pride knowing 

that he will be contributing to our lifesaving 

service.” 

Since his retirement, James, who lives in 

Swansea but grew up in Port Talbot, recently 

co-authored a children’s book called 

‘Chasing a Rugby Dream’. He has also set 

up a business called the ‘Fab Four Coffee 

Company’ with fellow ex-international players 

Lee Byrne, Mike Phillips and Shane Williams. 

SECAMB News 

SECAmb appoints new Non- 

Executive Director 

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS 

Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has appointed 

a new Independent Non-Executive Director. 

Paul Brocklehurst took up his position on the 

Trust’s Board of Directors on 1 May 2021 and 

will serve a three-year term of office. 

Paul, from Bexhill, East Sussex, has more 

than 25 years’ board-level experience, most 

recently as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) 

for the Financial Services Compensation 

Scheme. He has spent more than a decade as 

a CIO in local authorities and has also worked 

with numerous ‘blue chip’ companies in the 

private sector. 

Paul joins SECAmb to provide scrutiny and 

support in the important and growing area of 

strategic digital and IT development. 

SECAmb Chair, David Astley said: “On behalf 

of the Trust Board I’d like to formally welcome 

Paul to the team. He is an experienced CIO 

with an in-depth understanding of delivery, 

governance, risk management and internal 

controls. He brings extensive knowledge 

including in technology to the Trust. I look 

forward to working closely with him over the 

coming years.” 

Paul will be joining the Trust’s Finance and 

Investment Committee which scrutinises 

operational and financial performance, 

including investment decisions, and ensures 

adequate planning and oversight of strategic 

programmes requiring effective IT and 

technology infrastructure. 

Paul said: “The work of SECAmb is vitally 

important to the delivery of excellent healthcare 

to patients. I am delighted to be joining 

the SECAmb team where I hope to use my 

experience to make a positive difference.” 

SECAmb’s Board meetings are held in 

public, and are observable in real time online 

currently, using Microsoft Teams. For meeting 

papers and a link to the Board meetings, visit 

our website, Trust Board meeting dates and 

papers | NHS South East Coast Ambulance 

Service (secamb.nhs.uk) 

LAS News 

New appointments to senior 

leadership team announced 

London Ambulance Service has announced 

the appointment of two non-executive 


James Hook 

Paul Brocklehurst 

directors and an associate non-executive 

director to support our trust board building 

a world-class ambulance service. 

Bob Alexander 

During a career in finance and accounting 

spanning more than 30 years, Bob Alexander 

operated at board level across public sector 

organisations including the NHS, the Civil 

Service and Metropolitan Police. 

92 


IN PERSON 

He retired from the role of Deputy Chief 

Executive of NHS Improvement in 2018 but 

continues to perform numerous non-executive 

roles including Independent Chair of Sussex 

Health and Care Partnership; non-executive 

director of Imperial College Healthcare NHS 

Trust (where he is currently Interim Chair), and 

non-executive director of Community Health 

Partnerships Ltd. 

He has an MBA and is a Fellow of the 

Chartered Institute of Public Finance and 

Accountancy. 

Speaking about his appointment, he said: 

“As an emergency service operating in one of 

the greatest capital cities in the world, London 

Ambulance Service is a high profile healthcare 

organisation delivering important services to 

Londoners and visitors alike. 

“I want to use my experience of NHS 

management and finance to ensure it is best 

placed to successfully manage its future 

sustainability in the face of the NHS recovery 

challenge as we emerge from the Covid 

pandemic.” 

Dr Anne Rainsberry CBE 

With a professional background in HR and 

management, Dr Anne Rainsberry has 32 

years’ experience working in the NHS at local, 

regional and national levels. 

Before joining healthcare and life sciences 

consultancy Carnall Farrar as managing 

partner in 2017, Anne was London regional 

director at NHS England for four years where 

she led major service changes in the capital 

including the reconfiguration of cancer and 

cardiac services. 

Anne’s tandem role as the national executive 

lead for emergency preparedness – ensuring 

the NHS has resilience to cope with incidents 

from extreme weather to terrorist attacks 

– also brought her into frequent contact 

with emergency services including London 

Ambulance Service. 

Previously, Anne was chief executive of NHS 

NW London and Deputy Chief Executive of 

NHS London and through her career has held 

a number of managerial NHS roles in London 

and the south east. 

Anne was awarded a CBE in 2017 for services 

to the NHS. 

Speaking of her appointment as non-executive 

director, she said: 

“London Ambulance Service has a huge 

opportunity to transform healthcare in the 

capital over the next decade and I am excited 

to be part of that work. 

“I am looking forward to supporting the board 

as they deliver on their strategy at such a 

profoundly challenging time for the NHS and 

its staff.” 

Line De Decker 

For 24 years, Line De Decker has worked at 

senior levels in large corporations leading 

them through transformational change 

programmes. 

Line has been with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 

for over 13 years in HR business partner roles 

of increasing responsibility before last year 

becoming Head of the GSK Transformation 

Office charged with preparing the organisation 

for separation and creating two new 

companies. 

Before GSK, Line worked at DuPont, UCB and 

PriceWaterhouseCoopers. 

Speaking of her appointment as Associate 

Non-Executive Director, Line said: 

“I am delighted to be able to use my 

experience of cultural change and 

transformation to make a contribution to this 

wonderful city. 

“I want to help guide the board in their 

complex role as they lead the thousands of 

London Ambulance Service staff who make a 

difference to millions of Londoners each year.” 

Heather Lawrence OBE, chair of the Trust 

board, said: 

“As we emerge from the coronavirus 

pandemic, it’s vital we keep driving forward 

the strategic change necessary to fulfil our 

vision to be a world-class ambulance service. 

“I am delighted to confirm these appointments 

to the board. All three bring different 

perspectives, but each of them appreciate 

the importance of supporting our people as 

we deliver change during such challenging 

times.” 

Dr Anne Rainsberry took up her role on 1 May. 

Line De Decker takes up her role in June, and 

Bob Alexander on 1 September. 

Their appointments follow the departure of 

non-executive directors Fergus Cass and 

Jayne Mee. 

Thanking them for their service, Trust Chair 

Heather Lawrence said: 

“I would like to thank Fergus and Jayne for 

their dedication and the advice they brought 

to the Board throughout this unprecedented 

time for London Ambulance Service.” 

The London Ambulance Service trust board 

is responsible for appointing non-executive 

directors through a process of open 

advertising and formal selection interview, and 

NHS Appointments then ratifies them. 


Bob Alexander Dr Anne Rainsberry CBE Line De Decker 


93

COMPANY NEWS 

VCS to produce 

new Volkswagen 

Crafter Dual Crewed 

Ambulance 

The UK’s market-leading 

ambulance conversion 

specialist, VCS, has 

partnered with Volkswagen 

Commercial Vehicles to 

produce the UK’s first Dual 

Crewed Ambulance (DCA) 

based on a Volkswagen 

Crafter. 

Akhter Computers, provider 

of customised computer 

solutions. The partnership 

will see Akhter selling 

Durabook-based solutions 

primarily into blue light and 

public safety organisations 

across the UK. 

Akhter aims to help UK 

ambulance organisations innovate 

by enabling them to adopt 

the latest rugged devices that 

can withstand the often harsh 

environments they are used. 

These devices can improve 

patient care and drive efficiencies 

• First Dual Crewed Ambulance 

(DCA) to be built to Lord Carter 

Review Specification based on 

the Volkswagen Crafter panel 

van. 

• VCS has worked diligently to 

ensure the vehicle operates 

under 4 tonnes. 

• Further details to be revealed 

when the vehicle is officially 

launched later this year. 

Using VCS’s ultra-lightweight 

Core Capture technology, the 

Volkswagen Crafter promises to 

have an operational weight of 

less than 4.0T, without sacrificing 

the strength, quality, and 

durability for which both brands 

are renowned. In addition, its 

operational weight will leave no 

need for ambulance services 

to compromise on the level of 

medical equipment they can 

carry (calculated at 285kg plus 

90kg per person under the 

NHS SLA). VCS’s lightweighting 

technologies and manufacturing 

techniques means the 4.0T 

Volkswagen Crafter DCA can 

now be considered for front line 

emergency duties. 

Paul Croom, Sales Director at 

VCS, said: “We are delighted 

to be working with Volkswagen 

Commercial Vehicles on our new 

Volkswagen Crafter Dual Crewed 

Ambulance. The fact that we can 

deliver this new ambulance is 

testament to the adaptability of 

our Core Capture technology and 

the ingenuity of our engineering 

and production teams and we 

are very excited to be able to 

offer the Crafter as an option for 

the NHS and private sector.” 

- even while budgets are 

squeezed. For example, the U11I 

is the only rugged tablet available 

today with the option of adding 

a second smart card reader and 

RFID reader via an expansion 

module. 

This allows for secure user 

authentication and the safe 

collection and transfer of sensitive 

data such as electronic patient 

records. This feature has proven 

essential in assisting ambulance 

crews, by enabling them to 

quickly access historical patient 

information, which may help 

treatment, and record a diagnosis 

Designed, developed and 

produced at VCS’s facility in 

Bradford, West Yorkshire, the 

first Volkswagen Crafter DCA will 

be officially launched later this 

year, when further details will be 

released. 

to be securely sent to the hospital 

before arrival. 

Alan Laffoley, CEO & Technical 

Director at Akhter comments; 

“Akhter has served the Ministry of 

Defence clients since 1985 and 

so understands the pressures of 


Durabook signs 

partnership 

agreement with 

Akhter Computers to 

extend reach into UK 

Blue Light and public 

safety sectors 

Durabook, the global 

rugged mobile solutions 

manufacturer, has announced 

a distribution agreement with 

sourcing to the ‘best-value’ and 

‘price-performance’ stipulations 

of government procurement 

guidelines. Durabook’s extensive 

customisation capabilities 

enables us to create more 

compelling solutions tailored to 

the varied needs of emergency 

organisations and deliver them in 

a timely way.” 

For more information please 

contact Akhter on durabook@ 

akhter.co.uk or visit https://www. 

akhter.co.uk/durabook/. 

94 


COMPANY NEWS 

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95

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 

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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 - June 2021

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