Ambulance UK October 2024

Volume 39 No. 11 

October 2024 

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CONTENTS 

CONTENTS 

Ambulance UK 

4 EDITOR’S COMMENT 

7 FEATURE 

7 PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ANAESTHESIA: 

THERE’S NOTHING TO PHEA 

This issue edited by: 

Sam English 

c/o Media Publishing Company 

Greenoaks, Lockhill 

Upper Sapey, Worcester, WR6 6XR 

ADVERTISING: 

Terry Gardner, Samantha Marsh 

9 WHAT EXACTLY IS RECIPROCITY? 

11 NEWSLINE 

29 IN PERSON 

CIRCULATION: 

Media Publishing Company 

Greenoaks, Lockhill 


Tel: 01886 853715 

E: info@mediapublishingcompany.com 

www.ambulanceukonline.com 

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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 December 2024 

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AMBULANCE UK – OCTOBER 

3

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

Welcome to this issue of of AUK. 

AMBULANCE UK UK – - OCTOBER JUNE 

68 

4 

“There is a 

suggestion 

“The that significant pay rises 

reforms are 

implemented 

needed but as 

hardly 

always these 

fi t 

may 

take some time.” 

the bill, and 

I fear there 

is a real 

danger that 

recruitment 

and retention 

in the NHS 

will be 

adversely 

affected.” 

Well, we I’m have offi cially a new retired parliament and just and to indulge theory myself a potential a little, change I’m going direction to begin for by the considering NHS. Judging how by the the 

rhetoric ambulance thus service far the has DoH, evolved in light since of the I recent started Darli some review, 35 years there ago. is a Does suggestion anyone that remember significant the reforms arrival of 

are defi needed brillators but on as the always ambulance? these may At the take time some a revolution, time, there complete isn’t any with money a walkman and actually recorder no one to has ensure yet 

specified that you used what it they absolutely might be. by I’m rote. not Consider much of that a political now we animal are delivering therefore them I don’t remotely necessarily by drone see what’s and the 

going progress to change can easily . I do be know seen. that The waiting Paramedic lists especially syllabus was for specialities, contained in primarily a little red young book, peoples now there and are mental so 

health many more services skills are and desperately knowledge in requirements need of work and no-one funding goes and on duty I also without think that JRCALC the currently on their stated smart four phone. 

week There average were few wait medicines, for GPs is pain far too relief long was for limited the most to entonox vulnerable and of the our most population diffi cult that skill rely was on strapping them to 

avoid someone acute into admissions. a Neil Robertson, In my humble now paramedics opinion there regularly is a perfect administer storm of advanced a growing, drugs more and needy perform population, life 

relatively saving surgical shrinking interventions. workforce and I’m proud funding to and have any been number on that of emerging journey and health continue threats to such follow as with RSV interest and the 

Monkey changes Pox to come. that can realistically only be addressed by rethinking the fundamental concepts of the NHS. By 

far the most spoken of is, should it, in every circumstance, be free, a challenging question I know but say, for 

example, Summer is you apparently thought you here, needed well as to near go hospital as we get but in it Lancashire, would cost £15 I’m guessing by ambulance, most of would you you are looking consider 

a forward £12 taxi to ride holidays instead? and Now, time there with family are sensible or friends. opponents It can be to a this great line time of thought, but at the that same it might time prevent stressful the with 

poorest the price parts increases of our we population have seen to avoid across seeking all aspects help of and life. might The therefore pay rises lead implemented to more costly hardly deterioration, 

fi t the bill, and 

and I fear also there that is to a real administer danger the that system recruitment you would and retention need additional in the NHS bureaucracy, will be adversely both perfectly affected. valid. I wonder There 

are how other many alternatives, of todays Paramedic used internationally cohort will such be around as sectioning for the off next part 30 of years. tax revenue, Given the social high insurance demands, and both 

others. practical Unfortunately, and mental, as I suspect a recent that Kings many fund will report move found on to none different of the pastures radical and alternatives that there are will significantly be far fewer 

better retiring than in the any future, other especially including our since own. the So, current like many NHS others retirement in the age health continues services, to increase. I’m sat here Maybe, wondering, like 

what many actually of my peers, do the I words have seen ‘broken’, the golden ‘radical age reform’ of the ‘bold ambulance decisive service. action’ and Whatever ‘fundamental the future rethink’ brings, actually I hope 

mean the summer in the real will world. deliver Change you all a can well really earned only break. be enacted As for by me, investment I’m looking and for the a job… money needs to come 

from somewhere or.. and this might be stating the obvious, we need to understand that the NHS was 

developed for a time much different than the one we live in now. It would be brave to admit to that, so let’s 

see Sam what English, the new Co-Editor NHS 10 Ambulance year plan looks UK like for all of us… 

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 Labs, contribution Axnar GMBH, towards Bluelight our print uk, and 

postal DS Medical, costs this Eberspacher, issue would Ferno, not have Intersurgical, been published Medacx, - Bluelight Med Learn UK, DS Training, Medical, Ortus, Eberspaecher, Proact, 

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

Terry Gardner 

Terry Publisher Gardner 

Publisher 

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FEATURE 

PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY 

ANAESTHESIA: 

THERE’S NOTHING TO PHEA 

Author: Joshua Barker MSc, DIMC (RCSEd), MCPara 

Contact information: generalbroadcastpodcast@outlook.com 

The following article is adapted from a free open access podcast from 

General BroadCAST. To find more easily digestible CPD content like 

this, visit www.generalbroadcast.org.uk 

Anticipated clinical course (where the patient is expected to deteriorate 

rapidly or when intubation and ventilation will have a major impact on 

expediting life-saving intervention at hospital). 

Pre-Hospital Emergency Anaesthesia, or PHEA for short, is the term 

used to describe a rapid sequence induction, or anaesthetic, in the 

pre-hospital emergency environment. This procedure is high risk, 

delivered to some of the most sick and unstable patients, with a 

significant time pressure [1] [2]. 

Over the past 10 years, patient access to a pre-hospital anaesthetic 

has increased significantly [3] [4] with the majority of Helicopter 

emergency medical services (HEMS) who provide PHEA now 

appearing to perform over 100 PHEAs per annum[4]. National 

guidance sets targets for patients requiring emergency airway 

management that they should receive their anaesthetic within 45 

minutes of a 999 call. Perhaps unsurprisingly, only 25% of services 

achieve this national target, with the national median time being 55 

minutes from the point the call was received [5]. 

Ambulance crews along with the HEMS or critical care teams, are 

vital to the safe and timely delivery of PHEA. However, ambulance 

crews may encounter challenges with supporting this, due to limited 

exposure and potentially limited training on the subject. 

In this article we will look to provide an overview of what is involved 

with a PHEA, as well as set out the key elements that ambulance 

crews can do, to prepare their patients for PHEA, helping to reduce the 

time to secure the airway and reach definitive care. 

Humanitarian – to relieve severe pain, distress or suffering in the 

severely injured patient which cannot be safely managed through 

other means. 

PREPARING FOR PHEA: 

Although there will be some nuances with your local HEMs or Critical 

care team, many services that practise PHEA will follow similar 

processes honed over many years to minimise risk and improve the 

safety profile of the intervention. Many of the preparation steps listed 

here will be nationally practised and will be required before the team 

delivers an anaesthetic [6]. Having these elements in place prior to the 

critical care team arrival or being prepared concurrently whilst they 

ready their equipment will dramatically improve the time in which you 

are able to deliver a PHEA to your patient. 

THE LOCATION - 

Positioning your patient in an ideal location for anaesthesia saves a lot 

of time that may be wasted repositioning them. Whilst an ambulance 

might be an obvious choice, it has a number of drawbacks in that, 

it lacks 360 degrees of access, is cramped and does not have a 

lot of space for additional equipment. Ideally retrieve your patient to 

somewhere that: 

WHICH PATIENTS NEED A PHEA? 

- Has 360 degrees of access and enough space for additional 

equipment 

Whilst not exhaustive, below is a list of commonly accepted indications 

for PHEA. Often patients will represent a blend of these indications. 

Actual or impending airway compromise: airway swelling due to burns, 

anaphylaxis, significant airway bleeding, injury, neck haematoma. 

Respiratory failure: Severely impaired and worsening ventilation and/ 

or oxygenation which cannot be adequately managed. Asthma, 

Chest injuries, 

Neurological conditions with reduced consciousness requiring support 

of airway and ventilation to optimise neuroprotection: Traumatic 

brain injury, Acute Subarachnoid haemorrhage, status epilepticus 

unresponsive to 1st and 2nd line meds. 

- Is on the ambulance trolly or has the patient positioned off the 

floor. (kitchen tables and truck beds have all been used in the 

past, intubating on the floor is less than ideal for optimising first 

pass success) 

- Is as protected as possible from wind, rain and sun. Bright 

sunlight can be bad weather too, glare on LCD screens can make 

observations hard to see and laryngoscopy difficult. 

- Is quiet and free from distraction: PHEA requires maximal 

concentration and nothing is quite as off putting whilst looking for 

the vocal chords, as a fire crew continuing to cut apart a car or the 

running of diesel generators. 



7

FEATURE 

- Allows for privacy and dignity 

This can be a challenge in the dynamic world that is pre-hospital care 

and sometimes not all these elements can be achieved. Improvisation 

is key here. 

TIP- If you cant find somewhere under cover, positioning the patient 

so that the person intubating has the sun behind them and not in 

their eyes is the best orientation 

THE PATIENT: 

Conclusion: 

In this article we have discussed the indications and preparations steps 

for patients requiring a PHEA. If you would like to know more about this 

subject, such as the types of drugs used in the process our episode 

on the subject is free to listen. 

As are all of our free monthly podcasts, made by pre hospitalists for 

pre hospitalists. Check our our website www.generalbroadcast.org.uk 

or scan the QR code. 

Pre-oxygenation: To increase the safe apnoea time during intubation, 

most services will pre-oxygenate and apnoically oxygenate patients. 

This is done by fitting a set of nasal specs attached to 15L/min of 

oxygen and a High flow mask, also running at 15L/min. 

Bilateral IV Access: All patients need two points of access prior to an 

anaesthetic in case one is lost at the point of induction. 

Fluids hung: Hang a 500ml bag of 0.9% Sodium chloride and attach it 

to the non-blood pressure arm. This is helpful in case of a sudden drop 

in blood pressure following induction, to demonstrate line patency and 

to act as a rapid flush. 

Skin to Scoop: Most important in trauma patients, but also having 

its place in medical patients, its important that all of the patient is 

accessible. It’s much harder to get clothes off when you are fighting 

with wires and tubes in the way and there is increased risk of cutting a 

vital part of equipment. Prepare the patient by ensuring they are skin 

to scoop. 

Warming: - patients get cold and anaesthetised patients get cold 

quickly due to the impairment of thermoregulatory control from the 

anaesthetic [7]. Don't forget to blanket them and apply a warming 

blanket, even if they’re not cold right now. 

References: 

1 Davis DP , Dunford JV , Poste JC , et al . The impact of hypoxia 

and hyperventilation on outcome after paramedic rapid sequence 

intubation of severely head-injured patients. J Trauma 2004;57:1– 

10.doi:10.1097/01.TA.0000135503.71684. 

2 Wirtz DD , Ortiz C , Newman DH , et al . Unrecognized 

misplacement of endotracheal tubes by ground prehospital 

providers. Prehosp Emerg Care 2007 11:213–8. 

doi:10.1080/10903120701205935 

3 Burgess M, Crewsdon K, Lockey D, Perkins Z . Prehospital 

emergency anaesthesia: an updated survey of UK practice with 

emphasis on the role of standardisation and checklists. Emerg 

Med J. 2019; 35(9) . 532-537 

4 Hodkinson M, Poole K. Induction of pre-hospital emergency 

anaesthesia i-PHEA: a national survey of UK HEMS practice. 

BMC Emergency Medicine. 2023. 23(126) 

5 Turner J, Bourn S, Raitt J, Ley E, O’meara M. Pre-hospital 

emergency anaesthesia in the United Kingdom: an observational 

cohort study. BJA. 2020; 124(5):579-584 

6 Lockey D, Crewdson K , Lossius H. Pre-hospital anaesthesia: the 

same but different. BJA . 2014; 113(2).: 211-219 

7 Kim D. Postoperative Hypothermia. Acute Crit Care. 

2019;34(1):79-80 

TIP- High flow oxygen through a nasal specs can be quite irritating, 

so if the patient is fully conscious, wait until induction to turn this 

oxygen on 

THE KIT DUMP: 


Performing an anaesthetic doesn't require a huge amount of 

equipment, however teams will often set this out in a specific manner, 

colloquially termed a “kit dump”. Contrary to the name, this is often 

highly standardised and specifically placed. You can support the 

speed of this by sourcing the following kit. 

Two suction units: - Two units tested and confirmed to be working are 

needed to provide redundancy in case of failure. Place these to the 

right side of the patient's head and set up one so that the adult yanker 

sits under the patient's head / pillow. 

Two Oxygen bottles: 1 for Apnoic oxygenation and 1 for pre-ox / the 

BVM. You can't have enough oxygen, so sourcing a spare, just in case 

wouldn't be a bad idea. 

8 

For further recruitment vacancies visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

FEATURE 

WHAT EXACTLY IS RECIPROCITY? 

Jerry W. Jones, MD FACEP FAAEM 

What Exactly Is Reciprocity? 

Jerry W. Jones, MD FACEP FAAEM 

Figure 1 

To To introduce my 

my 

new book, 

new 

Getting 

book, 

Acquainted 

Getting Every With Ischemia normal Acquainted 

and heartbeat cancelling 

With is each a product other, 

Ischemia 

as in of the reciprocity. “normal” 

and 

diagram 

Infarction, It in has Figure been 1. I refer estimated which 

to 

wil th 

Infarction, which will be released this summer by Amazon, I have this concept as a cancellation of forces but you may see it reported as 

of the electrical activity of the heart is never recorded due to opposing vec 

be released adapted this weekend’s this summer post from the chapter by Amazon, “Reciprocity.” I have adapted “counterpoise” or this “counterbalance.” weekend’s post from the chapte 

opposite directions cancelling each other, as in the “normal” diagram in Fig 

on “Reciprocity.” 

Do you really understand the concept of “reciprocity” this and concept “reciprocal as a cancellation Let’s look at what is of involved forces with but reciprocity. you may see it reported as “co 

leads?” If you think reciprocity only refers to the ST depression seen in 

“counterbalance.” 

Do you leads really opposite those understand with ST elevation… then you concept know a little about of “reciprocity” and “reciprocal leads?” If you thin 

reciprocity. But only a small amount! 

refers to the ST Let’s depression look at what seen is involved leads with opposite reciprocity. those with ST elevation… 

First, you must understand that no two leads are 180° apart in the 

then you know a little about reciprocity. But only a small amount! 

frontal plane (the limb leads). The furthest apart two leads (and when 

I say “leads,” I mean the positive poles of those leads) can be in the 

First, frontal you plane must is 150°. understand One hundred eighty degrees that away no from two the leads are 180° apart in the frontal plane (the limb 

positive pole of a lead is its negative pole… but still the same lead! 

leads). The furthest apart two leads (and when I say “leads,” I mean the positive poles o 

However, a separation of 180° is possible in the horizontal plane (the 

those precordial leads) leads). can be in the frontal plane is 150°. One hundred eighty degrees away from the 

positive The concept pole of reciprocity of a lead simply is refers its to the negative cumulative result pole… when but still the same lead! However, a separation 

opposing vectors are traveling in opposite directions. But don’t forget 

of 180° is possible in the horizontal plane (the precordial leads). 

– opposite directions doesn’t always mean the vectors are traveling 

away from each other. They may be traveling toward each other. Think 

The concept about it: two vectors of reciprocity traveling toward each simply other are still refers traveling to in the cumulative result when opposing vectors are 

opposite directions. 

traveling in opposite directions. But don’t forget Figure – opposite 2 directions doesn’t always mean 

the vectors Every normal are heartbeat traveling is a product of away reciprocity. from It has been 

In Figure each 2 we see other. two They arrows may (vectors). be traveling The positive toward pole of each Lead aVR other is 1 

estimated that almost 90% of the electrical activity of the heart is never 

Think recorded about due to it: opposing two vectors vectors traveling in opposite traveling Lead directions I, which toward is the furthest each apart other two are positive still poles traveling can be in in the opposite 

frontal p 

directions. 

it should be able to manifest some reciprocity with Lead I. While – theoret 

react reciprocally to Vector “A,” I seriously doubt that you, I or anyone 

9 

else 


to detect any reciprocal change on the ECG. However, it should be easy 

AMBULANCE UK – OCTOBER

FEATURE 

In Figure 2 we see two arrows (vectors). The positive pole of Lead aVR 

is 150° away from Lead I, which is the furthest apart two positive poles 

can be in the frontal plane; therefore, it should be able to manifest 

some reciprocity with Lead I. While – theoretically – it could react 

reciprocally to Vector “A,” I seriously doubt that you, I or anyone else 

would be able to detect any reciprocal change on the ECG. However, it 

should be easy to see it react reciprocally to Vector “B.” 

Now look at the second diagram in Figure 1 (labelled “Localized 

Ischemia”). There is only one vector and it is traveling toward the 

positive pole of Lead aVL. Because of its direction toward Lead aVL, 

that lead will inscribe a positive, upright deflection. But the positive 

pole of Lead III sees the vector traveling away from it so it inscribes the 

same deflection as a negative, inverted deflection. 

A question always arises at this point: How can the positive pole of 

Lead III see the opposing vector traveling away from it when it has a 

vector traveling toward it? How is it any different than the conditions in 

the first diagram of Figure 1? My response is this: it sees the opposing 

vector traveling away from it quite easily because there is no vector 

traveling toward it! The explanation lies in the text located in the middle 

of each diagram. 

In the first diagram, the opposing vectors represent depolarization 

occurring during an action potential. The same activity is occurring 

on both sides of the heart. This is happening during Phase 0 – 

depolarization! The second diagram is occurring during repolarization 

– Phase 2. And the vector that is pointing toward the positive pole 

of Lead aVL is neither an action potential nor depolarization – it’s 

a Current of Injury! A current of injury is an electrical current that is 

completely separate from, and different than, an action potential. 

During Phase 2 in a normal heart, all the myocardium has been 

depolarized during Phase 0. There is essentially no net ion exchange 

between the interior and exterior of the cell. The exit of potassium 

is offset by the entry of calcium reulting in a short plateau. A similar 

pause in transmembrane electrical activity also occurs during Phase 4. 

However, there appears to be some ischemia in the basolateral region 

of the left ventricle under the Lead aVL electrode. A current of injury 

which – again – is completely separate from the action potential, has 

developed and its vector is pointing toward the Lead aVL electrode. 

Thus, Lead aVL is going to produce a positive deflection during 

Phase 2 and, of course, that “positive deflection” is an elevation of the 

ST segment. 

But remember this is Phase 2! The myocardium under the Lead III 

elecrode is normal and non-ischemic and, momentarily, it’s at rest 

and not doing anything. Therefore, there is no extra electrical activity 

between it and the negative tail end of the current of injury vector on 

the opposite side of the heart. So… it inscribes a “negative deflection” 

during Phase 2 which, of course, is recorded as depression of the ST 

segment. 

The form that reciprocity takes depends not only on the location 

of the vectors, but also during which phase of the action potential 

the vectors manifest. 


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NEWSLINE 

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A new solution and a 

new problem 

Many people in Milton Keynes 

relied on the ambulance service 

to take them to non-urgent 

hospital appointments. 

"The ambulance services 

explained that they don't typically 

go to non-hospital locations", 

said Tracy Keech, deputy CEO of 

Healthwatch Milton Keynes. 

"However, after we raised the 

issue, South Central Ambulance 

Service said they would provide 

travel to non-hospital sites for 

outpatient appointments. They 

subsequently sent guidance 

to their call handlers to ensure 

people visiting these sites can 

use ambulances to get there." 

Since the NHS resolved this 

patient transportation issue, 

Healthwatch Milton Keynes hasn't 

had any new complaints about 

a resuscitation attempt to 

approximately 300 people 

following an out-of-hospital 

cardiac arrest (OHCA). Surviving 

an OHCA with a good quality 

of life is dependent on several 

time-sensitive interventions 

including: prompt recognition 

and calling for help, the delivery 

of chest compressions (CPR), 

early defibrillation and postresuscitative 

care; this is known 

as the ‘chain of survival’. 

The automated external 

defibrillator (AED) package is 

part of the charity’s new ‘Life 

Support’ initiative, which aims 

to empower members of the 

public to have the confidence and 

skills to deliver early life-saving 

interventions when someone 

suffers a cardiac arrest. 

By placing more publicly 

accessible AEDs on the exterior 

of workplace and community 

buildings, the charity hopes that 

more lives will be saved, should 

someone suffer a cardiac arrest 

at work or in the surrounding 

community. 

chance of survival following a 

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“We want anyone who suffers 

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whilst help from the ambulance 

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Placing a defibrillator in your 

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“Our devices will join the many 

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Circuit’, so that in the event of a 

medical emergency, members 

of the public who call 999 will be 

directed to the nearest available 

AED unit by the ambulance 

service call handler.” 

However, when some of these 

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were moved out of hospitals 

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clinics, the ambulance crews no 

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Working together to improve 

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people being unable to travel to 

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Air Ambulance 

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Dorset and Somerset Air 

Ambulance (DSAA) has 

launched a new community 

defibrillator package to help 

save lives across Dorset 

and Somerset. 

Each year, DSAA provides 

DSAA’s AEDs are supplied 

by The Heartbeat Trust UK 

and are available to purchase 

by businesses, community 

groups and organisations. 

The package costs £1,750 

and includes a license to use 

the device for as long as you 

want it, access to a DSAA Life 

Support CPR and Defibrillator 

awareness session, support 

with ongoing maintenance and 

ways to fundraise for the cost of 

the package. 

Ollie Zorab, Specialist Practitioner 

in Critical Care at DSAA and 

Clinical Lead for Cardiac Arrest 

at South Western Ambulance 

Service NHS Foundation 

Trust said: 

“Defibrillators are life-saving 

pieces of equipment which 

significantly increase a person’s 

Members of the public can 

search for their nearest AED unit 

via the Defib Finder website: 

www.defibfinder.uk 

More information about 

DSAA’s community defibrillator 

package can be found by 

visiting the charity’s website: 

www.dsairambulance.org.uk/ 

defibrillator-package 

Guernsey hosts the 

Islands Ambulance 

Service Forum 



11

NEWSLINE 


Last week, Guernsey hosted 

the annual “Islands Ambulance 

Service Forum”. The two-day 

face-to-face event was led by 

Mark Mapp CEO of Ambulance 

and Rescue Guernsey, which 

operates the ambulance 

services in the British Crown 

Dependencies of Guernsey 

and Alderney. Mark Mapp 

said the event was considered 

a resounding success with 

robust attendance from various 

stakeholders 

The Islands Ambulance Service 

Forum, a significant platform 

for collaboration and learning 

which is by the Association of 

Ambulance Chief Executives 

(AACE). The group convenes 

virtually throughout the year and 

come together for an annual 

face-to-face meeting. The forum 

is made up of the heads of 

ambulance services in Guernsey, 

Jersey, the Isle of Man, the Isle of 

Wight and Gibraltar. 

Mark Mapp said: “It is crucial 

to discuss shared challenges, 

potential opportunities, and 

pressing issues across the 

islands’ ambulance services. 

Despite each island having 

unique characteristics, the forum 

underscores the commonalities 

and challenges, fostering 

collaborative discussions and 

collective strategic thinking.” 

During the two days the group 

visited the smaller Isle of Sark, 

home to a purely volunteer 

based ambulance service, 

which operates a tractor-drawn 

ambulance trailer. The visit 

highlighted the challenges 

faced in smaller and more 

remote communities. Attendees 

also experienced a tour of the 

Guernsey Marine Ambulance 

launch “Flying Christine III”, 

showing the diverse nature of 

emergency medical services 

across the islands of the Bailiwick 

of Guernsey. 

During the event, Suzanne 

Rastrick OBE, Chief Allied Health 

Professions Officer for England, 

provided an insightful update 

on critical topics, including the 

Allied Health Professions (AHPs) 

Strategy for England, paramedic 

education, regulation, career 

development, the prevention of 

suicide in the ambulance service, 

and a culture review of English 

Ambulance Services. 

Hilary Pillin, UEC Strategy 

Advisor, played a pivotal role 

in the event by delivering 

presentations on a number of 

crucial topics. These included 

AACE’s submission to the Darzi 

Review, national structures, 

the culture review, improving 

sexual safety, and leadership 

development within the 

ambulance services. 

Tom Davidson, Associate 

Professor of Paramedicine 

from the University of Cumbria, 

shared the latest developments 

in paramedic education. As the 

island communities have many 

paramedics who have undertaken 

their academic studies with the 

University of Cumbria, one of the 

main discussion points revolved 

around achieving a standardised 

approach to ambulance service 

education. 

Mark Mapp added: “This 

annual face-to-face meeting 

was essential in reinforcing the 

collaborative spirit across the 

islands. Attendees left the forum 

equipped with new insights, 

strategies, and a renewed 

commitment to addressing the 

unique and shared challenges 

faced by ambulance services 

across the British islands.” 

A man who survived 

a cardiac arrest 

and went on to save 

THREE more lives is 

backing a London 

Ambulance Charity 

campaign to end 

“defib deserts” 

A MAN who beat the odds to 

survive a cardiac arrest has 

gone on to save the lives of at 

least three other people. 

And by backing the new London 

Heart Starters campaign, 

Steve Morris will help to save 

even more. 

Analysis by the London 

Ambulance Service has revealed 

that dozens of neighbourhoods 

are ‘defibrillator deserts’ – where 

there is little or no access to a life 

saving device. 

Steve is now sharing his 

remarkable story in the hope 

it will inspire others to support 

London Heart Starters and fund 

more defibs for the capital. 

Steve was a fit and active 

60-year-old when he collapsed 

while on a treadmill at his gym. 

Staff at the gym gave him chest 

compressions and a shock from 

a defibrillator, keeping him alive 

until an ambulance crew arrived. 

Steve said: “I was slim and I’d 

never smoked. I was a regular 

gym-goer so this was the last 

thing I expected to happen to me. 

“But if this had to happen, I 

was in the best place. The staff 

knew how to give effective chest 

compressions and use a defib, 

which saved my life. If I had been 

at home, I would be dead.” 

Cardiac arrest is when a 

person’s heart stops working 

and stops pumping blood and 

oxygen around the body. At the 

moment fewer than one in 10 

people survive. 

Steve – now 69 - was so grateful 

to be alive he just wanted to help 

others and started fundraising to 

help provide 17 more defibs for 

the West Sussex town where he 

now lives. 

Two people’s lives have already 

been saved by one of the 

new defibs and, even more 

extraordinarily, Steve has himself 

given chest compressions and 

used his own defib to save 

someone’s life. 

He said: “A salesman gave me an 

old defib he had in his garage and 

one day I was at home and heard 

a commotion outside my flat. 

“A man was lying on the 

pavement so I ran down, made 

sure 999 was called, took over 

chest compressions and shocked 

him and he came back to life. 

“It was incredibly emotional and 

actually affected me more than 

my own cardiac arrest. It really 

brought it home how close I was 

to dying.” 

As well as backing the London 

Heart Starters campaign and 

the sponsored London Life Hike 

walk that will raise funds for vital 

defibs, Steve has also joined 

the project board of London 

Lifesavers, bringing his expertise 

and experience to another 

ambitious campaign. 

The London Ambulance Service 

campaign is aiming to make 

London a city of lifesavers by 

organising training in life-saving 

skills for schools, organisations 

and communities. 

Jessica Burgess, Head of London 

Ambulance Charity, said: “Steve’s 

story is incredible and we are 

grateful to have him backing our 

12 


NEWSLINE 

London Heart Starters campaign. 

Hopefully, it encourages more 

people to support us. 

“By joining our mission to place 

defibrillators in the heart of every 

community, you will help us 

save lives.” 

London Ambulance Charity is 

hosting its first sponsored walk 

later this year to raise money for 

more defibrillators and is calling 

on the people of London to 

take part. 

Find out how you can have a 

fun day out while raising money 

for our life-saving Heart Starters 

campaign on our dedicated 

London Life Hike page. 

Determined 

paramedic who 

left school with no 

GCSEs tells pupils 

there are many 

different paths 

to success 

An inspiring paramedic has 

urged GCSE students who 

may be left disappointed by 

their results to not lose heart 

and consider their journey to 

success just beginning, after 

overcoming many challenges 

himself and now thriving in 

his career. 

London Ambulance Service 

paramedic Joshua Thorn, 26, 

remembers the day he received 

his GCSE results – three D 

grades in English, Art and PE – 

and being left disheartened and 

unsure about what to do next. 

But after undertaking some 

real work experience in a care 

home and in a hospital A&E 

department, he dedicated his 

career to helping others. 

As teenagers across the country 

wait to receive their exam results, 

Josh has shared his story to help 

inspire the next generation to 

overcome any disappointment 

they face and instead keep 

pushing on for success in their 

futures, just like him. 

Josh said: “I’m a product of 

my failures as much as my 

successes. The journey from me 

leaving school to getting where I 

am now was not a straight path. 

Success is not just a straight line, 

it’s often a very wiggly line with 

many ups and downs. 

“But looking back on the journey 

to my current job now, I’ve put in 

a lot of time and effort to reach 

where I am and because of 

that hard work, I have a job that 

I love.” 

At the age of 16, Josh was 

not very focused on school 

and admits he did not see the 

merits in working hard with his 

education as he had no idea what 

he wanted for his future. 

He went onto college where he 

undertook a qualification in sport 

coaching, which made him realise 

how fascinating and engaging he 

found anatomy and physiology. 

During his time at college, he 

worked part-time in a care home 

and later went on to work in 

the Accident and Emergency 

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13

NEWSLINE 


department of his local hospital. 

These roles helped him to 

realise he wanted to work as 

a paramedic. 

Josh added: “The only thing 

stopping me when I realised I 

wanted to be a paramedic was 

my maths GCSE, after I had 

attained my English GCSE during 

my time at college. 

“I did my maths three or four 

times and continued to fail. But 

I was so close. Eventually I did 

a level two maths functional 

skills course which I passed and 

enabled me to go to university.” 

He admits having to repeat his 

GCSEs was not easy, due to the 

fact he has always struggled – in 

part due to his personal struggle 

with dyslexia. 

“It wasn’t until I got to university 

that I started to truly understand 

dyslexia and had allowances 

made for it, with special 

measures during exams and 

one to one meetings with tutors 

which helped me progress with 

assignments – it all made life a 

lot easier. 

“I now fully understand how 

my dyslexia impacts me – so I 

can find ways to work around 

it and have still managed to 

achieve success.” 

Josh could never have imagined 

he would be in such a rewarding 

role now. He is particularly drawn 

to palliative care and mental 

health calls because he feels 

he really makes a difference to 

the lives of those patients and 

their families. 

At 26-years-old, Josh said there 

are many at his career level who 

are younger – but he does not 

regret his own past or journey to 

get to where he is. 

In a message to students, Josh 

said: “The results you get today 

do not define you as an individual. 

You might not get the results you 

want or need now but you can 

apply yourself, work hard and you 

will reap what you sow. 

“What you put in, you get out 

in life. If you work hard and you 

want to change the results you 

got – you have to be willing to 

put the effort in and hopefully 

when you do you will achieve 

your goals.” 

He also said comparison to 

others should be avoided at all 

costs because everyone is on 

their own unique path. The only 

thing that matters, Josh says, 

is fulfilling your dreams and 

achieving your goals. 

Josh said: “I’ve had a different 

journey to that of many others 

– but I love what I do now and 

that’s all that matters. I’m still a 

paramedic, working for London 

Ambulance Service – how I got 

here is different to others, but I’m 

still where I want to be and that’s 

what counts.” 

And Josh says he loves his job 

– especially how each and every 

day is different because you can 

never predict the incidents you 

will attend, the patients you will 

help or the situations you will 

be in. 

He added: “I’ve done so many 

things I never would have thought 

I would do – but that’s the life of a 

paramedic and I love it!” 

The ‘shocking’ truth: 

the neighbourhoods 

in need of life-saving 

defibrillators 

New data from London 

Ambulance Service reveals the 

150 neighbourhoods across 

the capital in greatest need of 

life-saving defibrillators. 

When someone suffers a 

cardiac arrest – which is when 

the heart stops beating – the 

use of a defibrillator gives 

them the best chance of 

surviving. But new analysis from 

London Ambulance shows 21 

neighbourhoods where there 

is no access to a defibrillator, 

and 129 neighbourhoods where 

there is limited access for the 

population nearby. 

The stark data also shows that 

households in deprived areas 

are more likely to be in one of 

these 150 areas, with one central 

London borough having six times 

more defibrillators than those in 

some poorer neighbourhoods. 

Chief Executive of London 

Ambulance Service Daniel 

Elkeles said: “When someone is 

in cardiac arrest, every second 

counts in the fight for survival. 

Our ambulance crews get to 

these sickest patients quickly, 

but by starting CPR and using 

a defibrillator, you can help save 

someone’s life. 

“Our new data is a sad reminder 

that some areas in London are 

‘defib deserts’ – this means 

where you live or work could 

determine your chance of 

surviving a cardiac arrest. London 

is an amazing city, and we want 

the capital to become a global 

leader on responding to cardiac 

arrest by increasing the number 

of people who are ready and 

willing to help. We’re sharing this 

analysis with Londoners and 

asking you to get involved in 

fundraising for urgently needed 

defibrillators – we want to start 

a social movement, and improve 

survival rates for all of us.” 

The publication of the new 

data marks the start of a new 

fundraising campaign to fund and 

maintain additional defibrillators 

in the 150 communities where 

they are needed most. Known 

as London Heart Starters, the 

campaign aims to build on the 

successes of ongoing London 

Ambulance initiatives to improve 

cardiac arrest survival rates 

in London. This includes the 

London Lifesavers programme 

which provides free CPR 

and defibrillator training and 

has committed to training a 

generation of year eight school 

children in these life-saving skills. 

Consultant Paramedic Mark 

Faulkner said: “At the moment 

only eight per cent of Londoners 

survive a cardiac arrest if it 

happens outside of hospital. 

Sadly, each minute of delay in 

resuscitation reduces chances of 

survival by around 22 per cent, 

as brain tissue starts to die within 

minutes after the heart stops. But 

survival rates are over 50 per cent 

if a defibrillator is used before 

paramedics arrive. Everyone can 

learn CPR and what to do in an 

emergency.” 

“While there are more than 9,400 

publically accessible defibrillators 

in London, our analysis shows 

that there are fewest in areas with 

the highest levels of deprivation 

and poorest health outcomes. 

We want Londoners, regardless 

of where they live, to have a 

fighting chance to survive a 

cardiac arrest. This is why the 

London Ambulance Charity’s 

London Heart Starters campaign 

is so vital. 

“If we could double London’s 

cardiac arrest survival rate – 

which the best parts of the 

world suggest is possible with 

bystander help – we could save 

the lives of hundreds more people 

every year.” 

Jess Burgess, Head of Charity 

Development at London 

14 


NEWSLINE 

Ambulance Charity, said: “You 

never know when you might have 

to step in and help someone 

you love at home or in your 

community. 

“A public-access defibrillator 

and cabinet costs £1,600, but 

every penny raised in this new 

campaign will go to funding this 

life-saving equipment in priority 

areas. A gift to the London Heart 

Starters campaign is a gift of life 

to Londoners of all ages, races, 

ethnicities, and genders. It could 

also be the gift to the people you 

love and an opportunity to make 

a lasting impact on the health of 

the capital. 

“I would urge all Londoners to 

try and get involved, whether 

that’s taking part in our first ever 

fundraising walk, the London Life 

Hike on Sunday 8 September – 

enjoying a family-friendly 5k loop 

or a more challenging 20k walk 

past the iconic landmarks of the 

city. You can also simply donate 

to our Charity to fund training 

and defibrillators in places they 

are most needed, or by signing 

up to learn these life-saving skills 

for themselves. 

“The campaign will work with 

local communities to identify 

locations for the defibrillators, 

install the devices and provide 

training so people can confidently 

use them.” 

Please visit our charity website to 

register for the London Life Hik 

A 4lb 11oz leap year 

baby born at 31 

weeks is reunited 

with the ambulance 

team who helped 

ensure a safe arrival 

On 29 February this year, at 

31 weeks pregnant with a lowlying 

placenta, Colleen Hodge 

from Newcastle was at home 

with her 18-month-old Jax 

when she started bleeding and 

called 999 to ask North East 

Ambulance Service for help. 

With her husband Marc seven 

hours away on a course with 

the army, she was petrified she 

was going to lose their baby and 

scared of frightening her little boy 

by showing her fear. 

Twenty-three-year-old Kayci-Mae 

Robinson from Northumberland 

was the health advisor from North 

East Ambulance Service at the 

other end of the line who helped 

keep Colleen calm during the 

call, during which an emergency 

ambulance, staffed by paramedic 

Simon Rogers, clinical care 

assistant Emily Younger and 

a student, was travelling to 

her address. 

The family has now been reunited 

with the health advisor and 

emergency ambulance crew who 

came to their aid. 

A health advisor for 2 years 

now, Kayci remembers the call, 

“As soon this call connected it 

was clear to me that this was 

a very urgent situation, with an 

obstetric emergency. I gathered 

all the information on Colleen’s 

condition so that I could get her 

the right help and the right advice 

as fast as possible, whilst trying 

to be reassuring - Coleen was 

understandably frightened. 



15

NEWSLINE 


“Maternity calls are either one 

of the most exciting or most 

terrifying calls to get, but either 

way if you realise that baby is 

on the way or if mam or baby 

are in distress, you must act 

very quickly. 

“I focused on getting Colleen to 

control her breathing and stay 

calm, talking about her toddler 

who was with her at the time 

and reassuring her a crew were 

coming as fast as they could, all 

while asking the questions we 

needed, to monitor her condition 

until the ambulance crew arrived 

at the door to give her life 

saving care.” 

Colleen recalls the conversation, 

“At 31 weeks my waters went so 

I rang 999 feeling very scared 

that I was going to lose my baby. 

Kayci at the other end of the line 

helped me to keep calm, told me 

what to do and kept me updated 

on how far away the crew were 

– she stayed on the phone until 

they arrived.” 

Once passed the job for a 

maternity case with heavy blood 

loss, paramedic Simon from 

Whickham and clinical care 

assistant Emily diverted from 

heading back to base for a meal 

break to attend the address. 

Simon, who qualified as a 

paramedic in 2021 and joined 

NEAS, said, “I was filled with 

trepidation when this job came 

through as I knew it may concern 

a small baby. On arrival we were 

met with an emotional scene. 

Colleen was leaning against the 

bottom of the stairs with 18month 

old Jax and there was a lot of 

blood. She was struggling to 

remain conscious and reassure 

her child Jax that everything will 

be okay. 

“We quickly assessed the blood 

loss, contacted maternity to let 

them know we were coming 

and gave student Lauren the 

responsibility to look after Jax 

and keep him engaged so that 

Emily and I could deal with his 

mum. We knew we needed to be 

at the hospital tout suite! 

“Once at hospital we made sure 

Mum was OK and got to work to 

find some fresh clothes for Jax 

and somewhere he could go to 

be taken care of. 

Clinical care assistant Emily, 

from Prudhoe, who began her 

career as a health advisor eight 

years ago, joined her colleagues 

working on the road almost a 

year ago. 

She added, “Walking into 

Colleen’s house was quite 

shocking, she was on the floor 

covered in blood, visibly upset 

talking to the health advisor. I 

remember was her son sat with 

her trying to give her a blankie to 

make it better. Jax was such a 

good boy, he never cried or got 

upset and he even helped me 

buckle him into the child seat on 

the ambulance. 

“It was a very determined drive 

to the hospital on blue lights and 

after we had handed over to the 

hospital staff, we were exhausted, 

a little emotional, and I don’t think 

we really expected everything to 

be okay. To hear later that mum 

and baby were doing well, was a 

massive relief.” 

Colleen concluded, “The crew 

came in house to see to me but 

at same time keeping Jax calm 

and entertained and reassuring 

him that I was okay. At hospital 

they looked after Jax until a 

midwife could take care of him 

whilst I got rushed to theatre. 

“Louie-Marc was born at 16:01 

weighing 4lb 11oz at 31 weeks 

2 days and was rushed straight 

up to NICU were he stayed for 

7 half weeks. I got discharged 

on Sunday 3rd March. We 

are all doing great at home, 

but Marc and I want to meet 

everyone again because they 

were excellent with Jax, and we 

wanted to thank them personally 

for helping to save our lives. They 

each deserve a medal and we 

couldn’t have done it without 

them. There are not enough 

thank yous in the world for what 

they did for our family.” 

Louie-Marc joins the family with 

older brother Jax, as well as 

Lucas, Darcy-Mae and Tyler. 

Simon continues, “As people we 

don’t tend to remember what 

someone said, but rather how 

someone made us feel. Colleen 

felt grateful we could help and 

that appreciation, along with 

that of others, is what keeps me 

grounded, knowing what I’m 

doing and why. 

“I became a paramedic to make 

people’s lives better. Just to know 

when I get home that I made a 

difference is all I need. Working 

as part of the NHS is something I 

feel internally proud about – and 

I know my parents would also be 

proud if they were still here to see 

where I ended up.” 

Kayci ended, “I joined NEAS 

because I wanted the opportunity 

to do something different from 

everything I’d done before and 

to be able to help people while 

doing it. I love that I get to help 

people. Sometimes, on the worst 

day of a patient’s life, to keep 

them calm and get them the care 

that they need is such a fulfilling 

and rewarding experience. 

“It is so amazing to be able 

to reunite with the family. It’s 

incredibly rare to get the chance 

to see the people we’ve assisted, 

especially as a health advisor. This 

is my first patient reunion, and I 

am so honoured I got to take part 

in a small part of this family’s story. 

It’s the hope from these amazing 

outcomes that make us carry on 

doing what we do.” 

New immersive 

technology suites 

giving students a 

hands-on learning 

experience 

The next generation of 

healthcare and engineering 

professionals are now being 

trained using the latest 

immersive technology following 

a £3million investment at 

Coventry University. 

The university’s School of Health 

and Care has opened its new 

VR Cave Automatic Virtual 

Environment (CAVE) suite, 

while its College of Engineering 

Environment and Science has 

installed a Powerwall. 

Funded from a £5million grant 

from the Office for Students, and 

supplied by Animmersion UK, 

the CAVE has a huge simulation 

screen wrapped around 

three walls on which different 

healthcare settings and scenarios 

are simulated, while students 

can also interact with simulated 

patients by using 3D headsets. 

The Powerwall is a floor to ceiling 

high-definition screen with 3D 

immersive technology allowing 

students to work together 

on projects using advanced 

visualisation tools. 

The CAVE enables students to 

practice clinical events in a safe 

setting and put their learning into 

practice. They can zoom in on 

interactive organs such as the 

heart to better understand their 

structures and how they work, 

or interact with a healthcare 

16 


NEWSLINE 

mannequin connected to 

the screen. 

They can practice patient 

interactions, treatment 

procedures, and diagnostic 

techniques specific to courses 

including diagnostic radiography, 

occupational therapy and 

physiotherapy. 

Dr Natasha Taylor, Curriculum 

Lead for Healthcare Simulation 

at Coventry University’s School 

of Health and Care is an expert 

on simulation technology and 

has spearheaded several of the 

university’s projects in the area. 

She said: “The CAVE is a totally 

immersive environment, it 

allows our learners at the touch 

of a button to move between 

environments such as a hospital 

ward, an operating theatre, the 

back of an ambulance or outside. 

We also have a model viewer that 

allows our learners to take parts 

of the body and look at them in 

depth, move them around and 

even go inside them. 

“Simulation is threaded 

throughout all our curricula here 

at Coventry University, it’s a 

central pillar of what we do. It’s 

really important that our students 

can learn in a completely safe 

environment that allows them to 

make mistakes, and learn from 

their mistakes so when they go 

out into actual practice and see 

actual people they feel confident 

and competent. In our experience 

our learners really enjoy and 

benefit from simulation.” 

The Powerwall at the Beatrice 

Shilling Building also uses 3D 

immersive technology to help 

students better understand 

mechanical designs and projects 

they have created. 

It allows them to display a design 

on screen and interact directly 

with it, allowing them to zoom in 

and see it from all angles. This 

can be used to help develop 

prototypes and will form a focal 

point for collaborative design 

sessions and discussions. 

Hardeep Nandra, Technical Skills 

Advisor at Coventry University’s 

College of Engineering, 

Environment and Science 

said: “This is a high capability, 

high-definition screen, capable 

of 3D imagery with tracking 

software which allows you to fully 

immerse with the screen itself. 

It gives students the chance to 

interrogate their designs, you can 

see right into the components 

and drawings, allowing learners 

to critique any areas that they 

might want to redesign. It’s 

an ideal tool for students in 

the department to use for 

their learning.” 

Through an immersive classroom 

experience the Powerwall 

has the ability to transform 

and enrich student learning 

across many engineering 

subject areas. It provides a high 

quality stereoscopic immersive 

experience that is capable 

of taking students inside an 

engineering works, vehicle 

workshop, or construction site, or 

transporting them virtually to visit 

and study real-world locations 

anywhere on the planet. 

Large groups of students have 

the ability to review designs 

and conduct interactive 

sessions, moving seamlessly 

from augmented reality factory 

simulations to component design 

optimisation. 

Find out more about Coventry 

University’s School of Health and 

Care and College of Engineering, 

Environment and Science. 

If you would like to find out more 

about the CAVE, please email 

CAVE@coventry.ac.uk 



17

NEWSLINE 

Joint volunteer 

initiative between 

North East 

Ambulance Service 

and RAF Boulmer 

comes to an end 

like to thank them for their 

support and dedication over the 

last two decades. 

Responders across the air force 

have volunteered their own free 

time to act on behalf of NEAS 

to respond to life threatening 

emergency calls, all of whom 

are either current or ex-serving 

Armed Forces personnel, from a 

mixture of trades and ranks. 

Chief operating officer, Stephen 

Community development officer, 

Paul Brolly said: “It has been a 

pleasure to be a founder member 

of the RAF Boulmer scheme. To 

volunteer and help the community 

is a privilege that all the RAF 

members and our Community 

First Responders do daily on 

behalf of NEAS. 

“Early intervention can more than 

double a person’s chances of 

survival and can be the difference 

between life and death. 

weeks later in the intensive 

care unit at Eastbourne District 

General Hospital. 

Once Molly awoke from the 

coma, she was transferred to 

the hospital ward for further care 

until she was discharged more 

than a month later on Christmas 

evening 2021 to go back home 

to her husband Colin and two 

young children, Albert aged two 

and Jacob aged four months at 

the time. 


North East Ambulance Service 

and Royal Air Force Boulmer 

has together responded to over 

2800 x999 emergency calls 

since 2004 in a joint initiative to 

serve the region. 

For the last 20 years, North East 

Ambulance Service (NEAS) have 

worked in close working with 

the RAF Boulmer volunteers to 

respond to emergency 999 calls 

when an ambulance is on route. 

In total, they have gifted over 

11,500 hours of volunteering in 

their community and attended 

over 2,800 patients when their 

resources are the closest. 

Over 15 RAF volunteers have 

subsequently gone on to careers 

at NEAS from ambulance care 

assistants to paramedics and 

instructors which includes Paul 

Brolly who is part of the volunteer 

development team. 

From the first shift in February 

2004 to May 2024, in total, 

the team have attended 2888 

x999 calls and logged a total of 

11,568 hours which equates to 

roughly 480 days. This scheme 

has allowed NEAS to free up 

resources to be able to respond 

to more calls and attend more 

patients across the region. 

The scheme came to an end 

in May due to RAF operational 

changes on site, but we would 

Segasby said: “We are sad to see 

the RAF Boulmerscheme come 

to an end, but we are extremely 

grateful for the support they have 

provided to NEAS for the last 

20 years. 

“I would like to thank all the 

responders for volunteering their 

time and provided incredible 

support for the service. We were 

honoured to have Aerospace 

Manager and Warrant Officer, 

Philip Billington and Charlotte M 

Best, Station Commander and 

Wing Commander, attend our 

annual volunteer ceremony in 

June and were able to present 

them with an award for their 

long service 

They have had a really strong 

presence over the 20 years and 

being able to gift their time to give 

back to their local community has 

had a significant impact but also 

is an outstanding commitment 

and we’re all extremely grateful.” 

North East Ambulance Service 

has 112 community first 

responders who are based 

across the region and are 

trained to deal with emergencies 

prior to the arrival of an 

ambulance. Over the last year 

they have attended over 1,850 

incidents and have collectively 

volunteered over 41,000 hours for 

the service in 2023/24 equates 

to 1,715 days and respond to 

serious emergencies such as 

cardiac arrests. 

“Volunteers are deployed to 

incidents at the same time as 

an ambulance is dispatched, to 

provide vital life-saving care and 

support, or simply a reassuring 

face, in the crucial minutes 

between a 999 call being made 

and the arrival of the crew. 

Philip Billington said: “It’s been 

a great pleasure to meet some 

interesting people in sometimes 

very difficult circumstances. It has 

been a great honour to work with 

NEAS, a privilege to receive the 

training and support to enable us 

to serve the community.” 

26-year-old mother 

and cardiac arrest 

survivor reunited 

with ambulance crew 

Molly Potter, now aged 26 from 

Polegate, East Sussex, was 

at a kickboxing class with her 

husband, Colin, and sister Amy, 

on the evening of 19 November 

2021 when she collapsed to 

the floor in cardiac arrest. 

Molly’s next memory was 

waking up from a coma two 

Colin said: “Molly was discharged 

from hospital on Christmas 

eve which meant we were able 

to spend Christmas together 

at home as a family – it was 

truly magical.” 

More than two years after the 

incident, Molly felt ready to learn 

more about what happened 

on the evening of her collapse 

and visited South East Coast 

Ambulance Service’s (SECAmb) 

Make Ready Centre in Polegate. 

Molly and Colin met with 

Resource Dispatcher, Elena 

Rogers, Newly Qualified 

Paramedic, Ricky Braiden, 

Paramedics, Henry Seymour and 

Eleanor Reed and Operational 

Team Leader, Nicola Barnes, all 

of whom helped Molly on the 

evening of her cardiac arrest. 

The five ambulance service 

colleagues who met with Molly 

and Colin were able to share 

some additional insights into the 

quick decisions that they made 

in order to stabilise her breathing 

and to get her to hospital as 

quickly as possible for further 

medical treatment. The crew 

were also extremely grateful for 

the high-quality CPR that Colin 

was able to perform on Molly 

following guidance from a friend, 

James, who was also on scene. 

Molly said: “It meant so much to 

me to be able to meet the crew 

who helped save my life. I now 

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NEWSLINE 

feel like I can close this chapter 

of my book. I cannot thank 

them enough.” 

Elena said: “As a dispatcher, it’s 

rare we get to find out the result 

of a call, and so it was amazing 

for me to be able to meet Molly 

and see her doing so well in 

her recovery.” 

Since the incident Molly has 

joined various survivor groups 

and has also been back to visit 

the intensive care unit in order 

to aid her recovery. Molly also 

bravely ran a 10K race just nine 

months after being discharged 

to raise money for the Intensive 

Care Unit where she spent time 

following her collapse. 

Paramedic, Eleanor added: “I 

frequently visited Molly in the 

intensive care unit when I was at 

the hospital to see how she was 

doing, and so it was brilliant to 

be able to sit in front of her and 

her family to hear more about 

her journey to recovery. I’m so 

thankful that she is doing well.” 

Molly has now returned to work 

and is working for local charity 

You Raise Me Up, who supports 

bereaved families. The kickboxing 

class also now has a community 

defibrillator on site, should 

anyone need to use it. 

Kent teacher who 

suffered a major 

artery tear reunites 

with lifesavers 

A Kent science teacher, who is 

lucky to be alive after suffering 

a tear of his major aorta artery 

where it exits the heart, is 

reunited with his lifesavers. 

With just a 15 to 30 per cent 

chance of surviving the Type A 

aortic dissection, South East 

Coast Ambulance Service 

colleagues were delighted to be 

reunited with the father of three 

from Parkwood in Gillingham, 

Kent, at Medway Make Ready 

Centre on Tuesday, 20 August. 

Giles Phillips, now aged 49, 

who is a head of department 

at a secondary school in Kent, 

suffered a life-threatening 

tear in the main artery in the 

early hours of the morning on 

17 November 2020. 

Giles’ wife, Chris said: “I awoke 

to hear Giles making some 

peculiar noises. I thought he 

was choking or having a stroke, 

but when prompted to open his 

mouth by Emergency Medical 

Advisor, Claire Perriss, his jaw 

was completely locked shut. 

Although Giles was conscious, 

he was agitated, confused, and 

distressed, and so I immediately 

called 999 for an ambulance.” 

Resource Dispatcher, Shereen 

Cooper dispatched multiple 

resources to scene, with 



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Paramedic, Lauren Judge, 

and Emergency Care Support 

Worker, Jace Simpson arriving 

within eight minutes of the call. 

On the crew’s arrival, Giles was 

conscious, however was vomiting 

and struggling for breath. 

Student Paramedic, Amy Harvey, 

Paramedic, Leah-Ann Bothe and 

Critical Care Paramedic Antony 

Bailes were next to arrive on 

scene, before being joined by 

The Air Ambulance Charity Kent, 

Surrey, Sussex. 

Together they stabilised Giles 

before transporting him by 

road to Kings College Hospital 

where he spent four days in the 

intensive care unit, as well as 

a further four days in the high 

dependency ward. In that time, 

Giles underwent a total of nine 

hours of emergency heart surgery 

to repair the torn artery. 

Giles said: “When I awoke three 

days later in intensive care, 

having no memory of what had 

happened, I was completely 

surprised to see a familiar face; 

an ex-student of mine who I had 

taught in the years prior, was 

standing at the end of my bed 

caring for me.” 

Now nearly four years on, Giles, 

Chris and their two children now 

aged 10 and 18 met the team 

who helped to save his life and 

say thank you. The family were 

given a tour of the Emergency 

Operations Centre where they 

learnt more about the process 

from the initial 999 call to 

resources being dispatched. 

Claire said: “I was over the moon 

that nearly four years down the 

line Giles and his family wanted to 

meet us. It was a really rewarding 

experience and I was thrilled that 

Giles is back to good health and 

is recovering well.” 

Leah-Ann said: “It must have 

been an extremely scary time 

for the family, especially as Giles 

had no warning signs of what 

was coming. I can’t thank them 

enough for coming to meet us all.” 

Giles returned to school in his role 

as Head of Department within four 

months of the incident and is back 

to teaching his subject, biology. 

Since then, Chris has joined The 

Air Ambulance Charity Kent, 

Surrey, Sussex (AAKSS) within 

a voluntary capacity as part of 

their team based in Rochester, 

and 10-year-old son, Max, has 

become a young ambassador for 

them, participating in fundraising 

and raising awareness of the 

services that they provide. 

Max said: “I wanted to become 

more involved with KSS because 

of the doctors and paramedics 

who helped my dad. They looked 

after him and made sure he got 

better and that has motivated me 

to raise awareness and money.” 

Shereen said: “I was so happy 

to hear that Giles and his family 

wanted to meet us. It was a 

fantastic afternoon, and we all wish 

him the best of luck for the future.” 

Lauren said: “It was lovely to be 

able to fill in some of the gaps 

in Giles’ memory regarding the 

morning of the incident. This 

is all part of the recovery and 

healing process and I’m thrilled 

that we all got to be part of this 

positive story.” 

Saving Lives, Serving 

Our Communities – 

Trust launches new 

5-year strategy 

An increase in partnership 

working, and the introduction 

of an initial further five 

clinical hubs will be key to 

South East Coast Ambulance 

Service NHS Foundation Trust 

(SECAmb) delivering on its new 

five-year strategy. 

The clinically-led strategy also 

sets out the Trust’s commitment 

to embrace new technologies as 

it transitions from a predominantly 

ambulance-based response 

model to a more differentiated 

approach, where the type of 

response is tailored to the 

individual needs of the patient. 

The strategy which is being 

formally launched at SECAmb’s 

board meeting this week, sets 

out three main strategic aims; 

delivering high-quality care; 

ensuring people enjoy working 

at SECAmb, and being a 

sustainable partner within an 

integrated NHS. 

It also outlines the Trust’s new 

values – Kindness, Courage 

and Integrity – developed in 

partnership with colleagues, 

as the principles which should 

guide all actions and behaviours 

and how it delivers its service 

to patients. 

SECAmb currently operates two 

multi-disciplinary clinical hubs 

in Ashford and Paddock Wood, 

where its Advanced Paramedic 

Practitioners (APPs) are joined 

by teams from across the local 

healthcare system to ensure 

999 calls are receiving the most 

appropriate response. 

It is working with its Integrated 

Care Boards (ICBs) and provider 

trusts across its region on a 

jointly-agreed model to introduce 

additional Unscheduled Care 

Navigation Hubs (UCNHs) from 

later this year. 

While the locations of the new 

hubs are to be confirmed, 

they will build on the benefits 

observed from already piloted 

hubs including in Ashford where, 

since its introduction in November 

2023, it has helped save, on 

average, 27.5 hospital admissions 

and 180 bed days each week. 

The strategy also sets out a 

commitment to improve response 

times including achieving both 

Category 1 and 2 performance 

targets, improving cardiac arrest 

survival rates by 5 per cent and 

reducing the time for stroke 

patients to receive specialist 

treatment. 

As part of its work within the 

wider healthcare system, 

SECAmb will aim to increase 

its use of alternative clinical 

pathways to emergency 

departments (EDs) from 12 per 

cent to more than 30 per cent. 

In turn, it will aim to reduce 

its conveyance rate to EDs to 

less than 40 per cent from its 

current level of approximately 

54 per cent. 

By creating an inclusive and 

compassionate environment and 

investing in colleagues’ careers 

the strategy will deliver improved 

career development and reduce 

its turnover rate from 16 per cent 

to 10 per cent. 

David Ruiz-Celada, SECAmb 

Executive Director for Strategic 

Planning and Transformation 

said: “We are delighted to be able 

to share our new strategy which 

is a culmination of many months 

of work following engagement 

with colleagues, patients, our 

communities and our partners. 

“We recognise the changing 

needs of our patients and 

fundamental to our new strategy 

is a commitment to provide 

patient care differently. 

“Our approach will help us 

provide an improved and faster 

response to our most seriously-ill 

and injured patients. For those 

patients whose needs are less 

urgent, we will make use of 

the skills of our clinicians and 

technology to provide care 

remotely or connect them with 

other more appropriate services. 

“We have already started work 

20 


NEWSLINE 

developing new ways of working 

across our region including the 

roll out of additional clinical hubs 

in partnership with our provider 

colleagues. A system-wide 

approach to healthcare, where 

SECAmb has a pivotal role is vital 

in achieving our aims. 

“Our new strategy underlines our 

commitment to improving the 

working lives of all our people 

so together, we are best placed 

to respond to the needs of 

our patients.” 

South Western 


Service is the first 

ambulance service in 

the UK to introduce 

virtual reality 

to train incident 

commanders 

The South Western Ambulance 

Service NHS Foundation Trust 

(SWASFT), is using cutting 

edge Virtual Reality (VR) 

technology, to provide its 

incident commanders with an 

immersive training experience 

to test their knowledge, skills 

and decision making in a 

realistic environment. 

Commanders use information, 

intelligence, risk assessments, 

plans, and procedures to assess 

an incident, to enable them and 

the wider Trust to develop the 

strategy and tactics for dealing 

with it. Types of incidents could 

include multi-vehicle road 

traffic collisions, flooding, and 

terrorist attacks. 

During the training, virtual reality 

headsets are worn or the use of a 

joystick, giving a three-dimensional 

moving image with realistic sound 

effects and voice injects, which 

replicates a live incident. 

Commenting on SWASFT’s 

new training, one commander 

said: “It provides an immersive, 

safe, and controllable learning 

environment which was very 

engaging and so realistic. It is 

really effective training”. 

During the scenarios, the 

software is extremely versatile 

and allows the trainer to adapt 

to the commander’s direction, 

such as requesting air support, 

moving people away from unsafe 

environments and conducting 

JESIP (Joint Emergency 

Service Interoperability 

Programme) huddles. 

The Command Development 

Team can build any scenario 

to ensure their commanders 

are getting the best, most 

relevant training. 

As with live incidents, 

commanders undergoing the 

training need to decide on their 

initial actions, radio the virtual 

Incident Support Desk with 

updates from scene and use the 

recognised M/ETHANE format. 

JESIP huddles are undertaken 

with other colleagues in the room 

who will give comments and 

updates prepared by partner 

agencies, who would normally 

collaborate with SWASFT at 

incidents, including police, fire, 

coast guard and the RNLI. 

Another commander who has 

completed the training and 

watched others undertake it, 

said: “I learnt so much from 

watching how my peers managed 

each scenario which has given 

me greater confidence and 

ideas of how I can develop into 

my practice.” 

Mark Harwood, Command 

Development Officer and 

Paramedic, who provides the 

training said: “We are proud to 

be the first ambulance trust in the 



21

NEWSLINE 


country who is providing this type 

of virtual reality training. 

“As a Trust, we continue to work 

hard to develop the care we 

provide to our patients, by using 

innovation tactics to better equip 

our people.” 

The VR training is one element 

in the new two-year cycle of 

SWASFT’s Command Licence, 

which sees Operational, Tactical 

and Strategic Commanders 

having to attain the required level 

of competency to carry out their 

role, whether in an on-call or core 

duty capacity. 

Year one requires commanders 

that respond to live operational 

incidents to undertake this VR 

training. Year two requires them 

to submit body worn video (BWV) 

to the Command Development 

Team of them managing a live 

incident or exercise. 

SWASFT is keen to use this 

technology in other areas of the 

Trust, such as the Emergency 

Operations Centres, where 999 

calls are received. This would 

enable operational colleagues 

from across the region to remain 

in their localities, but with the 

benefits of cross team working 

adding more realism, saving 

environmental impact, travel 

time, and costs in line with our 

environment and sustainability 

commitment. 

In the first six weeks of this 

new program, five Command 

Development courses have 

been delivered throughout the 

SWASFT region. 

‘If I can inspire one 

person to take up 

study, I’d be a happy 

man’ – Craig’s story 

A NORTH Wales nurse about 

to embark on a professional 

doctorate is encouraging 

others to pursue their own 

academic journeys. 

Craig Brown, Clinical 

Development Lead for Service 

Transformation at NHS 111 

Wales, already has a Cert in 

Health Studies, a Diploma in 

Health Emergency Planning, a 

BSc in Combined Health Studies 

and an MSc in Computer-Based 

Learning and Training. 

Now the 55-year-old from Ynys 

Môn is pursuing a doctorate in 

Public Health. 

Craig said: “One thing that struck 

me when I joined the service was 

the sheer breadth of knowledge, 

skills and compassion that my 

nursing colleagues and that of the 

wider NHS 111 Wales team have. 

“One minute, you’re talking to 

someone about their chronic 

and complex illness and the 

next you’re giving advice about 

cradle cap. 

“I already had qualifications 

under my belt at this point, but 

I was so in awe of the nurses in 

our team that it made me want 

to acquire even more skills to be 

the absolute best I could be – so 

that’s what I’m doing. 

“The Clinical Leadership Team at 

NHS 111 Wales, of which I’m a 

member, has a philosophy about 

using our skills, qualifications and 

experience to ‘drop the ladder 

down’ to our colleagues to help 

them to climb too. 

“If I can inspire just one person 

to take up study, I’d be a 

happy man.” 

Despite his impressive 

credentials, study has not always 

been plain sailing for Craig, who 

is neurodiverse. 

He said: “It was my MSc tutor in 

2004 who first suggested I might 

have dyslexia. 

“He also had it and suggested 

that what I’d written would make 

no sense to others, but it did 

to him. 

“I wasn’t formally assessed until 

2016 while undertaking another 

MSc, which I was failing in. 

“Suddenly, everything made 

sense, but just because my brain 

is wired differently, it doesn’t 

mean I’m any less capable. 

“If I can do it, others can too.” 

Craig has had a myriad of 

roles over his 34-year career 

as a nurse, including as an 

Emergency Department Charge 

Nurse, Resuscitation Officer, 

Emergency Planning Lead and 

Assistant Director of Olympic 

Preparedness, Emergency 

Planning and Business Continuity. 

He joined NHS Direct Wales – 

now NHS 111 Wales – in 2017 as 

a Nurse Advisor and has since 

held the posts of Clinical Support 

Desk Senior Clinician, Senior 

Clinician Advisor and Specialist 

Clinical Lead. 

In April, the Welsh Ambulance 

Service, which hosts NHS 

111 Wales, was awarded 

University Trust status by Welsh 

Government in recognition of 

its commitment to develop its 

current and future workforce and 

to drive research and innovation. 

Estelle Hitchon, the Trust’s 

Director of Partnerships and 

Engagement and lead for 

academic partnerships, said: 

“We were delighted to secure 

University Trust status back in 

April, but it’s much more than just 

a name change. 

“It’s recognition of our 

commitment to the education and 

development of all our people, 

regardless of their role in the 

organisation, and the world-class 

research we undertake to advance 

knowledge across unscheduled 

and emergency care and beyond, 

including in public health, which is 

so important. 

“I’m delighted that Craig is 

realising his potential with 

support from his colleagues and 

the wider organisation, as well 

as consolidating our relationship 

with Bangor University. 

“I am confident that securing 

University Trust status will 

continue to strengthen our links 

with universities nationally and 

internationally and position the 

Welsh Ambulance Service at the 

forefront of education, research 

and innovation in our sector.” 

Dr Mike Brady, Assistant Clinical 

Director for Remote Clinical 

Care, and one of Craig’s doctoral 

supervisors, added: “Craig 

starting his doctoral-level study is 

incredibly exciting. 

“There has been a need for 

more clinical academic roles 

in healthcare for a long time, 

coupled with more research in 

remote clinical practice. 

“How Craig has been able to 

begin his professional doctorate 

by transitioning from MSclevel 

study shows how WAST 

can partner with universities 

and create more opportunities 

for staff. 

22 


NEWSLINE 

“To achieve the status of 

a scholarship with the Academy 

accessed via a free-to-call 

student, and has since 

consultant clinician, there is a 

for Health Equity, Prevention and 

number, it may also help address 

progressed onto a doctorate. 

requirement to complete PhD/ 

Wellbeing. 

some current inequalities 

professional doctorate-level study 

in health. 

“Craig was one of the standout 

or have experience in leadership, 

Craig, who is based in Bangor, 

students on our MSc programme; 

strategy, learning, and research 

said: “I’m keen to explore 

“We have a broader ambition 

his commitment to learning and 

that is significantly higher or 

the opportunities for health 

as a Trust to provide the right 

development was reflected in 

commensurate with doctoral- 

promotion in remote clinical care, 

care or advice, in the right place, 

his assignments and insightful 

level study. 

especially now the organisation 

every time, and I’m keen for 

classroom contributions. 

is a named body under the Well- 

any learning I glean from my 

“Craig’s doctoral journey now 

being of Future Generations Act. 

doctorate to help us get there. 

“Craig’s journey exemplifies 

opens up the possibility of a 

how education can inspire 

clinical academic and consultant- 

“Currently, we’re a very reactive 

“Improving population health 

both personal and professional 

level career, which WAST should 

service which helps people when 

isn’t a quick fix, but eventually, 

development.” 

be very excited about as a 

things have already gone wrong 

we could start to see the 

University Trust. 

for them. 

pressures reduce in emergency 

Craig considers how fortunate he 

departments and patient flow 

is, living in Ynys Môn, and being 

“My expectation is that Craig and 

“With a million calls to 111 every 

improve, which is a prospect 

able to undertake a national role 

those we are supporting to take 

year, imagine the opportunity 

which all of us in NHS Wales 

with NHS 111 Wales, whilst also 

similar journeys can then support 

there would be to signpost 

would relish, I’m sure.” 

studying at his local university 

others through their future 

people to services that could 

in Bangor. 

journeys, building and sustaining 

help with their longer-term health 

Dr Nathan Bray, Senior Lecturer 

consultant, clinical and academic 

issues, like how to quit smoking, 

in Preventative Health at Bangor 

He has a passion for the coast 

careers in Wales.” 

healthy eating, wellbeing 

University, added: “Craig initially 

and spends most of his spare 

and exercise. 

enrolled on our Prevention, 

time walking his three rescue 

Craig’s doctorate at Bangor 

Population Health and Leadership 

Border Collie dogs, volunteering 

University was made possible by 

“As a pan-Wales service, 

MSc programme as a scholarship 

with British Divers Marine Life 

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Rescue to help injured and 

stranded seals and dolphins, and 

SUP and kayaking. 

When he is not in or by the water, 

he also enjoys the racket sport 

pickleball, regularly competing 

in the Ynys Môn and Gogledd 

Cymru Leagues, or learning to 

play the saxophone. 

The new ambulance 

initiative helping 

patients at the end 

of life 

THE Welsh Ambulance Service 

is piloting a new initiative to 

further support patients at the 

end of their life. 

The Trust’s new rapid response 

service enables palliative care 

paramedics to better support 

patients with advanced and 

terminal conditions who contact 

999 in crisis. 

It is designed to improve the 

patient’s experience in their 

preferred place of care and 

reduce avoidable hospital 

admissions, which can be 

stressful and unwanted in the 

patient’s final days or hours. 

Ed O’Brian, the Trust’s Palliative 

Care Lead, said: “Ambulance 

services across the UK are 

regularly supporting patients who 

are nearing the end of life and 

experiencing a crisis event. 

“We are committed to ensuring 

that everyone who contacts 

999 in these circumstances is 

cared for with the utmost dignity, 

compassion and respect. 

“We’ve had palliative care 

paramedics in Wales for a 

couple of years now, and they 

do an amazing job of delivering 

specialist care to patients in the 

community and in a hospital 

and hospice setting as part 

of a rotation arrangement 

with Swansea Bay University 

Health Board. 

“The rapid response service goes 

a step further again, ensuring 

that patients with a palliative 

care need who access 999 are 

getting the best possible support 

by deploying an experienced 

palliative care paramedic to these 

999 calls whenever possible.” 

The pilot has supported more 

than 150 patients in the Swansea 

area since its inception in April. 

Paramedics are dispatched in 

one of two ways; by an Advanced 

Paramedic Practitioner Navigator 

based at Morriston Hospital’s 

Same Day Emergency Care 

unit, or by identifying patients 

themselves from the 999 ‘stack’ 

who might benefit from their skills 

and expertise. 

They are also available over 

the phone for other ambulance 

clinicians who require advice and 

support with decision-making. 

Ed said: “The other role they play 

is in advance care planning. 

“They’re attending patients with a 

palliative need who access 999, 

but whose 999 call might be for 

an acute event, like a fall. 

“If the paramedic believes the 

patient is likely to experience a 

further deterioration in the near 

future as a result of their palliative 

condition, and there’s no planning 

in place for that deterioration, 

they can start that process with 

the patient’s permission by 

having conversations about how 

they would like their care to look 

going forward. 

“The paramedic can then make 

any necessary referrals. 

“Hopefully this will reduce the 

likelihood of a future crisis event – 

or, in the event of a crisis and the 

patient is unable to communicate, 

the patient’s wishes will have 

already been captured and those 

wishes can be respected by the 

attending clinician.” 

The rapid response service pilot 

runs until November 2024. 

Chair Colin Dennis, who 

recently observed palliative care 

paramedics in Swansea, told 

yesterday’s Trust Board meeting: 

“I would just like to commend 

publicly the work that they do – 

it’s absolutely extraordinary. 

“They do an amazing amount 

of work to keep people in their 

homes, rather than convey to 

hospital, when they are at end 

of life. 

“They’re doing amazing work 

in the pilot which is going on in 

Swansea and what we hope 

is that when the pilot ends in 

November, we’ll be able to 

persuade other health boards 

to embrace the same initiative 

as well.” 

The Welsh Ambulance Service 

appointed its first palliative care 

paramedics in 2021 and was the 

first UK ambulance service to 

do so. 

It was also the first to introduce 

‘Just in Case’ medications on 

its emergency vehicles, allowing 

paramedics to better manage 

the symptoms that may be 

experienced as terminally ill 

patients become more unwell. 

Meanwhile, its End of Life Care 

Rapid Transport Service provides 

transport for terminally ill patients 

to their preferred place of death, 

and has made more than 4,500 

compassionate journeys since its 

introduction in 2017. 

And last year, the Trust was 

presented with a Who Cares 

Wins Award from then Prime 

Minister Rishi Sunak for its Wish 

Ambulance initiative, which 

enables patients at the end of 

life to have a memory-making 

experience before they die. 

The virtual video 

booth helping the 

Welsh Ambulance 

Service capture 

patient experience 

THE Welsh Ambulance Service 

has launched a ‘virtual video 

booth’ to enable people to 

share their experience of 

the service. 

Patients, relatives and carers are 

being invited to record feedback 

using an interactive new portal on 

the Trust’s website. 

Feedback will help the service to 

understand what it is doing well 

and how it could improve. 

The Welsh Ambulance Service is 

the first in the UK to harness this 

technology. 

Leanne Hawker, Head of Patient 

Experience and Community 

Involvement, said: “We are 

an organisation committed to 

learning and are forever keen 

for people to tell us about their 

experience, whether good, bad or 

indifferent. 

“There are a number of ways 

that people can do this already, 

but we wanted something even 

slicker and easier, especially in 

this digital age. 

“You can access the video booth 

on a mobile phone, laptop or 

desktop computer, and within 

a couple of minutes, could 

have recorded something really 

rich and insightful for us as an 

organisation. 

“Whether it’s 999, NHS 111 

Wales, or our Non-Emergency 

Patient Transport Service, we 

want to hear any and all feedback 

24 


NEWSLINE 

that you have.” 

The secure video booth will ask 

users to record four separate 

clips, including about them, their 

experience, how the experience 

made them feel and what could 

have been done differently. 

“Those clips are then reviewed 

by our Patient Experience 

and Community Involvement 

Team to identify any themes,” 

said Leanne. 

“If positive, it’s an opportunity to 

share best practice and celebrate 

what has worked well. 

“Where there’s lessons to be 

learned, we highlight this at 

various forums, including at Trust 

Board and committee meetings 

and where appropriate with 

colleagues elsewhere in NHS 

Wales and Welsh Government.” 

The Welsh Ambulance Service 

has a legal obligation under the 

Health and Social Care (Quality 

and Engagement) (Wales) Act 

2020 to meet Welsh Government 

standards for health and 

social care. 

It includes a Duty of Quality, 

which came into force on 01 

April 2023, which means all 

NHS organisations have a legal 

responsibility to continually 

improve the quality of the 

services they provide. 

Liam Williams, the Trust’s 

Executive Director of Quality and 

Nursing, said: “Quality is at the 

heart of everything we do here at 

the Welsh Ambulance Service. 

“The lived experience of patients, 

their families and carers is key 

to unlocking some of the quality 

improvement opportunities we 

continually aspire to achieve. 

“Having this interactive approach 

builds on the really positive 

engagement we already get 

and will hopefully enable greater 

opportunities for co-production 

with people across Wales, 

something we’re passionate 

about as an organisation. 

“We look forward to the public 

embracing this additional 

opportunity to share with us what 

it feels like to use our services.” 

New report published 

on the experiences 

of the rough sleeper 

community in Hull 

A detailed report was 

published in July by 

Healthwatch Hull outlining the 

findings and recommendations 

from an engagement initiative 

carried out with rough sleepers 

and those experiencing 

homelessness in Hull. The 

aim was to better understand 

their experiences of accessing 

ambulance services, identify 

any concerns, and help to drive 

improvements across health 

and social care partners. 

Commissioned by Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service NHS Trust 

and funded by the Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service Charity, 

the six-month project saw 

Healthwatch Hull talking to rough 

sleepers and those experiencing 

homelessness across the city 

to gain a clear picture of any 

access issues they had when 

using services, including the 

999 emergency service, NHS 

111 urgent care service and 

the non-emergency Patient 

Transport Service. 

The report reflects positive 

experiences of the various 

services and their staff, 

and also areas where 

issues were highlighted and 

recommendations made. The 

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25

NEWSLINE 

recommendations provided 

are wide-ranging and merit 

further work to identify how the 

ambulance service and health 

and social care partners can 

respond meaningfully, in a way 

that will make a difference for 

patients. The report contents and 

recommendations will not only 

be relevant to Hull, but across the 

wider health and care system in 

the region and nationally. 

services, to better meet the 

needs of inclusion health groups 

and other vulnerable populations. 

The report also demonstrates the 

value of collaboration, patience, 

and the development of trusted 

relationships. The breadth 

and depth of our engagement 

work proves that even groups 

considered hard to reach are not 

beyond the reach of dedicated 

and coordinated efforts.” 

Service Charity to reduce the 

impact of health inequalities on 

our communities. 


colleagues celebrate 

long service in 

Yorkshire 

years’ service milestone. The 

honours handed out included 

the Queen’s Long Service and 

Good Conduct Medal, given to 

39 colleagues with 20 years’ 

exemplary frontline emergency 

service during the reign of Queen 

Elizabeth II. Thirteen staff were 

recognised for an amazing 40 

years’ service and one recipient 

picked up an award for an 

outstanding 50 years’ service. 


Lewis Etoria, Senior Community 

Engagement Manager with 

Yorkshire Ambulance Service, 

said: “Working closely with our 

communities is the best way 

of understanding how we can 

improve our services for the 

people who use them. 

“The level and depth of this 

engagement with the rough 

sleeper community in Hull 

has provided both us and our 

partners with valuable information 

and insight which we will use 

to shape real improvements 

for their care when they need 

to access our urgent and 

emergency services.” 

Carrie Duran of Healthwatch 

Hull said: “The project has 

highlighted some incredible 

work by the ambulance service 

and stakeholders in ensuring 

that individuals experiencing 

homelessness are treated 

with dignity and kindness and 

receive the necessary support. 

However, the report also 

sheds light on shortcomings 

within the wider health and 

care system, particularly 

how rigid service models 

and a lack of understanding 

of trauma negatively impact 

these individuals. 

“Whilst the report focuses on the 

specific barriers faced by those 

experiencing homelessness, 

it also serves as a valuable 

opportunity for services and 

commissioners within the ICS 

to re-evaluate how they deliver 

Gary Sainty, Head of 

Voluntary, Community and 

Social Enterprises with the 

Humber and North Yorkshire 

Health and Care Partnership, 

was involved in this project 

and commented: “Our work 

alongside Yorkshire Ambulance 

Service and Healthwatch Hull 

has given us a much deeper 

understanding of how those 

experiencing homelessness and 

rough sleeping interact with the 

ambulance service and hospital 

emergency departments. While 

the engagement work has come 

to end, I hope NHS organisations 

and partners can take forward 

some of this learning and insight, 

not just to improve clinical 

outcomes, but to ensure people 

who are sleeping rough are 

always treated with dignity and 

compassion.” 

The report – Voices of the 

street; Exploring homeless 

experiences of Yorkshire 

ambulance Service NHS Trust 

– can be accessed at 

VOICE-OF-THE-STREET- 

REPORT-FOR-PUBLISH-1.pdf 

(healthwatchkingstonuponhull. 

co.uk) 

This activity supports Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service’s community 

engagement strategy to work in 

partnership to better understand 

those communities likely to 

experience health inequalities and 

the greatest barriers to accessing 

services. It also underpins the 

work of the Yorkshire Ambulance 

Colleagues with a combined 

service of 4,000 years have 

been recognised for their 

dedication at a Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service NHS 

Trust (YAS) Long Service and 

Retirement Awards event, 

including one member of 

staff who has celebrated an 

incredible 50 years’ service. 

Over 220 staff had reached 20-, 

30-, 40- and 50-years’ service in 

the NHS during 2022 and nearly 

100 awardees and their guests 

attended the special event at 

Wetherby Racecourse, during 

which awards were presented by 

YAS Chair Martin Havenhand and 

Helen Thomson, His Majesty’s 

Vice Lord-Lieutenant of West 

Yorkshire. Recipients included 

staff from A&E Operations, 

the Emergency Operations 

Centre, non-emergency Patient 

Transport Service, NHS 111 and 

support services. 

In total, 25 individuals were 

congratulated for achieving 

20 years’ NHS service and 18 

individuals for reaching the 30 

Alan Baranowski joined Sheffield 

Ambulance Service in 1972 

and spent 20 years working in 

Sheffield, first as an Emergency 

Medical Technician and later 

as a Paramedic. Since then, 

he has held a wide range 

of roles including Associate 

Director of Operations and 

Head of Resilience and Special 

Operations. 

In the 1980s he became involved 

in the very early development of 

paramedic and trauma training 

at the former South Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service. Alan also 

played a significant part in the 

UK-wide development of the 

computerisation of ambulance 

control room systems which 

remain in operation today, 

and he worked with local A&E 

consultants on pioneering new 

protocols for neonatal and 

paediatric clinical procedures 

for paramedics. ~ 

In 2002 he led on the 

development of the UK’s first 

‘paramedic degree courses’ 

at both the University of 

Sheffield and then Sheffield 

Hallam University. 

In 2016, Alan was awarded the 

Queen’s Ambulance Medal, a 

great honour which recognises 

Alan’s many years of dedicated 

service and makes him part of 

a very small, select group of 

ambulance personnel who have 

shown exceptional devotion to 

duty, outstanding ability, merit 

and conduct in their roles. 

26 


NEWSLINE 

Peter Reading, Chief Executive, 

said: “Our Long Service Awards 

event is a fantastic opportunity 

to truly thank staff for their 

contribution to the service, the 

NHS, and our local communities 

over the last 20, 30, 40, and even 

50 years. 

Woking man reunited 

with life-saving team 

cardiac arrest. 

Ian was lucky to be alive, having 

only gone to his GP practice on 

the advice of the walk-in centre 

in Woking, where he received 

an Electrocardiogram (ECG). As 

the results appeared normal, 

Mikrut and Operational Team 

Leader Mick Byrne to the scene. 

The team worked tirelessly, 

delivering advanced life-support 

to stabilise Ian before he was 

transferred to St Peter’s Hospital 

in Chertsey, where he was fitted 

with a stent. 

it was believed his symptoms 

“It has been humbling to witness 

the incredible work and dedication 

of colleagues across the Trust, 

and it was great to speak to so 

many colleagues at the event and 

hear about their varied careers. 

They should all be immensely 

proud of their achievements.” 

A Woking man who received 

a staggering 15 shocks from a 

defibrillator to restart his heart 

was finally able to thank his 

life-savers in a recent reunion. 

might be related to a stomach 

issue. He was advised to visit his 

GP surgery next door for further 

examination. 

However, when he arrived, his 

doctor, concerned about Ian’s 

condition, decided he should be 

taken to the hospital. 

Speaking about Ian’s recovery, 

Tom Mikrut said: “It’s fantastic 

to see Ian doing so well and to 

hear everything he has been 

doing while recovering. It was 

a real team effort caring for Ian, 

from the GP surgery staff to the 

ambulance crew, and the team 

taking over his care in hospital. 

The awards ceremony was also 

an opportunity for members of 

staff who recently retired to be 

thanked for their valuable service 

to the Trust and communities 

across Yorkshire. Some of 

62-year-old Ian Marples met the 

SECAmb team who helped save 

his life after he suffered a cardiac 

arrest at his local GP practice on 

17 March 2021. 

An ambulance was called, and as 

former Paramedic Rose Price and 

Trainee Associate Practitioner 

Rebecca Derriman arrived, Ian 

went into cardiac arrest. 

Ian is a fantastic example that 

early recognition of cardiac 

arrest, CPR and defibrillation 

leads to the best outcomes, and 

I’d encourage everyone to learn 

these essential skills.” 

them couldn’t say a permanent 

goodbye to the Trust and have 

come out of retirement and 

returned to work. 

Ian was delighted to be able to 

let the people who saved him 

know that he was alive and well, 

suffering no ill effects from his 

Rose and Rebecca immediately 

called for backup, which brought 

Critical Care Paramedic Tom 

The reunion, held at Chertsey 

Ambulance Station in Surrey 

on 4 September 2024, was an 

WHY NOT WRITE FOR US? 

Ambulance UK welcomes the submission of 

clinical papers and case reports or news that 

you feel will be of interest to your colleagues. 

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

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

All submissions should be forwarded to info@mediapublishingcompany.com 

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

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27

NEWSLINE 


emotional occasion. Ian spoke of 

the joy he felt seeing how much of 

a morale boost it gave SECAmb 

colleagues to witness first-hand 

the difference they had made. 

Reflecting on the experience, Ian 

said: “The team went above and 

beyond, giving everything they 

had to save me. I’m incredibly 

grateful for their hard work and 

dedication. It was truly a privilege 

to reunite with them and show 

them that I’m healthy today 

because of their efforts.” 

The reunion highlighted not only 

Ian’s remarkable recovery but 

also the crucial role played by 

colleagues in such life-saving 

situations. 

‘Life Hikers’ raise 

tens of thousands 

for life-saving 

defibrillators in 

the capital 

‘Life Hikers’ raise tens of 

thousands for life-saving 

defibrillators in the capital: 

20km walkers take a group 

shot before setting off 

Walkers taking part in the London 

Ambulance Charity’s first ever 

fundraising London Life Hike on 

Sunday (8 September) raised 

almost £25,000 – enough to pay 

for 15 defibrillators to be used by 

local communities in London. 

More than 200 Londoners joined 

the Charity’s inaugural walk with 

a shared mission to help save 

lives and improve cardiac arrest 

survival in the capital for the 


The money raised will help us buy 

more public-access defibrillators, 

which make a crucial difference 

when someone’s heart stops 

beating, for the neighbourhoods 

in London that need them most. 

Before setting off on their 

20km or 5km journeys that 

took in breath-taking views of 

famous London landmarks, 

‘Life Hikers’ took part in CPR 

(cardiopulmonary resuscitation) 

training and other educational 

activities at a vibrant event village 

at Battersea Park. 

One of the walkers was former 

London Ambulance Service 

patient Sue Whitham, 63, from 

Hanworth. She suffered a 

cardiac arrest on the day her 

granddaughter Sienna was due 

to be born. 

Thanks to the life-saving 

intervention from her husband 

Julian and London Ambulance 

Service crews she survived and 

took part in the walk with her 

family and colleague Anthony, 

raising more than £2,500. 

She said: “When I collapsed at 

home, fortunately my husband 

Julian knew exactly what 

to do and he started chest 

compressions whilst dialling 999 

on speaker phone. He carried on 

CPR until the ambulances crews 

arrived within minutes. 

“We raised money for the 

walk as a ‘thank you’ to the 

London Ambulance Service for 

saving me.” 

Head of London Ambulance 

Charity Jess Burgess said: 

“Our Charity’s inaugural 

fundraising walk was an 

important moment for London 

Ambulance Service as we 

galvanised Londoners and their 

families to help us save lives while 

taking in incredible views of the 

capital’s iconic landmarks. 

“Every year London Ambulance 

Service crews go to over 14,000 

cardiac arrests where a person’s 

heart has stopped beating and 

we know that the efforts of our 

‘Life Hikers’ will help us save 

more lives. 

“A third of all these patients 

require the use of a defibrillator – a 

vital piece of equipment that is 

incredibly easy to operate and 

gives people in life-threatening 

emergencies the best chance 

of survival when used quickly. 

Latest figures show that almost 

one person a week is saved by a 

bystander using a defibrillator kept 

in a public place in the community. 

“London Heart Starters is a new 

pioneering fundraising campaign 

led by our Charity to raise money 

to buy these life-saving devices 

and ensure they can be used 

in the communities where they 

are most needed and improve 

survival rates.” 

It’s not too late to make a 

difference. There are three things 

Londoners can do to support the 

London Ambulance Charity in this 

life-saving mission: 

We want businesses and 

community groups to consider 

buying and hosting a defibrillator 

in their community as part of the 


We need people to register 

themselves to become a London 

Lifesaver and receive training in 

CPR and how to use a defibrillator. 

We need Londoners to support 

our fundraising efforts either by 

collecting money and donating 

it to the London Ambulance 

Charity or by taking part in our 

fundraising events, such as the 

London Life Hike. 

Recent analysis by the London 

Ambulance Service has revealed 

that dozens of neighbourhoods 

are ‘defibrillator deserts’ – where 

there is little or no access to a life 

saving device. 

The data has revealed large 

discrepancies between 

communities in outcomes for 

cardiac arrest and the availability 

of life-saving devices. Households 

in more deprived areas are more 

likely to be in an area in greater 

need of additional defibrillators. 

The Charity will work with walk 

participants, local councillors, 

and community groups from 

priority neighbourhoods who can 

help with installing defibrillators in 

their local communities. 

Help us raise money for our lifesaving 

Heart Starters campaign 

on our dedicated London 

Ambulance Charity website here. 

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28 


IN PERSON 

ICB colleagues and Trust chair Mrunal Sisodia 

whittle down over 35 applications to a final 

selection for interview. 

Those candidates met with three stakeholder 

panels – the first of staff and volunteers 

and Union colleagues from EEAST, the 

second including executive directors, nonexecutive 

directors and ICB colleagues, and 

the third featuring EEAST’s EDI network 

chairs, wellbeing team and EEAST charity 

representatives. Finally, having concluded all 

our background checks, we can now officially 

announce Neill’s appointment. 

EEAST chair Mrunal Sisodia said: 

New CEO appointed at East 

of England Ambulance 

Service 

We are delighted to be able to share 

that Neill Moloney has been appointed 

as the new CEO of the East of England 

Ambulance Service Trust. Neill comes with 

a wealth of senior NHS experience and 

a depth of understanding relating to our 

“I am really looking forward to welcoming 

Neill to Team EEAST as our Chief Executive. 

He joins at a really important point for EEAST 

– we have made genuine progress on many 

staff, cultural and operational issues but now 

need to embed those changes and push 

on to make further progress. I know that 

his skills and wealth of experience will be 

hugely beneficial in supporting us with our 

next steps. I am extremely proud of our coproduced 

recruitment process and am very 

grateful to all our colleagues that have been 

part of this important process.” 

Neill said: 

Nigel Rees, the Trust’s Assistant Director of 

Research and Innovation, was inaugurated 

as an honorary professor at the University of 

Warwick Medical School’s Clinical Trials Unit. 

Honorary titles are bestowed by universities to 

those who make a significant contribution to 

academic business, usually through research 

collaboration, clinical teaching or both. 

Professor Gavin Perkins, Dean of Warwick 

Medical School, said: “Warwick Medical 

School is delighted to welcome Professor 

Nigel Rees to its honorary professoriate. 

health care system. 

He has a strong background in urgent and 

emergency care including the work of the 

ambulance services, which will be vital in 

continuing the improvement of our service for 

our people and patients. 

Neill is currently the director of system 

recovery at Mid and South Essex Integrated 

Care Board and Mid & South Essex NHS 

Foundation Trust. 

Previously, Neill served as director of Urgent 

and Emergency Care tiering support at 

NHS England and from 2018 to 2023 was 

managing director and deputy chief executive 

at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS 

Foundation Trust. 

His appointment comes after a rigorous coproduced 

recruitment process involving just 

under 300 of our people. This saw recruitment 

specialists Hays identify candidates before a 

shortlisting panel made up of NHSE, senior 

“I am delighted to be offered the opportunity 

to lead East of England Ambulance Service 

as its new Chief Executive and to continue the 

great work already started. I am passionate 

about urgent and emergency care and will 

be committed to improving the services we 

deliver to our communities whilst supporting 

our people with the ongoing cultural 

improvements. I recognise this role is a huge 

privilege and I am really looking forward to 

meeting and working with EEAST colleagues.” 

Neill will take up the post on 2 September. 

image of Neill Moloney 

Welsh Ambulance Service 

paramedic awarded 

honorary professorship 

A WELSH Ambulance Service paramedic 

has been awarded an honorary 

professorship at a world-leading 

university. 

“His appointment recognises his significant 

and sustained contribution to research which 

has been vital in providing the evidence the 

NHS needs to transform services and improve 

outcomes for patients and their families. 

“We look forward to a long-lasting 

collaboration with Nigel and the Welsh 

Ambulance Service.” 

Professor Rees joined the ambulance service 

in 1989 as a cadet with Powys Ambulance 

Service, before progressing to the Patient 

Care Service then becoming an Emergency 

Medical Technician, working at various 

locations across south Powys. 

He returned to Ystradgynlais as a 

Paramedic in 1993 and was Powys’s first 

Advanced Paramedic. 

He left the Welsh Ambulance Service for 

a period to join the then Cwm Taf Local 

Health Board as an Advanced Emergency 

Practitioner within a team of Advanced 



29

IN PERSON 

Practice Nurses and Paramedics that was the 

first its kind in Wales. 

His research interests include clinical trials, 

Welsh Ambulance Service 

appoints new Director 

of People 

right focus and leadership in place to 

support both our people and our cultural 

transformation goals. 

qualitative research, violence and aggression 

“Meanwhile, in her new role as Director of 

towards ambulance staff and the use of 

Culture Change, Angela will concentrate 

drones in pre-hospital care. 

on driving forward our ambitious cultural 

transformation agenda, a move that reflects 

Professor Rees has led and contributed to 

more than 100 peer-reviewed articles. 

our commitment to creating an inclusive, 

supportive and safe organisational culture. 

He is Associate Editor of the Paramedicine 

journal and a member of many funding panels 

and groups, including the Bevan Commission, 

NHS Wales Research and Innovation 

Leadership Group and the National Institute 

for Health and Care Research. 

“This is an exciting time for WAST, and over 

the next two years, Angela and Carl will work 

closely to ensure that our people and cultural 

goals align seamlessly, which ultimately, 

will enhance the quality of care and service 

we provide.” 

Over the years, Professor Rees has helped to 

secure funding worth £15 million for research 

and innovation projects and has been Chief 

Of his appointment, Carl said: “I feel privileged 

to be joining an organisation so dedicated to 

its people and patients. 

and Principal Investigator on a number of 

large-scale trials. 

He is a former Wales Council member of the 

College of Paramedics and a Fellow. 

In 2017, Professor Rees was awarded the 

Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal in the New 

Year’s Honours List for exemplary service. 

Professor Kieran Walshe, Director of Health 

and Care Research Wales, for which Nigel is 

a Chief Investigator, said: “We are delighted 

that Nigel has been recognised for his 

contribution and commitment to research 

over many years. 

“We are proud to support him, both as a 

researcher, but also in the leadership role he 

has in Wales as Research and Development 

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has 

appointed a new Director of People. 

Carl Kneeshaw, Deputy Director for People 

at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health 

Partnership NHS Trust, will join the service on 

01 November. 

Meanwhile, Angela Lewis, currently the Trust’s 

Director of People and Culture, will move into 

a newly created fixed-term Director of Culture 

Change role. 

Carl comes with a wealth of experience in 

strategic HR management and organisational 

leadership having held senior leadership 

positions at HM Prison Service, the Ministry 

of Justice and the Department for Work 

and Pensions. 

“In my role, my focus will be on ensuring that 

colleagues are equipped with the skills and 

resources they need, investing in our people 

to create a strong foundation for WAST’s 

future success. 

“I’m really looking forward to working 

with Angela in her new role as Director of 

Culture Change and contributing to the 

transformational journey WAST is on.” 

John Atkins appointed to 

Senior Leadership Team 


Lead in WAST.” 

Professor Rees added: “I would like to thank 

Warwick University, all of my colleagues in 

WAST, and the people of Wales and beyond 

who continue to support research and are 

reflected in this honour.” 

In April, the Welsh Ambulance Service was 

awarded University Trust status by Welsh 

Government in recognition of its commitment 

to develop its current and future workforce 

and to drive research and innovation. 

Jason Killens, Chief Executive at the Welsh 

Ambulance Service, said: “With his strong 

background in leading highly complex 

organisations, managing and delivering 

large-scale transformational projects, 

Carl is well-equipped to guide our People 

Services, Workforce Planning, Education 

and Development and Occupational Health 

and Wellbeing functions as we continue on 

our journey towards our vision for the future 

of WAST. 

“This appointment is part of a broader 

strategic decision to ensure we have the 

John Atkins has been appointed to the 

Senior Leadership Team of Guernsey’s 

Ambulance and Rescue service in the role 

of Head of Resilience and Education. 

30 


IN PERSON 

As strategic lead for Emergency 

Preparedness, Resilience and Response, 

John is responsible for risk management and 

business continuity, as well as overseeing 

clinical education for the service. 

John has a long history with the ambulance 

service in Guernsey, having trained as a 

paramedic and holding a number of training 

and leadership roles, before joining the senior 

team. He was previously Head of Operations 

and Acting Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer 

before leaving the Guernsey and relocating to 

the UK. 

During his time in England John was Medical 

Services Manager and Lead Paramedic 

at Silverstone motor racing circuit, fulfilling 

the role of Tactical Medical Commander for 

all major events at the venue including the 

Formula 1 ® British Grand Prix, and served on 

Motorsport UK’s national Medical Committee. 

He also worked part-time as an operational 

paramedic with East Midlands Ambulance 

Service NHS Trust. On returning to Guernsey 

John was appointed as Assistant Training 

Manager at the States of Guernsey’s Institute 

of Health and Social Care Studies. He also 

worked part-time as an operational paramedic 

with the ambulance service. 

John’s connections with St John can be 

traced back to his teenage years, having 

joined the organisation as a youth member 

at the age of 15. He later became a youth 

leader and then progressed to the position of 

Divisional Superintendent with the charity. 

John said: “I am delighted to have re-joined 

Guernsey’s ambulance service and to 

be heading up emergency planning and 

education for the organisation. My time away 

from the service – both locally at the Princess 

Elizabeth Hospital and with the NHS and 

at Silverstone in the UK – has been hugely 

valuable and has broadened my perspectives 

and I return to my roots all the stronger for it.” 

John is a member of several professional 

bodies including the College of Paramedics, 

the Resuscitation Council, Chartered 

Management Institute and the Emergency 

Planning Society. 

In his spare time John is a volunteer 

Community First Responder, part of the 

Channel Islands Air Search crew, a Douzenier 

(parish official) for Torteval and a member of 

the Clinical Governance Committee for Les 

Bourgs Hospice. 

WHY NOT WRITE FOR US? 

Ambulance UK welcomes the submission of 

clinical papers and case reports or news that 

you feel will be of interest to your colleagues. 

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

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

All submissions should be forwarded to info@mediapublishingcompany.com 

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

info@mediapublishingcompany.com 



31

Do more 

Monitor 

from your 

seat. 

Care for your 

patients whilst 

in transit, all 

from your seat. 

Patient Box 

Defbrillator 

The Corpuls3 defib/monitor splits 

into three modules to enable seamless 

patient care while you’re seated. 

SafeInTheBack Compliant 

www.theortusgroup.com

Ambulance UK October 2024

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