Ambulance UK February 2024

Volume 39 No. 7 

February 2024 

DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS

EVE TR Ventilator 

INTENSIVE CARE/TRANSPORT/TRANSFER 

CONTENTS 

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Innovators in Ventilation since 1978 

CONTENTS 

Ambulance UK 

4 EDITOR’S COMMENT 

This issue edited by: 

Matt House 

13 NEWSLINE 

c/o Media Publishing Company 

Greenoaks, Lockhill 

Upper Sapey, Worcester, WR6 6XR 

28 IN PERSON 

ADVERTISING: 

Terry Gardner, Samantha Marsh 

31 COMPANY NEWS 

CIRCULATION: 

Media Publishing Company 

Greenoaks, Lockhill 


Tel: 01886 853715 

E: info@mediapublishingcompany.com 

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COVER STORY 

WEL Medical launches new public access Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - 

The i-PAD SPR 

Featuring an extremely durable design, the i-PAD SPR is an evolution of the hugely 

successful i-PAD SP1. It’s perfect for handling challenging environments, making it ideal 

for almost any life-saving situation. With a high IP66 rating, no matter the surroundings, the 

new SPR delivers life-saving results consistently and in the most demanding of situations. 

The i-PAD SPR benefits from an updated, intuitive, easy-to-use interface for improved 

accessibility. Users can now switch between Adult and Paediatric modes with a simple 

push button, ensuring that the correct level of shock is delivered. As part of its intelligent 

design, this resets to the ‘Adult’ mode after use. 

PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY: 

February, April, June, August, 

October, December 

COPYRIGHT: 

Media Publishing Company 

Greenoaks 

Lockhill 


PUBLISHERS STATEMENT: 

The views and opinions expressed in 

this issue are not necessarily those of 

the Publisher, the Editors or Media 

Publishing Company 

Next Issue April 2024 

Designed in the UK by TGDH 

MEDACX LIMITED • ALEXANDER HOUSE • 60-62 STATION ROAD • HAYLING ISLAND • HAMPSHIRE • PO11 0EL 

FS 580431 

02392 469737 

info@medacx.co.uk 

www.medacx.co.uk 

Jonathan Gilbrook, Managing Director at WEL Medical, said, “We’re thrilled to launch 

the latest Defibrillator model from CU Medical, which will provide a quick and reliable 

solution for saving lives in cardiac emergencies. For us, the device builds on the wellreceived 

features of the i-PAD SP1 while improving on durability, flexibility and ease of use. 

We believe that the combination of these traits is what really sets the i-PAD SPR apart.” 

For added convenience, the i-PAD SPR comes with its own shock-resistant carrying case, 

which makes it easy to transport from one location to another while being protected from 

any accidental damage. 

It also has, as standard, a four-year battery warranty with up to five years life expectancy 

on standby and comes with a 7 year warranty extendable to ten-years upon registration. 

Do you have For anything further recruitment you would vacancies like to add visit: or include? www.ambulanceukonline.com 

Please contact us and let us know. 

AMBULANCE UK – FEBRUARY 

3

AMBULANCE UK UK – - FEBRUARY JUNE 

68 

4 

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

“Each New 

Year brings its 

“The challenges, pay rises 

implemented 

the unsettling 

issues in the 

hardly NHS around fi t pay 

the and bill, conditions and 

continues and 

I fear there 

is fuelled by the 

is cost a real of living 

increases.” 

danger that 

recruitment 

and retention 

in the NHS 

will be 

adversely 

affected.” 

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

Welcome to this 2024 issue and of this AUK. issue of AUK. 

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 

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 

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 

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 

those progress recognised can easily in the be seen. Kings The Ambulance Paramedic Medal syllabus awards was and contained those recognised in a little red for book, work which now there transcends are so 

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. 

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 

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 

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 UK interest we had the 

only changes just been to come. allowed to use a defibrillator, and wondering at the distance they seemed to be ahead of us. 

Now I am reading through the news collection thinking that we are probably world leaders in many aspects 

of Summer Paramedicine. is apparently here, well as near as we get in Lancashire, I’m guessing most of you are looking 

forward to holidays and time with family or friends. It can be a great time but at the same time stressful with 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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. 

Which is a shame if it drives out dedicated, caring and skilled individuals struggling to provide a simple life 

for their families. 

Sam English, Co-Editor Ambulance UK 

If you worked over Christmas I hope you have managed to have some family time as well. If you have made 

some resolutions then I hope this coming year delivers everything you have asked for. 

Sam English, Co-Editor Ambulance UK 

Publishers Publishers Statement 

For 

For 

nearly 

nearly 

40 

40 

years, 

years, thanks 

thanks 

to 

to 

trade 

trade 

support, 

support, 

we 

we 

have 

have 

been 

been 

able 

able 

to 

to 

provide 

provide 

Ambulance 


UK 

UK 

FREE 

FREE OF 

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 

something to read during their free time however, return on on investment seems to to be be the the buzz buzz word word 

amongst Ambulance Service Suppliers these days, days, therefore therefore if you if you enquire enquire about about a product a product advertised, advertised, 

please mention Ambulance UK as it help us confirm to the trade that we are reaching the right 

please mention Ambulance UK as it will help us confi rm to the trade that we are reaching the right 

people and providing advertisers with value for money. In respect of our current edition we would like 

people 

to thank 

and 

the 

providing 

following 

advertisers 

companies for 

with 

their 

value 

support 

for money. 

as without 

In respect 

their contribution 

of our current 

towards 

edition 

our 

we 

print 

would 

and 

like 

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 UK, and 

postal DS Medical, costs this Eberspacher, issue would Intersurgical, not have been Medacx, published Ortus, - Bluelight Proact, UK, St DS John Medical, WA, Wel Eberspaecher, 

Medical, 

EVS, Zebra Ferno, Technology. Galen, Intersurgical, Ortus Medical, Synergy, VCS, Vimpex, Webasto. 

Terry Gardner 

Terry Publisher Gardner 

Publisher 

For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com 

For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com 

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ADVERTORIAL 

ADVERTORIAL 

SUCCESS STORY / SCAS / FOURNET / ENGELBART SOFTWARE 

www.scas.nhs.uk 

Avaya Ecosystem Creates Tailored 

Contact Centre Solution for South 

Central Ambulance Service 

In the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), skilled staff answering 

non-emergency 111 calls must also be able to rapidly reorient to handle 

any sudden incoming emergency 999 calls if a major incident happens. 

To enable this flexibility, South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) turned 

to FourNet and an Avaya contact centre platform, which, through the 

Avaya ecosystem, could be tailored to deliver the contact centre solution 

it needed to meet operational demands and service level goals. 

South Central Ambulance Services (SCAS) NHS Foundation Trust is the 24/7 

emergency ambulance service for over 7 million people living in the English 

counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Hampshire. SCAS 

employs over 2,000 specialist staff who handle over 500,000 urgent calls a year 

from its contact centres located across the region, as well as homeworkers. 

FourNet had rolled out the latest Avaya contact centre solution when, during 

the due diligence phase of the project, it identified that a specialist agent 

desktop application would be required to meet the needs of SCAS and its 

patients. Using FourNet’s specialist sector knowledge and extensive Avaya 

experience, it turned to the Avaya ecosystem to identify the right solution. 

Specific Contact Centre Needs 

CHALLENGES 

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) required that both 999 

emergency calls and 111 non-emergency calls could be handled through 

the same technical infrastructure and operational units. Skilled staff 

employed to answer the growing number of 111 calls needed to be 

▪ SCAS were running a legacy platform 

which didn’t meet the changing 

needs of its patients 

able to rapidly reorient to handle any sudden incoming 999 calls if a 

large-scale incident or emergency occurred. The flexibility to support 

this blended role is only possible with very bespoke contact centre 

▪ SCAS were looking to move towards 

blended 999/111 call takers to handle 

peaks in 999 call volumes 

technology that enables contact centre managers and supervisors to 

▪ Enable seamless remote working 

react to changing situations easily and efficiently on the fly. 

to enable SCAS to recruit the best 

As the service provider for the SCAS digital transformation project, 

employees regardless of location 

FourNet – one of Avaya’s partners and an award-winning provider 

▪ Streamline overall architecture 

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; 

▪ Incorporate specialists features 

Avaya Core services ecosystem for for communications, specific expertise contact and the centre right amount and computertelephony 

integration support to (CTI). build Then, the solutions due to its SCAS flexibility required. and 

of a work from home scenario a “raise my hand” functionality has 

of codevelopment 

remote Agent logout and and replay capabilities of recorded calls. For the support 

bespoke approach to UI design and layout, external services 

▪ SCAS had very specific operational 

been implemented to contact a supervisor if help is needed from 

needs that were not available in any 

FourNet 

integration such as real time reporting, instant replay of recorded the agent. 

off the shelf product 

calls, enriched Supervisor functionality as well as access to 

FourNet 

various directories 

works with 

could 

more 

also 

than 

be 

half 

included. 

the UK’s Ambulance Trusts and 

has supported SCAS since 2018 to deliver life critical services. FourNet 

Flexible For Future 

provides The result a was highly the available development contact of centre an esuits2 solution, Special based Purpose on Avaya 

Chris Hayden, Telecoms Manager at SCAS, comments: “With help 

technology, Console (SPC) that as handles alternative both 999, call 111 centre and Agent Patient and Transportation 

Supervisor 

from FourNet and its partners, we ended-up with a solution that 

Services frontend (PTS) application as well based back-office on a browser solutions based that HTML5 support SCAS’s 

fulfils our needs and more. The management and team leaders 

flexible, application agile linking workforce. into the Avaya core and leveraging the Avaya 

now have much more control and visibility over their Agents than 

JavaScript Client SDK. 

Because seconds count, SCAS offers a unique multi-disciplinary previously and they are now able to manage the various contact 

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.” 

in architecture, to an emergency it’s possible call to to help add speed customer up initial specific triage functionality 

of a patient 

Engelbart Software esuits² Special Purpose Console SPC offers a 

and determine 3rd party applications the next steps into e.g., the dispatch soft client. an ambulance Beside standard as soon 

unique and flexible solution that provides two operation modes 

as telephony possible services for critical and cases. the support This way of of the working Avaya necessitated solution, the a 

enabling SCAS to keep its voice and data network separated. In 

bespoke esuits² SPC solution, offers which rich API FourNet for service was integration,” able to deliver says via Dirk its experience 

the SCAS contact centre, the primary mode of operation is based 

with Engelbart, the Avaya CEO ecosystem. Engelbart Software FourNet’s GmbH. specialist sector knowledge 

on computer-telephony integration (CTI)-driven 3rd-party call 

and technological expertise helped translate SCAS’s operational 

The bespoke functionality requested by SCAS and provided by control with the Engelbart esuits2 SPC controlling the Avaya IP 

requirements to ensure the right Avaya partner was selected. 

the esuits² SPC includes a comms-screen for real-time status phones that the Agents use the on their desks. As an alternative 

“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 

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 

the skill/role organisations during login and and also bookmarking knowledge of of the Agent- marketplace or departmentbased 

favourites. available Supervisors to help improve also benefit patient/citizen from enhanced safety in the UK. 

and the 

solutions 

browser, enabling Agents and Supervisors to work remotely 

should work from home requirements be once again put in place. 

functionality including the ability to listen-in to existing calls; 

avaya.com © 2022 Avaya Inc. All Rights Reserved. 

1 

avaya.com © © 2022 Avaya Inc. Inc. All All Rights Reserved. 

2 4

ADVERTORIAL 

ADVERTORIAL 

SCAS is a Global Digital Exemplar market-leader, which is an internationally 

VALUE CREATED 

recognised NHS provider delivering improvements in the quality of care, 

▪ Enabled SCAS to handle peaks in 999 

call volumes during the pandemic 

and beyond 

▪ Provided a flexible desktop 

environment to enable 111 call takers 

to also handle 999 calls 

▪ Innovation support to enable SCAS 

digital transformation goals 

through the world-class use of digital technologies and information. 

FourNet helped SCAS gain recognition for delivering world-class quality 

care through digital technologies and information, setting the blueprint to 

enable other trusts to follow in its footsteps as quickly and effectively as 

possible,” said Ben Ryland, Head of Public Sector, FourNet. 

Engelbart Software 

To solve the challenge of building a bespoke front-end application for SCAS’s 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

Improving the overall patient 

experience by mitigating impact of 

answering times 

Bespoke solution tailored for specific 

customer requirements thanks to 

expertise of the Avaya ecosystem 

Comms-screen providing full 

operational overview and status 

visibility between Agent and Supervisor 

Chat between Agents, Supervisors and 

Departments/Roles 

Skill/role assignment during login 

process to support blended Agents 

Agent- and department-based 

favourites 

new contact centre solution, FourNet turned to Engelbart Software GmbH, 

a specialist developer for the operation and management of IT and unified 

communication and collaboration services. As an experienced and skilled 

Avaya DevConnect Technology Partner for over a decade, Engelbart Software 

has worked with Avaya and its partners to develop solutions for the public 

safety sector for more than five years. Its applications and solutions are 

developed with a deep understanding of Avaya technologies and interfaces 

and can be tailored for individual client’s requirements. 

“Engelbart Software became fully embedded into the process of solution 

specification and design for the new bespoke user interface. Its developers’ 

detailed experience with Avaya application programming interfaces (APIs) 

and software development kits (SDKs) as well as their open approach 

to fully understanding the customer’s business requirement allowed all 

stakeholders to drive the project even beyond the initially scoped set of 

requirements,” said Markus Bornheim, Avaya International Practice Lead 

for Public Safety & Emergency Services. 

The esuits2 applications framework was able to leverage Avaya 

Core services for communications, contact centre and computertelephony 

integration (CTI). Then, due to its flexibility and 

bespoke approach to UI design and layout, external services 

integration such as real time reporting, instant replay of recorded 

calls, enriched Supervisor functionality as well as access to 

various directories could also be included. 

The result was the development of an esuits2 Special Purpose 

Console (SPC) as an alternative call centre Agent and Supervisor 

frontend application based on a browser based HTML5 

application linking into the Avaya core and leveraging the Avaya 

JavaScript Client SDK. 

“Because it is based on the modular and flexible HTML5 

change skill / role assignment on the fly; change Agent status; 

remote Agent logout and replay of recorded calls. For the support 

of a work from home scenario a “raise my hand” functionality has 

been implemented to contact a supervisor if help is needed from 

the agent. 

Flexible For Future 

Chris Hayden, Telecoms Manager at SCAS, comments: “With help 

from FourNet and its partners, we ended-up with a solution that 

fulfils our needs and more. The management and team leaders 

now have much more control and visibility over their Agents than 

previously and they are now able to manage the various contact 

centre behaviours much more effectively.” 

▪ 

▪ 

Instant replay of recorded calls 

for agents 

Enhanced Supervisors functionality 

including listen into existing calls, 

change skill/role assignment, change 

Agent status, remote Agent logout, 

replay of recorded calls for Agents 

esuits2 SPC 

Engelbart Software proposed that its esuits2 applications framework 

could be assessed and evaluated as an alternative UI making it possible to 

define and design the integrations and user interfaces required by SCAS. 

The flexibility and capability of the framework meant that when a number 

of previously unrealised requirements came up during the design and 

implementation phase of the project, they could be solved and SCAS’s 

specific operational needs met. 

architecture, it’s possible to add customer specific functionality 

and 3rd party applications into the soft client. Beside standard 

telephony services and the support of the Avaya solution, the 

esuits² SPC offers rich API for service integration,” says Dirk 

Engelbart, CEO Engelbart Software GmbH. 

The bespoke functionality requested by SCAS and provided by 

the esuits² SPC includes a comms-screen for real-time status 

visibility between Agents and Supervisor; chat between Agents, 

Supervisors and departments/roles; the ability to agent assign 

skill/role during login and bookmarking of Agent- or departmentbased 

favourites. Supervisors also benefit from enhanced 

Engelbart Software esuits² Special Purpose Console SPC offers a 

unique and flexible solution that provides two operation modes 

enabling SCAS to keep its voice and data network separated. In 

the SCAS contact centre, the primary mode of operation is based 

on computer-telephony integration (CTI)-driven 3rd-party call 

control with the Engelbart esuits2 SPC controlling the Avaya IP 

phones that the Agents use the on their desks. As an alternative 

to this, the Engelbart esuits2 SPC’s native VoIP operations can 

leverage WebRTC between the Avaya solution and a PC and a 

browser, enabling Agents and Supervisors to work remotely 

should work from home requirements be once again put in place. 

functionality including the ability to listen-in to existing calls; 


3 


4

ADVERTORIAL 

Issues with tube 

delivery? 

About FourNet 

FourNet is an award-winning provider of cloud and managed 

services, which works closely with its clients to enable digital 

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customer experience. Founded in 2005, FourNet has more 

than seventeen years' experience delivering communications, 

collaboration and contact centre solutions for some of the most 

secure, critical and commercially driven organisations in the UK. 

Consistently recognised for its innovation and service excellence; 

FourNet builds long term, collaborative relationships with its 

customers to help them deliver brilliant customer experiences. 

With help from 

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and more.” 

—Chris Hayden, Telecoms Manager at SCAS 

USB it. 

About Engelbart Software 

Engelbart Software GmbH is a long-time AVAYA DevConnect 

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enabling a deep level of integration, enhancement and enrichment 

to put our customers in the driver’s position. As a leading AVAYA 

Experience Builder, Engelbart has invested more than 6 years in the 

development of innovative blue light solutions based on the Avaya 

OneCloud CCaaS platform, which are used throughout Europe to 

protect life and citizens. 

About Avaya 

Businesses are built by the experiences they 

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that deliver game-changing business benefits. 

Our communications solutions power 

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ADVERTORIAL 

NEWSLINE 


How new technology 

will enable safer 

and more efficient 

patient responses 

for UK ambulance 

services across 

the UK 

Matt Wroughton, UKI Sales 

Manager Government 

& Healthcare, Zebra 

Technologies 

Ambulance services, paramedics 

and technicians face rising costs 

and operational difficulties, 

reflective of a struggling National 

Health Service. 

A major concern is ambulance 

costs, with crew wages, fuel 

prices and repair expenses 

spiralling because of inflation. 

This is compounded by long 

ambulance queues outside 

A&E departments and delays in 

response times. 

And behind the scenes, call 

handlers face life-or-death 

decisions on where to send a 

limited number of ambulances, 

while grappling with ageing fleets, 

legacy technology and poor stock 

management. 

Ambulance services must ensure 

fleets are in operation for longer 

without delays. This can only be 

done by tracking and managing 

equipment, assets and stocks 

of drugs and consumables, 

helping reduce costs, waste and 

backlogs. 

Yet post-pandemic, the 

ambulance service is still 

negotiating the overstocking of 

consumables at the height of 

Covid-19. This exacerbates stock 

control challenges characterised 

by archaic, manual systems, 

creating unwieldy audit trails and 

inadequately equipping crews. 

Likewise, under-stocking must be 

also tackled, as must theft and 

loss of medical kit. 

These issues point to the 

urgent need to digitise. This is 

happening, though not at the 

scale required. According to 

a Freedom of Information Act 

request made by CCS Europe 

Limited, 75% of ambulance 

services have no digital-led 

system to manage the availability 

and servicing of equipment, 

vehicles and their make-ready 

process, whereby ambulances 

are restocked and prepared for 

deployment. 

The London Ambulance service 

has started to digitise yet is still 

to fully transition away from an 

ageing fleet. The service has 

some smart vehicle tracking 

capabilities to equip ambulances 

and maintain critical assets, like 

drugs and medical equipment. 

Yet just nine of these smarter 

vehicles came into service in 

April, with 100 more on order. 

How technology can help 

While fleets are waiting to be 

updated, technology can fill 

an important gap. Equipping 

a Zebra 5G tablet device to 

the vehicle will ensure critical 

information is delivered in 

real time to paramedics and 

technicians during an emergency. 

Smartphone-style devices can 

also run apps to show vehicle 

status, reducing pre-shift checks 

to seconds and getting an 

ambulance on the road faster 

than the average of 30 minutes 

it took for Category 2 incidents 

in 2023/24. 

Technology can also expedite 

restocking and help save money 

through 24/7 tracking and tracing 

to identify where a vehicle and 

its equipment is, through RFID 

tags. RFID tagging of equipment 

and controlled drug pouches 

can ensure full track and trace to 

show locations and monitor use. 

In the future, facial recognition 

could be used to log who is 

taking these pouches out of 

smart cabinets built into fleets. 

Today, Zebra’s TC27 and 

Zebra Android Enterprise ET45 

Healthcare Tablets are linked 

to the cloud offering enhanced 

connectivity to track RFID tags 

on missing equipment. If an 

item is lost, crews can locate a 

replacement via these devices, 

showing them where their nearest 

ambulance station is with the 

required equipment. Meanwhile, 

Zebra’s two-in-one ET85, 

keyboard and tablet enables 

crews to do paperwork between 

calls without having to return 

to base. 

Shift patterns and rotas can also 

be better managed via digitalbased 

workflows and artificial 

intelligence to get ambulances 

on the road faster. Stock can be 

ordered more efficiently with item 

levels and expiry dates monitored 

in real time, and replenishment 

can be done by make-ready 

teams using digital checklists. 

Already ambulances can 

communicate with 5G-capable 

TC58 touch computers, while 

body-worn cameras link up 

response teams to emergency 

doctors. Yet there is scope for 

more digitisation. Examples 

include telemedical support to 

connect emergency teams, and 

virtual wards in which patients 

use wearable technology and 

other medical devices to enable 

doctors to monitor their recovery. 

Conclusion 

Emergency callouts are growing 

year on-year, at a time when the 

NHS is under acute pressure. 

This requires a technological and 

managerial response to maximise 

limited resources and modernise 

information management with 

digitisation based on patient 

outcomes. 

Mobile computing, 5G capability 

and connected services are 

improving emergency care, 

whether embedded on board 

an ambulance or integrated into 

wards and response stations, 

but innovation must be applied 

across the service and at scale. 

The communication architecture 

exists to facilitate a smarter 

NHS, but more investment 

is needed to fully realise the 

benefits of digitisation. If 

implemented successfully, digital 

transformation can save money, 

reduce manual administration, 

improve response times, and 

ensure ambulances are kept 

on the road for longer. Such a 

transformation for the NHS has 

never been more vital. 

Midlands Air 


Charity Rated As 

Outstanding By Care 

Quality Commission 

The Care Quality Commission 

(CQC) has rated the 

Headquarters and Airbase 

(previously known as Cosford 

airbase), as well as the Tatenhill 

Airbase, run by Midlands 

Air Ambulance Charity, as 

outstanding following its first 

inspection in August and 

September. 

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity 

is an independent health provider 

of pre-hospital emergency care 

and treatment by helicopter and 

rapid response car emergency 

medical services. It covers 

Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, 

Shropshire, Staffordshire, 

Worcestershire, the West 

Midlands and the surrounding 

areas, serving a population of 

around six million people. 

This inspection was carried 

out as part of CQC’s continual 

checks on the safety and quality 

of healthcare services. 

Following the inspection, both 

services have been rated 

outstanding overall, as well as for 

being safe, responsive, effective 

and well-led. Caring was rated 

as good. 

Andy Brand, CQC deputy 

director of operations in 

the Midlands, said: “When 

we inspected Midlands Air 

Ambulance Charity, we were 

impressed to find two extremely 

well-led services that went 

above and beyond to ensure 

people were responded to 

quickly and effectively in 

emergency situations. 

“Both services always met agreed 

response times and feedback 

from people was continually 

positive. People and relatives 

cared for by both services, 

told us they were treated with 

kindness, respect, and dignity. A 

compliments report showed 45 

compliments had been received 

where people and their families 

wanted to express special thanks 

to staff. 

“It was also positive to see 

that Midlands Air Ambulance 

Charity is open to learning and 

continuous improvement, and 

the service also reported areas 

of excellence so staff could 

learn from events that had gone 

particularly well. This helped 

staff to continuously improve and 

boosted morale and wellbeing. 

“All staff should be proud of the 

care they’re providing to people in 

emergencies. They clearly work 

hard to provide exceptional care 

and other providers should look 

at these reports to see if there’s 

anything they can learn.” 

Hanna Sebright, chief 

executive of Midlands Air 

Ambulance Charity, added: 

“Since April 2022, there has 

been a period of transformational 

change for our organisation 

which has seen us combine 

our clinical operations with our 

headquarters office function, 

bringing our clinical and nonclinical 

team under the same roof 

for the first time. 

“We are extremely proud of the 

‘outstanding’ CQC rating for 

Cosford and Tatenhill, which we 

achieved just 19 months after 

our initial CQC registration. This 

fantastic achievement, highlights 

our commitment to the patients 

we treat within the communities 

we serve, providing the best 

pre-hospital care to those in 

critical need.” 

Inspectors found at both 

services: 

• Staff carried out daily safety 

checks of specialist equipment 

including defibrillators and 

blood giving equipment. 

• They planned care to meet the 

needs of local people, took 

account of people’s individual 

needs, and made it easy for 

people to give feedback. 

• Staff provided emotional 

support to people, families, 

and carers. 

• Leaders ran services well using 

reliable information systems 

and supported staff to develop 

their skills. 

• Staff completed safety 

briefings prior to flying, which 

included consideration of 

notifications such as fuel 

availability, weather, sunset 

times and any events 

or hazards. 

• Managers monitored the 

effectiveness of the service 

and made sure staff were 

competent. 

• Mandatory training was 

comprehensive and met the 

needs of people and staff. 

Read more about the Care 

Quality Commission at: 

cqc.org.uk 

Find out more about Midlands 

Air Ambulance Charity’s CQC 

rating at: www.cqc.org.uk/ 

provider/1-11982780181/services 

NHS England 

has recognised 

the significant 

improvements that 

East of England 

Ambulance Service 

(EEAST) has 

made. The trust 

has been removed 

from the National 

Recovery Support 

Programme for 

challenged providers 

and systems. 

The programme was 

formerly known as 

Special Measures. 

In 2020, the trust was placed 

into Special Measures. This 

happened following concerns 

about culture, leadership, and 

governance. 

The latest CQC report, published 

in July 2022, showed significant 

improvements on long-standing 

cultural issues. The report 

recognised the trust’s efforts to 

improve leadership, culture, and 

safety for staff. 

Since February 2023, the CQC 

has also lifted four conditions on 

EEAST’s license. There are three 

remaining which it is hoped will 

be lifted soon. 

The CQC recognised that 

the Trust has expanded its 

safeguarding team. It also 

strengthened its safeguarding 

policies and HR processes. 

An improvement in the way 

allegations are handled was also 

recognised. This happened after 

processes were strengthened 

and standardised. 

Training has also been provided 

for managers investigating 

allegations. This improves the 

quality of decision making and 

monitoring of any themes and 


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For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

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reduces the risk of similar cases 

in the future. 

The Trust has also been 

recognised for its work in 

improving the visibility of the 

Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, 

making it easier for people to give 

feedback and raise concerns. 

NHS England has now confirmed 

EEAST will leave the Recovery 

Support Programme with 

immediate effect. 

Tom Abell, Chief Executive, said: 

“This is a major milestone for 

EEAST, and it’s all down to the 

hard work and commitment of 

our people. 

“We have made much progress 

since I joined the Trust over 

two years ago. When I joined, I 

made clear it would take time to 

tackle longstanding cultural and 

organisational issues. 

“Although we have made good 

progress, we know there is still 

work to do to provide consistently 

excellent service to our 

communities.” 

“Our Green Family”: 

Three sisters join 

parents caring for 

capital at London 


Three sisters have followed in 

their mum and dad’s footsteps 

to start rewarding careers 

at the country’s busiest 

ambulance service. 

John Dell, a paramedic who 

responds to complex incidents 

in hazardous areas and supports 

the welfare of staff on scene, 

joined London Ambulance 

Service (LAS) 20 years ago. 

He currently works out of Cody 

Road in Newham but started as 

a trainee working in Dagenham 

and Romford. 

When his 20 year old daughter 

Chloe joined LAS in April, 

following in the footsteps of her 

sisters Rhiannon, 21, Charlotte, 

25, and mum Emma, their ‘green 

family’ was complete. 

John said: “It is quite humbling 

to know that the family have 

followed me into LAS and to see 

them care for patients. The fact 

that I’m here 20 years later and 

I still love it, and that my family 

wanted to join too, just goes to 

show what a great place LAS is 

to work. 

“It’s nice to go out on the road 

together and work alongside 

the family.” 

Chloe answers 999 calls from 

patients and often works in the 

control room in Newham with 

Rhiannon, who also deals with 

999 calls but helps to dispatch 

ambulance crews and liaises with 

other emergency services. 

She said: “Rhiannon and I are 

a team when we work together. 

It’s great to have someone at 

work who is there for you and 

supports you. 

“My sisters and my parents 

really encouraged me to join, 

and my mum who has worked in 

various roles within the control 

room opened my eyes to the 

opportunities available. I’ve 

always wanted to help people, 

but I didn’t think it was something 

I would end up doing until 

I joined.” 

Rhiannon, who has worked in 

the control room for three years, 

said “Going to work not knowing 

what calls you are going to take 

makes every day different. You 

can go from helping someone 

to deliver a baby to giving lifesaving 

instructions on chest 

compression when someone is 

in cardiac arrest.” 

Meanwhile Charlotte, currently 

studying to be a paramedic at 

Cumbria University while working 

at LAS, cares for patients out 

on the road from West Ham 

Ambulance Station. She joined 

LAS as a trainee when she was 

20 through the award-winning 

apprenticeship scheme. 

Charlotte said: “We’re one big 

family at home and at LAS. It’s 

so rewarding to help and care 

for people together in their time 

of need, and also have that 

emotional support from your 

family as they understand what 

you’ve been through.” 

Reflecting on the family dynamic 

with her dad, she said: “I’ve been 

on clinical shifts in ambulances 

with my dad and I can often 

guess what he’s thinking before 

he says anything.” 

John met his wife Emma 30 years 

ago and she joined her husband 

at LAS in January 2019, working 

in the Waterloo control room 

helping ambulance crews take 

patients to the right hospital. 

Emma said: “It was really strange 

making the jump to LAS where 

John has worked all this time, 

but it was a great decision and 

I really enjoy it. It’s lovely to 

know my daughters all have the 

opportunity to have careers that 

offer them the chance to help 

people and make a real difference 

to people’s lives. “ 

Chloe also recently joined her 

dad on an ambulance shift as 

part of her training. She said: “Not 

everyone gets to work with their 

dad and he’s been at the Service 

since around the time I was born 

so it’s really nice to understand 

the journey he’s been on too. 

“I know my family work at LAS, 

but the wider Service is like one 

big family too,” she added. 

Resuscitation 

Council UK launches 

guidelines to help 

increase cardiac 

arrest survival rates 

amongst athletes 

Resuscitation Council UK 

(RCUK) has launched new 

guidelines to help save lives 

across all community and 

professional sporting events. 

Resuscitation on the Field of 

Play: best practice guidelines, 

aim to improve the response to 

a sudden cardiac arrest on the 

field-of-play and increase the 

chances of a full recovery. 

RCUK says medical teams 

responding to an athlete suffering 

a cardiac arrest can help to 

achieve this through prompt 

recognition, high-quality CPR, 

early defibrillation and effective 

emergency planning. 

The guidelines are designed 

for medical teams who need to 

respond to an athlete having a 

cardiac arrest during or shortly 

after sporting activity, across 

all community and professional 

sports - such as football, 

swimming and tennis. 

Sudden cardiac arrest on 

the field-of-play is a rare but 

devastating event, with approx. 

1 in 217,000 people per year 

suffering a sports-related 

sudden death. 

Michael Bradfield, Director 

of Clinical and Service 

Development at RCUK said: 

”Sudden cardiac arrest on the 

field-of-play can be difficult to 

recognise. Some athletes may 

look as though they are breathing 

or have seizure-like activity with 

their eyes open. It’s important to 

recognise that these signs can be 

present, however a person may 

need immediate resuscitation. 

Any unexpected collapse where 

someone is unresponsive should 

be presumed to be a sudden 

cardiac arrest and treated 

accordingly. 

“Medical teams can use our 

document to support excellent 

practice in the resuscitation of 

athletes at all levels of sport.” 

Resuscitation on the Field of Play 

best practice guidelines include 

initial assessment and recognition 

of cardiac arrest, CPR, 

defibrillation, airway management 

and transportation of athletes 

while CPR and defibrillation is 

taking place. 

Dr Zafar Iqbal, Consultant in 

Sports and Exercise Medicine 

and Head of Sports Medicine 

at Crystal Palace FC said: 

“I wholeheartedly support the 

fantastic work done by all those 

involved in the publication of the 

Field of Play guidelines. It helps 

raise further awareness in this 

important area, which I’ve no 

doubt will enhance the work, 

being done in improving survival 

outcomes, following a cardiac 

arrest occurring in sport. 

“I’ve been fortunate to have 

witnessed first-hand, the 

excellent work by RCUK where 

in collaboration with CPFC, 

they have trained our players at 

Crystal Palace in CPR and defib 

awareness, and helping promote 

the message to the public.” 

Neil Greig, Head of Medical 

Department, Brentford FC said: 

“Cardiac health is close to our 

hearts here at Brentford FC and 

further research in this area is 

something we continue to work 

towards through our Heart of West 

London partnership. We welcome 

RCUK’s best-practice guidelines 

which provides important 

information about dealing with 

sudden cardiac arrest on the field 

of play. The more knowledge and 

education we can spread, the 

better equipped we can all be 

about saving lives” 

Elements of the guidelines are 

easily applicable to people 

participating in any sporting 

activity and to all communitybased 

cardiac arrests - with or 

without a field-of-play medical 

team available. 

SECAmb signs 

new NHS Sexual 

Safety Charter 

South East Coast Ambulance 

Service NHS Foundation Trust, 

(SECAmb), has formally signed 

a new NHS Sexual Safety 

Charter aimed at ensuring a 

systematic, zero-tolerance 

approach to sexual misconduct 

and violence in the NHS. 

By signing the Charter, SECAmb 

is committing to taking and 

enforcing a zero-tolerance 

approach to any unwanted, 

inappropriate and/or harmful 

sexual behaviours within the 

workplace and delivering on the 

Charter’s 10 core principles and 

actions by July 2024. 

SECAmb Chief Executive, Simon 

Weldon, previously shared his 

commitment to deliver on the 

Charter to staff after its launch by 

NHS England in September. The 

approach was formally agreed at 

the Trust’s Board meeting held at 

the beginning of December. 


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Ahead of the Board meeting, 

SECAmb’s Chief Nurse and 

Director of Quality, Margaret 

Dalziel, was named as the Trust’s 

Domestic Abuse and Sexual 

Violence Lead. 

SECAmb is running a campaign 

to highlight and address 

inappropriate behaviour. 

Launched earlier this year, ‘Until 

it Stops’ reinforces the Trust’s 

commitment to making SECAmb 

a safe place for all. 

The 10 core principles and 

actions of the Charter are: 

1. We will actively work to 

eradicate sexual harassment 

and abuse in the workplace. 

2. We will promote a culture 

that fosters openness and 

transparency, and does not 

tolerate unwanted, harmful 

and/or inappropriate sexual 

behaviours. 

3. We will take an intersectional 

approach to the sexual safety 

of our workforce, recognising 

certain groups will experience 

sexual harassment and abuse 

at a disproportionate rate. 

4. We will provide appropriate 

support for those in our 

workforce who experience 

unwanted, inappropriate and/ 

or harmful sexual behaviours. 

5. We will clearly communicate 

standards of behaviour. 

This includes expected 

action for those who witness 

inappropriate, unwanted and/ 

or harmful sexual behaviour. 

6. We will ensure appropriate, 

specific, and clear policies 

are in place. They will include 

appropriate and timely action 

against alleged perpetrators. 

7. We will ensure appropriate, 

specific, and clear training is 

in place. 

8. We will ensure appropriate 

reporting mechanisms are in 

place for those experiencing 

these behaviours. 

9. We will take all reports 

seriously and appropriate and 

timely action will be taken in 

all cases. 

10. We will capture and share 

data on prevalence and staff 

experience transparently. 

These commitments will 

apply to everyone in our 

organisation equally. 

Where any of the above is not 

currently in place, SECAmb is 

committed to work towards 

ensuring it is in place by July 2024 

This Christmas was 

‘less lethal’ than 

most – but stick to 

your New Year health 

plans, says expert 

There was a 21% decrease 

in the number of registered 

deaths this Christmas 

compared to last year. Despite 

the encouraging news, we 

should all stick to our New 

Year’s health resolutions, says 

a leading testing expert. 

This Christmas proved ‘less lethal 

than average’, says a leading 

blood testing expert. Though 

more people tend to die of heart 

problems during Christmas week 

than at any other time of the 

year, this year there were 7,447 

deaths in England and Wales over 

Christmas, compared to 9,517 

in 2022 and a five-year average 

of 8,228. 

Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan 

(MBChB), Clinical Lead at 

London Medical Laboratory, 

says: ‘Christmas can be an 

unhealthy and stressful time of 

the year. Research published 

in the US journal “Circulation” 

shows that 4% more people die 

of heart problems during the 

Christmas holiday compared to 

even the mid-winter average. 

Most fatal of all is Christmas 

Day. It has the highest number of 

cardiac deaths that occur rapidly 

after presentation of a medical 

problem. In second and third 

place are 26 December and New 

Year’s Day. 

‘The latest figures from the Office 

for National Statistics (ONS) show 

7,447 deaths were recorded in 

England and Wales in the week 

ending 29 December, 2023. This 

total was down 21.7% on last 

Christmas and 9.4% on the fiveyear 

average for Christmas week. 

Despite reports of a surge in 

Covid cases, Covid was involved 

in only 2.4% of deaths (181 

deaths compared to 393 deaths 

over Christmas week, 2022). 

‘We don’t yet have a complete 

breakdown of the cause of deaths 

for Christmas week, but we can 

tell a lot from last Christmas’ 

results. While we don’t see all 

causes of death in these figures, 

we can see 1,803 deaths for 

the week ending 30 December, 

2022 were directly attributable 

to diseases of the respiratory 

system and 787 to influenza and 

pneumonia. Only the preceding 

week (ending 23 December, 

2022) saw more deaths due to 

respiratory diseases, influenza 

and pneumonia. 

‘Intriguingly, 10% more women 

(4,999) than men (4,518) died 

last Christmas week. The 2022 

data for England and Wales 

shows the north-west of England 

suffered the most deaths in the 

final week of December (1,393) 

closely followed by the southeast 

(1,369). More people died in 

hospital over Christmas (4,169) 

than at home (2,540). 

‘Adding to the impact of fatty 

Christmas foods, it’s perhaps not 

generally known that a bad case 

of flu can also have an impact 

on the heart. There is a known 

link between the flu virus and 

cardiovascular disease. The flu 

virus affects inflammatory and 

blood-clotting pathways. This 

can cause stable fatty deposits 

on the artery walls (plaques) to 

become unstable, leading to 

rapid coronary artery blockage – 

the main cause of heart attacks. 

Together with Covid-19 and 

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 

we are far more likely to catch flu 

during the winter. 

‘Knowing all these issues, what 

preventative action can we take 

to fully recover from Christmas 

excesses? Having access to 

information about your health is 

always beneficial, especially at a 

time when we are all recovering 

from eating fattier and richer 

foods than normal. With GP 

surgeries extremely busy at this 

time of year, people worried 

about their cholesterol levels 

do have alternatives. The most 

common option is a finger-prick 

cholesterol blood test, which can 

be taken at home or at many 

local community pharmacies. By 

monitoring our cholesterol over 

time we can see how effective 

our New Year’s healthy eating 

resolutions have been at reducing 

these levels. 

‘London Medical Laboratory’s 

revolutionary and convenient 

home finger-prick Cholesterol 

Profile test measures total 

cholesterol, LDL “bad 

cholesterol”, HDL “good” 

cholesterol, non-HDL (a newly 

adopted, more accurate, 

measure) and other key markers. 

It can be taken at home through 

the post, or at one of the many 

drop-in clinics that offer these 

tests across London and 

nationwide in over 95 selected 

pharmacies and health stores. 

For full details, see: https://www. 

londonmedicallaboratory.com/ 

product/cholesterol-profile 

Welsh Ambulance 

Service using robots 

to byte down on 

repetitive tasks 

THE Welsh Ambulance Service 

is using robots to help run its 

behind-the-scenes operations. 

The Trust is using Robotic 

Process Automation (RPA) 

technology to perform timeconsuming 

administrative tasks 

to free up staff to focus on tasks 

that add the most value. 

The use of software robots, or 

‘digital workers,’ is saving time and 

allowing colleagues to harness 

their skills more appropriately. 

Jonny Sammut, the Trust’s 

Director of Digital, said: “It’s been 

a long-held ambition to use RPA 

technology, so we’re thrilled to be 

taking our first steps into it. 

proactmedical.co.uk 

“This is not about replacing 

humans with robots – it’s about 

automating those repetitive and 

low-value tasks so that staff can 

focus their skill and expertise on 

the things that really matter. 

“While the corporate staff who 

perform these tasks aren’t 

patient-facing, they support 

those who are, and anything 

which improves our efficiency 

behind-the-scenes means that 

patients will eventually reap the 

benefit too.” 

The Trust secured funding from 

Welsh Government’s Digital 

Priorities Investment Fund in 

March 2022 to explore RPA 

technology. 

To date, it has been used across 

five separate projects, including a 

project to streamline the creation 

of ICT accounts for new recruits. 

Almost 900 accounts have been 

created robotically since October 

2022, freeing up ICT analysts to 

apply their technical expertise to 

more complex issues. 

The technology is also being 

used by the team who produce 

investigation reports in response 

to complaints, inquests and 

serious incidents. 

A once-manual trawl of logs 

to establish a timeline of what 

happened has been replaced by 

an automatic process, increasing 

the capacity of the team by an 

average 36 hours per week and 

allowing investigating officers 

to focus on tasks where human 

judgement is essential. 

Leanne Smith, Assistant Director 

of Digital Services, said: “Taking 

away the pain of repetitive, 

laborious tasks to enable our 

people to use their knowledge 

and expertise on high-value tasks 

It’s time to choose accuracy. 

Not just a Pulse Oximeter. 

is what this is all about. 

“This is our first foray into 

automation but already 

colleagues are saying that 

it’s improving the workplace 

experience and boosting morale. 

“It’s an exciting time, and we 

look forward to scaling up in the 

coming years.” 

Meanwhile, the Trust is 

collaborating with the University 

of York to train the next 

generation of artificial intelligence 

(AI) professionals. 

The UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral 

Training (CDT) in Lifelong Safety 

Assurance of AI-Enabled 

Autonomous Systems (SAINTS) 

will welcome its first students 

next year. 

Nigel Rees, Assistant Director 

of Research and Innovation at 

the Welsh Ambulance Service, 

CLASS IIB 

MEDICAL DEVICE 


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said: “Safety is central to the 

initial care during any medical 

the Trust’s strategic priorities, and 

research on our website: 

East of England Ambulance 

respecting their wishes to be 

road generally because the 

responsible and trustworthy 

emergencies. 

the Institute also has a number 

https://www.yas.nhs.uk/our- 

Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is 

cared for at home. 

paramedics working with us are 

adoption of AI. 

of key partnerships in place with 

services/additional-services/ 

leading the way in joining up 

telling their colleagues about 

“SAINTS will bring together PhD 

students from a broad spectrum 

of industries to deliver a new 

generation of experts who make 

leading contributions to the safety 

of AI. 

“Research will focus on risk 

reduction in sectors where safety 

is paramount, like healthcare, 

whilst taking a broader view 

of safety in its technical, legal, 

ethical and societal context. 

“We will help students navigate 

the broader AI research 

environment and become future 

engineers, leaders, entrepreneurs 

and policymakers in AI safety.” 

Professor Ibrahim Habli, 

Director of SAINTS CDT, added: 

“From autumn 2024, we will 

open our doors to the first 

cohort of doctoral students 

undertaking trailblazing 

work in AI development and 

safety assurance. 

“This is an exciting development, 

and we value support from the 

Welsh Ambulance Service in 

helping this become a reality. 

East Midlands Railway (EMR) 

staff at Sheffield Railway 

Station have joined forces 

with Yorkshire Ambulance 

Service NHS Trust to train 

colleagues as Community 

First Responders (CFRs). They 

are now equipped with skills 

to provide vital care, comfort 

and reassurance to anyone 

suffering a medical emergency 

before an ambulance arrives 

on scene. 

Colleagues from the supervisor, 

platform services and customer 

information teams have 

participated in the three-day CFR 

course which includes training 

on cardiopulmonary resuscitation 

(CPR), operating a defibrillator 

and administering oxygen. 

Yorkshire Ambulance Service 

has provided the EMR team with 

a CFR kit bag which includes an 

automated external defibrillator 

(AED); this is an additional 

resource to the four AEDs already 

available on platforms. 

“We’re looking forward to rolling 

the CFR course out to more 

station staff, so that when 

someone falls ill or becomes 

injured, we’ll be on hand to 

provide the best possible firstresponse 

care.” 

Warren Bostock, Community 

Defibrillation Officer with 

Yorkshire Ambulance Service, 

said: “We’re really pleased to be 

partnering with EMR to deliver 

our training to their colleagues in 

Sheffield, and particularly in such 

a busy station setting. 

“CFRs make an extremely valuable 

contribution to their communities, 

and anyone using Sheffield 

Railway Station has the added 

benefit of CFRs working on site. 

We know that in many medical 

emergencies, such as a heart 

attack, breathing difficulties or a 

collapse, the first few minutes are 

critical. If effective treatment can 

be given within those first minutes, 

lives can be saved.” 

Yorkshire Ambulance 

Service launches 

new Research 

Institute 

A new Research Institute 

local NHS Trusts and universities, 

which have supported the 

recent expansion. Through both 

the new leadership posts and 

partnerships, the Institute is 

moving forward with designing 

and developing new research 

projects that will have a real-world 

impact on patients. 

The Institute will focus on 

growing its research portfolio to 

address the needs of ambulance 

service patients, working across 

boundaries to ensure that patients 

are offered the best, evidenceinformed 

care and benefit the 

communities that it serves. 

Dr Julian Mark, Executive Medical 

Director at Yorkshire Ambulance 

Service NHS Trust, said: “The 

research that we do can drive a 

noticeable difference in patent 

care - it can improve the quality, 

safety, efficiency and effectiveness 

of healthcare. We are proud of our 

partnership arrangements with 

local organisations that allow us 

to co-develop our expertise, and 

who support our ambition to grow 

research for the benefit of patients 

in our care. 

“Our Research Institute continues 

to deliver important research, 

whilst also developing our staff 

research-support/. 

Yorkshire Ambulance Service 

is always open to new 

collaborations that support 

the organisation to innovatively 

deliver high quality care. The 

YAS Research Institute can 

be contacted at 

yas.research@nhs.net. 

Paramedics and 

hospice join forces 

to support end-of-life 

patients at home 

A WORLD OF COMFORT 

the skills of emergency and 

end-of-life care professionals 

in the community by 

embedding its paramedics in 

an Essex hospice in a scheme 

that thought to be one of the 

first of its kind in England. 

Three paramedics are working in 

rotation between the ambulance 

service and St Helena Hospice’s 

SinglePoint – a 24/7 helpline and 

rapid response service for people 

receiving end-of-life care and 

support at home across northeast 

Essex. 

The split role offers a unique 

opportunity for collaborative 

working, while sharing skills 

and knowledge between the 

organisations, and focuses 

on helping end-of-life patients 

get the help they need, while 

Nicky Coombes, Hospice in the 

Home Matron at St Helena, said: 

“For our patients, it’s about 

keeping them in the place where 

they want to be cared for and 

giving them support so they can 

remain at home and are less likely 

to be conveyed to hospital.” 

“Having the paramedics on the 

team has added value to our 

SinglePoint service. 

“Their skill sets are different so 

they can go out and do their 

assessment and diagnostics, 

and if a patient has fallen, they 

can often do wound care there 

and then. 

“We’re now getting more calls 

from paramedics out on the 

what we can do at St Helena, 

whereas their first thought 

previously would have been 

to take the patient directly 

to hospital. 

“The paramedics feel more 

comfortable having conversations 

about advance care planning and 

recognising what’s needed for 

patients in the dying process. 

Rachel Hunt, End of Life Care 

lead for EEAST, said: “Having 

our clinicians embedded within 

St Helena Hospice’s SinglePoint 

system means the nursing team 

can benefit from our staff’s training 

in making swift assessment. This 

allows them to assess and deal 

with many patient’s non-urgent 

issues – often without the need 

to call an ambulance or transport 

them to hospital. 

“This will strengthen our existing 

relationship with WAST and build 

future collaborations to ensure 

the trustworthy and responsible 

The training has been completed 

by four colleagues, and the 

station will aim to have at least 

one trained CFR on site at all 

times. Five additional colleagues 

has been launched by 

Yorkshire Ambulance 

Service NHS Trust (YAS) to 

strengthen the organisation’s 

ambition to lead and deliver 

to be able to lead and direct 

research that is meaningful for 

our unique context. It puts us in 

a position to deliver and carry 

out research that addresses the 

development and adoption of AI 

will be trained as CFRs in 

ambulance research. 

needs, priorities and realities of 

in this vital area of healthcare.” 

January 2024. 

everyday business at Yorkshire 


East Midlands 

Railway staff based 

at Sheffield partner 

with Yorkshire 


for first responder 

training 

Dave Meredith, Customer 

Services Director at East 

Midlands Railway, said: 

“Sheffield is a very busy 

railway station with 8-10 million 

passengers passing through 

every year. The safety of 

passengers is our utmost priority 

and this scheme means that 

we are better trained to provide 

The Trust has a strong track 

record in delivering high-quality 

research projects that have 

changed how ambulance 

services care for patients, and 

the new Institute aims to build on 

these successes. 

Recruitment of specialist staff 

into a number of key research 

leadership posts supports one of 

Ambulance Service. 

“We remain a trusted partner for 

research and we will continue 

to work with higher education 

institutions and NHS provider 

organisations, as well as 

welcoming new partnerships.” 

Find out more about the Trust’s 

current and recently completed 

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18 

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“This ensures people can get 

the care they need, while staying 

in their own home for as long 

as possible.” 

For the ambulance clinicians, 

dealing with end-of-life patients 

and supporting their families are 

another set of skills they can use 

to develop professionally. 

They can also take a further 

training module in end-of-life care 

that EEAST has developed with 

the University of East Anglia. 

Scott O’Rourke, one of the 

EEAST paramedics on rotation 

with St Helena Hospice, explains 

how it works in practical terms: 

“During the day shifts on my 

roster, I come into the hospice 

and I’m based out of SinglePoint, 

doing patient assessments and 

assistance and trying to help 

keep people at home. And then 

during my night shifts, I work 

for the ambulance service on 

either a rapid response car or on 

an emergency ambulance as a 

paramedic going to a wide range 

of calls. This allows me to keep 

up all of my chronic and acute 

assessment and treatment skills. 

“It produces a really nice merger 

of roles because it means I’m 

constantly able to keep updated 

with new treatments and 

medication and management 

of conditions, and I can bring 

that learning into the Hospice 

for patients to be treated at 

home. And likewise if, as a 

paramedic, I go to someone 

who’s deteriorating quite rapidly 

or may present as being end-oflife 

in the community, I can bring 

the knowledge learned from St 

Helena Hospice. 

“The biggest benefit I’ve learned 

being at St Helena Hospice is 

the communication aspects of 

speaking to patients and family 

about the advance care planning 

side of things. 

“The biggest skill or knowledge 

I’ve brought into the Hospice 

as a paramedic is the acute 

assessment skills; they have 

proved to be really beneficial to 

help identify whether something 

is actually treatable at home.” 

Picture: Paramedic Scott 

O’Rourke preparing for 

a home visit on behalf of 

St Helena’s Hospice. 

The crew of 

Great Western Air 

Ambulance Charity 

(GWAAC) had a 

busy start to the 

New Year with 90 

call-outs to people 

in urgent need of 

critical care in the 

first two weeks of 

January. This was a 

third more call-outs 

than for the same 

period last year and 

the busiest first two 

weeks recorded by 

the Charity. 

The busy start comes straight 

off the back of GWAAC 

experiencing its second 

busiest year on record in 2023. 

Last year, the specialist team of 

Critical Care Doctors, Advanced 

Practitioners and Specialist 

Paramedics in Critical Care and 

Pilots rushed to help 1,979 people 

experiencing their worst day and 

potentially needing immediate 

lifesaving care. 

In 2023 GWAAC’s crew was 

tasked to more children and 

teenagers in urgent need of 

critical care than ever before. Two 

years ago, despatches to children 

and teenagers doubled for the 

charity, from 7% in preceding 

years to 14%. Numbers remained 

high in 2022, but in 2023 they 

reached a new level when the 

crew was called to help 289 

young people under 18 years old 

(15% of GWAAC’s total call-outs.) 

Luckily the team is well-equipped 

to deal with the increasing 

number of young patients. 

GWAAC has crew members 

that specialize in pediatric and 

neonatal critical care, and when a 

call comes in for a young patient, 

the team responds with the 

specialist kit bags set up to treat 

children and babies. 

“We’re very lucky to have access 

to manikins of all pediatric sizes 

for training purposes, from preterm 

infant to school age. Equally 

important, we also carry a wide 

range of sizes of equipment 

allowing us to resuscitate and 

treat this vulnerable group.” 

Dr James Tooley, Critical Care 

Doctor, Great Western Air 


Do you know the most likely 

reason someone would need 

GWAAC’s air ambulance crew? 

Cardiac arrests remained the 

most common type of incident for 

GWAAC in 2023. The crew was 

called to 503 people in cardiac 

arrest (25% of all missions), 

followed by 377 people (19%) 

who needed GWAAC’s help after 

a road traffic collision. 62% of 

GWAAC’s patients were male and 

32% were female. 

Overall, serious medical-related 

incidents accounted for 51% of 

GWAAC’s total missions in 2023, 

while trauma-related injuries 

accounted for 49% of missions. 

Across its region of Bath 

and North East Somerset, 

Bristol, South Gloucestershire, 

Gloucestershire, North Somerset, 

and parts of Wiltshire, GWAAC’s 

crew responded to 73% of 

call-outs in one of the charity’s 

fully-equipped critical care cars 

and 27% in its blue and bright 

green helicopter. 

Gloucestershire, for the second 

year in a row, was the charity’s 

busiest region, with 573 

people needing the skills of 

GWAAC’s specialist team (29% 

of GWAAC’s total call-outs). 

The next busiest was Bristol 

with 537 call-outs, followed by 

South Gloucestershire with 290, 

then North Somerset with 262, 

Wiltshire with 112, and Bath and 

North East Somerset with 101. 

The crew responded to 104 

incidents out of GWAAC’s region. 

“With our mission numbers 

steadily rising year on year it’s 

more important than ever that we 

continue to receive the support 

of people in our communities. As 

a charity, we receive no direct 

government funding and rely on 

the kindness of people donating 

their time and money. Costs are 

rising too and we need to raise 

over £4 million every year just to 

stay operational.” 

Anna Perry, Chief Executive 

Officer, Great Western Air 


Health Secretary 

thanks frontline 

staff in first visit to 

ambulance service 

Secretary of State for Health 

and Social Care, the Rt Hon 

Victoria Atkins, thanked London 

Ambulance Service (LAS) staff 

for their hard work during a 

visit to the capital’s ambulance 

service on Thursday 4 January. 

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins 

met Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles 

and spoke to ambulance crews 

across the Service 

The Secretary of State took the 

time to meet LAS Chief Executive 

Daniel Elkeles and staff from 

across the Service to observe 

how they provide high-quality 

urgent and emergency care for 

Londoners. 

Secretary of State for Health 

and Social Care, Victoria Atkins, 

said: “I really enjoyed listening 

to the experiences of London 

Ambulance Service staff and 

seeing how innovations such as 

the Service’s electric ambulances 

are improving healthcare in our 

capital city. 

“The ambulance clinicians and 

control room staff I met were all 

incredibly committed to providing 

the best care to those in need 

and are a true inspiration for us 

all. They play such a crucial role in 

ensuring Londoners stay healthy 

and I want to thank them for their 

hard work.” 

After being welcomed by the 

Chief Executive, the Health and 

Social Care Secretary joined 

call-handler Nicole Whiteman 

as she responded to a series 

of emergency calls in the 

Emergency Operations Centre, 

where thousands of 999 calls are 

answered every day. 

Mrs Atkins was then shown how 

our services are co-ordinated 

across the capital in the Tactical 

Rendering Controlled Drugs Irretrievable for Use 

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Simple, easy-to-use, instructions on every kit 

Small 250ml kit for convenient use in the field 

Suitable for use with tablets, capsules, liquids, 

aerosols or patches 

The water soluble sachet contains the 

formula granules to guard against accidental 

spillage and user contamination 

Larger kit volumes available for expired 

stock clearance 

Operations Centre, including 

the dispatch of London’s Air 

Ambulance. 

Later on in her visit to the LAS 

Waterloo Headquarters, the 

Secretary of State heard first-hand 

the experiences of staff from the 

pioneering Mental Health Joint 

Response Car team and Cycle 

Response Unit, as well as NHS 

111 advisers and Advanced 

Paramedic Practitioners. Staff 

from across the service also 

explained how record levels of 

recruitment and new initiatives 

to ensure teams can work more 

closely together are having a real 

impact on morale and culture in 

the Service. 

Finally, Mrs Atkins had a chance to 

see the Trust’s new fleet of green 

vehicles, including the country’s 

first electric ambulance, which is 

set to lessen contributions to major 

respiratory diseases in London. 

Purchase at NHS supply chain: 

my.supplychain.nhs.uk/catalogue or www.alphalabs.co.uk/safer-denature 

Phone: 023 8048 3000 • www.alphalabs.co.uk 

Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive at 

London Ambulance Service, said: 

“I thank the Secretary of State for 

her visit and for listening to our 

dedicated staff as they spoke 

proudly about the work they do 

caring for the capital. 

“We were also delighted to show 

her innovations in emergency 

care, including our first fully 

electric ambulances, which will 

contribute to improving air quality 

and reducing respiratory diseases 

in London.” 

Selfless paramedic 

left speechless after 

Christmas surprise 

*The misuse of Drugs 

Regulations 2001 


20 


01 Safer Denature - Ambulance UK - Jan 2024.indd 1 10/01/2024 14:27:14 


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A split picture with images of 

Nigel Flanagan meeting his 

Manchester United heroes. Left 

to right: Marcus Rashford, Sofyan 

Ambrabat and Luke Shaw 

A paramedic at London 

Ambulance Service who 

has delivered thousands of 

Christmas presents to sick 

children was given a surprise 

visit to meet his Manchester 

United heroes. 

For more than a decade, Nigel 

Flanagan KAM has organised 

collections for children and 

families in need at Christmas. 

This year a team at BBC 

Breakfast decided the selfless 

paramedic – and massive Man 

United fan – deserved the 

ultimate gift this Christmas. 

And millions of BBC viewers 

watched as Nigel was left 

stunned as he came face to face 

with his heroes including star 

Marcus Rashford and manager 

Erik ten Hag. 

Dad-of-three Nigel said: ““I’m 

actually here, it’s a dream, it’s a 

dream, it’s amazing,” and later 

reflected, “on the way, I kept 

thinking, ‘where are we?’ 

“When we arrived and saw the 

iconic Man United sign I was 

speechless. Loads of things were 

going through my head – I was 

gobsmacked.” 

Nigel and his family were also 

given a tour of the stadium and 

left with a shirt signed by all 

the players. 

Nigel admitted he was above all 

inspired by one particular player 

– for his work both on and off 

the pitch. 

He said: “It was amazing to meet 

Marcus Rashford – he’s a very 

grounded person and told me to 

continue my hard work! 

“He’s such a hero and a role 

model to me. I admire the fact 

that he never forgets his roots and 

goes to such lengths to support 

people in his community.” 

Earlier this year the 38-year-old 

received the King’s Ambulance 

Medal to recognise the time 

he has volunteered to support 

London’s communities on top of 

an already busy job. 

In 2009, he set up Operation 

Christmas Present to make sure 

that children, sadly away from 

home on Christmas day, can 

wake up to a present. 

Since then, Nigel has delivered 

over 30,000 presents and 

visited more than 400 hospitals, 

children’s A&Es, and women and 

children’s refuges with his team 

of trusted ‘helpers’ from London 

Ambulance Service, who also 

volunteer their own time. 

The BBC clip, which aired on 

Christmas Day, also showed 

Nigel at Evelina London 

Children’s Hospital meeting some 

of the families who benefit from 

Operation Christmas Present. 

Sue Pruden, play services 

manager at Evelina London 

Children’s Hospital, said: “We’d 

like to say a huge thank you to 

Nigel and his colleagues from 

London Ambulance Service. 

“Their generous donation 

makes a huge difference to the 

experience of our families who 

spend time at Evelina London 

over the festive period. 

“We try to make Christmas as 

special as possible, and this 

includes being able to give a 

present to every patient.” 

Flying the flag for 

Yorkshire at the 

Cardiac Arrest 

Survival Summit 

Colleagues at Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service (YAS) 

attended the Cardiac Arrest 

Survival Summit in San 

Diego where they shared 

their experiences of what 

the Trust is doing to improve 

out-of-hospital cardiac arrest 

survival rates. 

Jason Carlyon, Community 

Engagement Manager, Helen 

Smith, Dispatch Team Leader, 

and Louise Boyes, Campaigns 

Manager, were invited to the 

conference - funded by external 

sponsorship - to do a workshop 

about the Restart a Heart 

campaign which has provided 

CPR training to more than 

234,000 young people on 10 

days over the last 10 years. 

The session was attended by 

participants from around the world 

who will be using our experience 

and learning to host similar events 

in locations such as California, 

Seattle, Colorado and Singapore. 

The conference also featured 

presentations on: 

• How YAS is supporting 

bystanders who perform CPR 

• The introduction of our Restart 

a Heart Ambassador Scheme 

where students will be trained 

to provide CPR training to 

their peers 

• Our experience of telephone 

guided access and utilisation 

of Automated External 

Defibrillators 

• The experiences of YAS and 

Richland Fire and Emergency 

Services (Washington) relating 

to the development of a 

community resuscitation role. 

A 90-second video about CPR 

made by staff who belong 

to the York-based Blue Light 

Theatre Company was shown to 

conference delegates and came 

fourth in a competition being run 

as part of the event. 

Wakefield Ambulance Care 

Assistant Chris Solomons also 

attended the conference, his sixth 

Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit, 

to talk about what has happened 

since he had a cardiac arrest 

13 years ago. During this time, 

he has travelled 11,500 miles 

promoting the benefits of CPR 

and defibrillation. 

Community Engagement 

Manager Jason Carlyon said: 

“It was a huge honour for us to 

be invited to attend the Cardiac 

Arrest Survival Summit to share 

what we are doing at YAS with an 

international audience. 

“The format, which enables us to 

train huge numbers of students 

every year on Restart a Heart 

Day, certainly attracted a lot of 

attention, as did our plans to 

make the event more sustainable 

by providing students with more 

in-depth CPR training so they can 

teach their peers. 

“One key theme of the 

conference was to focus on how 

we are supporting members of 

the public who do CPR at the 

scene of an emergency. We have 

our post-incident care leaflet 

which our crews can give to 

bystanders but we are keen to 

look at further ways of support. 

“It was also interesting to note 

that many ambulance services, 

certainly in the US, don’t routinely 

provide CPR instructions 

to callers, nor do they give 

defibrillator activation information 

as there is a reluctance to have 

defibrillators in locked cabinets in 

communities due to fears of theft 

and vandalism. Our presentation 

relating to this certainly spiked 

interest and many couldn’t 

believe we activated 8,930 

defibrillators in the last year.” 

Citizen CPR Foundation’s biannual 

Cardiac Arrest Survival 

Summit (29 November to 

2 December 2023) brings 

together anyone interested in 

improving a community response 

to sudden cardiac arrest for a 

conference to connect, learn and 

discuss the newest insights. 

Jason added: “Not only were we 

able to share information about 

what we do at YAS but we are 

now looking at how we can use 

the learning from others across 

the world to strengthen the 

chain of survival for our patients 

suffering an out-of-hospital 

cardiac arrest as well as the 

support we give to bystanders, 

many of whom are left with 

emotional trauma.” 


education team 

wins prestigious 

innovation award 

from NHS England 

The education team at North 

East Ambulance Service 

(NEAS) wins the ‘Innovation 

Practice Placement of the 

Year Award’ at this year’s 

Enabling Effective Learning 

Environments annual 

conference with NHS England. 

Congratulations to the education 

team at North East Ambulance 

Service (NEAS) for winning the 

‘Innovation Practice Placement 

of the Year Award’ at this year’s 

Enabling Effective Learning 

Environments annual conference 

with NHS England. 

The conference, held in 

Newcastle, celebrates excellence 

in practice education, placements, 

and our future workforce. 

Innovation Practice Placement 

of the Year Award requires 


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demonstration of innovation in 

increasing quality and capacity 

for placements across the ICS 

(Integrated Care System). This 

means developing new models 

for education and expand 

capacity to provide multiprofessional 

students with high 

quality, sustainable learning 

experience. 

In 2021, the education team 

at NEAS undertook a project 

to improve paramedic student 

placements. This included 

improvements to processes, 

ease of access to systems 

such as GRS (Global Rostering 

System) and issue of keys and 

ID cards. The team also made 

significant improvements on the 

induction process for students 

which now sees students have 

a week-long induction to go 

through vehicle familiarisation, 

complete mandatory education 

and face-to-face information of 

policies, process, values and 

expectations. 

First year students now complete 

observation shifts with our 

Patient Transport Service (PTS) 

to support the development of 

knowledge of services NEAS 

provide. A 24/7 on-call manager 

is now available to provide welfare 

support to all BSc students who 

are out on jobs and the education 

team also work closely with 

universities to support mentors 

with feedback on some issues 

students may face. 

Assistant Director of People 

Development, Karen Gardner 

said: “I nominated the team 

for this award to recognise the 

significant work the team has 

done organising and managing 

student placements. 

“Our colleagues NEAS play a 

big part in supporting our future 

workforce and we hope this work 

will have a positive impact on 

our students. This welcome to 

NEAS gives students a full insight 

to NEAS and an overall better 

welcome to the Trust. 

“The amount of work that 

goes on behind the scenes to 

manage, plan and deliver this 

is unseen work and I want to 

acknowledge the massive task 

this is to plan and coordinate it 

all and deliver the new induction 

process for our BSc students. I 

also want to thank our wonderful 

paramedic mentors who support 

students when they are working 

operationally and work really 

hard to ensure they have a good 

experience. Thank you never 

seems enough, but I do want to 

thank everyone that plays such 

an important role however big or 

small into supporting students 

across NEAS. I feel extremely 

proud of the team for winning this 

award and so lucky to be a part 

of such a great team.” 

Well done to the education 

team for this award and for their 

commitment to improve their 

service for our staff and patients. 

Ambulance workers 

receive Queen’s 

Medal for their 

contribution to 

emergency services 

Seven colleagues from the 

North East Ambulance Service 

were awarded with the Queen’s 

Medal at a ceremony at 

Bernicia House in Newburn. 

The Ambulance Service 

(Emergency Duties) Long Service 

and Good Conduct Medal goes 

to frontline emergency care 

employees for their dedication 

to their roles. The medal is given 

to ambulance staff who have 

been in frontline emergency care 

services for more than 20 years. 

The medals are issued under 

Royal Warrant and this year’s is 

known as the Queen’s Medal as it 

is for those who completed their 

service during the late Queen 

Elizabeth II’s reign. 

Chief Operating Officer, 

Stephen Segasby said: “We 

are honoured to be able 

to host these presentation 

events to mark the hard work 

and commitment of our staff 

members. Presenting The 

Queen’s medals is a testament to 

the work they have achieved for 

the emergency services. 

“For many, this isn’t just a job, 

it’s a vocation and it’s a privilege 

to see the incredible work they 

have done and will continue to 

do. They are an asset to the 

organisation so thank you to each 

of you.” 

The Queen’s Medal is a richly 

deserved honour for the men and 

women from NEAS who have 

worked on the frontline. 

Congratulations to those who 

received the Queen’s medal and 

thank you for your service. 

Colleagues receiving their 

award included: 

Shena Hollyoake 

Shena has worked for the 

emergency services since 

2000 where she started at 

Warwickshire Ambulance 

Service before it merged with 

West Midlands Ambulance 

Service in 2006. Her extensive 

career began as a call assessor 

in the emergency operations 

centre at Warwickshire HQ 

Lemington Spa and then as an 

ambulance technician in 2002. 

From 2005, Shena has worked 

as a Paramedic across multiple 

stations before joining North East 

Ambulance Service in 2018. She 

said: “This medal represents over 

20 years of dedicated patient 

care and for every life saved, 

every life changed, every hand 

held, every baby delivered, every 

tear shed, every grief comforted, 

every colleague I have worked 

with, every hour of study and 

most importantly, every patient 

I have treated.” 

Clare Edmonds 

Clare started North East 

Ambulance Service in 2001 as 

an advanced technician and then 

qualified as a Paramedic in 2003. 

Her career took her to be Team 

Leader in South Shields for nine 

years and currently works as a 

RRV (Rapid Response Vehicle) 

Paramedic in South Shields. One 

of the memories that stands out 

for Clare is standing in Tesco 

on her way to work and three 

people in the queue individually 

recognised her from jobs she 

attended for them and their 

families. Each one recalled their 

story and it was that moment that 

made her extremely proud to do 

the job she does. 

Phil Murray 

Phil started North East 

Ambulance Service in October 

2000 at Gateshead station as a 

paramedic and station officer, 

he has also worked as part of 

the HART team (Hazardous Area 

Response Team) as a HART team 

leader. Phil currently works as a 

Specialist Paramedic at Blucher 

Station. He said: “I’m privileged 

to be in a position to help others 

who require immediate medical 

assistance, and to work with 

colleagues and other emergency 

service partners, who are all 

working together to provide 

lifesaving treatment and relieve 

a patient suffering. At times, it 

seems just like any normal job, 

but can be hugely appreciated by 

patients and families in their time 

of need.” 

Carl Bone 

Carl began his career in April 

2001 in East Anglian Ambulance 

Service at the Peterborough 

Station and moved to North East 

Ambulance Service in 2005. Carl 

has worked at Fulwell, South 

Shields and Pallion station in 

a mix of roles including Team 

Leader, Clinical Care Manager 

and now currently works as 

a Clinical Team Leader at 

Pallion Station. 

Karl Charlton 

Karl started at Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service in January 

2002 and currently works 

as a Research Paramedic at 

Coulby Station. 

Sandra Glencorse 

Sandra started working at North 

East Ambulance Service in 

September 2002 as an advanced 

technician at Swalwell Station 

and stayed there until completing 

her paramedic course in 2008. 

She then moved to Gateshead 

station until 2015, where she is 

now based at Blucher station as a 

Clinical Team Leader. Aside from 

having a career within NEAS, she 

also met her husband Mark at 

Swalwell station in 2003 and has 

been married for 17 years. 

She describes her role as a 

paramedic of having the privilege 

to be part of people’s lives during 

some of their most stressful and 

emotional life experiences and 

being able to provide support and 

guidance is her way of making a 

difference to patient’s lives. No 

two days are ever the same as 

she has been present at both 

the beginning of life and at the 

end. She said: “It can be quite 

an emotional rollercoaster but 

one I am passionate about and 

very proud to be part of. There 

is nothing better than going 

home after work, knowing you 

have made a real difference to 

someone’s life.” 

Air Ambulances 

UK Celebrates 

Outstanding 

Achievements: 2023 

Annual Awards of 

Excellence Awards 

Revealed 

Air Ambulances UK proudly 

presents the 2023 Awards of 

Excellence Winners, hosted 

by Hayley McQueen. The 

annual awards celebrate 

and recognise the dedicated 

professionals who tirelessly 

contribute their specialised 

lifesaving skills and unwavering 

commitment to the air 

ambulance community. Our 

panel of judges deliberated 

long and hard over some very 

difficult decisions due to the 

outstanding quality of the 

nominations. 

Simmy Akhtar, Air Ambulances 

UK CEO said: 

“Congratulations to our 

2023 Awards of Excellence 

winners and their outstanding 

contributions. Our panel of judges 

made some tough decisions 

when choosing the winners 

and we would like to thank 

everyone who entered. Despite 

continuously having to face 

global and national challenges, 

the air ambulance community 

throughout the UK has remained 

determined to provide the 

highest-level specialised patient 

care at the scene. All nominees 

across categories, along with 

the shortlisted candidates and 

winners, collectively form a 

united group that collaborates to 

support their local communities 

during times of necessity. We 

extend our immense gratitude to 

the dedicated staff, volunteers, 

and supporters within our lifesaving 

community.” 

In no particular order our award 

winners are: 

Campaign of the Year 

Sponsored by: Lottery 

Fundraising Services 

WINNER: Cornwall Air 


This heartwarming animation 

depicted Holly’s true story after a 

serious road traffic collision. The 

campaign’s synergy with local 

media, a dedicated website, and 

a digital strategy resulted in an 

astounding £220,000 raised. The 

campaign attracted 500+ new 

donors, reconnected with 400+ 

lapsed donors, and reached over 

5 million people through radio, 

TV, online, and social media. 

A remarkable achievement in 

fundraising and engagement! 

Charity Staff Member 

of the Year 

Sponsored by: Charisma Charity 

Recruitment 

WINNER: Natalie Church, 

Director of Operations, Magpas 

Air Ambulance 

Natalie’s journey from a 

temporary admin role to Director 

of Operations over 22 years is 

awe-inspiring. Her pivotal role in 

transformative projects—enabling 

24/7 service, introducing a new 

helicopter, implementing the 

Advanced Paramedic service, 

and leading the development 

of a new airbase, HQ and 

training centre—showcases 

her dedication and leadership. 

Natalie’s commitment to the 

charity’s growth and her recent 

Mental Health First Aider training 

reflect her exceptional character 

and compassion. 

Charity Team of the Year 

Sponsored by: Donorfy 

WINNER: Cornwall Air 


Embracing this year’s theme of 

collaboration, Great Western Air 

Ambulance Charity nominated 

Cornwall Air Ambulance. The 

Cornwall Air Ambulance Finance 

& Business Intelligence team 


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boldly integrates data sources, 

using modern tools to generate 

invaluable insights. Beyond 

their charity, their collaborative 

outreach to other air ambulances 

exhibits a commitment to shared 

learning, fostering a community 

dedicated to saving more 

lives. A remarkable accolade 

honouring their impactful and 

collaborative efforts! 

Charity Supporter of the Year 

Sponsored by: Tower Lotteries 

WINNER: Polledri family, Great 

Western Air Ambulance Charity 

The Polledri family’s initiative, 

The Sam Polledri Foundation, 

emerged from a devastating loss 

when Sam Polledri, a healthy 

24-year-old, tragically suffered 

a cardiac arrest and passed 

away due to the absence of 

nearby defibrillators. In response, 

his family and girlfriend Lisa, 

established The Sam Polledri 

Foundation with Great Western 

Air Ambulance Charity, aiming to 

ensure that every part of Bristol 

is within a three-minute reach of 

a defibrillator. 

Raising £65,000, the Foundation 

has already installed ten 

defibrillators in strategic locations 

across Bristol, with many more 

in progress. What’s remarkable 

is not just the number but the 

impact: these devices and the 

training they provide have already 

saved a life, a testament to the 

immense influence of communitydriven 

support. 

Importantly, the Great Western 

Air Ambulance Charity team, 

have been pivotal. They’ve been 

on-site, treating individuals 

whose lives were directly saved 

by the use of these defibrillators, 

showcasing the profound impact 

of swift action and communitydriven 

initiatives in life-saving 

scenarios. 

Critical Care Practitioner of 

the Year 

Sponsored by: Zoll 

WINNER: Matt Sawyer 

from Dorset & Somerset Air 


Matt’s leadership in advancing 

pre-hospital care and research, 

notably through his pioneering 

work with ultrasound and the 

NHS Blood & Transplant – Swift 

Trial, showcases his dedication 

to innovation. His advocacy for 

patients extends to championing 

aseptic blood culture procedures, 

working in tandem with South 

Western Ambulance NHS 

Foundation Trust. 

Doctor of the Year 

Sponsored by: Leonardo 

WINNER: Dr Jake Turner, The Air 


Dr Turner’s outstanding 

contributions over the past 

year have been pivotal in 

advancing maxillofacial injury 

and resuscitative thoracotomy 

treatments — specialised fields 

focusing on severe facial traumas 

and life-saving chest or heart 

injury interventions. Dr Turner’s 

proactive approach in acquiring 

cutting-edge surgical equipment, 

implementing specialised 

training, and updating policies 

based on the latest research 

has significantly raised the bar in 

medical care. 

His dedication, innovative 

mindset, and efforts in building 

strong relationships between 

TAAS and the Major Trauma 

Centre highlight his unwavering 

commitment to excellence in 

healthcare. 

Innovation of the Year 

Sponsored by: Black Bear 

Creative 

WINNER: Magpas Air Ambulance 

Ali Hieatt’s (MAGPAS) 

groundbreaking creation—an 

intricately handmade pregnant 

uterus model—revolutionises 

training for a perimortem 

caesarean. This innovation, born 

from multiple fabric iterations 

and designs, equips clinicians 

with vital practice for critical 

scenarios, such as a pregnant 

patient’s cardiac arrest. A 

perimortem caesarean section is 

an emergency surgical procedure 

performed to deliver a baby 

promptly when the mother is in 

cardiac arrest or facing lifethreatening 

conditions. Ali’s 

ingenuity provides colleagues 

with invaluable confidence, 

preparing them for real-life 

emergencies. 

Operations Support Staff of 

the Year 

Sponsored by: MSA Safety 

WINNER: Greg Browning, Wales 

Air Ambulance wins 

As Critical Care Hub Manager 

at The Emergency Medical 

Retrieval and Transfer Service 

Cymru, a vital division intricately 

linked with Wales Air Ambulance, 

Greg orchestrates the intricate 

workings of the critical care 

service. His wisdom and 

leadership are invaluable, earning 

him immense respect among 

colleagues. Greg’s enthusiasm 

sets a remarkable standard in 

the field. 

Special Recognition Award 

Rob Collingwood, Wiltshire Air 


Rob, who tragically passed away 

from cancer at just 42, was an 

invaluable member of Wiltshire 

Air Ambulance’s pilot team. His 

unwavering dedication persisted 

through personal challenges, 

embodying profound selflessness. 

Despite facing a diagnosis that 

halted his flying, Rob continued 

supporting the charity. His impact 

on colleagues, patients, and the 

community defies measurement. 

Rob’s legacy remains and the void 

left by his absence echoes the 

irreplaceable mark he made. 

Pilot of the Year 

Sponsored by: Gama Aviation 

WINNER: Captain Russ Myles, 

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance 

Russ played a pivotal role in 

establishing Scotland’s Charity 

Air Ambulance, leveraging his 

extensive flying experience 

to create an operation 

tailored for Scotland’s unique 

environment. Over a decade, 

Russ’s exceptional flying skills 

have impacted countless lives, 

navigating through Scotland’s 

challenging weather conditions 

and terrain. 

His expertise and dedication have 

served as a lifeline for numerous 

families, earning admiration from 

fellow pilots for his mentorship, 

patience, and outstanding skill 

in handling aircraft in Scotland’s 

demanding weather conditions. 

Special Incident of the Year 

Sponsored by: Aeroptimo 

WINNER: Wales Air Ambulance 

Responding to an unexpected 

home birth of extremely 

premature twins amidst severe 

weather conditions, their team 

undertook heroic interventions. 

Despite challenging odds, 

their advanced care, including 

a difficult intubation, critical 

medication administration, and 

innovative warming methods, 

paved the way for one twin’s 

miraculous survival. 

Young Person of the Year 

Sponsored by: Sloane 

Helicopters 

WINNER: Molly Harris 

Molly’s incredible bravery and 

quick thinking saved her mum’s 

life after a horse-riding accident. 

When her mum’s horse came 

galloping towards Molly riderless 

in the yard, Molly, who is autistic, 

had to overcome her instincts to 

shut down so she could secure 

the horse, then go and look for 

her mum. She scoured the fields 

searching for her, eventually 

finding her and staying with her 

while they waited for Lincs & 

Notts Air Ambulance to arrive. 

Molly’s mum, Emma, had been 

thrown from the horse and had 

suffered a brain injury and severe 

swelling around her spinal cord. 

The crew treated her and airlifted 

her to the hospital. Her resilience 

didn’t stop there—raising 

£180 for Lincs and Notts Air 

Ambulance during their 6k-a-dayin-May 

challenge, even finishing 

bareback after her gear was 

stolen. A true inspiration, Molly 

continues to tackle challenges 

and fundraise for a cause close to 

her heart! 

Trustee of the Year 

Sponsored by: Round Table GB 

and Ireland 

WINNER: Barney Burgess, Kent 

Surrey Sussex 

Barney’s remarkable journey 

from a patient to Chair of 

Trustees showcases his 

outstanding governance, 

empathetic leadership, and 

business acumen. Surviving 

a cardiac arrest in 2015, he 

brings powerful empathy to his 

role. His collaborative approach 

spearheaded pivotal projects like 

the development of an Aftercare 

Service, the defibrillator drone 

project, in-flight care trials, 

and more. Barney’s leadership 

embodies compassion, 

accountability, and integrity, 

marking him as an influential 

figure in the field. 

Lifetime Achievement Award 

Sponsored by: Airbus 

WINNER: Ian Roberts, Midlands 

Air Ambulance Charity 

With an outstanding 20-year 

tenure at Midlands Air Ambulance 

WHY NOT WRITE FOR US? 

Ambulance UK welcomes the submission of 

clinical papers and case reports or news that 

you feel will be of interest to your colleagues. 

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

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

All submissions should be forwarded to 

Charity and an incredible 40-year 

journey dedicated to saving lives 

across the Midlands, Ian’s impact 

has been colossal. From his 

roles as an emergency medical 

professional—starting as an 

EMT and advancing to a critical 

care paramedic, air operations 

manager, and beyond—his legacy 

is awe-inspiring. However, it’s 

Ian’s unwavering commitment to 

patients and colleagues over four 

decades that truly distinguishes 

him. His enduring dedication 

leaves an indelible mark on the 

field of emergency care. 

Chairs Award 

WINNER: Cliff Gale, Essex & 

Herts Air Ambulance 

Cliff Gale of Essex & Herts Air 

Ambulance is the deserving 

winner of the prestigious 

Chairs Award! This award, 

chosen by AAUK’s Chair, 

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

info@mediapublishingcompany.com 

recognises individuals who’ve 

made remarkable and lasting 

contributions to the air 

ambulance sector. 

Cliff’s exceptional leadership 

over 15+ years steered EHAAT 

to incredible milestones 

and laid the groundwork for 

exceptional growth. 

His vision led to transformative 

changes – from establishing 

a new base at Earls Colne to 

acquiring the AgustaWestland 

169 (AW169) helicopter and 

developing the North Weald 

Airbase. His dedication and 

strategic prowess have propelled 

EHAAT’s growth and enhanced 

its operational excellence. 

info@mediapublishingcompany.com 


26 

27 



IN PERSON 

IN PERSON 


Carl Smith awarded BEM 

in New Year’s Honours 

List 2024 

December 30, 2023 

The College of Paramedics is delighted 

to announce that our Head of Clinical 

Development for Emergency and Critical 

Care, Carl Smith, has been awarded the 

Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) 

in the New Year’s Honours List 2024. 

Carl, who has been a member of the College 

of Paramedics since its inception, will be 

presented with his medal by Norfolk’s Lord- 

Lieutenant, Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE at a 

local ceremony and will also attend a Royal 

Garden Party in 2024. 

Commenting on his award, Carl said: “It 

was a total surprise when I received a letter 

informing me of the award and I am humbled 

to be receiving this recognition.” 

Carl started his paramedic career in 2000 

and eight years later began volunteering for 

MAGPAS Air Ambulance where he undertook 

shifts for five years as part of an Enhanced 

Care Team before transferring to East Anglian 

Air Ambulance (EAAA). 

During his career with the East of England 

Ambulance Service Carl has held a number 

of clinical and operational posts, the most 

recent of which was Sector Clinical Lead 

and Regional Cardiac Lead. Since joining the 

College of Paramedics as our Head of Clinical 

Development for Emergency and Critical Care 

in 2023, Carl continues to undertake clinical 

shifts as an Advanced Paramedic in Critical 

Care and remains an active member of the 

EAAA team. 

When he’s not working as a paramedic, Carl 

spends his spare time as an on-call firefighter. 

He also volunteers for Norfolk Accident 

Rescue Service (NARS) where he responds 

from home to support crews at the most 

serious incidents. And if that wasn’t enough, 

he is a visiting lecturer at the University of East 

Anglia and an examiner for the Dip IMC. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Carl was 

instrumental in integrating firefighters into 

the ambulance service to work on the 

frontline with trained ambulance clinicians to 

ensure that an emergency response could 

be provided to patients. As a result of this 

initiative, Carl undertook some research on 

the experiences of the fire and rescue and 

ambulance services working together and 

co-presented his findings at the College of 

Paramedics’ International Conference in 2021. 

The following year he was presented with 

a Companionship Award at the 2022 

Honours & Awards for his work with other 

emergency services and ongoing support to 

his colleagues. 

Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive of the College 

of Paramedics said: “On behalf of everyone at 

the College, I would like to extend my warmest 

congratulations to Carl who thoroughly 

deserves this honour. As our Head of Clinical 

Development for Emergency and Critical Care, 

Carl continues to drive the development of 

the paramedic profession forward and his 

vast experience in clinical and operational 

roles has undoubtedly been of benefit to us 

as an organisation. I know that his ultimate 

goal is to ensure patients receive the very 

best possible care. His passion, dedication 

and determination to succeed at whatever he 

does is second to none and I couldn’t be more 

proud of what he has achieved.” 

Tom Abell, Chief Executive of the East of 

England Ambulance Service said: "We are 

incredibly proud of Carl and are thrilled that 

his hard work and dedication has been 

recognised at such a high level. This honour is 

a testament to the calibre of professionals we 

have in our team and the important work they 

do every day." 

Ceri Sumner, Chief Fire Officer for Norfolk Fire 

and Rescue Service said: “We are delighted 

that firefighter Carl Smith has been awarded 

the BEM in the New Year’s Honours List 2024. 

Carl has served the communities of Norfolk 

with pride, commitment and dedication since 

1996. Not only is Carl a competent and highly 

skilled firefighter, his knowledge around 

trauma is unparalleled within the fire sector. 

He has driven forward higher standards 

of traumatic incident response across our 

organisation and the teams he has worked 

with. We remember the significant incidents 

Carl has been involved in, always putting the 

wellbeing and health of others before his own. 

This award is truly deserved.” 

Steve Maddams, from the Senior Leadership 

Team at NARS added: “This award is welldeserved 

recognition for Carl, showing 

his sincere and unwavering dedication to 

volunteering with Norfolk Accident Rescue 

Service. His commitment to serving the 

community of Norfolk is truly commendable 

and has made a significant impact with Carl 

helping to save many lives with us since 2012, 

attending over 2,500 serious life-threatening 

999 calls.” 

Chief Executive appointment 

confirmed at Yorkshire 


Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS 

Trust has confirmed that, following a 

comprehensive and robust recruitment 

process, Peter Reading has been 

appointed as the Trust’s substantive 

Chief Executive. 

Peter joined the Trust as Interim Chief 

Executive in June 2023 from Northern 

Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust 

(NLaG). He is a very experienced NHS leader, 

having worked directly in the NHS or as a 

management consultant for nearly 40 years, 

including 24 years as a Trust Chief Executive. 

At NLaG, where Peter was Chief Executive 

from 2017 until 2023, he led the Trust out of 

Double Special Measures. 

He originally joined the NHS as a National 

Management Trainee, after graduating from 

Cambridge, and his career highlights include 

the following: 

• As Chief Executive Officer at University 

College London Hospitals NHS Foundation 

Trust from 1998 to 2000, Peter oversaw 

the design of and negotiated the private 

finance initiative deal for the new University 

College Hospital. 

• As CEO of University Hospitals of Leicester 

NHS Trust for seven years, Peter merged 

three trusts into the then second largest 

trust in England, leading it to achieve 

the highest rating of three stars (former 

Commission for Health Improvement 

ratings) for five years running. 

• As CEO of Lewisham & Guy’s Mental 

Health NHS Trust in the 1990s, Peter was a 

pioneer of service-user empowerment and 

community mental health services. 

• Peter was an associate director with 

PwC’s healthcare practice for three years, 

focusing mostly on supporting trusts in 

Special Measures. 

• Peter has also been Interim CEO at 

Doncaster and Bassetlaw and at 

Peterborough and Stamford hospital trusts. 

In addition, as a polio survivor, Peter is Co- 

Chair of the Disabled NHS Directors Network. 

Speaking of his appointment, Peter Reading 

said: “I am so pleased to be able to continue 

my journey at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, 

working with the Trust’s dedicated staff 

and volunteers. 

“Despite the challenging operational 

pressures we face, I have thoroughly enjoyed 

my first seven months at the Trust and will 

continue to progress the implementation of 

our new strategy and provide the very best 

services we can for our patients and local 

communities.” 

Martin Havenhand, Chair of Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “On 

behalf of the Trust Board and our partners, 

I would like to congratulate Peter on his 

appointment and look forward to working 

with him in the coming years. His extensive 

NHS leadership experience in complex and 

challenging organisations is already proving 

incredibly valuable to the Trust.” 

London Ambulance Service’s 

Chief Medical Officer 

recognised in New Year 

Honours list 

The Chief Medical Officer of London 

Ambulance Service, Dr Fenella Wrigley, 

has been awarded an MBE in the King’s 

New Year’s Honours list for services to 

the NHS. 

Fenella has dedicated her career to caring 

for the people of London since graduating 

from St George’s University Medical School 

in 1996, doing her specialist training in 

emergency medicine and working on 

London’s Air Ambulance, before becoming an 

A+E Consultant in 2006. 

Fenella joined London Ambulance Service 

in 2008 as an Assistant Medical Director, 

and was appointed as Chief Medical Officer 

in 2016 and more recently Deputy Chief 

Executive. She maintains her consultant 

role, working regularly in the emergency 

department of the Royal London (part of Barts 

Health NHS Trust). 

Fenella said: 

“I am truly honoured and humbled to have 

been awarded an MBE for services to the 

NHS. But, as with every achievement and 

success in the NHS, this has only been made 

possible because of the teams I work with. 

“I am very proud to be a doctor, and to 

know that – with teamwork – we can provide 

fantastic care to people when they need us 

most. I would like to say thank you to my 

colleagues at London Ambulance Service and 

at The Royal London for all that we achieve 

together.” 

Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said: 

“I am thrilled that Fenella has been named as 

a recipient for this prestigious honour. Fenella 

is absolutely committed to the health and 

wellbeing of our patients, and is steadfast in 

her support for our staff and their continued 

development.” 

Since joining London Ambulance Service, 

Fenella has led a number of pioneering 

initiatives within London and nationally, to 

further improve urgent and emergency care 

at the country’s busiest ambulance service. 

This includes introducing remote telephone 

assessments for patients, the mental 

health joint response vehicles (which teams 

paramedics with mental health specialists), 

and bringing together NHS 111 and 999 

services so our urgent and emergency 

services can work together and ensure all 

patients can access the right treatment closer 

to home. 

Fenella has also helped care for patients 

and deal with the impact of major incidents 

and was one of the first on scene at the 

7/7 bombings and subsequently provided 

strategic clinical leadership for multiple major 

incidents including Grenfell and the 2017 

terrorist incidents. 

Shane DeGaris, group chief executive, Barts 

Health NHS Trust said: “Throughout her time 

at The Royal London Hospital, Fenella has 

been dedicated to our patients and making 

sure they get the best possible care. I’m 

delighted Fenella has been recognised for 

all her hard work, this award is very well 

deserved and I would like to congratulate her 

from everyone at Barts Health.” 

Throughout her career at the ambulance 

service, Fenella has also helped to introduce 

the Trust’s first full time pharmacist, create a 


28 

29 



IN PERSON 

COMPANY NEWS 


development programme for paramedics so 

they can further their careers and skills, and 

is the national lead as medical advisor for 

ambulance services. 

And as if Fenella wasn’t kept busy enough 

with her day job, she continues to work as 

a volunteer doctor for St John Ambulance 

leading the medical cover for ceremonial 

events and is also the Chief Medical Officer 

for the All England Tennis Club, playing a key 

role in looking after the players and spectators 

during the Wimbledon Championships. 

SECAmb announces 

appointment of new chair 

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS 

Foundation Trust, (SECAmb), is pleased to 

announce the appointment of a new Chair, 

to take affect at the end of May 2024. 

Usman Awais Khan will begin a three-year 

term with SECAmb when current Chair, David 

Astley, steps down, as previously announced 

here: https://www.secamb.nhs.uk/chairman- 

announces-decision-to-step-down-after- 

more-than-50-years-in-nhs/ 

The appointment followed a through selection 

process and was recently formally approved 

by SECAmb’s Council of Governors. 

Usman has been Managing Director of Modus 

Europe Limited since 2012. The company 

undertakes management and consultancy 

assignments and conducts research, analysis 

and change management activities within the 

fields of health and social care. 

He is also Chair of the Motor Neurone 

Disease Association and Vice Chair of London 

Metropolitan University. Usman currently 

serves as a NED for North Central London 

NHS Integrated Care Board. He has been a 

Visiting Professor in Health Management and 

Policy at KU Leuven, Belgium, since 2019. 

His previous executive director roles include 

with the European Patient Forum (2019- 

2020), and the European Health Management 

Association (2016- 2019). Between 2001 

and 2012 he served as Managing Director 

of Matrix Insight - a health economics and 

evaluation consultancy. 

Welcoming Usman’s appointment, SECAmb 

Lead Governor, Leigh Westwood, said: “On 

behalf of the SECAmb Council of Governors 

I welcome Usman’s appointment and 

know his knowledge of the health sector 

and experience as a Chairman will serve 

SECAmb well. I, and my fellow Governors, 

look forward to working closely with him in the 

years ahead.” 

SECAmb Chief Executive, Simon Weldon said: 

“I also welcome Usman’s appointment and 

look forward to working closely with him when 

he joins us in a few months. His experience 

will be of huge benefit to SECAmb and I 

thank our Council of Governors and all those 

involved in making this strong appointment.” 

Usman said: “I am pleased and honoured to 

have been appointed by the Trust’s Governors 

to take up the role of Chair of SECAmb. 

“I look forward to working with our CEO 

Simon Weldon and the Board to provide 

strategic direction and operational support to 

our fantastic staff and volunteers in delivering 

the highest possible emergency and urgent 

care to our communities.” 

Gloucestershire paramedic 

recognised in King’s New 

Year Honours 

Vicki Brown, an Advanced Clinical 

Practitioner in Critical Care at South 

Western Ambulance Service NHS 

Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and Great 

Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC), 

has been recognised in the King’s New 

Year Honours. 

Vicki, from Stonehouse in Gloucestershire, 

has been awarded the King’s Ambulance 

Service Medal. 

Vicki has been a paramedic for nearly 20 

years and has dedicated her last 17 years of 

service to working on air ambulances in the 

region, most recently, GWAAC which she 

joined in 2012. 

Driven by a desire to provide the best quality 

care to patients, Vicki has worked tirelessly to 

enhance patient care for those critically ill and 

injured in the South West and nationally. Her 

dedication has led her to: 

• Develop a system so that paramedic 

practitioners could carry and administer 

blood at Great Western Air Ambulance 

Charity. This means that patients can 

now receive blood products earlier in their 

treatment, if needed. 

• Initiate the development of pre-hospital 

ultrasound. This means that clinicians have 

a tool to help diagnose conditions and 

injuries to enable appropriate management 

and treatment of patients. 

• Recently obtain the Fellowship in Immediate 

Medical Care and become accredited 

with the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care 

as a consultant practitioner in prehospital 

emergency medicine. Vicki is 

the first person from a purely paramedic 

background to achieve this status. 

• Following the recommendations of the 

Manchester Arena Inquiry, NHS England 

set up a Task and Finish Working Group 

to improve the clinical response to major 

incidents. With her proven track record in 

leading clinical development within a robust 

governance framework, Vicki has been 

chosen to chair a main subgroup. 

On being awarded the King’s Ambulance 

Service Medal, Vicki said: “I feel very 

honoured and humbled to receive this 

award. I am proud to be a paramedic and will 

continue to work to progress the profession 

as best I can.” 

Philip Cowburn MBE, Medical Director at 

South Western Ambulance Service NHS 

Foundation Trust, who nominated Vicki for 

the award, said: “Vicki has dedicated her 

career to advancing paramedic practice and 

delivering improved prehospital patient care. 

She remains an example to all, acting as a 

superb role model and inspirational frontline 

clinical leader.” 

Tim Ross-Smith, Operations Officer, Great 

Western Air Ambulance Charity, said: 

“Everyone at GWAAC is hugely proud of 

Vicki and everything she has achieved in her 

career. She is rightly deserving of this honour 

and we couldn’t be happier for her.” 

Vicki will collect the King’s Ambulance Service 

Medal later in the year. 

WEL Medical 

Launches New SPR 

Defibrillator 

WEL Medical, a leading 

supplier in the medical safety 

and training industry, is proud 

to announce the launch of a 

new public access Automated 

External Defibrillator (AED) - 

The i-PAD SPR, 

Featuring an extremely durable 

design, the i-PAD SPR is 

an evolution of the hugely 

successful i-PAD SP1. It’s 

perfect for handling challenging 

environments, making it ideal for 

almost any life-saving situation. 

With a high IP66 rating, no matter 

the surroundings, the new SPR 

can deliver life-saving results 

consistently and in the most 

demanding of situations. 

The i-PAD SPR benefits from 

an updated, intuitive, easyto-use 

interface for improved 

accessibility. Users can now 

switch between Adult and 

Paediatric modes with a simple 

push button, ensuring that the 

correct level of shock is delivered. 

As part of its intelligent design, 

this resets to the ‘Adult’ mode 

after use. 

Jonathan Gilbrook, Managing 

Director at WEL Medical, said, 

“We’re thrilled to launch the 

latest Defibrillator model from 

CU Medical, which will provide 

a quick and reliable solution 

for saving lives in cardiac 

emergencies. For us, the device 

builds on the well-received 

features of the i-PAD SP1 while 

improving on durability, flexibility 

and ease of use. We believe that 

the combination of these traits 

is what really sets the i-PAD 

SPR apart.” 

For added convenience, the 

i-PAD SPR comes with its own 

shock-resistant carrying case, 

which makes it easy to transport 

from one location to another 

while being protected from any 

accidental damage. 

It also has, as standard, a fouryear 

battery warranty with up 

to five years life expectancy on 

standby and comes with a 7 year 

warranty extendable to ten-years 

upon registration (add details 

of where) 

“At WEL Medical, we’re focussed 

on saving lives,” said Jonathan 

Gilbrook. “The express purpose 

of the new SPR is to provide a 

durable, ergonomic and reliable 

way to strengthen the chain of 

survival..” 

#20 YEARS STRONG 

Celebrating two decades 

of resilience and success, 

Bluelight UK Ltd proudly 

marks its 20th anniversary as 

a limited company. However, 

the roots of this milestone 

extend back to 1988 when 

the company’s founders, 

Simon and Julie, forged a 

connection while working at 

Kirkby Central in Bolton. Both 

seasoned professionals in the 

motor trade, their journey has 

encompassed diverse roles, 

including engagements with 

major fleet customers, finance, 

leasing, remarketing, and sales 

management. 

Simon’s career trajectory includes 

a pivotal role with ABN Amro 

Bank of Holland in the late ‘90s, 

where he specialised at Amstel 

Leasing within Commercial 

Vehicle Management. This 

subsidiary of Automotive 

Leasing, a primary supplier of 

ambulance vehicles in the UK, 

positioned Simon as a key player 

in understanding the intricacies 

of the UK ambulance industry. 

Subsequently, CVM emerged 

as the market leaders in used 

ambulances for the UK. 

Embracing change within the 

remarketing division, Simon took 

a bold step, founding Bluelight 

UK in 2003 as a sole trader with 

a mere £3000 in hand. Over the 

years, and with the collective 

efforts of his family, the business 

has evolved into its present form. 

Reflecting on the journey, 

Simon remarked, “I couldn’t be 

prouder. Twenty years ago, our 

consultancy business was a 

modest venture, sustaining itself 

and paying the bills. Matthew (my 

son) and I diligently conducted 

end-of-lease inspections and 

managed the sales process for 

a majority of leased ambulances 

in the UK. Fuelled by a salesdriven 

mindset, I was confident 

that with the right resources, 

we could evolve in this market. 

It demanded hard work, and 

despite facing competition 

and economic downturns, 

we persevered and stand 

strong today.” 

A family business through and 

through, employing Julie’s 

nephew and niece, Daryl and 

Samantha who play major 

support roles. The current focus 

of Bluelight UK’s team includes 

various projects supplying Patient 

Transport Service vehicles, 

High Dependency Units, and 

box ambulances. Additionally, 

they are actively engaged 

in projects related to Rapid 

Response Vehicles, Mental 

Health Units, and Driver Training 

Units. Concurrently, the family is 

joyously celebrating the arrival of 

Matthew’s son, Oakley, potentially 

heralding the next generation of 

success for Bluelight UK Ltd. 

For enquiries regarding vehicles 

to enhance your ambulance 

fleet, please don’t hesitate to 

get in touch with the Bluelight 

UK Ltd team. You can reach 

them by phone at 01942 

888800, send an email to 

sales@bluelightuk.co.uk, 

or visit their website at 

www.bluelightuk.co.uk. 

Publishers 

Statement 

For nearly 40 years, 

thanks to trade support, 

we have been able to 

provide Ambulance UK 

FREE OF CHARGE in 

the knowledge that those 

receiving our dedicated 

bi monthly publication 

enjoy having something 

to read during their free 

time however, return on 

investment seems to be 

the buzz word amongst 


Suppliers these days, 

therefore if you enquire 

about a product advertised, 

please mention 

Ambulance UK as it help 

us confirm to the trade 

that we are reaching the 

right people and providing 

advertisers with value 

for money. In respect of 

our current edition we 

would like to thank the 

following companies for 

their support as without 

their contribution towards 

our print and postal 

costs this issue would 

not have been published 

- Alpha Laboratories, 

Avaya, Bluelight 

UK, DS Medical, 

Eberspacher, 

Intersurgical, Medacx, 

Ortus, Proact, St John 

WA, Wel Medical, Zebra 

Technology. 

Terry Gardner 

Publisher 


30 

31 



Seamless Synchronisation 

Hands Free Resuscitation with the 

corpuls3 and corpulscpr. 

In the Ambulance 

Emergency transport carries risk 

for the patient and the responding 

team. With synchronised therapy, 

the emergency team can remain 

seated whilst in transit. Rhythm 

control and shock delivery can be 

performed on the corpuls 3 while 

the medic is seated. 

In Tight Spaces 

Whether in a lift, a stairwell, or 

on tricky terrain, synchronised 

resuscitation means that therapy 

can continue where it wouldn’t 

have been possible before. Once 

in place, a medic can control the 

corpuls 3 monitor, defibrillator and 

CPR parameters of the corpuls cpr. 

In the Air 

Patient access is extremely limited 

in air rescue. Thanks to the perfect 

interaction of the corpuls 3 with 

the corpuls cpr, movement within 

the cabin is reduced. Synchronised 

mechanical chest compressions 

can be given, without having to 

accept long hands-off times. 

• Shorter hands-off time 

• Automated pre-shock compressions 

• Can be used in manual and AED mode 

• Increased safety & minimised interruptions 

• Less resources required 

• Easier operation 

• Data transmission 

• Post mission analysis 

Learn more: 

Scan the QR code 

with your phone 

camera and click 

the link. 

Or visit: 

uqr.to/sync-cpr 

www.theortusgroup.com

Ambulance UK February 2024

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