Ambulance UK February 2024
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Volume 39 No. 7<br />
<strong>February</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS
EVE TR Ventilator<br />
INTENSIVE CARE/TRANSPORT/TRANSFER<br />
CONTENTS<br />
Technology made in Germany<br />
Supported in the United Kingdom<br />
Innovators in Ventilation since 1978<br />
CONTENTS<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />
4 EDITOR’S COMMENT<br />
This issue edited by:<br />
Matt House<br />
13 NEWSLINE<br />
c/o Media Publishing Company<br />
Greenoaks, Lockhill<br />
Upper Sapey, Worcester, WR6 6XR<br />
28 IN PERSON<br />
ADVERTISING:<br />
Terry Gardner, Samantha Marsh<br />
31 COMPANY NEWS<br />
CIRCULATION:<br />
Media Publishing Company<br />
Greenoaks, Lockhill<br />
Upper Sapey, Worcester, WR6 6XR<br />
Tel: 01886 853715<br />
E: info@mediapublishingcompany.com<br />
www.ambulanceukonline.com<br />
No Patient Compromise 400gms to 200kg | Inbuilt Air turbine | Independant of air/power<br />
Invasive & Non-Invasive ventilation Pressure & Volume Modes | HiFlow 02 2-60 Lpm<br />
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Fast ‘safe-start’ ventilation at the press of a button<br />
COVER STORY<br />
WEL Medical launches new public access Automated External Defibrillator (AED) -<br />
The i-PAD SPR<br />
Featuring an extremely durable design, the i-PAD SPR is an evolution of the hugely<br />
successful i-PAD SP1. It’s perfect for handling challenging environments, making it ideal<br />
for almost any life-saving situation. With a high IP66 rating, no matter the surroundings, the<br />
new SPR delivers life-saving results consistently and in the most demanding of situations.<br />
The i-PAD SPR benefits from an updated, intuitive, easy-to-use interface for improved<br />
accessibility. Users can now switch between Adult and Paediatric modes with a simple<br />
push button, ensuring that the correct level of shock is delivered. As part of its intelligent<br />
design, this resets to the ‘Adult’ mode after use.<br />
PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY:<br />
<strong>February</strong>, April, June, August,<br />
October, December<br />
COPYRIGHT:<br />
Media Publishing Company<br />
Greenoaks<br />
Lockhill<br />
Upper Sapey, Worcester, WR6 6XR<br />
PUBLISHERS STATEMENT:<br />
The views and opinions expressed in<br />
this issue are not necessarily those of<br />
the Publisher, the Editors or Media<br />
Publishing Company<br />
Next Issue April <strong>2024</strong><br />
Designed in the <strong>UK</strong> by TGDH<br />
MEDACX LIMITED • ALEXANDER HOUSE • 60-62 STATION ROAD • HAYLING ISLAND • HAMPSHIRE • PO11 0EL<br />
FS 580431<br />
02392 469737<br />
info@medacx.co.uk<br />
www.medacx.co.uk<br />
Jonathan Gilbrook, Managing Director at WEL Medical, said, “We’re thrilled to launch<br />
the latest Defibrillator model from CU Medical, which will provide a quick and reliable<br />
solution for saving lives in cardiac emergencies. For us, the device builds on the wellreceived<br />
features of the i-PAD SP1 while improving on durability, flexibility and ease of use.<br />
We believe that the combination of these traits is what really sets the i-PAD SPR apart.”<br />
For added convenience, the i-PAD SPR comes with its own shock-resistant carrying case,<br />
which makes it easy to transport from one location to another while being protected from<br />
any accidental damage.<br />
It also has, as standard, a four-year battery warranty with up to five years life expectancy<br />
on standby and comes with a 7 year warranty extendable to ten-years upon registration.<br />
Do you have For anything further recruitment you would vacancies like to add visit: or include? www.ambulanceukonline.com<br />
Please contact us and let us know.<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
3
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> <strong>UK</strong> – - FEBRUARY JUNE<br />
68<br />
4<br />
EDITOR’S COMMENT<br />
“Each New<br />
Year brings its<br />
“The challenges, pay rises<br />
implemented<br />
the unsettling<br />
issues in the<br />
hardly NHS around fi t pay<br />
the and bill, conditions and<br />
continues and<br />
I fear there<br />
is fuelled by the<br />
is cost a real of living<br />
increases.”<br />
danger that<br />
recruitment<br />
and retention<br />
in the NHS<br />
will be<br />
adversely<br />
affected.”<br />
EDITOR’S COMMENT<br />
Welcome to this <strong>2024</strong> issue and of this A<strong>UK</strong>. issue of A<strong>UK</strong>.<br />
It Well, continues I’m offi to cially be Arctic retired conditions and just to outside indulge as myself I write a this little, and I’m the going report to begin on the by A98 considering ambulance how incident the<br />
reminds ambulance me service that it doesn’t has evolved matter since how I bad started the weather some 35 gets, years colleagues ago. Does still anyone have to remember respond the even arrival at the of<br />
cost defi brillators of their own on the safety. ambulance? Fortunately At the no-one time was a revolution, injured but complete one cannot with a ignore walkman the selfless recorder sense to ensure of duty<br />
demonstrated that you used by it absolutely those involved. by rote. Which Consider brings that me now to the we review are delivering of this weeks them news. remotely Congratulations by drone and to the all<br />
those progress recognised can easily in the be seen. Kings The <strong>Ambulance</strong> Paramedic Medal syllabus awards was and contained those recognised in a little red for book, work which now there transcends are so<br />
basic many ambulance more skills work. and knowledge I continue requirements to be impressed no-one at the goes every on increasing duty without initiatives JRCALC including on their ultrasound smart phone.<br />
and There Hospice were few rotations medicines, which pain demonstrate relief was the limited evolving to entonox nature and of our the profession most diffi cult and skill add was big well strapping done to<br />
Jason someone and into the a team Neil at Robertson, YAS for turning now paramedics the tables somewhat regularly administer on our cousins advanced across drugs the water. and perform I remember life<br />
when saving I met surgical Walt interventions. Stoy, then the I’m leader proud of to developing have been Paramedic on that journey practice and in the continue states to when follow in with the <strong>UK</strong> interest we had the<br />
only changes just been to come. allowed to use a defibrillator, and wondering at the distance they seemed to be ahead of us.<br />
Now I am reading through the news collection thinking that we are probably world leaders in many aspects<br />
of Summer Paramedicine. is apparently here, well as near as we get in Lancashire, I’m guessing most of you are looking<br />
forward to holidays and time with family or friends. It can be a great time but at the same time stressful with<br />
Each the price New increases Year brings we its have challenges, seen across the unsettling all aspects issues of life. in The the pay NHS rises around implemented pay and conditions hardly fi t the continues bill, and<br />
and I fear is there fuelled is by a real the danger cost of that living recruitment increases. Its and an retention election in year the and NHS no will doubt be adversely that will have affected. an effect I wonder<br />
how things many of develop. todays But, Paramedic as you probably cohort will recall, be around I’m not for really the a next political 30 years. animal Given but more the high of a demands, realist. I don’t both<br />
personally practical and think mental, it matters I suspect who wins, that many the simple will move choice on will to different be higher pastures taxes or and less that public there spending. will be far As fewer the<br />
demand retiring in on the the future, NHS especially grows the since worrying the thought current NHS is that retirement it will be the age latter, continues making to it increase. increasingly Maybe, difficult like<br />
to many continue of my to peers, deliver I have high quality seen the and golden timely age care of and the adding ambulance pressure service. to an Whatever already overworked the future brings, system. I hope<br />
Time the summer will tell how will deliver that plays you out all a but, well sadly, earned I wouldn’t break. As bet for on me, large I’m pay looking rises for anyone a job… in the NHS this year.<br />
Which is a shame if it drives out dedicated, caring and skilled individuals struggling to provide a simple life<br />
for their families.<br />
Sam English, Co-Editor <strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />
If you worked over Christmas I hope you have managed to have some family time as well. If you have made<br />
some resolutions then I hope this coming year delivers everything you have asked for.<br />
Sam English, Co-Editor <strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />
Publishers Publishers Statement<br />
For<br />
For<br />
nearly<br />
nearly<br />
40<br />
40<br />
years,<br />
years, thanks<br />
thanks<br />
to<br />
to<br />
trade<br />
trade<br />
support,<br />
support,<br />
we<br />
we<br />
have<br />
have<br />
been<br />
been<br />
able<br />
able<br />
to<br />
to<br />
provide<br />
provide<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
<strong>UK</strong><br />
<strong>UK</strong><br />
FREE<br />
FREE OF<br />
CHARGE OF CHARGE in the in knowledge the knowledge that that those those receiving receiving our our dedicated dedicated bi bi monthly monthly publication enjoy enjoy having<br />
something to read during their free time however, return on on investment seems to to be be the the buzz buzz word word<br />
amongst <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service Suppliers these days, days, therefore therefore if you if you enquire enquire about about a product a product advertised, advertised,<br />
please mention <strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>UK</strong> as it help us confirm to the trade that we are reaching the right<br />
please mention <strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>UK</strong> as it will help us confi rm to the trade that we are reaching the right<br />
people and providing advertisers with value for money. In respect of our current edition we would like<br />
people<br />
to thank<br />
and<br />
the<br />
providing<br />
following<br />
advertisers<br />
companies for<br />
with<br />
their<br />
value<br />
support<br />
for money.<br />
as without<br />
In respect<br />
their contribution<br />
of our current<br />
towards<br />
edition<br />
our<br />
we<br />
print<br />
would<br />
and<br />
like<br />
to postal thank costs the following this issue companies would not have for their been support published as without - Alpha their Laboratories, contribution Avaya, towards Bluelight our print <strong>UK</strong>, and<br />
postal DS Medical, costs this Eberspacher, issue would Intersurgical, not have been Medacx, published Ortus, - Bluelight Proact, <strong>UK</strong>, St DS John Medical, WA, Wel Eberspaecher,<br />
Medical,<br />
EVS, Zebra Ferno, Technology. Galen, Intersurgical, Ortus Medical, Synergy, VCS, Vimpex, Webasto.<br />
Terry Gardner<br />
Terry Publisher Gardner<br />
Publisher<br />
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com<br />
For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com<br />
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ADVERTORIAL<br />
ADVERTORIAL<br />
SUCCESS STORY / SCAS / FOURNET / ENGELBART SOFTWARE<br />
www.scas.nhs.uk<br />
Avaya Ecosystem Creates Tailored<br />
Contact Centre Solution for South<br />
Central <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
In the <strong>UK</strong>’s National Health Service (NHS), skilled staff answering<br />
non-emergency 111 calls must also be able to rapidly reorient to handle<br />
any sudden incoming emergency 999 calls if a major incident happens.<br />
To enable this flexibility, South Central <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service (SCAS) turned<br />
to FourNet and an Avaya contact centre platform, which, through the<br />
Avaya ecosystem, could be tailored to deliver the contact centre solution<br />
it needed to meet operational demands and service level goals.<br />
South Central <strong>Ambulance</strong> Services (SCAS) NHS Foundation Trust is the 24/7<br />
emergency ambulance service for over 7 million people living in the English<br />
counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Hampshire. SCAS<br />
employs over 2,000 specialist staff who handle over 500,000 urgent calls a year<br />
from its contact centres located across the region, as well as homeworkers.<br />
FourNet had rolled out the latest Avaya contact centre solution when, during<br />
the due diligence phase of the project, it identified that a specialist agent<br />
desktop application would be required to meet the needs of SCAS and its<br />
patients. Using FourNet’s specialist sector knowledge and extensive Avaya<br />
experience, it turned to the Avaya ecosystem to identify the right solution.<br />
Specific Contact Centre Needs<br />
CHALLENGES<br />
South Central <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service (SCAS) required that both 999<br />
emergency calls and 111 non-emergency calls could be handled through<br />
the same technical infrastructure and operational units. Skilled staff<br />
employed to answer the growing number of 111 calls needed to be<br />
▪ SCAS were running a legacy platform<br />
which didn’t meet the changing<br />
needs of its patients<br />
able to rapidly reorient to handle any sudden incoming 999 calls if a<br />
large-scale incident or emergency occurred. The flexibility to support<br />
this blended role is only possible with very bespoke contact centre<br />
▪ SCAS were looking to move towards<br />
blended 999/111 call takers to handle<br />
peaks in 999 call volumes<br />
technology that enables contact centre managers and supervisors to<br />
▪ Enable seamless remote working<br />
react to changing situations easily and efficiently on the fly.<br />
to enable SCAS to recruit the best<br />
As the service provider for the SCAS digital transformation project,<br />
employees regardless of location<br />
FourNet – one of Avaya’s partners and an award-winning provider<br />
▪ Streamline overall architecture<br />
of The cloud esuits2 and applications managed services framework – was was able able to confidently to leverage look Avaya to the change skill / role assignment on the fly; change Agent status;<br />
▪ Incorporate specialists features<br />
Avaya Core services ecosystem for for communications, specific expertise contact and the centre right amount and computertelephony<br />
integration support to (CTI). build Then, the solutions due to its SCAS flexibility required. and<br />
of a work from home scenario a “raise my hand” functionality has<br />
of codevelopment<br />
remote Agent logout and and replay capabilities of recorded calls. For the support<br />
bespoke approach to UI design and layout, external services<br />
▪ SCAS had very specific operational<br />
been implemented to contact a supervisor if help is needed from<br />
needs that were not available in any<br />
FourNet<br />
integration such as real time reporting, instant replay of recorded the agent.<br />
off the shelf product<br />
calls, enriched Supervisor functionality as well as access to<br />
FourNet<br />
various directories<br />
works with<br />
could<br />
more<br />
also<br />
than<br />
be<br />
half<br />
included.<br />
the <strong>UK</strong>’s <strong>Ambulance</strong> Trusts and<br />
has supported SCAS since 2018 to deliver life critical services. FourNet<br />
Flexible For Future<br />
provides The result a was highly the available development contact of centre an esuits2 solution, Special based Purpose on Avaya<br />
Chris Hayden, Telecoms Manager at SCAS, comments: “With help<br />
technology, Console (SPC) that as handles alternative both 999, call 111 centre and Agent Patient and Transportation<br />
Supervisor<br />
from FourNet and its partners, we ended-up with a solution that<br />
Services frontend (PTS) application as well based back-office on a browser solutions based that HTML5 support SCAS’s<br />
fulfils our needs and more. The management and team leaders<br />
flexible, application agile linking workforce. into the Avaya core and leveraging the Avaya<br />
now have much more control and visibility over their Agents than<br />
JavaScript Client SDK.<br />
Because seconds count, SCAS offers a unique multi-disciplinary previously and they are now able to manage the various contact<br />
approach “Because that it is based can require on the multiple modular specialist and flexible medical HTML5 experts to listen centre behaviours much more effectively.”<br />
in architecture, to an emergency it’s possible call to to help add speed customer up initial specific triage functionality<br />
of a patient<br />
Engelbart Software esuits² Special Purpose Console SPC offers a<br />
and determine 3rd party applications the next steps into e.g., the dispatch soft client. an ambulance Beside standard as soon<br />
unique and flexible solution that provides two operation modes<br />
as telephony possible services for critical and cases. the support This way of of the working Avaya necessitated solution, the a<br />
enabling SCAS to keep its voice and data network separated. In<br />
bespoke esuits² SPC solution, offers which rich API FourNet for service was integration,” able to deliver says via Dirk its experience<br />
the SCAS contact centre, the primary mode of operation is based<br />
with Engelbart, the Avaya CEO ecosystem. Engelbart Software FourNet’s GmbH. specialist sector knowledge<br />
on computer-telephony integration (CTI)-driven 3rd-party call<br />
and technological expertise helped translate SCAS’s operational<br />
The bespoke functionality requested by SCAS and provided by control with the Engelbart esuits2 SPC controlling the Avaya IP<br />
requirements to ensure the right Avaya partner was selected.<br />
the esuits² SPC includes a comms-screen for real-time status phones that the Agents use the on their desks. As an alternative<br />
“FourNet visibility between builds partnerships Agents and with Supervisor; all its public chat between safety customers; Agents, to this, the Engelbart esuits2 SPC’s native VoIP operations can<br />
this Supervisors ensures we and have departments/roles; excellent knowledge the ability of working to agent practises assign within leverage WebRTC between the Avaya solution and a PC and a<br />
the skill/role organisations during login and and also bookmarking knowledge of of the Agent- marketplace or departmentbased<br />
favourites. available Supervisors to help improve also benefit patient/citizen from enhanced safety in the <strong>UK</strong>.<br />
and the<br />
solutions<br />
browser, enabling Agents and Supervisors to work remotely<br />
should work from home requirements be once again put in place.<br />
functionality including the ability to listen-in to existing calls;<br />
avaya.com © 2022 Avaya Inc. All Rights Reserved.<br />
1<br />
avaya.com © © 2022 Avaya Inc. Inc. All All Rights Reserved.<br />
2 4
ADVERTORIAL<br />
ADVERTORIAL<br />
SCAS is a Global Digital Exemplar market-leader, which is an internationally<br />
VALUE CREATED<br />
recognised NHS provider delivering improvements in the quality of care,<br />
▪ Enabled SCAS to handle peaks in 999<br />
call volumes during the pandemic<br />
and beyond<br />
▪ Provided a flexible desktop<br />
environment to enable 111 call takers<br />
to also handle 999 calls<br />
▪ Innovation support to enable SCAS<br />
digital transformation goals<br />
through the world-class use of digital technologies and information.<br />
FourNet helped SCAS gain recognition for delivering world-class quality<br />
care through digital technologies and information, setting the blueprint to<br />
enable other trusts to follow in its footsteps as quickly and effectively as<br />
possible,” said Ben Ryland, Head of Public Sector, FourNet.<br />
Engelbart Software<br />
To solve the challenge of building a bespoke front-end application for SCAS’s<br />
▪<br />
▪<br />
▪<br />
▪<br />
▪<br />
▪<br />
Improving the overall patient<br />
experience by mitigating impact of<br />
answering times<br />
Bespoke solution tailored for specific<br />
customer requirements thanks to<br />
expertise of the Avaya ecosystem<br />
Comms-screen providing full<br />
operational overview and status<br />
visibility between Agent and Supervisor<br />
Chat between Agents, Supervisors and<br />
Departments/Roles<br />
Skill/role assignment during login<br />
process to support blended Agents<br />
Agent- and department-based<br />
favourites<br />
new contact centre solution, FourNet turned to Engelbart Software GmbH,<br />
a specialist developer for the operation and management of IT and unified<br />
communication and collaboration services. As an experienced and skilled<br />
Avaya DevConnect Technology Partner for over a decade, Engelbart Software<br />
has worked with Avaya and its partners to develop solutions for the public<br />
safety sector for more than five years. Its applications and solutions are<br />
developed with a deep understanding of Avaya technologies and interfaces<br />
and can be tailored for individual client’s requirements.<br />
“Engelbart Software became fully embedded into the process of solution<br />
specification and design for the new bespoke user interface. Its developers’<br />
detailed experience with Avaya application programming interfaces (APIs)<br />
and software development kits (SDKs) as well as their open approach<br />
to fully understanding the customer’s business requirement allowed all<br />
stakeholders to drive the project even beyond the initially scoped set of<br />
requirements,” said Markus Bornheim, Avaya International Practice Lead<br />
for Public Safety & Emergency Services.<br />
The esuits2 applications framework was able to leverage Avaya<br />
Core services for communications, contact centre and computertelephony<br />
integration (CTI). Then, due to its flexibility and<br />
bespoke approach to UI design and layout, external services<br />
integration such as real time reporting, instant replay of recorded<br />
calls, enriched Supervisor functionality as well as access to<br />
various directories could also be included.<br />
The result was the development of an esuits2 Special Purpose<br />
Console (SPC) as an alternative call centre Agent and Supervisor<br />
frontend application based on a browser based HTML5<br />
application linking into the Avaya core and leveraging the Avaya<br />
JavaScript Client SDK.<br />
“Because it is based on the modular and flexible HTML5<br />
change skill / role assignment on the fly; change Agent status;<br />
remote Agent logout and replay of recorded calls. For the support<br />
of a work from home scenario a “raise my hand” functionality has<br />
been implemented to contact a supervisor if help is needed from<br />
the agent.<br />
Flexible For Future<br />
Chris Hayden, Telecoms Manager at SCAS, comments: “With help<br />
from FourNet and its partners, we ended-up with a solution that<br />
fulfils our needs and more. The management and team leaders<br />
now have much more control and visibility over their Agents than<br />
previously and they are now able to manage the various contact<br />
centre behaviours much more effectively.”<br />
▪<br />
▪<br />
Instant replay of recorded calls<br />
for agents<br />
Enhanced Supervisors functionality<br />
including listen into existing calls,<br />
change skill/role assignment, change<br />
Agent status, remote Agent logout,<br />
replay of recorded calls for Agents<br />
esuits2 SPC<br />
Engelbart Software proposed that its esuits2 applications framework<br />
could be assessed and evaluated as an alternative UI making it possible to<br />
define and design the integrations and user interfaces required by SCAS.<br />
The flexibility and capability of the framework meant that when a number<br />
of previously unrealised requirements came up during the design and<br />
implementation phase of the project, they could be solved and SCAS’s<br />
specific operational needs met.<br />
architecture, it’s possible to add customer specific functionality<br />
and 3rd party applications into the soft client. Beside standard<br />
telephony services and the support of the Avaya solution, the<br />
esuits² SPC offers rich API for service integration,” says Dirk<br />
Engelbart, CEO Engelbart Software GmbH.<br />
The bespoke functionality requested by SCAS and provided by<br />
the esuits² SPC includes a comms-screen for real-time status<br />
visibility between Agents and Supervisor; chat between Agents,<br />
Supervisors and departments/roles; the ability to agent assign<br />
skill/role during login and bookmarking of Agent- or departmentbased<br />
favourites. Supervisors also benefit from enhanced<br />
Engelbart Software esuits² Special Purpose Console SPC offers a<br />
unique and flexible solution that provides two operation modes<br />
enabling SCAS to keep its voice and data network separated. In<br />
the SCAS contact centre, the primary mode of operation is based<br />
on computer-telephony integration (CTI)-driven 3rd-party call<br />
control with the Engelbart esuits2 SPC controlling the Avaya IP<br />
phones that the Agents use the on their desks. As an alternative<br />
to this, the Engelbart esuits2 SPC’s native VoIP operations can<br />
leverage WebRTC between the Avaya solution and a PC and a<br />
browser, enabling Agents and Supervisors to work remotely<br />
should work from home requirements be once again put in place.<br />
functionality including the ability to listen-in to existing calls;<br />
avaya.com © 2022 Avaya Inc. All Rights Reserved.<br />
3<br />
avaya.com © 2022 Avaya Inc. All Rights Reserved.<br />
4
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Issues with tube<br />
delivery?<br />
About FourNet<br />
FourNet is an award-winning provider of cloud and managed<br />
services, which works closely with its clients to enable digital<br />
transformation across their organisation and transform their<br />
customer experience. Founded in 2005, FourNet has more<br />
than seventeen years' experience delivering communications,<br />
collaboration and contact centre solutions for some of the most<br />
secure, critical and commercially driven organisations in the <strong>UK</strong>.<br />
Consistently recognised for its innovation and service excellence;<br />
FourNet builds long term, collaborative relationships with its<br />
customers to help them deliver brilliant customer experiences.<br />
With help from<br />
FourNet and its<br />
partners, we endedup<br />
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USB it.<br />
About Engelbart Software<br />
Engelbart Software GmbH is a long-time AVAYA DevConnect<br />
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AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
How new technology<br />
will enable safer<br />
and more efficient<br />
patient responses<br />
for <strong>UK</strong> ambulance<br />
services across<br />
the <strong>UK</strong><br />
Matt Wroughton, <strong>UK</strong>I Sales<br />
Manager Government<br />
& Healthcare, Zebra<br />
Technologies<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> services, paramedics<br />
and technicians face rising costs<br />
and operational difficulties,<br />
reflective of a struggling National<br />
Health Service.<br />
A major concern is ambulance<br />
costs, with crew wages, fuel<br />
prices and repair expenses<br />
spiralling because of inflation.<br />
This is compounded by long<br />
ambulance queues outside<br />
A&E departments and delays in<br />
response times.<br />
And behind the scenes, call<br />
handlers face life-or-death<br />
decisions on where to send a<br />
limited number of ambulances,<br />
while grappling with ageing fleets,<br />
legacy technology and poor stock<br />
management.<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> services must ensure<br />
fleets are in operation for longer<br />
without delays. This can only be<br />
done by tracking and managing<br />
equipment, assets and stocks<br />
of drugs and consumables,<br />
helping reduce costs, waste and<br />
backlogs.<br />
Yet post-pandemic, the<br />
ambulance service is still<br />
negotiating the overstocking of<br />
consumables at the height of<br />
Covid-19. This exacerbates stock<br />
control challenges characterised<br />
by archaic, manual systems,<br />
creating unwieldy audit trails and<br />
inadequately equipping crews.<br />
Likewise, under-stocking must be<br />
also tackled, as must theft and<br />
loss of medical kit.<br />
These issues point to the<br />
urgent need to digitise. This is<br />
happening, though not at the<br />
scale required. According to<br />
a Freedom of Information Act<br />
request made by CCS Europe<br />
Limited, 75% of ambulance<br />
services have no digital-led<br />
system to manage the availability<br />
and servicing of equipment,<br />
vehicles and their make-ready<br />
process, whereby ambulances<br />
are restocked and prepared for<br />
deployment.<br />
The London <strong>Ambulance</strong> service<br />
has started to digitise yet is still<br />
to fully transition away from an<br />
ageing fleet. The service has<br />
some smart vehicle tracking<br />
capabilities to equip ambulances<br />
and maintain critical assets, like<br />
drugs and medical equipment.<br />
Yet just nine of these smarter<br />
vehicles came into service in<br />
April, with 100 more on order.<br />
How technology can help<br />
While fleets are waiting to be<br />
updated, technology can fill<br />
an important gap. Equipping<br />
a Zebra 5G tablet device to<br />
the vehicle will ensure critical<br />
information is delivered in<br />
real time to paramedics and<br />
technicians during an emergency.<br />
Smartphone-style devices can<br />
also run apps to show vehicle<br />
status, reducing pre-shift checks<br />
to seconds and getting an<br />
ambulance on the road faster<br />
than the average of 30 minutes<br />
it took for Category 2 incidents<br />
in 2023/24.<br />
Technology can also expedite<br />
restocking and help save money<br />
through 24/7 tracking and tracing<br />
to identify where a vehicle and<br />
its equipment is, through RFID<br />
tags. RFID tagging of equipment<br />
and controlled drug pouches<br />
can ensure full track and trace to<br />
show locations and monitor use.<br />
In the future, facial recognition<br />
could be used to log who is<br />
taking these pouches out of<br />
smart cabinets built into fleets.<br />
Today, Zebra’s TC27 and<br />
Zebra Android Enterprise ET45<br />
Healthcare Tablets are linked<br />
to the cloud offering enhanced<br />
connectivity to track RFID tags<br />
on missing equipment. If an<br />
item is lost, crews can locate a<br />
replacement via these devices,<br />
showing them where their nearest<br />
ambulance station is with the<br />
required equipment. Meanwhile,<br />
Zebra’s two-in-one ET85,<br />
keyboard and tablet enables<br />
crews to do paperwork between<br />
calls without having to return<br />
to base.<br />
Shift patterns and rotas can also<br />
be better managed via digitalbased<br />
workflows and artificial<br />
intelligence to get ambulances<br />
on the road faster. Stock can be<br />
ordered more efficiently with item<br />
levels and expiry dates monitored<br />
in real time, and replenishment<br />
can be done by make-ready<br />
teams using digital checklists.<br />
Already ambulances can<br />
communicate with 5G-capable<br />
TC58 touch computers, while<br />
body-worn cameras link up<br />
response teams to emergency<br />
doctors. Yet there is scope for<br />
more digitisation. Examples<br />
include telemedical support to<br />
connect emergency teams, and<br />
virtual wards in which patients<br />
use wearable technology and<br />
other medical devices to enable<br />
doctors to monitor their recovery.<br />
Conclusion<br />
Emergency callouts are growing<br />
year on-year, at a time when the<br />
NHS is under acute pressure.<br />
This requires a technological and<br />
managerial response to maximise<br />
limited resources and modernise<br />
information management with<br />
digitisation based on patient<br />
outcomes.<br />
Mobile computing, 5G capability<br />
and connected services are<br />
improving emergency care,<br />
whether embedded on board<br />
an ambulance or integrated into<br />
wards and response stations,<br />
but innovation must be applied<br />
across the service and at scale.<br />
The communication architecture<br />
exists to facilitate a smarter<br />
NHS, but more investment<br />
is needed to fully realise the<br />
benefits of digitisation. If<br />
implemented successfully, digital<br />
transformation can save money,<br />
reduce manual administration,<br />
improve response times, and<br />
ensure ambulances are kept<br />
on the road for longer. Such a<br />
transformation for the NHS has<br />
never been more vital.<br />
Midlands Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Charity Rated As<br />
Outstanding By Care<br />
Quality Commission<br />
The Care Quality Commission<br />
(CQC) has rated the<br />
Headquarters and Airbase<br />
(previously known as Cosford<br />
airbase), as well as the Tatenhill<br />
Airbase, run by Midlands<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity, as<br />
outstanding following its first<br />
inspection in August and<br />
September.<br />
Midlands Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity<br />
is an independent health provider<br />
of pre-hospital emergency care<br />
and treatment by helicopter and<br />
rapid response car emergency<br />
medical services. It covers<br />
Gloucestershire, Herefordshire,<br />
Shropshire, Staffordshire,<br />
Worcestershire, the West<br />
Midlands and the surrounding<br />
areas, serving a population of<br />
around six million people.<br />
This inspection was carried<br />
out as part of CQC’s continual<br />
checks on the safety and quality<br />
of healthcare services.<br />
Following the inspection, both<br />
services have been rated<br />
outstanding overall, as well as for<br />
being safe, responsive, effective<br />
and well-led. Caring was rated<br />
as good.<br />
Andy Brand, CQC deputy<br />
director of operations in<br />
the Midlands, said: “When<br />
we inspected Midlands Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity, we were<br />
impressed to find two extremely<br />
well-led services that went<br />
above and beyond to ensure<br />
people were responded to<br />
quickly and effectively in<br />
emergency situations.<br />
“Both services always met agreed<br />
response times and feedback<br />
from people was continually<br />
positive. People and relatives<br />
cared for by both services,<br />
told us they were treated with<br />
kindness, respect, and dignity. A<br />
compliments report showed 45<br />
compliments had been received<br />
where people and their families<br />
wanted to express special thanks<br />
to staff.<br />
“It was also positive to see<br />
that Midlands Air <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Charity is open to learning and<br />
continuous improvement, and<br />
the service also reported areas<br />
of excellence so staff could<br />
learn from events that had gone<br />
particularly well. This helped<br />
staff to continuously improve and<br />
boosted morale and wellbeing.<br />
“All staff should be proud of the<br />
care they’re providing to people in<br />
emergencies. They clearly work<br />
hard to provide exceptional care<br />
and other providers should look<br />
at these reports to see if there’s<br />
anything they can learn.”<br />
Hanna Sebright, chief<br />
executive of Midlands Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity, added:<br />
“Since April 2022, there has<br />
been a period of transformational<br />
change for our organisation<br />
which has seen us combine<br />
our clinical operations with our<br />
headquarters office function,<br />
bringing our clinical and nonclinical<br />
team under the same roof<br />
for the first time.<br />
“We are extremely proud of the<br />
‘outstanding’ CQC rating for<br />
Cosford and Tatenhill, which we<br />
achieved just 19 months after<br />
our initial CQC registration. This<br />
fantastic achievement, highlights<br />
our commitment to the patients<br />
we treat within the communities<br />
we serve, providing the best<br />
pre-hospital care to those in<br />
critical need.”<br />
Inspectors found at both<br />
services:<br />
• Staff carried out daily safety<br />
checks of specialist equipment<br />
including defibrillators and<br />
blood giving equipment.<br />
• They planned care to meet the<br />
needs of local people, took<br />
account of people’s individual<br />
needs, and made it easy for<br />
people to give feedback.<br />
• Staff provided emotional<br />
support to people, families,<br />
and carers.<br />
• Leaders ran services well using<br />
reliable information systems<br />
and supported staff to develop<br />
their skills.<br />
• Staff completed safety<br />
briefings prior to flying, which<br />
included consideration of<br />
notifications such as fuel<br />
availability, weather, sunset<br />
times and any events<br />
or hazards.<br />
• Managers monitored the<br />
effectiveness of the service<br />
and made sure staff were<br />
competent.<br />
• Mandatory training was<br />
comprehensive and met the<br />
needs of people and staff.<br />
Read more about the Care<br />
Quality Commission at:<br />
cqc.org.uk<br />
Find out more about Midlands<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity’s CQC<br />
rating at: www.cqc.org.uk/<br />
provider/1-11982780181/services<br />
NHS England<br />
has recognised<br />
the significant<br />
improvements that<br />
East of England<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
(EEAST) has<br />
made. The trust<br />
has been removed<br />
from the National<br />
Recovery Support<br />
Programme for<br />
challenged providers<br />
and systems.<br />
The programme was<br />
formerly known as<br />
Special Measures.<br />
In 2020, the trust was placed<br />
into Special Measures. This<br />
happened following concerns<br />
about culture, leadership, and<br />
governance.<br />
The latest CQC report, published<br />
in July 2022, showed significant<br />
improvements on long-standing<br />
cultural issues. The report<br />
recognised the trust’s efforts to<br />
improve leadership, culture, and<br />
safety for staff.<br />
Since <strong>February</strong> 2023, the CQC<br />
has also lifted four conditions on<br />
EEAST’s license. There are three<br />
remaining which it is hoped will<br />
be lifted soon.<br />
The CQC recognised that<br />
the Trust has expanded its<br />
safeguarding team. It also<br />
strengthened its safeguarding<br />
policies and HR processes.<br />
An improvement in the way<br />
allegations are handled was also<br />
recognised. This happened after<br />
processes were strengthened<br />
and standardised.<br />
Training has also been provided<br />
for managers investigating<br />
allegations. This improves the<br />
quality of decision making and<br />
monitoring of any themes and<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
12<br />
13<br />
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AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
reduces the risk of similar cases<br />
in the future.<br />
The Trust has also been<br />
recognised for its work in<br />
improving the visibility of the<br />
Freedom to Speak Up Guardian,<br />
making it easier for people to give<br />
feedback and raise concerns.<br />
NHS England has now confirmed<br />
EEAST will leave the Recovery<br />
Support Programme with<br />
immediate effect.<br />
Tom Abell, Chief Executive, said:<br />
“This is a major milestone for<br />
EEAST, and it’s all down to the<br />
hard work and commitment of<br />
our people.<br />
“We have made much progress<br />
since I joined the Trust over<br />
two years ago. When I joined, I<br />
made clear it would take time to<br />
tackle longstanding cultural and<br />
organisational issues.<br />
“Although we have made good<br />
progress, we know there is still<br />
work to do to provide consistently<br />
excellent service to our<br />
communities.”<br />
“Our Green Family”:<br />
Three sisters join<br />
parents caring for<br />
capital at London<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
Three sisters have followed in<br />
their mum and dad’s footsteps<br />
to start rewarding careers<br />
at the country’s busiest<br />
ambulance service.<br />
John Dell, a paramedic who<br />
responds to complex incidents<br />
in hazardous areas and supports<br />
the welfare of staff on scene,<br />
joined London <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service (LAS) 20 years ago.<br />
He currently works out of Cody<br />
Road in Newham but started as<br />
a trainee working in Dagenham<br />
and Romford.<br />
When his 20 year old daughter<br />
Chloe joined LAS in April,<br />
following in the footsteps of her<br />
sisters Rhiannon, 21, Charlotte,<br />
25, and mum Emma, their ‘green<br />
family’ was complete.<br />
John said: “It is quite humbling<br />
to know that the family have<br />
followed me into LAS and to see<br />
them care for patients. The fact<br />
that I’m here 20 years later and<br />
I still love it, and that my family<br />
wanted to join too, just goes to<br />
show what a great place LAS is<br />
to work.<br />
“It’s nice to go out on the road<br />
together and work alongside<br />
the family.”<br />
Chloe answers 999 calls from<br />
patients and often works in the<br />
control room in Newham with<br />
Rhiannon, who also deals with<br />
999 calls but helps to dispatch<br />
ambulance crews and liaises with<br />
other emergency services.<br />
She said: “Rhiannon and I are<br />
a team when we work together.<br />
It’s great to have someone at<br />
work who is there for you and<br />
supports you.<br />
“My sisters and my parents<br />
really encouraged me to join,<br />
and my mum who has worked in<br />
various roles within the control<br />
room opened my eyes to the<br />
opportunities available. I’ve<br />
always wanted to help people,<br />
but I didn’t think it was something<br />
I would end up doing until<br />
I joined.”<br />
Rhiannon, who has worked in<br />
the control room for three years,<br />
said “Going to work not knowing<br />
what calls you are going to take<br />
makes every day different. You<br />
can go from helping someone<br />
to deliver a baby to giving lifesaving<br />
instructions on chest<br />
compression when someone is<br />
in cardiac arrest.”<br />
Meanwhile Charlotte, currently<br />
studying to be a paramedic at<br />
Cumbria University while working<br />
at LAS, cares for patients out<br />
on the road from West Ham<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Station. She joined<br />
LAS as a trainee when she was<br />
20 through the award-winning<br />
apprenticeship scheme.<br />
Charlotte said: “We’re one big<br />
family at home and at LAS. It’s<br />
so rewarding to help and care<br />
for people together in their time<br />
of need, and also have that<br />
emotional support from your<br />
family as they understand what<br />
you’ve been through.”<br />
Reflecting on the family dynamic<br />
with her dad, she said: “I’ve been<br />
on clinical shifts in ambulances<br />
with my dad and I can often<br />
guess what he’s thinking before<br />
he says anything.”<br />
John met his wife Emma 30 years<br />
ago and she joined her husband<br />
at LAS in January 2019, working<br />
in the Waterloo control room<br />
helping ambulance crews take<br />
patients to the right hospital.<br />
Emma said: “It was really strange<br />
making the jump to LAS where<br />
John has worked all this time,<br />
but it was a great decision and<br />
I really enjoy it. It’s lovely to<br />
know my daughters all have the<br />
opportunity to have careers that<br />
offer them the chance to help<br />
people and make a real difference<br />
to people’s lives. “<br />
Chloe also recently joined her<br />
dad on an ambulance shift as<br />
part of her training. She said: “Not<br />
everyone gets to work with their<br />
dad and he’s been at the Service<br />
since around the time I was born<br />
so it’s really nice to understand<br />
the journey he’s been on too.<br />
“I know my family work at LAS,<br />
but the wider Service is like one<br />
big family too,” she added.<br />
Resuscitation<br />
Council <strong>UK</strong> launches<br />
guidelines to help<br />
increase cardiac<br />
arrest survival rates<br />
amongst athletes<br />
Resuscitation Council <strong>UK</strong><br />
(RC<strong>UK</strong>) has launched new<br />
guidelines to help save lives<br />
across all community and<br />
professional sporting events.<br />
Resuscitation on the Field of<br />
Play: best practice guidelines,<br />
aim to improve the response to<br />
a sudden cardiac arrest on the<br />
field-of-play and increase the<br />
chances of a full recovery.<br />
RC<strong>UK</strong> says medical teams<br />
responding to an athlete suffering<br />
a cardiac arrest can help to<br />
achieve this through prompt<br />
recognition, high-quality CPR,<br />
early defibrillation and effective<br />
emergency planning.<br />
The guidelines are designed<br />
for medical teams who need to<br />
respond to an athlete having a<br />
cardiac arrest during or shortly<br />
after sporting activity, across<br />
all community and professional<br />
sports - such as football,<br />
swimming and tennis.<br />
Sudden cardiac arrest on<br />
the field-of-play is a rare but<br />
devastating event, with approx.<br />
1 in 217,000 people per year<br />
suffering a sports-related<br />
sudden death.<br />
Michael Bradfield, Director<br />
of Clinical and Service<br />
Development at RC<strong>UK</strong> said:<br />
”Sudden cardiac arrest on the<br />
field-of-play can be difficult to<br />
recognise. Some athletes may<br />
look as though they are breathing<br />
or have seizure-like activity with<br />
their eyes open. It’s important to<br />
recognise that these signs can be<br />
present, however a person may<br />
need immediate resuscitation.<br />
Any unexpected collapse where<br />
someone is unresponsive should<br />
be presumed to be a sudden<br />
cardiac arrest and treated<br />
accordingly.<br />
“Medical teams can use our<br />
document to support excellent<br />
practice in the resuscitation of<br />
athletes at all levels of sport.”<br />
Resuscitation on the Field of Play<br />
best practice guidelines include<br />
initial assessment and recognition<br />
of cardiac arrest, CPR,<br />
defibrillation, airway management<br />
and transportation of athletes<br />
while CPR and defibrillation is<br />
taking place.<br />
Dr Zafar Iqbal, Consultant in<br />
Sports and Exercise Medicine<br />
and Head of Sports Medicine<br />
at Crystal Palace FC said:<br />
“I wholeheartedly support the<br />
fantastic work done by all those<br />
involved in the publication of the<br />
Field of Play guidelines. It helps<br />
raise further awareness in this<br />
important area, which I’ve no<br />
doubt will enhance the work,<br />
being done in improving survival<br />
outcomes, following a cardiac<br />
arrest occurring in sport.<br />
“I’ve been fortunate to have<br />
witnessed first-hand, the<br />
excellent work by RC<strong>UK</strong> where<br />
in collaboration with CPFC,<br />
they have trained our players at<br />
Crystal Palace in CPR and defib<br />
awareness, and helping promote<br />
the message to the public.”<br />
Neil Greig, Head of Medical<br />
Department, Brentford FC said:<br />
“Cardiac health is close to our<br />
hearts here at Brentford FC and<br />
further research in this area is<br />
something we continue to work<br />
towards through our Heart of West<br />
London partnership. We welcome<br />
RC<strong>UK</strong>’s best-practice guidelines<br />
which provides important<br />
information about dealing with<br />
sudden cardiac arrest on the field<br />
of play. The more knowledge and<br />
education we can spread, the<br />
better equipped we can all be<br />
about saving lives”<br />
Elements of the guidelines are<br />
easily applicable to people<br />
participating in any sporting<br />
activity and to all communitybased<br />
cardiac arrests - with or<br />
without a field-of-play medical<br />
team available.<br />
SECAmb signs<br />
new NHS Sexual<br />
Safety Charter<br />
South East Coast <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service NHS Foundation Trust,<br />
(SECAmb), has formally signed<br />
a new NHS Sexual Safety<br />
Charter aimed at ensuring a<br />
systematic, zero-tolerance<br />
approach to sexual misconduct<br />
and violence in the NHS.<br />
By signing the Charter, SECAmb<br />
is committing to taking and<br />
enforcing a zero-tolerance<br />
approach to any unwanted,<br />
inappropriate and/or harmful<br />
sexual behaviours within the<br />
workplace and delivering on the<br />
Charter’s 10 core principles and<br />
actions by July <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
SECAmb Chief Executive, Simon<br />
Weldon, previously shared his<br />
commitment to deliver on the<br />
Charter to staff after its launch by<br />
NHS England in September. The<br />
approach was formally agreed at<br />
the Trust’s Board meeting held at<br />
the beginning of December.<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
14<br />
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Ahead of the Board meeting,<br />
SECAmb’s Chief Nurse and<br />
Director of Quality, Margaret<br />
Dalziel, was named as the Trust’s<br />
Domestic Abuse and Sexual<br />
Violence Lead.<br />
SECAmb is running a campaign<br />
to highlight and address<br />
inappropriate behaviour.<br />
Launched earlier this year, ‘Until<br />
it Stops’ reinforces the Trust’s<br />
commitment to making SECAmb<br />
a safe place for all.<br />
The 10 core principles and<br />
actions of the Charter are:<br />
1. We will actively work to<br />
eradicate sexual harassment<br />
and abuse in the workplace.<br />
2. We will promote a culture<br />
that fosters openness and<br />
transparency, and does not<br />
tolerate unwanted, harmful<br />
and/or inappropriate sexual<br />
behaviours.<br />
3. We will take an intersectional<br />
approach to the sexual safety<br />
of our workforce, recognising<br />
certain groups will experience<br />
sexual harassment and abuse<br />
at a disproportionate rate.<br />
4. We will provide appropriate<br />
support for those in our<br />
workforce who experience<br />
unwanted, inappropriate and/<br />
or harmful sexual behaviours.<br />
5. We will clearly communicate<br />
standards of behaviour.<br />
This includes expected<br />
action for those who witness<br />
inappropriate, unwanted and/<br />
or harmful sexual behaviour.<br />
6. We will ensure appropriate,<br />
specific, and clear policies<br />
are in place. They will include<br />
appropriate and timely action<br />
against alleged perpetrators.<br />
7. We will ensure appropriate,<br />
specific, and clear training is<br />
in place.<br />
8. We will ensure appropriate<br />
reporting mechanisms are in<br />
place for those experiencing<br />
these behaviours.<br />
9. We will take all reports<br />
seriously and appropriate and<br />
timely action will be taken in<br />
all cases.<br />
10. We will capture and share<br />
data on prevalence and staff<br />
experience transparently.<br />
These commitments will<br />
apply to everyone in our<br />
organisation equally.<br />
Where any of the above is not<br />
currently in place, SECAmb is<br />
committed to work towards<br />
ensuring it is in place by July <strong>2024</strong><br />
This Christmas was<br />
‘less lethal’ than<br />
most – but stick to<br />
your New Year health<br />
plans, says expert<br />
There was a 21% decrease<br />
in the number of registered<br />
deaths this Christmas<br />
compared to last year. Despite<br />
the encouraging news, we<br />
should all stick to our New<br />
Year’s health resolutions, says<br />
a leading testing expert.<br />
This Christmas proved ‘less lethal<br />
than average’, says a leading<br />
blood testing expert. Though<br />
more people tend to die of heart<br />
problems during Christmas week<br />
than at any other time of the<br />
year, this year there were 7,447<br />
deaths in England and Wales over<br />
Christmas, compared to 9,517<br />
in 2022 and a five-year average<br />
of 8,228.<br />
Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan<br />
(MBChB), Clinical Lead at<br />
London Medical Laboratory,<br />
says: ‘Christmas can be an<br />
unhealthy and stressful time of<br />
the year. Research published<br />
in the US journal “Circulation”<br />
shows that 4% more people die<br />
of heart problems during the<br />
Christmas holiday compared to<br />
even the mid-winter average.<br />
Most fatal of all is Christmas<br />
Day. It has the highest number of<br />
cardiac deaths that occur rapidly<br />
after presentation of a medical<br />
problem. In second and third<br />
place are 26 December and New<br />
Year’s Day.<br />
‘The latest figures from the Office<br />
for National Statistics (ONS) show<br />
7,447 deaths were recorded in<br />
England and Wales in the week<br />
ending 29 December, 2023. This<br />
total was down 21.7% on last<br />
Christmas and 9.4% on the fiveyear<br />
average for Christmas week.<br />
Despite reports of a surge in<br />
Covid cases, Covid was involved<br />
in only 2.4% of deaths (181<br />
deaths compared to 393 deaths<br />
over Christmas week, 2022).<br />
‘We don’t yet have a complete<br />
breakdown of the cause of deaths<br />
for Christmas week, but we can<br />
tell a lot from last Christmas’<br />
results. While we don’t see all<br />
causes of death in these figures,<br />
we can see 1,803 deaths for<br />
the week ending 30 December,<br />
2022 were directly attributable<br />
to diseases of the respiratory<br />
system and 787 to influenza and<br />
pneumonia. Only the preceding<br />
week (ending 23 December,<br />
2022) saw more deaths due to<br />
respiratory diseases, influenza<br />
and pneumonia.<br />
‘Intriguingly, 10% more women<br />
(4,999) than men (4,518) died<br />
last Christmas week. The 2022<br />
data for England and Wales<br />
shows the north-west of England<br />
suffered the most deaths in the<br />
final week of December (1,393)<br />
closely followed by the southeast<br />
(1,369). More people died in<br />
hospital over Christmas (4,169)<br />
than at home (2,540).<br />
‘Adding to the impact of fatty<br />
Christmas foods, it’s perhaps not<br />
generally known that a bad case<br />
of flu can also have an impact<br />
on the heart. There is a known<br />
link between the flu virus and<br />
cardiovascular disease. The flu<br />
virus affects inflammatory and<br />
blood-clotting pathways. This<br />
can cause stable fatty deposits<br />
on the artery walls (plaques) to<br />
become unstable, leading to<br />
rapid coronary artery blockage –<br />
the main cause of heart attacks.<br />
Together with Covid-19 and<br />
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),<br />
we are far more likely to catch flu<br />
during the winter.<br />
‘Knowing all these issues, what<br />
preventative action can we take<br />
to fully recover from Christmas<br />
excesses? Having access to<br />
information about your health is<br />
always beneficial, especially at a<br />
time when we are all recovering<br />
from eating fattier and richer<br />
foods than normal. With GP<br />
surgeries extremely busy at this<br />
time of year, people worried<br />
about their cholesterol levels<br />
do have alternatives. The most<br />
common option is a finger-prick<br />
cholesterol blood test, which can<br />
be taken at home or at many<br />
local community pharmacies. By<br />
monitoring our cholesterol over<br />
time we can see how effective<br />
our New Year’s healthy eating<br />
resolutions have been at reducing<br />
these levels.<br />
‘London Medical Laboratory’s<br />
revolutionary and convenient<br />
home finger-prick Cholesterol<br />
Profile test measures total<br />
cholesterol, LDL “bad<br />
cholesterol”, HDL “good”<br />
cholesterol, non-HDL (a newly<br />
adopted, more accurate,<br />
measure) and other key markers.<br />
It can be taken at home through<br />
the post, or at one of the many<br />
drop-in clinics that offer these<br />
tests across London and<br />
nationwide in over 95 selected<br />
pharmacies and health stores.<br />
For full details, see: https://www.<br />
londonmedicallaboratory.com/<br />
product/cholesterol-profile<br />
Welsh <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service using robots<br />
to byte down on<br />
repetitive tasks<br />
THE Welsh <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
is using robots to help run its<br />
behind-the-scenes operations.<br />
The Trust is using Robotic<br />
Process Automation (RPA)<br />
technology to perform timeconsuming<br />
administrative tasks<br />
to free up staff to focus on tasks<br />
that add the most value.<br />
The use of software robots, or<br />
‘digital workers,’ is saving time and<br />
allowing colleagues to harness<br />
their skills more appropriately.<br />
Jonny Sammut, the Trust’s<br />
Director of Digital, said: “It’s been<br />
a long-held ambition to use RPA<br />
technology, so we’re thrilled to be<br />
taking our first steps into it.<br />
proactmedical.co.uk<br />
“This is not about replacing<br />
humans with robots – it’s about<br />
automating those repetitive and<br />
low-value tasks so that staff can<br />
focus their skill and expertise on<br />
the things that really matter.<br />
“While the corporate staff who<br />
perform these tasks aren’t<br />
patient-facing, they support<br />
those who are, and anything<br />
which improves our efficiency<br />
behind-the-scenes means that<br />
patients will eventually reap the<br />
benefit too.”<br />
The Trust secured funding from<br />
Welsh Government’s Digital<br />
Priorities Investment Fund in<br />
March 2022 to explore RPA<br />
technology.<br />
To date, it has been used across<br />
five separate projects, including a<br />
project to streamline the creation<br />
of ICT accounts for new recruits.<br />
Almost 900 accounts have been<br />
created robotically since October<br />
2022, freeing up ICT analysts to<br />
apply their technical expertise to<br />
more complex issues.<br />
The technology is also being<br />
used by the team who produce<br />
investigation reports in response<br />
to complaints, inquests and<br />
serious incidents.<br />
A once-manual trawl of logs<br />
to establish a timeline of what<br />
happened has been replaced by<br />
an automatic process, increasing<br />
the capacity of the team by an<br />
average 36 hours per week and<br />
allowing investigating officers<br />
to focus on tasks where human<br />
judgement is essential.<br />
Leanne Smith, Assistant Director<br />
of Digital Services, said: “Taking<br />
away the pain of repetitive,<br />
laborious tasks to enable our<br />
people to use their knowledge<br />
and expertise on high-value tasks<br />
It’s time to choose accuracy.<br />
Not just a Pulse Oximeter.<br />
is what this is all about.<br />
“This is our first foray into<br />
automation but already<br />
colleagues are saying that<br />
it’s improving the workplace<br />
experience and boosting morale.<br />
“It’s an exciting time, and we<br />
look forward to scaling up in the<br />
coming years.”<br />
Meanwhile, the Trust is<br />
collaborating with the University<br />
of York to train the next<br />
generation of artificial intelligence<br />
(AI) professionals.<br />
The <strong>UK</strong>RI AI Centre for Doctoral<br />
Training (CDT) in Lifelong Safety<br />
Assurance of AI-Enabled<br />
Autonomous Systems (SAINTS)<br />
will welcome its first students<br />
next year.<br />
Nigel Rees, Assistant Director<br />
of Research and Innovation at<br />
the Welsh <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service,<br />
CLASS IIB<br />
MEDICAL DEVICE<br />
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said: “Safety is central to the<br />
initial care during any medical<br />
the Trust’s strategic priorities, and<br />
research on our website:<br />
East of England <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
respecting their wishes to be<br />
road generally because the<br />
responsible and trustworthy<br />
emergencies.<br />
the Institute also has a number<br />
https://www.yas.nhs.uk/our-<br />
Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is<br />
cared for at home.<br />
paramedics working with us are<br />
adoption of AI.<br />
of key partnerships in place with<br />
services/additional-services/<br />
leading the way in joining up<br />
telling their colleagues about<br />
“SAINTS will bring together PhD<br />
students from a broad spectrum<br />
of industries to deliver a new<br />
generation of experts who make<br />
leading contributions to the safety<br />
of AI.<br />
“Research will focus on risk<br />
reduction in sectors where safety<br />
is paramount, like healthcare,<br />
whilst taking a broader view<br />
of safety in its technical, legal,<br />
ethical and societal context.<br />
“We will help students navigate<br />
the broader AI research<br />
environment and become future<br />
engineers, leaders, entrepreneurs<br />
and policymakers in AI safety.”<br />
Professor Ibrahim Habli,<br />
Director of SAINTS CDT, added:<br />
“From autumn <strong>2024</strong>, we will<br />
open our doors to the first<br />
cohort of doctoral students<br />
undertaking trailblazing<br />
work in AI development and<br />
safety assurance.<br />
“This is an exciting development,<br />
and we value support from the<br />
Welsh <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service in<br />
helping this become a reality.<br />
East Midlands Railway (EMR)<br />
staff at Sheffield Railway<br />
Station have joined forces<br />
with Yorkshire <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service NHS Trust to train<br />
colleagues as Community<br />
First Responders (CFRs). They<br />
are now equipped with skills<br />
to provide vital care, comfort<br />
and reassurance to anyone<br />
suffering a medical emergency<br />
before an ambulance arrives<br />
on scene.<br />
Colleagues from the supervisor,<br />
platform services and customer<br />
information teams have<br />
participated in the three-day CFR<br />
course which includes training<br />
on cardiopulmonary resuscitation<br />
(CPR), operating a defibrillator<br />
and administering oxygen.<br />
Yorkshire <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
has provided the EMR team with<br />
a CFR kit bag which includes an<br />
automated external defibrillator<br />
(AED); this is an additional<br />
resource to the four AEDs already<br />
available on platforms.<br />
“We’re looking forward to rolling<br />
the CFR course out to more<br />
station staff, so that when<br />
someone falls ill or becomes<br />
injured, we’ll be on hand to<br />
provide the best possible firstresponse<br />
care.”<br />
Warren Bostock, Community<br />
Defibrillation Officer with<br />
Yorkshire <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service,<br />
said: “We’re really pleased to be<br />
partnering with EMR to deliver<br />
our training to their colleagues in<br />
Sheffield, and particularly in such<br />
a busy station setting.<br />
“CFRs make an extremely valuable<br />
contribution to their communities,<br />
and anyone using Sheffield<br />
Railway Station has the added<br />
benefit of CFRs working on site.<br />
We know that in many medical<br />
emergencies, such as a heart<br />
attack, breathing difficulties or a<br />
collapse, the first few minutes are<br />
critical. If effective treatment can<br />
be given within those first minutes,<br />
lives can be saved.”<br />
Yorkshire <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service launches<br />
new Research<br />
Institute<br />
A new Research Institute<br />
local NHS Trusts and universities,<br />
which have supported the<br />
recent expansion. Through both<br />
the new leadership posts and<br />
partnerships, the Institute is<br />
moving forward with designing<br />
and developing new research<br />
projects that will have a real-world<br />
impact on patients.<br />
The Institute will focus on<br />
growing its research portfolio to<br />
address the needs of ambulance<br />
service patients, working across<br />
boundaries to ensure that patients<br />
are offered the best, evidenceinformed<br />
care and benefit the<br />
communities that it serves.<br />
Dr Julian Mark, Executive Medical<br />
Director at Yorkshire <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service NHS Trust, said: “The<br />
research that we do can drive a<br />
noticeable difference in patent<br />
care - it can improve the quality,<br />
safety, efficiency and effectiveness<br />
of healthcare. We are proud of our<br />
partnership arrangements with<br />
local organisations that allow us<br />
to co-develop our expertise, and<br />
who support our ambition to grow<br />
research for the benefit of patients<br />
in our care.<br />
“Our Research Institute continues<br />
to deliver important research,<br />
whilst also developing our staff<br />
research-support/.<br />
Yorkshire <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
is always open to new<br />
collaborations that support<br />
the organisation to innovatively<br />
deliver high quality care. The<br />
YAS Research Institute can<br />
be contacted at<br />
yas.research@nhs.net.<br />
Paramedics and<br />
hospice join forces<br />
to support end-of-life<br />
patients at home<br />
A WORLD OF COMFORT<br />
the skills of emergency and<br />
end-of-life care professionals<br />
in the community by<br />
embedding its paramedics in<br />
an Essex hospice in a scheme<br />
that thought to be one of the<br />
first of its kind in England.<br />
Three paramedics are working in<br />
rotation between the ambulance<br />
service and St Helena Hospice’s<br />
SinglePoint – a 24/7 helpline and<br />
rapid response service for people<br />
receiving end-of-life care and<br />
support at home across northeast<br />
Essex.<br />
The split role offers a unique<br />
opportunity for collaborative<br />
working, while sharing skills<br />
and knowledge between the<br />
organisations, and focuses<br />
on helping end-of-life patients<br />
get the help they need, while<br />
Nicky Coombes, Hospice in the<br />
Home Matron at St Helena, said:<br />
“For our patients, it’s about<br />
keeping them in the place where<br />
they want to be cared for and<br />
giving them support so they can<br />
remain at home and are less likely<br />
to be conveyed to hospital.”<br />
“Having the paramedics on the<br />
team has added value to our<br />
SinglePoint service.<br />
“Their skill sets are different so<br />
they can go out and do their<br />
assessment and diagnostics,<br />
and if a patient has fallen, they<br />
can often do wound care there<br />
and then.<br />
“We’re now getting more calls<br />
from paramedics out on the<br />
what we can do at St Helena,<br />
whereas their first thought<br />
previously would have been<br />
to take the patient directly<br />
to hospital.<br />
“The paramedics feel more<br />
comfortable having conversations<br />
about advance care planning and<br />
recognising what’s needed for<br />
patients in the dying process.<br />
Rachel Hunt, End of Life Care<br />
lead for EEAST, said: “Having<br />
our clinicians embedded within<br />
St Helena Hospice’s SinglePoint<br />
system means the nursing team<br />
can benefit from our staff’s training<br />
in making swift assessment. This<br />
allows them to assess and deal<br />
with many patient’s non-urgent<br />
issues – often without the need<br />
to call an ambulance or transport<br />
them to hospital.<br />
“This will strengthen our existing<br />
relationship with WAST and build<br />
future collaborations to ensure<br />
the trustworthy and responsible<br />
The training has been completed<br />
by four colleagues, and the<br />
station will aim to have at least<br />
one trained CFR on site at all<br />
times. Five additional colleagues<br />
has been launched by<br />
Yorkshire <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service NHS Trust (YAS) to<br />
strengthen the organisation’s<br />
ambition to lead and deliver<br />
to be able to lead and direct<br />
research that is meaningful for<br />
our unique context. It puts us in<br />
a position to deliver and carry<br />
out research that addresses the<br />
development and adoption of AI<br />
will be trained as CFRs in<br />
ambulance research.<br />
needs, priorities and realities of<br />
in this vital area of healthcare.”<br />
January <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
everyday business at Yorkshire<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
East Midlands<br />
Railway staff based<br />
at Sheffield partner<br />
with Yorkshire<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
for first responder<br />
training<br />
Dave Meredith, Customer<br />
Services Director at East<br />
Midlands Railway, said:<br />
“Sheffield is a very busy<br />
railway station with 8-10 million<br />
passengers passing through<br />
every year. The safety of<br />
passengers is our utmost priority<br />
and this scheme means that<br />
we are better trained to provide<br />
The Trust has a strong track<br />
record in delivering high-quality<br />
research projects that have<br />
changed how ambulance<br />
services care for patients, and<br />
the new Institute aims to build on<br />
these successes.<br />
Recruitment of specialist staff<br />
into a number of key research<br />
leadership posts supports one of<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service.<br />
“We remain a trusted partner for<br />
research and we will continue<br />
to work with higher education<br />
institutions and NHS provider<br />
organisations, as well as<br />
welcoming new partnerships.”<br />
Find out more about the Trust’s<br />
current and recently completed<br />
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“This ensures people can get<br />
the care they need, while staying<br />
in their own home for as long<br />
as possible.”<br />
For the ambulance clinicians,<br />
dealing with end-of-life patients<br />
and supporting their families are<br />
another set of skills they can use<br />
to develop professionally.<br />
They can also take a further<br />
training module in end-of-life care<br />
that EEAST has developed with<br />
the University of East Anglia.<br />
Scott O’Rourke, one of the<br />
EEAST paramedics on rotation<br />
with St Helena Hospice, explains<br />
how it works in practical terms:<br />
“During the day shifts on my<br />
roster, I come into the hospice<br />
and I’m based out of SinglePoint,<br />
doing patient assessments and<br />
assistance and trying to help<br />
keep people at home. And then<br />
during my night shifts, I work<br />
for the ambulance service on<br />
either a rapid response car or on<br />
an emergency ambulance as a<br />
paramedic going to a wide range<br />
of calls. This allows me to keep<br />
up all of my chronic and acute<br />
assessment and treatment skills.<br />
“It produces a really nice merger<br />
of roles because it means I’m<br />
constantly able to keep updated<br />
with new treatments and<br />
medication and management<br />
of conditions, and I can bring<br />
that learning into the Hospice<br />
for patients to be treated at<br />
home. And likewise if, as a<br />
paramedic, I go to someone<br />
who’s deteriorating quite rapidly<br />
or may present as being end-oflife<br />
in the community, I can bring<br />
the knowledge learned from St<br />
Helena Hospice.<br />
“The biggest benefit I’ve learned<br />
being at St Helena Hospice is<br />
the communication aspects of<br />
speaking to patients and family<br />
about the advance care planning<br />
side of things.<br />
“The biggest skill or knowledge<br />
I’ve brought into the Hospice<br />
as a paramedic is the acute<br />
assessment skills; they have<br />
proved to be really beneficial to<br />
help identify whether something<br />
is actually treatable at home.”<br />
Picture: Paramedic Scott<br />
O’Rourke preparing for<br />
a home visit on behalf of<br />
St Helena’s Hospice.<br />
The crew of<br />
Great Western Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity<br />
(GWAAC) had a<br />
busy start to the<br />
New Year with 90<br />
call-outs to people<br />
in urgent need of<br />
critical care in the<br />
first two weeks of<br />
January. This was a<br />
third more call-outs<br />
than for the same<br />
period last year and<br />
the busiest first two<br />
weeks recorded by<br />
the Charity.<br />
The busy start comes straight<br />
off the back of GWAAC<br />
experiencing its second<br />
busiest year on record in 2023.<br />
Last year, the specialist team of<br />
Critical Care Doctors, Advanced<br />
Practitioners and Specialist<br />
Paramedics in Critical Care and<br />
Pilots rushed to help 1,979 people<br />
experiencing their worst day and<br />
potentially needing immediate<br />
lifesaving care.<br />
In 2023 GWAAC’s crew was<br />
tasked to more children and<br />
teenagers in urgent need of<br />
critical care than ever before. Two<br />
years ago, despatches to children<br />
and teenagers doubled for the<br />
charity, from 7% in preceding<br />
years to 14%. Numbers remained<br />
high in 2022, but in 2023 they<br />
reached a new level when the<br />
crew was called to help 289<br />
young people under 18 years old<br />
(15% of GWAAC’s total call-outs.)<br />
Luckily the team is well-equipped<br />
to deal with the increasing<br />
number of young patients.<br />
GWAAC has crew members<br />
that specialize in pediatric and<br />
neonatal critical care, and when a<br />
call comes in for a young patient,<br />
the team responds with the<br />
specialist kit bags set up to treat<br />
children and babies.<br />
“We’re very lucky to have access<br />
to manikins of all pediatric sizes<br />
for training purposes, from preterm<br />
infant to school age. Equally<br />
important, we also carry a wide<br />
range of sizes of equipment<br />
allowing us to resuscitate and<br />
treat this vulnerable group.”<br />
Dr James Tooley, Critical Care<br />
Doctor, Great Western Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity<br />
Do you know the most likely<br />
reason someone would need<br />
GWAAC’s air ambulance crew?<br />
Cardiac arrests remained the<br />
most common type of incident for<br />
GWAAC in 2023. The crew was<br />
called to 503 people in cardiac<br />
arrest (25% of all missions),<br />
followed by 377 people (19%)<br />
who needed GWAAC’s help after<br />
a road traffic collision. 62% of<br />
GWAAC’s patients were male and<br />
32% were female.<br />
Overall, serious medical-related<br />
incidents accounted for 51% of<br />
GWAAC’s total missions in 2023,<br />
while trauma-related injuries<br />
accounted for 49% of missions.<br />
Across its region of Bath<br />
and North East Somerset,<br />
Bristol, South Gloucestershire,<br />
Gloucestershire, North Somerset,<br />
and parts of Wiltshire, GWAAC’s<br />
crew responded to 73% of<br />
call-outs in one of the charity’s<br />
fully-equipped critical care cars<br />
and 27% in its blue and bright<br />
green helicopter.<br />
Gloucestershire, for the second<br />
year in a row, was the charity’s<br />
busiest region, with 573<br />
people needing the skills of<br />
GWAAC’s specialist team (29%<br />
of GWAAC’s total call-outs).<br />
The next busiest was Bristol<br />
with 537 call-outs, followed by<br />
South Gloucestershire with 290,<br />
then North Somerset with 262,<br />
Wiltshire with 112, and Bath and<br />
North East Somerset with 101.<br />
The crew responded to 104<br />
incidents out of GWAAC’s region.<br />
“With our mission numbers<br />
steadily rising year on year it’s<br />
more important than ever that we<br />
continue to receive the support<br />
of people in our communities. As<br />
a charity, we receive no direct<br />
government funding and rely on<br />
the kindness of people donating<br />
their time and money. Costs are<br />
rising too and we need to raise<br />
over £4 million every year just to<br />
stay operational.”<br />
Anna Perry, Chief Executive<br />
Officer, Great Western Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity<br />
Health Secretary<br />
thanks frontline<br />
staff in first visit to<br />
ambulance service<br />
Secretary of State for Health<br />
and Social Care, the Rt Hon<br />
Victoria Atkins, thanked London<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service (LAS) staff<br />
for their hard work during a<br />
visit to the capital’s ambulance<br />
service on Thursday 4 January.<br />
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins<br />
met Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles<br />
and spoke to ambulance crews<br />
across the Service<br />
The Secretary of State took the<br />
time to meet LAS Chief Executive<br />
Daniel Elkeles and staff from<br />
across the Service to observe<br />
how they provide high-quality<br />
urgent and emergency care for<br />
Londoners.<br />
Secretary of State for Health<br />
and Social Care, Victoria Atkins,<br />
said: “I really enjoyed listening<br />
to the experiences of London<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service staff and<br />
seeing how innovations such as<br />
the Service’s electric ambulances<br />
are improving healthcare in our<br />
capital city.<br />
“The ambulance clinicians and<br />
control room staff I met were all<br />
incredibly committed to providing<br />
the best care to those in need<br />
and are a true inspiration for us<br />
all. They play such a crucial role in<br />
ensuring Londoners stay healthy<br />
and I want to thank them for their<br />
hard work.”<br />
After being welcomed by the<br />
Chief Executive, the Health and<br />
Social Care Secretary joined<br />
call-handler Nicole Whiteman<br />
as she responded to a series<br />
of emergency calls in the<br />
Emergency Operations Centre,<br />
where thousands of 999 calls are<br />
answered every day.<br />
Mrs Atkins was then shown how<br />
our services are co-ordinated<br />
across the capital in the Tactical<br />
Rendering Controlled Drugs Irretrievable for Use<br />
SaferDenature Controlled Drug denaturing kits will render unused, waste or expired medicines<br />
irretrievable prior to disposal via pharmaceutical waste streams in line with current legislation * .<br />
Simple, easy-to-use, instructions on every kit<br />
Small 250ml kit for convenient use in the field<br />
Suitable for use with tablets, capsules, liquids,<br />
aerosols or patches<br />
The water soluble sachet contains the<br />
formula granules to guard against accidental<br />
spillage and user contamination<br />
Larger kit volumes available for expired<br />
stock clearance<br />
Operations Centre, including<br />
the dispatch of London’s Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong>.<br />
Later on in her visit to the LAS<br />
Waterloo Headquarters, the<br />
Secretary of State heard first-hand<br />
the experiences of staff from the<br />
pioneering Mental Health Joint<br />
Response Car team and Cycle<br />
Response Unit, as well as NHS<br />
111 advisers and Advanced<br />
Paramedic Practitioners. Staff<br />
from across the service also<br />
explained how record levels of<br />
recruitment and new initiatives<br />
to ensure teams can work more<br />
closely together are having a real<br />
impact on morale and culture in<br />
the Service.<br />
Finally, Mrs Atkins had a chance to<br />
see the Trust’s new fleet of green<br />
vehicles, including the country’s<br />
first electric ambulance, which is<br />
set to lessen contributions to major<br />
respiratory diseases in London.<br />
Purchase at NHS supply chain:<br />
my.supplychain.nhs.uk/catalogue or www.alphalabs.co.uk/safer-denature<br />
Phone: 023 8048 3000 • www.alphalabs.co.uk<br />
Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive at<br />
London <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service, said:<br />
“I thank the Secretary of State for<br />
her visit and for listening to our<br />
dedicated staff as they spoke<br />
proudly about the work they do<br />
caring for the capital.<br />
“We were also delighted to show<br />
her innovations in emergency<br />
care, including our first fully<br />
electric ambulances, which will<br />
contribute to improving air quality<br />
and reducing respiratory diseases<br />
in London.”<br />
Selfless paramedic<br />
left speechless after<br />
Christmas surprise<br />
*The misuse of Drugs<br />
Regulations 2001<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
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01 Safer Denature - <strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>UK</strong> - Jan <strong>2024</strong>.indd 1 10/01/<strong>2024</strong> 14:27:14<br />
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21
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AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
A split picture with images of<br />
Nigel Flanagan meeting his<br />
Manchester United heroes. Left<br />
to right: Marcus Rashford, Sofyan<br />
Ambrabat and Luke Shaw<br />
A paramedic at London<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service who<br />
has delivered thousands of<br />
Christmas presents to sick<br />
children was given a surprise<br />
visit to meet his Manchester<br />
United heroes.<br />
For more than a decade, Nigel<br />
Flanagan KAM has organised<br />
collections for children and<br />
families in need at Christmas.<br />
This year a team at BBC<br />
Breakfast decided the selfless<br />
paramedic – and massive Man<br />
United fan – deserved the<br />
ultimate gift this Christmas.<br />
And millions of BBC viewers<br />
watched as Nigel was left<br />
stunned as he came face to face<br />
with his heroes including star<br />
Marcus Rashford and manager<br />
Erik ten Hag.<br />
Dad-of-three Nigel said: ““I’m<br />
actually here, it’s a dream, it’s a<br />
dream, it’s amazing,” and later<br />
reflected, “on the way, I kept<br />
thinking, ‘where are we?’<br />
“When we arrived and saw the<br />
iconic Man United sign I was<br />
speechless. Loads of things were<br />
going through my head – I was<br />
gobsmacked.”<br />
Nigel and his family were also<br />
given a tour of the stadium and<br />
left with a shirt signed by all<br />
the players.<br />
Nigel admitted he was above all<br />
inspired by one particular player<br />
– for his work both on and off<br />
the pitch.<br />
He said: “It was amazing to meet<br />
Marcus Rashford – he’s a very<br />
grounded person and told me to<br />
continue my hard work!<br />
“He’s such a hero and a role<br />
model to me. I admire the fact<br />
that he never forgets his roots and<br />
goes to such lengths to support<br />
people in his community.”<br />
Earlier this year the 38-year-old<br />
received the King’s <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Medal to recognise the time<br />
he has volunteered to support<br />
London’s communities on top of<br />
an already busy job.<br />
In 2009, he set up Operation<br />
Christmas Present to make sure<br />
that children, sadly away from<br />
home on Christmas day, can<br />
wake up to a present.<br />
Since then, Nigel has delivered<br />
over 30,000 presents and<br />
visited more than 400 hospitals,<br />
children’s A&Es, and women and<br />
children’s refuges with his team<br />
of trusted ‘helpers’ from London<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service, who also<br />
volunteer their own time.<br />
The BBC clip, which aired on<br />
Christmas Day, also showed<br />
Nigel at Evelina London<br />
Children’s Hospital meeting some<br />
of the families who benefit from<br />
Operation Christmas Present.<br />
Sue Pruden, play services<br />
manager at Evelina London<br />
Children’s Hospital, said: “We’d<br />
like to say a huge thank you to<br />
Nigel and his colleagues from<br />
London <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service.<br />
“Their generous donation<br />
makes a huge difference to the<br />
experience of our families who<br />
spend time at Evelina London<br />
over the festive period.<br />
“We try to make Christmas as<br />
special as possible, and this<br />
includes being able to give a<br />
present to every patient.”<br />
Flying the flag for<br />
Yorkshire at the<br />
Cardiac Arrest<br />
Survival Summit<br />
Colleagues at Yorkshire<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service (YAS)<br />
attended the Cardiac Arrest<br />
Survival Summit in San<br />
Diego where they shared<br />
their experiences of what<br />
the Trust is doing to improve<br />
out-of-hospital cardiac arrest<br />
survival rates.<br />
Jason Carlyon, Community<br />
Engagement Manager, Helen<br />
Smith, Dispatch Team Leader,<br />
and Louise Boyes, Campaigns<br />
Manager, were invited to the<br />
conference - funded by external<br />
sponsorship - to do a workshop<br />
about the Restart a Heart<br />
campaign which has provided<br />
CPR training to more than<br />
234,000 young people on 10<br />
days over the last 10 years.<br />
The session was attended by<br />
participants from around the world<br />
who will be using our experience<br />
and learning to host similar events<br />
in locations such as California,<br />
Seattle, Colorado and Singapore.<br />
The conference also featured<br />
presentations on:<br />
• How YAS is supporting<br />
bystanders who perform CPR<br />
• The introduction of our Restart<br />
a Heart Ambassador Scheme<br />
where students will be trained<br />
to provide CPR training to<br />
their peers<br />
• Our experience of telephone<br />
guided access and utilisation<br />
of Automated External<br />
Defibrillators<br />
• The experiences of YAS and<br />
Richland Fire and Emergency<br />
Services (Washington) relating<br />
to the development of a<br />
community resuscitation role.<br />
A 90-second video about CPR<br />
made by staff who belong<br />
to the York-based Blue Light<br />
Theatre Company was shown to<br />
conference delegates and came<br />
fourth in a competition being run<br />
as part of the event.<br />
Wakefield <strong>Ambulance</strong> Care<br />
Assistant Chris Solomons also<br />
attended the conference, his sixth<br />
Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit,<br />
to talk about what has happened<br />
since he had a cardiac arrest<br />
13 years ago. During this time,<br />
he has travelled 11,500 miles<br />
promoting the benefits of CPR<br />
and defibrillation.<br />
Community Engagement<br />
Manager Jason Carlyon said:<br />
“It was a huge honour for us to<br />
be invited to attend the Cardiac<br />
Arrest Survival Summit to share<br />
what we are doing at YAS with an<br />
international audience.<br />
“The format, which enables us to<br />
train huge numbers of students<br />
every year on Restart a Heart<br />
Day, certainly attracted a lot of<br />
attention, as did our plans to<br />
make the event more sustainable<br />
by providing students with more<br />
in-depth CPR training so they can<br />
teach their peers.<br />
“One key theme of the<br />
conference was to focus on how<br />
we are supporting members of<br />
the public who do CPR at the<br />
scene of an emergency. We have<br />
our post-incident care leaflet<br />
which our crews can give to<br />
bystanders but we are keen to<br />
look at further ways of support.<br />
“It was also interesting to note<br />
that many ambulance services,<br />
certainly in the US, don’t routinely<br />
provide CPR instructions<br />
to callers, nor do they give<br />
defibrillator activation information<br />
as there is a reluctance to have<br />
defibrillators in locked cabinets in<br />
communities due to fears of theft<br />
and vandalism. Our presentation<br />
relating to this certainly spiked<br />
interest and many couldn’t<br />
believe we activated 8,930<br />
defibrillators in the last year.”<br />
Citizen CPR Foundation’s biannual<br />
Cardiac Arrest Survival<br />
Summit (29 November to<br />
2 December 2023) brings<br />
together anyone interested in<br />
improving a community response<br />
to sudden cardiac arrest for a<br />
conference to connect, learn and<br />
discuss the newest insights.<br />
Jason added: “Not only were we<br />
able to share information about<br />
what we do at YAS but we are<br />
now looking at how we can use<br />
the learning from others across<br />
the world to strengthen the<br />
chain of survival for our patients<br />
suffering an out-of-hospital<br />
cardiac arrest as well as the<br />
support we give to bystanders,<br />
many of whom are left with<br />
emotional trauma.”<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
education team<br />
wins prestigious<br />
innovation award<br />
from NHS England<br />
The education team at North<br />
East <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
(NEAS) wins the ‘Innovation<br />
Practice Placement of the<br />
Year Award’ at this year’s<br />
Enabling Effective Learning<br />
Environments annual<br />
conference with NHS England.<br />
Congratulations to the education<br />
team at North East <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service (NEAS) for winning the<br />
‘Innovation Practice Placement<br />
of the Year Award’ at this year’s<br />
Enabling Effective Learning<br />
Environments annual conference<br />
with NHS England.<br />
The conference, held in<br />
Newcastle, celebrates excellence<br />
in practice education, placements,<br />
and our future workforce.<br />
Innovation Practice Placement<br />
of the Year Award requires<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
22<br />
23<br />
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AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
demonstration of innovation in<br />
increasing quality and capacity<br />
for placements across the ICS<br />
(Integrated Care System). This<br />
means developing new models<br />
for education and expand<br />
capacity to provide multiprofessional<br />
students with high<br />
quality, sustainable learning<br />
experience.<br />
In 2021, the education team<br />
at NEAS undertook a project<br />
to improve paramedic student<br />
placements. This included<br />
improvements to processes,<br />
ease of access to systems<br />
such as GRS (Global Rostering<br />
System) and issue of keys and<br />
ID cards. The team also made<br />
significant improvements on the<br />
induction process for students<br />
which now sees students have<br />
a week-long induction to go<br />
through vehicle familiarisation,<br />
complete mandatory education<br />
and face-to-face information of<br />
policies, process, values and<br />
expectations.<br />
First year students now complete<br />
observation shifts with our<br />
Patient Transport Service (PTS)<br />
to support the development of<br />
knowledge of services NEAS<br />
provide. A 24/7 on-call manager<br />
is now available to provide welfare<br />
support to all BSc students who<br />
are out on jobs and the education<br />
team also work closely with<br />
universities to support mentors<br />
with feedback on some issues<br />
students may face.<br />
Assistant Director of People<br />
Development, Karen Gardner<br />
said: “I nominated the team<br />
for this award to recognise the<br />
significant work the team has<br />
done organising and managing<br />
student placements.<br />
“Our colleagues NEAS play a<br />
big part in supporting our future<br />
workforce and we hope this work<br />
will have a positive impact on<br />
our students. This welcome to<br />
NEAS gives students a full insight<br />
to NEAS and an overall better<br />
welcome to the Trust.<br />
“The amount of work that<br />
goes on behind the scenes to<br />
manage, plan and deliver this<br />
is unseen work and I want to<br />
acknowledge the massive task<br />
this is to plan and coordinate it<br />
all and deliver the new induction<br />
process for our BSc students. I<br />
also want to thank our wonderful<br />
paramedic mentors who support<br />
students when they are working<br />
operationally and work really<br />
hard to ensure they have a good<br />
experience. Thank you never<br />
seems enough, but I do want to<br />
thank everyone that plays such<br />
an important role however big or<br />
small into supporting students<br />
across NEAS. I feel extremely<br />
proud of the team for winning this<br />
award and so lucky to be a part<br />
of such a great team.”<br />
Well done to the education<br />
team for this award and for their<br />
commitment to improve their<br />
service for our staff and patients.<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> workers<br />
receive Queen’s<br />
Medal for their<br />
contribution to<br />
emergency services<br />
Seven colleagues from the<br />
North East <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
were awarded with the Queen’s<br />
Medal at a ceremony at<br />
Bernicia House in Newburn.<br />
The <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
(Emergency Duties) Long Service<br />
and Good Conduct Medal goes<br />
to frontline emergency care<br />
employees for their dedication<br />
to their roles. The medal is given<br />
to ambulance staff who have<br />
been in frontline emergency care<br />
services for more than 20 years.<br />
The medals are issued under<br />
Royal Warrant and this year’s is<br />
known as the Queen’s Medal as it<br />
is for those who completed their<br />
service during the late Queen<br />
Elizabeth II’s reign.<br />
Chief Operating Officer,<br />
Stephen Segasby said: “We<br />
are honoured to be able<br />
to host these presentation<br />
events to mark the hard work<br />
and commitment of our staff<br />
members. Presenting The<br />
Queen’s medals is a testament to<br />
the work they have achieved for<br />
the emergency services.<br />
“For many, this isn’t just a job,<br />
it’s a vocation and it’s a privilege<br />
to see the incredible work they<br />
have done and will continue to<br />
do. They are an asset to the<br />
organisation so thank you to each<br />
of you.”<br />
The Queen’s Medal is a richly<br />
deserved honour for the men and<br />
women from NEAS who have<br />
worked on the frontline.<br />
Congratulations to those who<br />
received the Queen’s medal and<br />
thank you for your service.<br />
Colleagues receiving their<br />
award included:<br />
Shena Hollyoake<br />
Shena has worked for the<br />
emergency services since<br />
2000 where she started at<br />
Warwickshire <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service before it merged with<br />
West Midlands <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service in 2006. Her extensive<br />
career began as a call assessor<br />
in the emergency operations<br />
centre at Warwickshire HQ<br />
Lemington Spa and then as an<br />
ambulance technician in 2002.<br />
From 2005, Shena has worked<br />
as a Paramedic across multiple<br />
stations before joining North East<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service in 2018. She<br />
said: “This medal represents over<br />
20 years of dedicated patient<br />
care and for every life saved,<br />
every life changed, every hand<br />
held, every baby delivered, every<br />
tear shed, every grief comforted,<br />
every colleague I have worked<br />
with, every hour of study and<br />
most importantly, every patient<br />
I have treated.”<br />
Clare Edmonds<br />
Clare started North East<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service in 2001 as<br />
an advanced technician and then<br />
qualified as a Paramedic in 2003.<br />
Her career took her to be Team<br />
Leader in South Shields for nine<br />
years and currently works as a<br />
RRV (Rapid Response Vehicle)<br />
Paramedic in South Shields. One<br />
of the memories that stands out<br />
for Clare is standing in Tesco<br />
on her way to work and three<br />
people in the queue individually<br />
recognised her from jobs she<br />
attended for them and their<br />
families. Each one recalled their<br />
story and it was that moment that<br />
made her extremely proud to do<br />
the job she does.<br />
Phil Murray<br />
Phil started North East<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service in October<br />
2000 at Gateshead station as a<br />
paramedic and station officer,<br />
he has also worked as part of<br />
the HART team (Hazardous Area<br />
Response Team) as a HART team<br />
leader. Phil currently works as a<br />
Specialist Paramedic at Blucher<br />
Station. He said: “I’m privileged<br />
to be in a position to help others<br />
who require immediate medical<br />
assistance, and to work with<br />
colleagues and other emergency<br />
service partners, who are all<br />
working together to provide<br />
lifesaving treatment and relieve<br />
a patient suffering. At times, it<br />
seems just like any normal job,<br />
but can be hugely appreciated by<br />
patients and families in their time<br />
of need.”<br />
Carl Bone<br />
Carl began his career in April<br />
2001 in East Anglian <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service at the Peterborough<br />
Station and moved to North East<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service in 2005. Carl<br />
has worked at Fulwell, South<br />
Shields and Pallion station in<br />
a mix of roles including Team<br />
Leader, Clinical Care Manager<br />
and now currently works as<br />
a Clinical Team Leader at<br />
Pallion Station.<br />
Karl Charlton<br />
Karl started at Yorkshire<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service in January<br />
2002 and currently works<br />
as a Research Paramedic at<br />
Coulby Station.<br />
Sandra Glencorse<br />
Sandra started working at North<br />
East <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service in<br />
September 2002 as an advanced<br />
technician at Swalwell Station<br />
and stayed there until completing<br />
her paramedic course in 2008.<br />
She then moved to Gateshead<br />
station until 2015, where she is<br />
now based at Blucher station as a<br />
Clinical Team Leader. Aside from<br />
having a career within NEAS, she<br />
also met her husband Mark at<br />
Swalwell station in 2003 and has<br />
been married for 17 years.<br />
She describes her role as a<br />
paramedic of having the privilege<br />
to be part of people’s lives during<br />
some of their most stressful and<br />
emotional life experiences and<br />
being able to provide support and<br />
guidance is her way of making a<br />
difference to patient’s lives. No<br />
two days are ever the same as<br />
she has been present at both<br />
the beginning of life and at the<br />
end. She said: “It can be quite<br />
an emotional rollercoaster but<br />
one I am passionate about and<br />
very proud to be part of. There<br />
is nothing better than going<br />
home after work, knowing you<br />
have made a real difference to<br />
someone’s life.”<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong>s<br />
<strong>UK</strong> Celebrates<br />
Outstanding<br />
Achievements: 2023<br />
Annual Awards of<br />
Excellence Awards<br />
Revealed<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong>s <strong>UK</strong> proudly<br />
presents the 2023 Awards of<br />
Excellence Winners, hosted<br />
by Hayley McQueen. The<br />
annual awards celebrate<br />
and recognise the dedicated<br />
professionals who tirelessly<br />
contribute their specialised<br />
lifesaving skills and unwavering<br />
commitment to the air<br />
ambulance community. Our<br />
panel of judges deliberated<br />
long and hard over some very<br />
difficult decisions due to the<br />
outstanding quality of the<br />
nominations.<br />
Simmy Akhtar, Air <strong>Ambulance</strong>s<br />
<strong>UK</strong> CEO said:<br />
“Congratulations to our<br />
2023 Awards of Excellence<br />
winners and their outstanding<br />
contributions. Our panel of judges<br />
made some tough decisions<br />
when choosing the winners<br />
and we would like to thank<br />
everyone who entered. Despite<br />
continuously having to face<br />
global and national challenges,<br />
the air ambulance community<br />
throughout the <strong>UK</strong> has remained<br />
determined to provide the<br />
highest-level specialised patient<br />
care at the scene. All nominees<br />
across categories, along with<br />
the shortlisted candidates and<br />
winners, collectively form a<br />
united group that collaborates to<br />
support their local communities<br />
during times of necessity. We<br />
extend our immense gratitude to<br />
the dedicated staff, volunteers,<br />
and supporters within our lifesaving<br />
community.”<br />
In no particular order our award<br />
winners are:<br />
Campaign of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Lottery<br />
Fundraising Services<br />
WINNER: Cornwall Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
This heartwarming animation<br />
depicted Holly’s true story after a<br />
serious road traffic collision. The<br />
campaign’s synergy with local<br />
media, a dedicated website, and<br />
a digital strategy resulted in an<br />
astounding £220,000 raised. The<br />
campaign attracted 500+ new<br />
donors, reconnected with 400+<br />
lapsed donors, and reached over<br />
5 million people through radio,<br />
TV, online, and social media.<br />
A remarkable achievement in<br />
fundraising and engagement!<br />
Charity Staff Member<br />
of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Charisma Charity<br />
Recruitment<br />
WINNER: Natalie Church,<br />
Director of Operations, Magpas<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Natalie’s journey from a<br />
temporary admin role to Director<br />
of Operations over 22 years is<br />
awe-inspiring. Her pivotal role in<br />
transformative projects—enabling<br />
24/7 service, introducing a new<br />
helicopter, implementing the<br />
Advanced Paramedic service,<br />
and leading the development<br />
of a new airbase, HQ and<br />
training centre—showcases<br />
her dedication and leadership.<br />
Natalie’s commitment to the<br />
charity’s growth and her recent<br />
Mental Health First Aider training<br />
reflect her exceptional character<br />
and compassion.<br />
Charity Team of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Donorfy<br />
WINNER: Cornwall Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Embracing this year’s theme of<br />
collaboration, Great Western Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity nominated<br />
Cornwall Air <strong>Ambulance</strong>. The<br />
Cornwall Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Finance<br />
& Business Intelligence team<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
24<br />
25<br />
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com<br />
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
NEWSLINE<br />
NEWSLINE<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
boldly integrates data sources,<br />
using modern tools to generate<br />
invaluable insights. Beyond<br />
their charity, their collaborative<br />
outreach to other air ambulances<br />
exhibits a commitment to shared<br />
learning, fostering a community<br />
dedicated to saving more<br />
lives. A remarkable accolade<br />
honouring their impactful and<br />
collaborative efforts!<br />
Charity Supporter of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Tower Lotteries<br />
WINNER: Polledri family, Great<br />
Western Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity<br />
The Polledri family’s initiative,<br />
The Sam Polledri Foundation,<br />
emerged from a devastating loss<br />
when Sam Polledri, a healthy<br />
24-year-old, tragically suffered<br />
a cardiac arrest and passed<br />
away due to the absence of<br />
nearby defibrillators. In response,<br />
his family and girlfriend Lisa,<br />
established The Sam Polledri<br />
Foundation with Great Western<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity, aiming to<br />
ensure that every part of Bristol<br />
is within a three-minute reach of<br />
a defibrillator.<br />
Raising £65,000, the Foundation<br />
has already installed ten<br />
defibrillators in strategic locations<br />
across Bristol, with many more<br />
in progress. What’s remarkable<br />
is not just the number but the<br />
impact: these devices and the<br />
training they provide have already<br />
saved a life, a testament to the<br />
immense influence of communitydriven<br />
support.<br />
Importantly, the Great Western<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity team,<br />
have been pivotal. They’ve been<br />
on-site, treating individuals<br />
whose lives were directly saved<br />
by the use of these defibrillators,<br />
showcasing the profound impact<br />
of swift action and communitydriven<br />
initiatives in life-saving<br />
scenarios.<br />
Critical Care Practitioner of<br />
the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Zoll<br />
WINNER: Matt Sawyer<br />
from Dorset & Somerset Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Matt’s leadership in advancing<br />
pre-hospital care and research,<br />
notably through his pioneering<br />
work with ultrasound and the<br />
NHS Blood & Transplant – Swift<br />
Trial, showcases his dedication<br />
to innovation. His advocacy for<br />
patients extends to championing<br />
aseptic blood culture procedures,<br />
working in tandem with South<br />
Western <strong>Ambulance</strong> NHS<br />
Foundation Trust.<br />
Doctor of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Leonardo<br />
WINNER: Dr Jake Turner, The Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
Dr Turner’s outstanding<br />
contributions over the past<br />
year have been pivotal in<br />
advancing maxillofacial injury<br />
and resuscitative thoracotomy<br />
treatments — specialised fields<br />
focusing on severe facial traumas<br />
and life-saving chest or heart<br />
injury interventions. Dr Turner’s<br />
proactive approach in acquiring<br />
cutting-edge surgical equipment,<br />
implementing specialised<br />
training, and updating policies<br />
based on the latest research<br />
has significantly raised the bar in<br />
medical care.<br />
His dedication, innovative<br />
mindset, and efforts in building<br />
strong relationships between<br />
TAAS and the Major Trauma<br />
Centre highlight his unwavering<br />
commitment to excellence in<br />
healthcare.<br />
Innovation of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Black Bear<br />
Creative<br />
WINNER: Magpas Air <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Ali Hieatt’s (MAGPAS)<br />
groundbreaking creation—an<br />
intricately handmade pregnant<br />
uterus model—revolutionises<br />
training for a perimortem<br />
caesarean. This innovation, born<br />
from multiple fabric iterations<br />
and designs, equips clinicians<br />
with vital practice for critical<br />
scenarios, such as a pregnant<br />
patient’s cardiac arrest. A<br />
perimortem caesarean section is<br />
an emergency surgical procedure<br />
performed to deliver a baby<br />
promptly when the mother is in<br />
cardiac arrest or facing lifethreatening<br />
conditions. Ali’s<br />
ingenuity provides colleagues<br />
with invaluable confidence,<br />
preparing them for real-life<br />
emergencies.<br />
Operations Support Staff of<br />
the Year<br />
Sponsored by: MSA Safety<br />
WINNER: Greg Browning, Wales<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> wins<br />
As Critical Care Hub Manager<br />
at The Emergency Medical<br />
Retrieval and Transfer Service<br />
Cymru, a vital division intricately<br />
linked with Wales Air <strong>Ambulance</strong>,<br />
Greg orchestrates the intricate<br />
workings of the critical care<br />
service. His wisdom and<br />
leadership are invaluable, earning<br />
him immense respect among<br />
colleagues. Greg’s enthusiasm<br />
sets a remarkable standard in<br />
the field.<br />
Special Recognition Award<br />
Rob Collingwood, Wiltshire Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Rob, who tragically passed away<br />
from cancer at just 42, was an<br />
invaluable member of Wiltshire<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong>’s pilot team. His<br />
unwavering dedication persisted<br />
through personal challenges,<br />
embodying profound selflessness.<br />
Despite facing a diagnosis that<br />
halted his flying, Rob continued<br />
supporting the charity. His impact<br />
on colleagues, patients, and the<br />
community defies measurement.<br />
Rob’s legacy remains and the void<br />
left by his absence echoes the<br />
irreplaceable mark he made.<br />
Pilot of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Gama Aviation<br />
WINNER: Captain Russ Myles,<br />
Scotland’s Charity Air <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Russ played a pivotal role in<br />
establishing Scotland’s Charity<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong>, leveraging his<br />
extensive flying experience<br />
to create an operation<br />
tailored for Scotland’s unique<br />
environment. Over a decade,<br />
Russ’s exceptional flying skills<br />
have impacted countless lives,<br />
navigating through Scotland’s<br />
challenging weather conditions<br />
and terrain.<br />
His expertise and dedication have<br />
served as a lifeline for numerous<br />
families, earning admiration from<br />
fellow pilots for his mentorship,<br />
patience, and outstanding skill<br />
in handling aircraft in Scotland’s<br />
demanding weather conditions.<br />
Special Incident of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Aeroptimo<br />
WINNER: Wales Air <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Responding to an unexpected<br />
home birth of extremely<br />
premature twins amidst severe<br />
weather conditions, their team<br />
undertook heroic interventions.<br />
Despite challenging odds,<br />
their advanced care, including<br />
a difficult intubation, critical<br />
medication administration, and<br />
innovative warming methods,<br />
paved the way for one twin’s<br />
miraculous survival.<br />
Young Person of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Sloane<br />
Helicopters<br />
WINNER: Molly Harris<br />
Molly’s incredible bravery and<br />
quick thinking saved her mum’s<br />
life after a horse-riding accident.<br />
When her mum’s horse came<br />
galloping towards Molly riderless<br />
in the yard, Molly, who is autistic,<br />
had to overcome her instincts to<br />
shut down so she could secure<br />
the horse, then go and look for<br />
her mum. She scoured the fields<br />
searching for her, eventually<br />
finding her and staying with her<br />
while they waited for Lincs &<br />
Notts Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> to arrive.<br />
Molly’s mum, Emma, had been<br />
thrown from the horse and had<br />
suffered a brain injury and severe<br />
swelling around her spinal cord.<br />
The crew treated her and airlifted<br />
her to the hospital. Her resilience<br />
didn’t stop there—raising<br />
£180 for Lincs and Notts Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> during their 6k-a-dayin-May<br />
challenge, even finishing<br />
bareback after her gear was<br />
stolen. A true inspiration, Molly<br />
continues to tackle challenges<br />
and fundraise for a cause close to<br />
her heart!<br />
Trustee of the Year<br />
Sponsored by: Round Table GB<br />
and Ireland<br />
WINNER: Barney Burgess, Kent<br />
Surrey Sussex<br />
Barney’s remarkable journey<br />
from a patient to Chair of<br />
Trustees showcases his<br />
outstanding governance,<br />
empathetic leadership, and<br />
business acumen. Surviving<br />
a cardiac arrest in 2015, he<br />
brings powerful empathy to his<br />
role. His collaborative approach<br />
spearheaded pivotal projects like<br />
the development of an Aftercare<br />
Service, the defibrillator drone<br />
project, in-flight care trials,<br />
and more. Barney’s leadership<br />
embodies compassion,<br />
accountability, and integrity,<br />
marking him as an influential<br />
figure in the field.<br />
Lifetime Achievement Award<br />
Sponsored by: Airbus<br />
WINNER: Ian Roberts, Midlands<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity<br />
With an outstanding 20-year<br />
tenure at Midlands Air <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
WHY NOT WRITE FOR US?<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>UK</strong> welcomes the submission of<br />
clinical papers and case reports or news that<br />
you feel will be of interest to your colleagues.<br />
Material submitted will be seen by those working within the public and private<br />
sector of the <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service, Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Operators, BASICS Doctors etc.<br />
All submissions should be forwarded to<br />
Charity and an incredible 40-year<br />
journey dedicated to saving lives<br />
across the Midlands, Ian’s impact<br />
has been colossal. From his<br />
roles as an emergency medical<br />
professional—starting as an<br />
EMT and advancing to a critical<br />
care paramedic, air operations<br />
manager, and beyond—his legacy<br />
is awe-inspiring. However, it’s<br />
Ian’s unwavering commitment to<br />
patients and colleagues over four<br />
decades that truly distinguishes<br />
him. His enduring dedication<br />
leaves an indelible mark on the<br />
field of emergency care.<br />
Chairs Award<br />
WINNER: Cliff Gale, Essex &<br />
Herts Air <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Cliff Gale of Essex & Herts Air<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> is the deserving<br />
winner of the prestigious<br />
Chairs Award! This award,<br />
chosen by AA<strong>UK</strong>’s Chair,<br />
If you have any queries please contact the publisher Terry Gardner via:<br />
info@mediapublishingcompany.com<br />
recognises individuals who’ve<br />
made remarkable and lasting<br />
contributions to the air<br />
ambulance sector.<br />
Cliff’s exceptional leadership<br />
over 15+ years steered EHAAT<br />
to incredible milestones<br />
and laid the groundwork for<br />
exceptional growth.<br />
His vision led to transformative<br />
changes – from establishing<br />
a new base at Earls Colne to<br />
acquiring the AgustaWestland<br />
169 (AW169) helicopter and<br />
developing the North Weald<br />
Airbase. His dedication and<br />
strategic prowess have propelled<br />
EHAAT’s growth and enhanced<br />
its operational excellence.<br />
info@mediapublishingcompany.com<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
26<br />
27<br />
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com<br />
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON<br />
IN PERSON<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
Carl Smith awarded BEM<br />
in New Year’s Honours<br />
List <strong>2024</strong><br />
December 30, 2023<br />
The College of Paramedics is delighted<br />
to announce that our Head of Clinical<br />
Development for Emergency and Critical<br />
Care, Carl Smith, has been awarded the<br />
Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)<br />
in the New Year’s Honours List <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Carl, who has been a member of the College<br />
of Paramedics since its inception, will be<br />
presented with his medal by Norfolk’s Lord-<br />
Lieutenant, Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE at a<br />
local ceremony and will also attend a Royal<br />
Garden Party in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Commenting on his award, Carl said: “It<br />
was a total surprise when I received a letter<br />
informing me of the award and I am humbled<br />
to be receiving this recognition.”<br />
Carl started his paramedic career in 2000<br />
and eight years later began volunteering for<br />
MAGPAS Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> where he undertook<br />
shifts for five years as part of an Enhanced<br />
Care Team before transferring to East Anglian<br />
Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> (EAAA).<br />
During his career with the East of England<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service Carl has held a number<br />
of clinical and operational posts, the most<br />
recent of which was Sector Clinical Lead<br />
and Regional Cardiac Lead. Since joining the<br />
College of Paramedics as our Head of Clinical<br />
Development for Emergency and Critical Care<br />
in 2023, Carl continues to undertake clinical<br />
shifts as an Advanced Paramedic in Critical<br />
Care and remains an active member of the<br />
EAAA team.<br />
When he’s not working as a paramedic, Carl<br />
spends his spare time as an on-call firefighter.<br />
He also volunteers for Norfolk Accident<br />
Rescue Service (NARS) where he responds<br />
from home to support crews at the most<br />
serious incidents. And if that wasn’t enough,<br />
he is a visiting lecturer at the University of East<br />
Anglia and an examiner for the Dip IMC.<br />
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Carl was<br />
instrumental in integrating firefighters into<br />
the ambulance service to work on the<br />
frontline with trained ambulance clinicians to<br />
ensure that an emergency response could<br />
be provided to patients. As a result of this<br />
initiative, Carl undertook some research on<br />
the experiences of the fire and rescue and<br />
ambulance services working together and<br />
co-presented his findings at the College of<br />
Paramedics’ International Conference in 2021.<br />
The following year he was presented with<br />
a Companionship Award at the 2022<br />
Honours & Awards for his work with other<br />
emergency services and ongoing support to<br />
his colleagues.<br />
Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive of the College<br />
of Paramedics said: “On behalf of everyone at<br />
the College, I would like to extend my warmest<br />
congratulations to Carl who thoroughly<br />
deserves this honour. As our Head of Clinical<br />
Development for Emergency and Critical Care,<br />
Carl continues to drive the development of<br />
the paramedic profession forward and his<br />
vast experience in clinical and operational<br />
roles has undoubtedly been of benefit to us<br />
as an organisation. I know that his ultimate<br />
goal is to ensure patients receive the very<br />
best possible care. His passion, dedication<br />
and determination to succeed at whatever he<br />
does is second to none and I couldn’t be more<br />
proud of what he has achieved.”<br />
Tom Abell, Chief Executive of the East of<br />
England <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service said: "We are<br />
incredibly proud of Carl and are thrilled that<br />
his hard work and dedication has been<br />
recognised at such a high level. This honour is<br />
a testament to the calibre of professionals we<br />
have in our team and the important work they<br />
do every day."<br />
Ceri Sumner, Chief Fire Officer for Norfolk Fire<br />
and Rescue Service said: “We are delighted<br />
that firefighter Carl Smith has been awarded<br />
the BEM in the New Year’s Honours List <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Carl has served the communities of Norfolk<br />
with pride, commitment and dedication since<br />
1996. Not only is Carl a competent and highly<br />
skilled firefighter, his knowledge around<br />
trauma is unparalleled within the fire sector.<br />
He has driven forward higher standards<br />
of traumatic incident response across our<br />
organisation and the teams he has worked<br />
with. We remember the significant incidents<br />
Carl has been involved in, always putting the<br />
wellbeing and health of others before his own.<br />
This award is truly deserved.”<br />
Steve Maddams, from the Senior Leadership<br />
Team at NARS added: “This award is welldeserved<br />
recognition for Carl, showing<br />
his sincere and unwavering dedication to<br />
volunteering with Norfolk Accident Rescue<br />
Service. His commitment to serving the<br />
community of Norfolk is truly commendable<br />
and has made a significant impact with Carl<br />
helping to save many lives with us since 2012,<br />
attending over 2,500 serious life-threatening<br />
999 calls.”<br />
Chief Executive appointment<br />
confirmed at Yorkshire<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
Yorkshire <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service NHS<br />
Trust has confirmed that, following a<br />
comprehensive and robust recruitment<br />
process, Peter Reading has been<br />
appointed as the Trust’s substantive<br />
Chief Executive.<br />
Peter joined the Trust as Interim Chief<br />
Executive in June 2023 from Northern<br />
Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust<br />
(NLaG). He is a very experienced NHS leader,<br />
having worked directly in the NHS or as a<br />
management consultant for nearly 40 years,<br />
including 24 years as a Trust Chief Executive.<br />
At NLaG, where Peter was Chief Executive<br />
from 2017 until 2023, he led the Trust out of<br />
Double Special Measures.<br />
He originally joined the NHS as a National<br />
Management Trainee, after graduating from<br />
Cambridge, and his career highlights include<br />
the following:<br />
• As Chief Executive Officer at University<br />
College London Hospitals NHS Foundation<br />
Trust from 1998 to 2000, Peter oversaw<br />
the design of and negotiated the private<br />
finance initiative deal for the new University<br />
College Hospital.<br />
• As CEO of University Hospitals of Leicester<br />
NHS Trust for seven years, Peter merged<br />
three trusts into the then second largest<br />
trust in England, leading it to achieve<br />
the highest rating of three stars (former<br />
Commission for Health Improvement<br />
ratings) for five years running.<br />
• As CEO of Lewisham & Guy’s Mental<br />
Health NHS Trust in the 1990s, Peter was a<br />
pioneer of service-user empowerment and<br />
community mental health services.<br />
• Peter was an associate director with<br />
PwC’s healthcare practice for three years,<br />
focusing mostly on supporting trusts in<br />
Special Measures.<br />
• Peter has also been Interim CEO at<br />
Doncaster and Bassetlaw and at<br />
Peterborough and Stamford hospital trusts.<br />
In addition, as a polio survivor, Peter is Co-<br />
Chair of the Disabled NHS Directors Network.<br />
Speaking of his appointment, Peter Reading<br />
said: “I am so pleased to be able to continue<br />
my journey at Yorkshire <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service,<br />
working with the Trust’s dedicated staff<br />
and volunteers.<br />
“Despite the challenging operational<br />
pressures we face, I have thoroughly enjoyed<br />
my first seven months at the Trust and will<br />
continue to progress the implementation of<br />
our new strategy and provide the very best<br />
services we can for our patients and local<br />
communities.”<br />
Martin Havenhand, Chair of Yorkshire<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service NHS Trust, said: “On<br />
behalf of the Trust Board and our partners,<br />
I would like to congratulate Peter on his<br />
appointment and look forward to working<br />
with him in the coming years. His extensive<br />
NHS leadership experience in complex and<br />
challenging organisations is already proving<br />
incredibly valuable to the Trust.”<br />
London <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service’s<br />
Chief Medical Officer<br />
recognised in New Year<br />
Honours list<br />
The Chief Medical Officer of London<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service, Dr Fenella Wrigley,<br />
has been awarded an MBE in the King’s<br />
New Year’s Honours list for services to<br />
the NHS.<br />
Fenella has dedicated her career to caring<br />
for the people of London since graduating<br />
from St George’s University Medical School<br />
in 1996, doing her specialist training in<br />
emergency medicine and working on<br />
London’s Air <strong>Ambulance</strong>, before becoming an<br />
A+E Consultant in 2006.<br />
Fenella joined London <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
in 2008 as an Assistant Medical Director,<br />
and was appointed as Chief Medical Officer<br />
in 2016 and more recently Deputy Chief<br />
Executive. She maintains her consultant<br />
role, working regularly in the emergency<br />
department of the Royal London (part of Barts<br />
Health NHS Trust).<br />
Fenella said:<br />
“I am truly honoured and humbled to have<br />
been awarded an MBE for services to the<br />
NHS. But, as with every achievement and<br />
success in the NHS, this has only been made<br />
possible because of the teams I work with.<br />
“I am very proud to be a doctor, and to<br />
know that – with teamwork – we can provide<br />
fantastic care to people when they need us<br />
most. I would like to say thank you to my<br />
colleagues at London <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service and<br />
at The Royal London for all that we achieve<br />
together.”<br />
Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said:<br />
“I am thrilled that Fenella has been named as<br />
a recipient for this prestigious honour. Fenella<br />
is absolutely committed to the health and<br />
wellbeing of our patients, and is steadfast in<br />
her support for our staff and their continued<br />
development.”<br />
Since joining London <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service,<br />
Fenella has led a number of pioneering<br />
initiatives within London and nationally, to<br />
further improve urgent and emergency care<br />
at the country’s busiest ambulance service.<br />
This includes introducing remote telephone<br />
assessments for patients, the mental<br />
health joint response vehicles (which teams<br />
paramedics with mental health specialists),<br />
and bringing together NHS 111 and 999<br />
services so our urgent and emergency<br />
services can work together and ensure all<br />
patients can access the right treatment closer<br />
to home.<br />
Fenella has also helped care for patients<br />
and deal with the impact of major incidents<br />
and was one of the first on scene at the<br />
7/7 bombings and subsequently provided<br />
strategic clinical leadership for multiple major<br />
incidents including Grenfell and the 2017<br />
terrorist incidents.<br />
Shane DeGaris, group chief executive, Barts<br />
Health NHS Trust said: “Throughout her time<br />
at The Royal London Hospital, Fenella has<br />
been dedicated to our patients and making<br />
sure they get the best possible care. I’m<br />
delighted Fenella has been recognised for<br />
all her hard work, this award is very well<br />
deserved and I would like to congratulate her<br />
from everyone at Barts Health.”<br />
Throughout her career at the ambulance<br />
service, Fenella has also helped to introduce<br />
the Trust’s first full time pharmacist, create a<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
28<br />
29<br />
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com<br />
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
IN PERSON<br />
COMPANY NEWS<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
development programme for paramedics so<br />
they can further their careers and skills, and<br />
is the national lead as medical advisor for<br />
ambulance services.<br />
And as if Fenella wasn’t kept busy enough<br />
with her day job, she continues to work as<br />
a volunteer doctor for St John <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
leading the medical cover for ceremonial<br />
events and is also the Chief Medical Officer<br />
for the All England Tennis Club, playing a key<br />
role in looking after the players and spectators<br />
during the Wimbledon Championships.<br />
SECAmb announces<br />
appointment of new chair<br />
South East Coast <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service NHS<br />
Foundation Trust, (SECAmb), is pleased to<br />
announce the appointment of a new Chair,<br />
to take affect at the end of May <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Usman Awais Khan will begin a three-year<br />
term with SECAmb when current Chair, David<br />
Astley, steps down, as previously announced<br />
here: https://www.secamb.nhs.uk/chairman-<br />
announces-decision-to-step-down-after-<br />
more-than-50-years-in-nhs/<br />
The appointment followed a through selection<br />
process and was recently formally approved<br />
by SECAmb’s Council of Governors.<br />
Usman has been Managing Director of Modus<br />
Europe Limited since 2012. The company<br />
undertakes management and consultancy<br />
assignments and conducts research, analysis<br />
and change management activities within the<br />
fields of health and social care.<br />
He is also Chair of the Motor Neurone<br />
Disease Association and Vice Chair of London<br />
Metropolitan University. Usman currently<br />
serves as a NED for North Central London<br />
NHS Integrated Care Board. He has been a<br />
Visiting Professor in Health Management and<br />
Policy at KU Leuven, Belgium, since 2019.<br />
His previous executive director roles include<br />
with the European Patient Forum (2019-<br />
2020), and the European Health Management<br />
Association (2016- 2019). Between 2001<br />
and 2012 he served as Managing Director<br />
of Matrix Insight - a health economics and<br />
evaluation consultancy.<br />
Welcoming Usman’s appointment, SECAmb<br />
Lead Governor, Leigh Westwood, said: “On<br />
behalf of the SECAmb Council of Governors<br />
I welcome Usman’s appointment and<br />
know his knowledge of the health sector<br />
and experience as a Chairman will serve<br />
SECAmb well. I, and my fellow Governors,<br />
look forward to working closely with him in the<br />
years ahead.”<br />
SECAmb Chief Executive, Simon Weldon said:<br />
“I also welcome Usman’s appointment and<br />
look forward to working closely with him when<br />
he joins us in a few months. His experience<br />
will be of huge benefit to SECAmb and I<br />
thank our Council of Governors and all those<br />
involved in making this strong appointment.”<br />
Usman said: “I am pleased and honoured to<br />
have been appointed by the Trust’s Governors<br />
to take up the role of Chair of SECAmb.<br />
“I look forward to working with our CEO<br />
Simon Weldon and the Board to provide<br />
strategic direction and operational support to<br />
our fantastic staff and volunteers in delivering<br />
the highest possible emergency and urgent<br />
care to our communities.”<br />
Gloucestershire paramedic<br />
recognised in King’s New<br />
Year Honours<br />
Vicki Brown, an Advanced Clinical<br />
Practitioner in Critical Care at South<br />
Western <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service NHS<br />
Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and Great<br />
Western Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity (GWAAC),<br />
has been recognised in the King’s New<br />
Year Honours.<br />
Vicki, from Stonehouse in Gloucestershire,<br />
has been awarded the King’s <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service Medal.<br />
Vicki has been a paramedic for nearly 20<br />
years and has dedicated her last 17 years of<br />
service to working on air ambulances in the<br />
region, most recently, GWAAC which she<br />
joined in 2012.<br />
Driven by a desire to provide the best quality<br />
care to patients, Vicki has worked tirelessly to<br />
enhance patient care for those critically ill and<br />
injured in the South West and nationally. Her<br />
dedication has led her to:<br />
• Develop a system so that paramedic<br />
practitioners could carry and administer<br />
blood at Great Western Air <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Charity. This means that patients can<br />
now receive blood products earlier in their<br />
treatment, if needed.<br />
• Initiate the development of pre-hospital<br />
ultrasound. This means that clinicians have<br />
a tool to help diagnose conditions and<br />
injuries to enable appropriate management<br />
and treatment of patients.<br />
• Recently obtain the Fellowship in Immediate<br />
Medical Care and become accredited<br />
with the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care<br />
as a consultant practitioner in prehospital<br />
emergency medicine. Vicki is<br />
the first person from a purely paramedic<br />
background to achieve this status.<br />
• Following the recommendations of the<br />
Manchester Arena Inquiry, NHS England<br />
set up a Task and Finish Working Group<br />
to improve the clinical response to major<br />
incidents. With her proven track record in<br />
leading clinical development within a robust<br />
governance framework, Vicki has been<br />
chosen to chair a main subgroup.<br />
On being awarded the King’s <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Service Medal, Vicki said: “I feel very<br />
honoured and humbled to receive this<br />
award. I am proud to be a paramedic and will<br />
continue to work to progress the profession<br />
as best I can.”<br />
Philip Cowburn MBE, Medical Director at<br />
South Western <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service NHS<br />
Foundation Trust, who nominated Vicki for<br />
the award, said: “Vicki has dedicated her<br />
career to advancing paramedic practice and<br />
delivering improved prehospital patient care.<br />
She remains an example to all, acting as a<br />
superb role model and inspirational frontline<br />
clinical leader.”<br />
Tim Ross-Smith, Operations Officer, Great<br />
Western Air <strong>Ambulance</strong> Charity, said:<br />
“Everyone at GWAAC is hugely proud of<br />
Vicki and everything she has achieved in her<br />
career. She is rightly deserving of this honour<br />
and we couldn’t be happier for her.”<br />
Vicki will collect the King’s <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
Medal later in the year.<br />
WEL Medical<br />
Launches New SPR<br />
Defibrillator<br />
WEL Medical, a leading<br />
supplier in the medical safety<br />
and training industry, is proud<br />
to announce the launch of a<br />
new public access Automated<br />
External Defibrillator (AED) -<br />
The i-PAD SPR,<br />
Featuring an extremely durable<br />
design, the i-PAD SPR is<br />
an evolution of the hugely<br />
successful i-PAD SP1. It’s<br />
perfect for handling challenging<br />
environments, making it ideal for<br />
almost any life-saving situation.<br />
With a high IP66 rating, no matter<br />
the surroundings, the new SPR<br />
can deliver life-saving results<br />
consistently and in the most<br />
demanding of situations.<br />
The i-PAD SPR benefits from<br />
an updated, intuitive, easyto-use<br />
interface for improved<br />
accessibility. Users can now<br />
switch between Adult and<br />
Paediatric modes with a simple<br />
push button, ensuring that the<br />
correct level of shock is delivered.<br />
As part of its intelligent design,<br />
this resets to the ‘Adult’ mode<br />
after use.<br />
Jonathan Gilbrook, Managing<br />
Director at WEL Medical, said,<br />
“We’re thrilled to launch the<br />
latest Defibrillator model from<br />
CU Medical, which will provide<br />
a quick and reliable solution<br />
for saving lives in cardiac<br />
emergencies. For us, the device<br />
builds on the well-received<br />
features of the i-PAD SP1 while<br />
improving on durability, flexibility<br />
and ease of use. We believe that<br />
the combination of these traits<br />
is what really sets the i-PAD<br />
SPR apart.”<br />
For added convenience, the<br />
i-PAD SPR comes with its own<br />
shock-resistant carrying case,<br />
which makes it easy to transport<br />
from one location to another<br />
while being protected from any<br />
accidental damage.<br />
It also has, as standard, a fouryear<br />
battery warranty with up<br />
to five years life expectancy on<br />
standby and comes with a 7 year<br />
warranty extendable to ten-years<br />
upon registration (add details<br />
of where)<br />
“At WEL Medical, we’re focussed<br />
on saving lives,” said Jonathan<br />
Gilbrook. “The express purpose<br />
of the new SPR is to provide a<br />
durable, ergonomic and reliable<br />
way to strengthen the chain of<br />
survival..”<br />
#20 YEARS STRONG<br />
Celebrating two decades<br />
of resilience and success,<br />
Bluelight <strong>UK</strong> Ltd proudly<br />
marks its 20th anniversary as<br />
a limited company. However,<br />
the roots of this milestone<br />
extend back to 1988 when<br />
the company’s founders,<br />
Simon and Julie, forged a<br />
connection while working at<br />
Kirkby Central in Bolton. Both<br />
seasoned professionals in the<br />
motor trade, their journey has<br />
encompassed diverse roles,<br />
including engagements with<br />
major fleet customers, finance,<br />
leasing, remarketing, and sales<br />
management.<br />
Simon’s career trajectory includes<br />
a pivotal role with ABN Amro<br />
Bank of Holland in the late ‘90s,<br />
where he specialised at Amstel<br />
Leasing within Commercial<br />
Vehicle Management. This<br />
subsidiary of Automotive<br />
Leasing, a primary supplier of<br />
ambulance vehicles in the <strong>UK</strong>,<br />
positioned Simon as a key player<br />
in understanding the intricacies<br />
of the <strong>UK</strong> ambulance industry.<br />
Subsequently, CVM emerged<br />
as the market leaders in used<br />
ambulances for the <strong>UK</strong>.<br />
Embracing change within the<br />
remarketing division, Simon took<br />
a bold step, founding Bluelight<br />
<strong>UK</strong> in 2003 as a sole trader with<br />
a mere £3000 in hand. Over the<br />
years, and with the collective<br />
efforts of his family, the business<br />
has evolved into its present form.<br />
Reflecting on the journey,<br />
Simon remarked, “I couldn’t be<br />
prouder. Twenty years ago, our<br />
consultancy business was a<br />
modest venture, sustaining itself<br />
and paying the bills. Matthew (my<br />
son) and I diligently conducted<br />
end-of-lease inspections and<br />
managed the sales process for<br />
a majority of leased ambulances<br />
in the <strong>UK</strong>. Fuelled by a salesdriven<br />
mindset, I was confident<br />
that with the right resources,<br />
we could evolve in this market.<br />
It demanded hard work, and<br />
despite facing competition<br />
and economic downturns,<br />
we persevered and stand<br />
strong today.”<br />
A family business through and<br />
through, employing Julie’s<br />
nephew and niece, Daryl and<br />
Samantha who play major<br />
support roles. The current focus<br />
of Bluelight <strong>UK</strong>’s team includes<br />
various projects supplying Patient<br />
Transport Service vehicles,<br />
High Dependency Units, and<br />
box ambulances. Additionally,<br />
they are actively engaged<br />
in projects related to Rapid<br />
Response Vehicles, Mental<br />
Health Units, and Driver Training<br />
Units. Concurrently, the family is<br />
joyously celebrating the arrival of<br />
Matthew’s son, Oakley, potentially<br />
heralding the next generation of<br />
success for Bluelight <strong>UK</strong> Ltd.<br />
For enquiries regarding vehicles<br />
to enhance your ambulance<br />
fleet, please don’t hesitate to<br />
get in touch with the Bluelight<br />
<strong>UK</strong> Ltd team. You can reach<br />
them by phone at 01942<br />
888800, send an email to<br />
sales@bluelightuk.co.uk,<br />
or visit their website at<br />
www.bluelightuk.co.uk.<br />
Publishers<br />
Statement<br />
For nearly 40 years,<br />
thanks to trade support,<br />
we have been able to<br />
provide <strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />
FREE OF CHARGE in<br />
the knowledge that those<br />
receiving our dedicated<br />
bi monthly publication<br />
enjoy having something<br />
to read during their free<br />
time however, return on<br />
investment seems to be<br />
the buzz word amongst<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service<br />
Suppliers these days,<br />
therefore if you enquire<br />
about a product advertised,<br />
please mention<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>UK</strong> as it help<br />
us confirm to the trade<br />
that we are reaching the<br />
right people and providing<br />
advertisers with value<br />
for money. In respect of<br />
our current edition we<br />
would like to thank the<br />
following companies for<br />
their support as without<br />
their contribution towards<br />
our print and postal<br />
costs this issue would<br />
not have been published<br />
- Alpha Laboratories,<br />
Avaya, Bluelight<br />
<strong>UK</strong>, DS Medical,<br />
Eberspacher,<br />
Intersurgical, Medacx,<br />
Ortus, Proact, St John<br />
WA, Wel Medical, Zebra<br />
Technology.<br />
Terry Gardner<br />
Publisher<br />
AMBULANCE <strong>UK</strong> – FEBRUARY<br />
30<br />
31<br />
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com<br />
For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com
Seamless Synchronisation<br />
Hands Free Resuscitation with the<br />
corpuls3 and corpulscpr.<br />
In the <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Emergency transport carries risk<br />
for the patient and the responding<br />
team. With synchronised therapy,<br />
the emergency team can remain<br />
seated whilst in transit. Rhythm<br />
control and shock delivery can be<br />
performed on the corpuls 3 while<br />
the medic is seated.<br />
In Tight Spaces<br />
Whether in a lift, a stairwell, or<br />
on tricky terrain, synchronised<br />
resuscitation means that therapy<br />
can continue where it wouldn’t<br />
have been possible before. Once<br />
in place, a medic can control the<br />
corpuls 3 monitor, defibrillator and<br />
CPR parameters of the corpuls cpr.<br />
In the Air<br />
Patient access is extremely limited<br />
in air rescue. Thanks to the perfect<br />
interaction of the corpuls 3 with<br />
the corpuls cpr, movement within<br />
the cabin is reduced. Synchronised<br />
mechanical chest compressions<br />
can be given, without having to<br />
accept long hands-off times.<br />
• Shorter hands-off time<br />
• Automated pre-shock compressions<br />
• Can be used in manual and AED mode<br />
• Increased safety & minimised interruptions<br />
• Less resources required<br />
• Easier operation<br />
• Data transmission<br />
• Post mission analysis<br />
Learn more:<br />
Scan the QR code<br />
with your phone<br />
camera and click<br />
the link.<br />
Or visit:<br />
uqr.to/sync-cpr<br />
www.theortusgroup.com