Ambulance UK December 2021

Volume 36 No. 6 

December 2021 

DEDICATED TO THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND ITS SUPPLIERS 

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Further information: enquiries@innosonian.eu

CONTENTS 

CONTENTS 

Ambulance UK 

172 EDITOR’S COMMENT 

174 FEATURES 

174 The opportunities of BLS self-directed learning (SDL) 

in a post Covid world 

177 Ventilation Monitoring Explained: EOLIFE and 

Monivent 

178 NEWSLINE 

197 IN PERSON 

198 COMPANY NEWS 

This issue edited by: 

Sam English 

c/o Media Publishing Company 

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Terry Gardner, Samantha Marsh 

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171

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

Welcome to this Christmas Edition of AUK. 

Having listened to this morning’s news about a new strain of Covid so close to the Christmas period, 

I suppose there will be an awful lot of nervousness about this year’s planned celebrations. There will no 

doubt also be an increased nervousness amongst the operational leads of ambulance trusts already seeing 

an increase in seasonal demand. On the reverse side it is reassuring to see the speed at which not only 

was the mutation identified but controls introduced. Unfortunately, this will create difficulties for many UK 

citizens already on or returning from long awaited holidays in the Southern Hemisphere and spare a thought 

also about the impact of quarantine hotels on the Christmas budget. 

“There is 

little that 

can be done 

to stop the 

spread of a 

virus other 

than by 

educating 

and trusting 

the public to 

undertake 

simple 

precautions.” 

With this in mind its prudent to be both sensible yet optimistic. There is little that can be done to stop the 

spread of a virus other than by educating and trusting the public to undertake simple precautions. As 

healthcare professionals it falls to us to set an example and, in fairness, professional life has changed 

very little from last year. The ongoing debate about mandatory vaccination though is a slightly different 

matter. On one hand there is an argument that it is essential for personal, family and patient protection, on 

the other that the right to choose has been embedded in our culture for centuries. I’m not sure which side 

of the fence I come down on because whilst not a great fan of vaccination (or any medication that I can 

avoid!), I did feel that on a population level there was almost a duty to volunteer for the greater good, so 

had the jabs. I can though, empathise with those facing the loss of their livelihoods because of any number 

of reasons why they felt unable to take up the vaccine offer, I also note the unrest mandatory treatment is 

having amongst our continental neighbours. I suppose I’m more a fan of the carrot than the stick and in this 

case, to me, it makes far more sense to change opinion than to punish non-compliance. The ask here is 

thus to promote the vaccine wherever there is an opportunity and use our professional skills and knowledge 

to assuage any fears that are reflected to us, every contact counts. 

So, optimistically, we don’t really know how this new strain will behave or the effect on hospitalisation or 

illness, so while the sun is shining on the snow white landscape of Lancashire and it feels like Christmas 

at last, let’s try not to be too downbeat…yet! I hope you and your families enjoy a wonderful time this 

Christmas, in whatever form that takes and irrespective of what may be round the corner. 

Sam English, Co-Editor Ambulance UK 


172 

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FEATURE 

THE OPPORTUNITIES OF BLS 

SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING (SDL) 

IN A POST COVID WORLD 

Brayden Online supporting self-directed learning 


The recent Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting backlog of 

Basic Life Support (BLS) training is reportedly putting increasing 

pressure on training departments that are struggling to meet their 

BLS certification compliance targets. This article looks at the 

Brayden Online system and how through close collaboration with 

resuscitation educators and instructors, Self Directed Learning (SDL) 

BLS training is now enabling high quality training and assessment for 

a high throughput of trainees that is both cost and time efficient. 

Self-directed learning is not a new pedagogical approach in healthcare 

education having successfully been employed in a wide variety of 

training programs across multiple clinical disciplines and related 

curricula 1,2 . However, the teaching of Basic Life Support through SDL 

has presented some unique challenges to the clinical community 3 . It 

has been suggested that theoretical eLearning programs combined 

with practical CPR skills training have not yet convincingly proven to be 

consistent quality training experiences, whilst subscription costs and 

reduced management controls for the instructor in some systems have 

also been seen as prohibitive factors. 

Commenting on the issues of integrating SDL systems into BLS training, 

Kevin Mackie, Lead for Education at Resuscitation Council UK said, 

‘We have steered away from SDL training through sole use of eLearning 

because the muscle memory of practicing CPR skills on a manikin is 

actually much more important than knowing the theory. The approach 

we are looking at here is blended learning, which must include a 

practical, hands-on component 4,5,6 . Instructors can direct their trainees 

to extensive eLearning resources to cover BLS theory; resources which 

are now highly engaging and immersive e.g. Healthcare Education 

England, E-Learning for Healthcare (eLFH). Once completed, trainees 

can then practice on a manikin at a time convenient to them. A good 

SDL system gives the student easy to interpret, real-time feedback 

on their performance allowing them to make instant improvements to 

the quality of their CPR 7,8 . They can then progress to an assessment 

that provides full debrief metrics, if successful, this sends a certificate 

direct to their email and the organisation’s LMS (Learning Management 

System) - all in one simple, streamlined process.’ 

Objective versus subjective assessment 

‘One of the challenges of previous SDL systems has been the averaging 

out of metrics, which gave trainees anomalous scores across the 

different systems’, continued Mackie. ‘Working with Brayden on this 

aspect of the system, we know the metrics have been inputted by UK 

and Global professionals, where every single element of CPR has been 

looked at and weighted accordingly – it’s the professional standard of 

expected performance 9 .’ 

‘Objective and repeatable assessment is I feel pivotal to ensure 

consistent, high standards of CPR from all healthcare staff required to 

initiate BLS in cardiac arrests. Recent research 10 found that subjective 

assessment has been shown to be inconsistent when compared with 

objective assessment. Resuscitation trainers will be all too familiar with 

the pressures of progressing large cohorts of BLS trainees in classroom 

settings, where time and logistical constraints have meant that some 

have been passed as ‘good enough’ rather than attaining the higher 

standards we would all wish. 

The 24/7, high frequency, low fidelity nature of this system’s set up, 

enabling trainees to practice as their own schedules allow to reach the 

standards we set, then be assessed and certified accordingly, makes a 

compelling case for SDL BLS training, not just as a solution for present 

training challenges in Covid times but as the standard training approach 

for the future 11 .’ 

Integration and instructor autonomy within 

a hospital’s Learning Management System 

(LMS) – 

The Genk Experience 

Sylvain Haekens, Head of Training and Development at Ziekenhuis 

Oost-Limburg, Genk in Belgium looked at SDL BLS training solutions 

six years ago with two primary needs in mind; a system that could be 

integrated into the hospital’s new LMS and a training program that could 

provide objective assessment to ensure high standards of CPR across 

the hospital. 

‘The hospital has approximately 4,000 employees and my department 

is responsible for all education and development programs for 

both doctors and nurses. I am constantly looking at opportunities 

to maximise both cost and time efficiencies in our programs, while 

maintaining the highest standards in both educational delivery and 

outcomes,’ said Haekens. 

‘The Brayden Online system caught my attention because it had the 

174 


FEATURE 

operational flexibility I needed. The hospital’s LMS system organises 

the scheduling of our trainees, who go to our CPR room where they 

can learn or refresh their skills on the Brayden manikins (adult and/ 

or infant), take the assessment and a certificate is automatically sent 

to their emails at the same time as updating our LMS system. Our 

hospital LMS system also automatically sends staff renewal invites 

within the time period we set. This automatic processing of staff records 

through the integration of the Brayden Online system has significantly 

reduced the administrative workload of our BLS training program saving 

the department both time and money. This has allowed us to divert 

resources to our more instructor intensive ALS programs. When the 

parameters change for CPR performance, we can of course update 

those markers on the Brayden system, but otherwise, our BLS program 

virtually runs itself and ensures demonstrable high standards of CPR 

competence at both an individual and organisational level.’ 

Introducing SDL has reduced the need for us to do face to face 

teaching. The system has been easy to use and the staff like the SDL 

method of practicing and taking their test. It has freed my staff up for 

other things such as our ILS and ALS courses, which are also down on 

compliance. 

We are a large NHS Hospital Trust with up to 9,000 staff. Since 

introducing Brayden Online, we have recovered our compliance rating 

of 85% far quicker than we could have done with our face-to-face 

program. At the height of Covid we had dropped down to 62%, so the 

Brayden Online system has been really beneficial.’ 

Catching up to pre-covid levels of BLS 

compliance through self-assessment 

The St. George’s Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 

experience 

Jeannie Walls, Lead Resuscitation Officer at St. George’s Hospital 

highlighted the significant impact of the pandemic on BLS compliance 

targets in hospitals across the country. ‘We had a huge reduction in 

compliance over Covid due to having to stop face-to-face sessions 

during the peak wave periods. When we could resume, our class sizes 

were reduced drastically in order to enable social distancing and our 

training team was reduced by half with staff sent to work in the ITU. 

We had to find other solutions. We decided on compression only CPR 

to reduce the risk of having two people working so closely together. In 

a hospital setting, the most important BLS learning objective is early 

hands-on compressions as full resuscitation support will never be 

more than three minutes away. We introduced the eLFH Level 2 online 

module, so staff could cover the theoretical learning before attending 

the practical sessions in our self-assessment pod on the Brayden Online 

manikin system. Staff were noticeably more fully prepared prior to their 

online self-assessment. 

Greater efficiencies in BLS training that go 

beyond the classroom 

The District General Hospital Experience – Darent Valley Hospital 

Rob Morrison, Resuscitation Officer at Darent Valley Hospital cited 

similar challenges to St. George’s and comments on how quickly he 

has been able to embed SDL into the hospital’s BLS training program. 

‘It was the Covid situation that triggered the shift in our training. I was 

not convinced about this type of training before, and it took me to use 

the system to become convinced. I was told I had to stop mandatory 

training for three months, which resulted in a significant backlog. I was 

really struggling but Brayden’s SDL system has resolved most of my 

problems for BLS. It’s easy- to- use and so the staff have been very 

receptive to it. We now use the Brayden Online system for infant and 

paediatric CPR certification as well as adult 12 . I can quickly identify 


Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Features? Please contact us and let us know. 

175

FEATURE 

staff who are struggling to perform correct CPR and so run supervised 

sessions for one-to-one instruction as necessary. The training room 

is open 24/7 and I have had staff coming here on night shifts at 5am 

to practice CPR. Clinical staff who need re-certification for BLS can 

optimise their valuable time with patients by accessing refresher training 

and assessment convenient to their shifts rather than attending a 

scheduled class. This level of flexibility for training such a high number 

of clinical staff has been an added benefit of the system. 

The data trail the system provides for auditing, compliance and 

governance has created much greater efficiencies in our BLS program.’ 

healthcare professionals and amongst students in Italy. Nurse 

Education in Practice 2012 12, 153-158 

3. Roppolo L, Heymann R, Pepe P, Wagner J, Commons B, Miller R, 

et al. Wainscott M, Idris A. A randomised controlled trial comparing 

traditional training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to selfdirected 

CPR learning in first year medical students: The two-person 

CPR study. Resuscitation 2011 82, 319-325 

4. Gagnon M, Gagnon J, Desmartis M, Njoya M. The impact 

of blended teaching on knowledge, satisfaction, and selfdirected 

learning in nursing 

undergraduates: A randomised, 

controlled trial. Nursing Education 

Perspectives 34(6) 377-382 

5. Lotrecchiano G, McDonald 

P, Lyons L, Long T, Zajiek-Farber 

M. Blended learning: Strengths, 

challenges, and lessons learned 

in an interprofessional training 

program. Matern. Child Health 

2013 17 1725-1734 

6. Lehmann R, Thiessen C, Frick 

B et al. Improving paediatric basic 

life support performance through 

blended learning with web-based 

virtual patients: randomised 

controlled trial. J Med Internet 

Res 2015 17:e17:e162, doi:http:// 

dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.4141 


Commenting on the Brayden Online development project, Dr. Jonathan 

Smart, Global Product Development Director concluded, ‘It has been 

a privilege and as it has turned out, quite fortuitous in these Covid 

times to have partnered so closely with key opinion leaders in the 

resuscitation community. By listening and applying what we have 

learnt to our Brayden Online system and adapting it for use in an SDL 

teaching environment, we are proud to be helping restore high levels 

of BLS competence amongst hospital staff in such difficult times. 

We look forward to further supporting all those who teach or practice 

resuscitation by continuing to learn and develop new training solutions, 

as we work together towards improving patient outcomes.’ 

For further information about Brayden Online please contact: 

enquiries@innosonian.eu 

References: 

1. O,Shea E. Self-directed learning in nurse education: a review of the 

literature. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2003 43(1), 62-70 

2. Cadorin L, Suter N, Dante A, Williamson S, Devetti A, Pales A. 

Self-directed learning competence assessment within different 

7. Yeung j, Meeks R, Edelsen D, 

Gao F, Soar J, Perkins GD et al. 

The use of CPR feedback/prompt 

devices during training and CPR 

performance: A systematic review. 

Resuscitation 2009 80 743-751 

8. Smart J, Kranz K, Carmona F, Lindner T, Newton A. Does real-time 

objective feedback and competition improve performance and 

quality in manikin CPR training – a prospective observational study 

from several European EMS. Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, 

Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine 2015 23:79 

9. Smart J. Brayden Pro – lessons learnt to help develop the ideal CPR 

training manikin. Resuscitation Today 2017 4(2) 3-4 

10. Abelsson A, Gwinnutt C, Greig P, Smart J, Mackie K. Validating 

peer-led assessments of CPR performance. Resusc Plus. 2020 3 

(100022). Published 2020 Aug 6. doi:10.1016/j.resplu.2020.100022 

11. Yeung J, Djarv T, Hsieh M, Sawyer T, Lockey A Finn J, Grief R. 

Spaced learning versus massed learning in resuscitation – A 

systematic review. Resuscitation 2020 (156) 61-71 

12. Abelsson A, Szarpak L, Morrison R, Smart J. Real-time objective 

feedback for infant CPR using a novel new infant manikin: A 

pilot study with paediatric nurses in the UK. 2021 IMSH Poster 

presentation. 

176 

For more news visit: www.ambulanceukonline.com

FEATURE 

VENTILATION MONITORING EXPLAINED: 

EOLIFE AND MONIVENT 

David Halliwell MSc Paramedic 

Key Points: 

1. Providing adequate ventilation during CPR is essential to maintain gas 

exchange for adequate carbon dioxide removal and sufficient arterial 

oxygen content, while minimizing the risk of impaired circulation 

2. The most critical problem remains hyperventilation which increases 

intrathoracic pressures and impairs haemodynamics 

3. Caregivers, regardless of experience, hyperventilate patients in 80% 

of cases (Chang et al 2019) 

4. Effective ventilations in out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest could double 

the chance of survival to Hospital discharge (Khoury et al 2016) 

In a world where litigation is increasingly being used against Emergency 

Medical Service (EMS) providers there has been a growth in products being 

designed to minimise pressure and volume related injury in Resuscitation, 

and to reduce the Human Factors associated with Hyperventilation. 

This paper supports the use of 2 products from 2 manufacturers both of 

which are designed to eliminate harm from the Resuscitation process. 

Monivent (www.monivent.se) manufactured in Sweden is designed 

to educate and eliminate the harm associated with Newborn and 

Neonatal Resuscitation, whilst EOlife from the French company Archeon 

is designed for use on Adults. Both have Training versions of their 

respective devices as well as those designed for clinical use. 

Interestingly, a study by Mcinness et al published in 2011 reported that 

in hospital resuscitation teams were also hyperventilating patients in 

about 63% of cases this may not be that surprising, but the interesting 

bit was that after controlling for location of arrest and initial event rhythm, 

resuscitations that occurred on nights/weekends were 3.6 times 

(CI 95 : 1.6–7.9, p < 0.01) more likely to have a ventilation rate exceeding 

the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. 

Whilst we probably all acknowledge the stressors associated with a 

cardiac arrest, the teams at both Monivent and Archeon have devised 

mechanical / technical solutions which enable us to reduce the human 

factors, and control our physical performance and thereby reduce the 

occurrence of hypervention. 

Monivent uses a Volume and Pressure sensor between the paediatric 

resuscitation self inflating Bag and the associated Mask – it allows 

rescuers to see when they are delivering 6ml / kg and gives detailed 

information in relation to baby Ventilation pressures and Ventilation Rates – 

the inflation inspiration is transmitted in real time from the pressure sensor 

to a tablet PC. Monivent can also be used with a T piece resuscitator. 

There have been a number of studies outlining just how common it is to 

see Hyperventilation in EMS, and the wider Hospital based Resuscitation 

community. One of the seminal resuscitation studies from Aufderheide in 

2004, showed the resuscitation community that Hyperventilation of Adults 

was common in Pre Hospital Care with Rates of 30+ In 13 consecutive 

adults (average age, 63 +/- 5.8 yrs) receiving CPR -the average ventilation 

rate was 30 +/- 3.2 breaths/min (range, 15 to 49 breaths/min) and the 

average duration of each breath was 1.0 +/- 0.07 sec. No patient survived. 

The author of this article remembers the Aufderheide paper, because 

he repeated in an Animal study the exact respiratory rates and 

ventilatory pressures that had been recorded in the human based EMS 

care studied - his conclusions and findings were shockingly similar – 

Hyperventilation by Rate, Volume and Pressure kills. 

Monivent being used with a T Piece resuscitator 

EOlife the Adult Ventilation Monitor has the display on a screen which 

also sits in the space between the Self inflating Resuscitation Bag and 

the Mask – Simple to use, Lightweight and Trusted by Resuscitation 

experts it is gaining prominence. 

Despite seemingly adequate training, professional rescuers consistently 

hyperventilated patients during out-of-hospital CPR. Subsequent 

hemodynamic and survival studies in pigs demonstrated that excessive 

ventilation rates significantly decreased coronary perfusion pressures 

and survival rates, despite supplemental CO2 to prevent hypocapnia. 

Aufderheide felt that you could not train out Hyperventilation – Rescuers were 

Unconsciously Unaware of their behaviours, which were being affected 

by external factors – The Stress and Responsibility of being called to an 

Adult or Paediatric Arrest, the Driving and Physical exertion of getting to the 

scene, the other factors in a resuscitation such as rotating through the chest 

compression phase and of course the need for incredible teamwork, added 

to which - Airway management, Drugs, Algorithms all increase the cognitive 

load of the rescuers and reduce the likelihood of a perfect performance. 

The EOlife device from Archeon 

Please contact sales@mdtglobalsolutions.com to get hands on. 


References 

Aufderheide TP, Lurie KG. Death by hyperventilation: a common and life-threatening problem during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Crit Care Med. 2004;32(Suppl.):S345–51. 

Chang MP, Lu Y, Laroux B, 2019, Association of Ventilation with Outcomes from Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest. Resuscitation AUG 141 ; 174-181 

Khoury A, Sall FS, De Luca A, Pugin A, Pili Floury s, Pazart L,Capellier G. (2016) Evaluation of Bag Valve Mask Ventilation in manikin studies ; what are the current limitations? Biomed Res intl 

Mcinness et al (2011) The first quantitative report of ventilation rate during in-hospital resuscitation of older children and Adelescents, Resuscitation:2011 Aug 82(8) 1025-1029 

Wik L, Kramer-Johansen J, Myklebust H, et al. Quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. JAMA. 2005;293:299–304. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 

177

NEWSLINE 

HELP Appeal donates 

£300K to Magpas Air 

Ambulance new base 

Magpas Air Ambulance 

welcomed Robert Bertram, 

Chief Executive of the HELP 

Appeal to its airbase in 

Cambridgeshire after receiving 

a £300,000 donation to its 

‘Future 50’ appeal to fund a new 

airbase. During the visit he met 

with Magpas Air Ambulance 

CEO, Daryl Brown MBE, to 

find out more about the new 

base, which is due to start 

construction at the end of the 

year. 

The HELP Appeal is the only 

charity in the country that funds 

the development of helipads at 

Major Trauma Centres, key A&E 

hospitals and air ambulance 

bases. It has donated £300,000 

to fund the helipad at the new 

Magpas Air Ambulance air base 

in Alconbury Weald, a significant 

contribution to the £3 million 

appeal which will enable Magpas 

to continue providing their 24/7 

lifesaving service. 

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive 

of the HELP Appeal explained, 

“The HELP Appeal is best known 

for funding hospital helipads. 

But this isn’t all we do to help air 

ambulances save time in getting 

critically ill patients the emergency 

care that they need. We are very 

proud that this is our ninth air 

ambulance base helipad that 

we’ve helped to fund.” 

Magpas Air Ambulance provides 

emergency lifesaving care in 

Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire 

and across the East of England 

and can reach 12 counties and 

a population of over 10 million in 

their AW169 helicopter. 

The charity needed to re-locate 

from its current base after the land 

it occupies was sold. However, 

the challenge of relocating also 

provided Magpas Air Ambulance 

with the opportunity to look for a 

site which could reduce dispatch 

times and accommodate an 

airbase better equipped to support 

its growing 24 hour operations. 

Having already purchased the 

land at Alconbury Weald and 

obtaining planning permission, 

the HELP Appeal’s £300,000 

donation is an important step in 

raising the £3 million needed to 

complete the project. 

Daryl Brown MBE, Chief Executive 

of Magpas Air Ambulance Charity 

says: 

“We are so grateful for the support 

of the HELP Appeal. This donation 

is an important step in making our 

plans for a new airbase a reality and 

achieving the aims of our ‘Future 

50’ appeal; to continue saving 

lives and keep families together for 

future generations. The helipad is 

a vital part of the new base and it 

was great to be able to talk Robert 

through our plans. We are lucky 

that the HELP Appeal exists to fund 

these essential facilities. Simply put, 

this donation and the new helipad 

will help us to continue to save lives.” 


Robert Bertram CEO of the HELP Appeal presents cheque to Magpas Air Ambulance CEO Daryl Brown MBE and medical team 

178 


NEWSLINE 

Ambulance waiting 

times: GMB warning 

of ‘unprecedented 

crisis’ ignored by 

govt as trusts forced 

to enlist unqualified 

staff 

Unless rapid and serious 

action is taken, the winter 

crisis could become a 

catastrophe, says GMB Union 

GMB Union’s warnings of an 

‘utterly unprecedented crisis’ 

have been ignored by the 

Government as trusts are forced 

to enlist unqualified staff to help. 

Last month (October) the union 

wrote to Secretary of State, 

Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt MP, 

Chair of the Health Select Comm 

ittee, raising ‘serious concerns 

regarding the untenable 

workplace pressures that our 

members are facing in the 

ambulance service’. [2] 

GMB has received no reply. 

Reports suggest lives are at 

risk because average waits for 

emergency callouts for problems 

such as heart attacks and 

strokes are taking more than 

twice as long as they should. [1] 

GMB members in ambulance 

crews have raised concerns 

about working with unqualified 

staff - but have been told they 

have to put up with it. 

Meanwhile, ambulance workers 

describe ‘the worst service 

pressures they have ever 

experienced – worse than any 

previous winter’. 

Rachel Harrison, GMB National 

Officer, said: 

“GMB ambulance workers 

warned the Government this 

winter looked likely to be the 

worst crisis the NHS has faced. 

“With grim predictability, 

Ministers completely ignored 

the voices of those on the front 

line. 

“Now the chickens are coming 

home to roost – lives are at risk 

due to waiting times, staff are 

at breaking point and trusts are 

so desperate they are bringing 

unqualified workers. 

“And it’s only November, 

“Unless rapid and serious 

action is taken, the winter crisis 

could become a catastrophe.” 

[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ 

health-59237935 

[2] The letter, co-signed by 

Steve Rice, GMB National 

Ambulance Representatives 

Committee chair and Rachel 

Harrison, GMB National Officer, 

says member concerns include: 

• Increasing demands on the 

service and hospitals as 

covid cases grow alongside 

the 5.6 million backlog of 

routine hospital treatments; 

• The Government’s approach 

to covid communications 

since the summer and the 

lack of serious and clear 

public health communications 

including the need to spell 

out to the public what they 

should and should not be 

calling an ambulance for; 

• Ongoing failures of the 

entire health and social care 

system, including pathways 

for social care cases, the 

failure of the NHS 111 

to triage calls within the 

60-minute deadline and the 

lack of GP appointments - 

all resulting in unnecessary 

emergency call outs. 

i-view 

 

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179

NEWSLINE 

Dr John Chatterjee took part in 

Speaking on the panel alongside 

Supporting the mental health 

Consultant from 

London’s Air 

Ambulance Charity 

discusses mental 

health at landmark 

Royal Foundation 

event 

Dr John Chatterjee, a 

Consultant with London’s Air 

Ambulance Charity, attended 

and spoke at an Emergency 

Services Mental Health 

Symposium, hosted by The 

Royal Foundation. 

At the event HRH The Duke of 

Cambridge, Patron of London’s 

Air Ambulance Charity, gave 

a keynote speech about the 

importance of prioritising mental 

health in the emergency services, 

drawing on his own experiences 

a live panel discussion about 

mental health, discussing his 

own personal experiences as 

a first responder, having been 

part of the teams attending the 

Grenfell Tower Fire and London 

Bridge terror attack in 2017. John 

has worked for London’s Air 

Ambulance Charity since 2013, 

and says that his experiences 

trying to care for patients and 

families in the ‘ordinary’ and 

‘extraordinary’ circumstances 

in and around London have 

informed and humbled him. 

Speaking at the event , John said: 

“You put this uniform on, and mine 

is particularly bright! And it feels like 

a suit of armour. There are things I 

do in this uniform I would never do 

in my jeans. The most important 

thing is opening this suit of armour 

and people seeing that we’re all 

Dr Chatterjee were Martin 

Blunden: Scottish Fire and 

Rescue Service, Roger Watson: 

East Midlands Ambulance 

Service, Una Jennings: Cheshire 

Constabulary and the discussion 

was facilitated by Nick Knowles. 

Each panellist spoke about their 

lived experiences working on the 

frontline and how they deal with 

mental health challenges in their 

roles. 

The symposium brought together 

emergency service leaders, 

frontline workers, policy makers 

and academics to discuss the 

mental health of our emergency 

services, and was hosted in 

partnership with the National 

Police Chiefs’ Council, National 

Fire Chiefs Council, Association 

of Ambulance Chief Executives 

and United Kingdom Search and 

and wellbeing of the emergency 

services community is an 

important priority for The Duke 

of Cambridge and The Royal 

Foundation and London’s Air 

Ambulance supports the vital work 

being done in this space. 

RCSI receives 

Movember funding 

to support mental 

health of first 

responders 

RCSI University of Medicine and 

Health Sciences has received 

funding of 267K from the 

charity Movember to improve 

mental health support for first 

responders. 

The funding, part of a €5m 

Veterans and First Responders 

Mental Health Grant Program, was 

as an air ambulance pilot. 

human beings and we all suffer.” 

Rescue. 

awarded to the SAFER Families/ 

New Test Labs facility secures UKAS accreditation 

in under 12 months 

The new Test Labs infection prevention research and test laboratory 

in Peterborough, which opened officially in January 2021, has 

achieved prestigious UKAS accreditation in less than twelve months, 

one of the fastest awards in the history of the accreditation body. 

Parent company Inivos created the facility after the Covid pandemic 

redirected government and commercial laboratories’ focus 

which stretched their capacity. Inivos still needed to validate the 

effectiveness of new products and services to continue supporting 

healthcare with emerging challenges such as the development of 

a single use Personal Protective Equipment disinfection process. 

providers that their medical 

devices meet the required 

standards and can sustain 

exposure to cleaning materials 

over the course of their 

lifetimes to remove harmful 

microorganisms that cause 

healthcare acquired infections 

(HAIs), including the SARS- 

CoV-2 pathogen which causes 

COVID-19. 


Test Labs acquired the site in March 2020 and first approached 

UKAS in November. UKAS carried out a preassessment of 

the facility in April this year, followed by an initial assessment 

against six different EN standards under the ISO 17025 

Quality Management System in July. Test Labs submitted final 

documentation to assessors in August with UKAS confirming final 

accreditation on October 11th, just 11 months after the agreement 

to go ahead with accreditation. 

The laboratory will focus on testing and researching questions 

around infection prevention and control with a particular focus 

on the healthcare environment. Its aim is to reassure healthcare 

Test Labs offers HALT testing, efficacy testing and material 

compatibility testing. It also works with healthcare facilities and 

manufacturers of equipment used within them to develop bestpractice 

cleaning protocols. Its HALT testing exposes materials, 

devices or entire systems to the most commonly-used cleaning 

and decontamination technologies, in order to assess how they 

would perform in real-world settings and to determine whether 

they are suitable for use in a healthcare environment. Its material 

compatibility testing processes samples of a material to assess 

changes in its physical properties. 

testlabsuk.com 

180 


NEWSLINE 

Friends research project led by the 

RCSI SIM Centre for Simulation 

Education and Research. It is 

the only project selected from the 

Republic of Ireland for this funding. 

Working with various community 

partners, including Mental Health 

Ireland and Dublin Civil Defence, 

the project will explore how family 

members and friends can best 

support their first responder’s 

mental health, while being mindful 

of their own self-care. 

First responders deal with stressful 

events as part of their daily activities, 

with research showing that they are 

more likely to experience a range 

of mental health issues such as 

depression, PTSD, substance abuse 

and suicidal thoughts/behaviour. 

While support services are available, 

access can be limited due to lack of 

resources or the stigma associated 

with seeking help, and first 

responders often rely on the ‘social 

support’ of their families and close 

friends. The SAFER Families/Friends 

project aims to equip families and 

friends of 100 first responders 

with the skills they need to both 

recognise the signs and symptoms 

of stress and provide a basic helpful 

intervention to their first responder. 

As part of the project intervention, 

participants will engage in simulated 

scenarios, learning how to deal with 

the aftermath of critical incidents, 

specifically providing social support 

and psychological first aid. The 

training will be facilitated by the 

RCSI SIM Centre, which embodies 

deep expertise in simulation-based 

experiential learning, communication 

training, assessment, engaging 

with simulated participants 

and a track record of impactful 

healthcare education research. 

Professor Walter Eppich, RCSI 

Chair of Simulation and project lead, 

commented: “Extreme situations 

can be distressing and difficult 

for individuals to process. Early 

intervention approaches reduce 

symptoms of post-traumatic stress. 

Since access to the available 

support services remains limited, 

we would like to build on the 

social support that already exists 

to help combat the after-effects 

of these stressful events. This 

project aims to support first 

responder resilience and wellbeing 

so they may continue to function in 

the service of public safety.” 

The project is co-led by Michelle 

O’Toole, Senior Simulation 

Researcher at RCSI SIM and a 

former fire fighter and advanced 

paramedic with the Dublin Fire 

Brigade. 

Movember, which runs its 

fundraising drive in November 

each year, seeks to ‘change the 

face of men’s health on a global 

scale’. Movember and its partners, 

including The Distinguished 

Gentleman’s Ride, provide funding 

to research projects all over the 

world in the areas of mental health 

and suicide prevention, prostate 

cancer and testicular cancer. 

Speaking about the goals of the 

Veterans and First Responders 

Mental Health Grant Program, 

Brendan Maher, Global Director 

of Mental Health and Suicide 

Prevention at Movember, said: 

“We owe an enormous amount to 

our veterans and first responder 

communities. Through this initiative, 

Movember wants to help our 

grant funding partners prove that 

their programmes are positively 

impacting mental health outcomes. 

We want to build the evidence 

for programmes that truly make 

a difference to the lives of these 

men and their families.” 

Recruitment for SAFER Families/ 

Friends is underway, with the 

project expected to start in the 

first quarter of 2022. For more 

information, contact Michelle 

O’Toole at michellelotoole@rcsi.ie. 


AVS STEPS_Ambulance UK Half Page Advert_June 2021_FINAL.indd 1 01/07/2021 18:04 

For the latest Ambulance Service News visit: www.ambulancenewsdesk.com 

181

NEWSLINE 

SECAMB 

Canterbury cardiac 

arrest survivor 

thanks ambulance 

team 

A man from Barham, near 

Canterbury who required seven 

shocks from a defibrillator to 

restart his heart has been reunited 

with the South East Coast 

Ambulance Service (SECAmb) 

team who saved his life. 

Mike Ferguson, 54, is also 

warning others not to ignore the 

potential signs of a heart problem 

after his partner, Helena, called 

999 when his chest pain, which 

he had experienced for some four 

weeks, significantly worsened, a 

little over a year ago on 6 October 

2020. 

Mike thanked ambulance crews 

who came to his aid recently at 

SECAmb’s Make Ready Centre in 

Ashford. His 999 call, which 

was handled by Emergency 

Medical Advisor Harry Morgan, 

saw Paramedic Gaylene Doherty 

and Trainee Associate Ambulance 

Practitioner, Clare Sykes, attend 

and carry out checks on his 

heart. Having made the decision 

that he required further hospital 

treatment, they took Mike to their 

awaiting ambulance. However, as 

they continued their assessment 

in the vehicle, Mike went into 

cardiac arrest. 

The pair immediately began 

resuscitation and called for back 

up which arrived in the form of 

paramedic Shaun Seely and 

Emergency Care Support Worker 

Susan Gray. 

By this point Gaylene and Clare 

had delivered six shocks with 

their defibrillator with a further 

shock administered on Shaun 

and Susan’s arrival and ahead 

of Critical Care Paramedic Luke 

Hamilton arriving to provide 

further assistance. 

After being resuscitated Mike was 

rushed to William Harvey Hospital 

where he underwent emergency 

treatment to have a blockage in a 

main artery cleared before being 

fitted with a stent. 

“It was a very unique 

resuscitation”, said Gaylene. 

“Because we were treating him 

straight away Mike was actually 

conscious while we were carrying 

chest compressions and doing 

the work his heart should have 

been. But then, as we checked his 

rhythm, he would collapse again. 

“It was all very sudden. We knew 

Mike very likely needed specialist 

hospital treatment but everything 

escalated when he went into 

cardiac arrest. It was great to see 

him looking and doing so well.” 

Mike said: “I had been at work 

and arrived home not feeling great 

at all and said to Helena, that I 

thought I should call 111 – but 

things suddenly got a lot worse 

and I said ‘I think you’re going to 

have to call 999’. 

“I had been experiencing some 

discomfort for a few weeks but 

it suddenly got a lot worse and 

felt as though someone was 

tightening a belt around my chest. 

“I’m just so grateful for everything 

everyone in the ambulance and 

hospital teams did for me. Quite 

simply, without them, I wouldn’t 

be here. It’s been amazing to see 

everyone in person and to thank 

them for doing such an amazing 

job. 

“My subsequent treatment and 

rehab has gone really well and I 

feel like a new man but I would 

strongly urge people not to ignore 

the signs of a problem and to get 

themselves checked out if they 

have any discomfort or concerns 

like me.” 

Critical Care Paramedic Luke 

Hamilton added: “Right from 

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. 

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182 


NEWSLINE 

the start, everyone did a great 

job to ensure Mike received the 

treatment he needed. The whole 

team should be really proud. It 

was lovely to meet Mike in better 

circumstances and speak to him 

about what happened. On behalf 

of the whole team I wish him all 

the very best for the future.” 

Most PPE not 

designed for ethnic 

minority health 

workers and women, 

study finds 

Female healthcare workers and 

those from Black And Minority 

Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds 

have struggled to find personal 

protective equipment (PPE) that 

provides them with adequate 

protection, a new study has 

found. 

Researchers at the University of 

Southampton found that most 

masks are not designed for 

BAME and women, due to limited 

research into how differences 

in facial dimensions across 

gender and ethnicity affect PPE 

performance. There findings have 

been published in the journal BMJ 

Global health. 

Previous studies have shown 

that BAME people have been 

disproportionately affected by 

COVID-19. Amongst NHS staff, 

63% of COVID-related deaths are 

of BAME people, even though 

they represent only 20% of the 

workforce. 

For PPE respirators to provide 

respiratory protection they 

must fit the user well, and this 

is determined by ‘fit-testing’ – a 

process of trialling facemasks 

for any inward leaks until one is 

identified which provides a good 

seal to keep out harmful aerosols. 

The Southampton research team 

looked at studies worldwide into 

how well respirators fit according 

to facial measurements, gender 

and ethnicity. Over half of the 

studies focussing on gender 

reported a higher fit test failure 

rate for women compared to 

male participants. Analysis of 

studies which looked into facial 

dimensions of the participants 

showed significant differences 

between men and women, 

ranging from 0.4 millimetres 

to 22 millimetres, which may 

impact whether standardised 

facemasks were able to provide 

a good enough seal for the 

wearers. 

A similar trend was observed 

in studies that included good 

representation of BAME 

participants, although the 

number of studies exploring 

fit test differences between 

ethnicities were very limited. 

The authors are therefore 

advising that further studies into 

PPE development must include a 

broader consideration of female 

and BAME healthcare workers. 

Lead author of the study, Dr 

Jagrati Chopra said: “The NHS 

has a very diverse workforce, 

however design of PPE still 

seems to be based on a 

predominantly white, male 

workforce. The high rate of 

BAME healthcare workers 

affected by the pandemic 

has shown how important it 

is to have enough respiratory 

equipment to suit everyone, 

regardless of gender or 

background. 

“Current studies mainly 

focus on Caucasian or single 

ethnic groups and BAME 

people remain unrepresented, 

meaning there are insufficient 

comparisons between ethnic 

groups. We therefore need 

respirator developers to look 

into the needs of healthcare 

workers from a broader 

spectrum of ethnicities and 

to account for differences in 

dimensions between male and 

female faces.” 

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Do you have anything you would like to add or include in Newsline? Please contact us and let us know. 

183

NEWSLINE 

SCAS 

Ambulance service 

calls on “tech-savvy” 

members of public to 

help others access 

online healthcare 

South Central Ambulance 

Service (SCAS) is calling on 

“tech-savvy” members of the 

public to help relatives, friends 

or neighbours who may find it 

difficult to access the internet in 

a bid to get more people using 

NHS 111 online. 

It comes as 999, 111 and patient 

transport services across the 

Trust continue to see significant 

demand – much higher than 

expected for this time of year. 

As a result, people are being 

urged to utilise 111 online 

wherever possible as it can 

provide quick advice on the best 

healthcare option, including a call 

back from a trained clinician or 

nurse, a booked appointment in 

A&E or advice on self-care. 

SCAS provides emergency, urgent 

care and patient transport to more 

than four million people across 

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, 

Hampshire and Oxfordshire, as 

well patient transport for a further 

three million people in Surrey and 

Sussex. 

“We know what a difficult time this 

is for everyone and we greatly 

appreciate the support and 

understanding of the public as we 

continue to manage the significant 

pressures on our 999, 111 and 

patient transport services,” said 

Mark Ainsworth, Director of 

Operations at SCAS. 

“The demand on us remains high, 

in particular on our 111 phone 

line, so we are again appealing 

for help from people to alleviate 

this by utilising 111 online which is 

a great tool, quick to access and 

provides instant information and 

advice. 

“However, we know requesting 

help from the public by urging 

them to use 111 online isn’t 

feasible for everyone, particularly 

those who find it complicated or 

don’t have the levels of access to 

technology that others may have. 

“Therefore, we are calling on the 

more tech-savvy members of 

the public to lend a helping hand 

their family, friends or neighbours 

– particularly people who you 

know live alone – who may find it 

difficult as, in turn, this will further 

alleviate the pressure on our 111 

call handlers.” 

Mr Ainsworth said even just 

offering to support someone who 

isn’t currently unwell could be 

beneficial as it means they will 

have an alternative way of seeking 

less urgent medical advice when 

they do require it. 

“The more we enable society 

to have support or access to 

technology the better as it means 

we can ensure more people are 

able to utilise the full range of 

tools available to them – which is 

obviously particularly important 

at great times of stress on the 

healthcare system,” he said. 

People are also being asked to 

support the Patient Transport 

Service while it focuses on 

the discharge of patients from 

hospitals across the region to free 

up space for new admissions. 

Paul Stevens, Director of 

Commercial Services at SCAS, 

said: “People can support us 

through this challenging period 

by, wherever possible, finding 

alternative ways to get to hospital 

appointments – maybe via family, 

friends or neighbours, volunteers 

and community transport or taxis. 

“It is also really important that 

people let us know via the 

cancellation line 0300 790 0143 

if they or a family member has 

patient transport booked they no 

longer need so we can use it for 

another patient. 

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184 


NEWSLINE 

“We are also keen to hear from 

anyone who is interested in 

becoming a volunteer car driver 

for SCAS. Find out more via our 

website scas.nhs.uk or email 

volunteer.cardriver@scas.nhs.uk.” 

WAS 

Flight attendant 

lands job in the 

ambulance service 

A flight attendant who was 

made redundant during the 

Covid-19 pandemic has 

landed a new job at the Welsh 

Ambulance Service. 

Sarah Goulding, of Connah’s 

Quay, Flintshire, has joined the 

Trust as an Ambulance Care 

Assistant after an illustrious 32- 

year career with British Airways. 

The mother-of-two was one of 

10,000 British Airways workers to 

have lost their jobs at the height 

of the pandemic. 

Sarah, 54, was inspired to retrain 

for the ambulance service 

having given life-saving first aid 

to dozens of passengers over 

the years. 

She said: “I had an amazing 

career with British Airways and 

was fortunate to have travelled 

all over the world. 

“Every year we had to study 

aviation medicine as part of our 

training, because you can’t call 

an ambulance at 38,000 feet. 

“I saw it all – childbirth, fitting, 

heart attacks and even sudden 

deaths – and I’d always really 

enjoyed giving first aid in an 

emergency. 

“When I was offered voluntary 

redundancy, I thought about 

what other professions I’d enjoy 

and which would allow me to 

transfer my skills. 

“The ambulance service 

appealed to me because firstly, I 

liked the idea of helping people, 

and secondly, I liked the idea 

of being out and about in the 

community. 

“The nature of the airline industry 

means you’re never in one place 

for very long, and I wanted to 

keep hold of that element.” 

Ambulance Care Assistants are 

trained to treat and transport low 

acuity patients to hospital. 

They provide basic life support 

and carry out urgent planned 

transfers from a patient’s home 

to hospital, as well as interhospital 

transfers. 

The Welsh Ambulance Service 

is recruiting Ambulance Care 

Assistants in South Wales. 

Applicants must have a 

minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 

C or above including Maths, 

English/Welsh and Science, or 

other equivalent educational 

qualifications. 

Training includes four weeks of 

patient care training and one 

week of driver training. 

Sarah said: “I’ve been in the role 

for 12 months now and I’m really 

enjoying it. 

“Every day you learn something 

new, and helping people in their 

hour of need is such a rewarding 

feeling. 

“I think about my parents and 

grandparents and how I’d want 

them to be treated – that’s how I 

treat my patients. 

“For me, it’s about giving 

patients the respect and dignity 

they deserve and making them 

as comfortable as possible.” 

Wrexham-based Sarah is 

encouraging others to apply for 

the role. 

She said: “If you like working 

in a public-facing role and as 

part of team, then you should 

definitely think about becoming 

an Ambulance Care Assistant. 

“I think the other important 

prerequisites for the job are 

patience, empathy and a good 

sense of humour. 

“We sometimes find ourselves 

in pretty dark situations, so it’s 

important to be able to find 

some light relief and humour 

with your colleagues. 

“Most importantly, you’ve got to 

enjoy helping people – I certainly 

do.” 



185

NEWSLINE 

London’s Air 

Ambulance Charity’s 

car fleet boosted by 

£330,000 donation 

London’s life-saving charity is 

celebrating a new partnership 

with the London Freemasons, 

who are generously funding 

the charity’s new fleet of rapid 

response vehicles for the next 

three years. 

At an event at the Freemasons 

Hall on Wednesday 3rd 

November, representatives 

from London’s Air Ambulance 

showcased some of the new 

cars and the Charity’s Chairman, 

Mark Vickers, gave a speech to 

thank members for their ongoing 

support. Attendees also heard 

a powerful patient story from a 

Consultant with London’s Air 

Ambulance. The patient had 

been involved in a serious road 

traffic collision and London’s 

Air Ambulance were dispatched 

by rapid response car. The 

interventions of the advanced 

trauma teams on scene gave the 

patient the very best chance of 

survival and he has recently learnt 

to walk again. 

The London Freemasons 

first supported London’s Air 

Ambulance Charity in 2015 with 

a £2 million donation towards 

the service’s second helicopter 

as part of the ‘Your London, Your 

Helicopter’ campaign, and went 

on to pledge a further £100,000 in 

2017 thanks to additional support 

from the membership. 

Now, the Freemasons are 

donating £330,000 towards a new 

fleet of rapid response cars which 

form a crucial part of London’s Air 

Ambulance’s infrastructure. The 

service operates 24/7, delivering 

an advanced trauma team to 

seriously injured patients when 

every second counts; responding 

to five life threatening incidents on 

average each day. At night and in 

adverse weather conditions when 

it wouldn’t be safe to land the 

aircraft, the medical team delivers 

the same world-leading expertise 

to the patient’s side by a rapid 

response car driving under blue 

lights. 

The rapid response cars provide 

continuity of service by delivering 

the same team, with the same 

equipment and drugs, who can 

perform the same life-saving 

procedures on scene. Of the 

1,494 patients treated by the 

service in 2020, 884 of these were 

attended to by car. 

Chairman of London’s Air 

Ambulance Charity, Mark Vickers 

said: 

“The support of the London 

Freemasons down the years has 

been instrumental in keeping our 

helicopter flying and our rapid 

response car fleet on the road, 


Left to right: Dr Ben Singer (Consultant with London’s Air Ambulance); Tanya Moss (Senior Philanthropy Lead, London’s Air Ambulance Charity); 

Mark Vickers (Chairman, London’s Air Ambulance Charity); Sir Michael Snyder (Head of London Freemasons); Tony Shields (Metropolitan Grand 

Charity Steward) and Bill Leaning (Flight Paramedic with London’s Air Ambulance). 

186 


NEWSLINE 

ready for when they are needed 

for the people of London. 

“This incredible donation will 

fund our car fleet over three 

years, helping us reach critically 

injured patients quickly when 

time is of the essence. We rely 

on donations to keep our service 

running and as result of this 

support we will undoubtedly be 

able to reach more patients and 

save more lives in London.” 

Sir Michael Snyder, Head of 

London Freemasons said: 

“We are extremely proud to 

build on our ongoing support for 

London’s Air Ambulance Charity, 

which began in 2015 with us 

providing £2 million of funding 

to support the early introduction 

of the second helicopter. We 

are again delighted to provide 

funding for the replacement 

and expansion of the fast 

responder vehicle fleet that 

make such a huge difference 

when the helicopters cannot fly 

due to night-time, poor weather 

conditions, or serviceability. 

“London Freemasons are 

committed to generous support 

of London Fire Brigade, London 

Ambulance Service and 

London’s Air Ambulance, who 

all do such magnificent work 

and, through them, our local 

communities.” 

London’s Air Ambulance has 

a total of six rapid response 

vehicles, with one in use at 

one time except for certain 

circumstances such as during a 

major incident, and the new fleet 

will continue to ensure state-ofthe-art 

delivery with increased 

space to accommodate more 

medical kit, allowing medics 

to deliver their increasingly 

complex cutting-edge care at the 

roadside. The £330,000 donation 

from the London Freemasons 

will fund the fleet of six trauma 

cars, providing the service with 

resilience in the event of a major 

incident and also supporting 

key clinical trials London’s 

Air Ambulance is pioneering 

alongside Barts NHS Health 

trust and the London Ambulance 

Service such as ECMO, which is 

aiming to improve survival rates 

for patients who suffer a cardiac 

arrest outside of hospital. 

London’s Air Ambulance brings 

the hospital to the scene – 

delivering urgent, cutting-edge 

medical care when London 

calls. The helicopter and rapid 

response car teams are here 

24/7 for every one of the 10 

million people who live and work 

in London. The charity works 

alongside the NHS - London’s 

Air Ambulance operates in 

partnership with and is supported 

by Barts Health NHS Trust and 

the London Ambulance Service 

NHS Trust. 

In the first 6 months of 2021, 

every month London’s Air 

Ambulance performed an 

average of 

• 14 blood transfusions 

• 27 emergency anaesthetics 

• 5 thoracotomies (a surgical 

procedure which opens up 

the rib cage cavity to manually 

massage the heart) 

There were also an average of 10 

Code Red calls per month (when 

a patient is bleeding to death and 

needs immediate intervention). 

The Freemasons Hall event is 

an annual event, recognising 

London Freemasons for their 

work within their Lodges and 

communities with appointment 

to “London Grand Rank”. The 

Metropolitan Grand Master, Sir 

Michael Snyder, thanks members 

for their endeavours and families 

and friends were also invited to 

sit in the Grand Temple to watch 

and support. 

SCAS 

Ambulance service 

joins wave of 

Veteran Aware Trusts 

improving care for 

the armed forces 

community 


Service NHS Foundation Trust 

(SCAS) has been named 

a Veteran Aware Trust in 

recognition of its commitment 

to improving NHS care for 

veterans, reservists, members 

of the Armed Forces and their 

families. 

The accreditation, from the 

Veterans Covenant Healthcare 

Alliance (VCHA), acknowledges 

the Trust’s commitment to a 

number of key pledges, including: 

• Ensuring that the Armed 

Forces community is never 

disadvantaged compared to 

other patients, in line with the 

NHS’s commitment to the 

Armed Forces Covenant 

• Training relevant staff on 

veteran specific culture and 

needs 

• Making veterans, reservists 

and service families aware of 

appropriate charities or NHS 

services beneficial to them, 

such as mental health services 

or support with financial and/or 

benefit claims 

• Supporting the Armed Forces 

as an employer. 

SCAS is now one of 99 members 

of the VCHA and is part of a 

growing number of NHS Trusts 

gaining this accolade. 

Paul Jefferies, Assistant Director 

of Operations at SCAS, said: “As 

a Defence Employer Recognition 

Scheme Gold Award holder, we in 

SCAS are immensely proud to be 

recognised as Veteran Aware. 

“This accreditation reinforces the 

key working relationships SCAS 

has with the Armed Forces both 

as colleagues but also as service 

users. 

“The team within SCAS has 

worked tirelessly to gain this 

recognition and to further support 

our service personnel and I would 

like to congratulate them for this 

well-deserved award.” 

The VCHA is made up of a 

group of NHS providers and 

works closely with NHS England 

and NHS Improvement, service 

charities and the Ministry of 

Defence. 

The alliance was set up following 

The Chavasse Report in 2014 

which was written by leading 

orthopaedic surgeon Professor 

Tim Briggs CBE with the aim of 

improving Armed Forces and 

veteran care while raising NHS 

standards. 

One of the recommendations was 

to establish a support network of 

trusts resulting in the development 

of the VCHA. 

“These Trusts should be very 

proud of the commitment they 

have made to the service men 

and women of this country,” said 

Prof Briggs. “Welcoming them 

into the VCHA is a major step 

towards our aim of ensuring every 

NHS trust in the country is Veteran 

Aware.” 

General Lord Richard Dannatt, 

patron of the VCHA and former 

head of the British Army, said: 

“Although the British Armed 

Forces are not currently engaged 

in high profile campaigns such as 

in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent 

years, the health and wellbeing 

battles for many veterans 

continue. 

“The VCHA is playing a major part 

in helping our brave veterans win 

their personal battles.” 



187

NEWSLINE 

LAS 

Motorcycle Response 

Unit Rides Again 

Motorcycle paramedics will 

be back on the road again 

responding to 999 calls 

across London from Monday 1 

November. 

at London Ambulance Service as 

a trial scheme. 

Back in 1991, the motorcycle 

paramedics proved how useful 

they could be in reaching patients 

quickly in busy and congested 

areas. They are often the first 

paramedics on scene – most 

notably when they responded to the 

Westminster terror attack in 2017. 

WAS 

Welsh Ambulance 

Service appoints 

palliative care 

paramedics in UK first 


has appointed its first dedicated 

palliative care paramedics. 

alongside the nursing team under 

the direction of a consultant in 

palliative medicine. 

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating 

with our health board colleagues 

on this initiative, which we hope 

will improve the quality of care for 

terminally ill patients and open 

up new and innovative ways of 

meeting their needs. 

When the pandemic started, 

paramedics from the Motorcycle 

Response Unit (MRU) were 

moved to other roles as London 

Ambulance Service adapted its 

fleet in response to COVID-19. 

In this relaunch, MRU paramedics 

will spend half their shifts 

responding to the most seriously 

ill or injured patients and the rest 

of their shifts working in the 999 

control room. 

Richard Webb-Stevens, interim 

head of MRU, said: “We are really 

excited to be back on our bikes 

supporting the trust and delivering 

a high standard of care to our 

patients by reaching the sickest 

the quickest. 

“In life or death situations, every 

The bikes carry the same lifesaving 

equipment as ambulances, 

including a defibrillator. 

There are almost 30 motorcycle 

paramedics in the unit and they 

undergo rigorous riding training 

with a police instructor before they 

are recruited. 

Motorcycle paramedics will be 

based out of Croydon, Ilford and 

Waterloo but new technology on 

the bikes means that riders can 

now respond to calls throughout 

London. Previously they have 

only been able to work in certain 

locations. 

Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles 

said: “Not only are they back on 

their motorcycles, but they will 

The new recruits will deliver specialist 

care to patients who are nearing the 

end of their life, in what is also a UK 

ambulance service first. 

The four-strong team will work as 

part of Swansea Bay University 

Health Board’s Specialist 

Palliative Care Team and divide 

their time between patients in 

the community and patients in a 

hospital and hospice setting. 

The new paramedics will take up 

post in November. 

Ed O’Brian, End of Life Care Lead 

at the Welsh Ambulance Service, 

said: “People associate the role 

of a paramedic with managing 

trauma patients or patients who’ve 

had a heart attack or stroke. 

“The bonus is that our new 

recruits will receive specialist 

training and mentorship from our 

hospital colleagues, which they 

can then apply to their ambulance 

service role.” 

Dr Gwenllian Davies, Palliative 

Care Consultant and Clinical Lead 

at Swansea Bay University Health 

Board, added: “We’re delighted to 

welcome paramedic colleagues to 

our Specialist Palliative Care Team. 

“Their membership of the multidisciplinary 

team will enhance the 

care we can provide for our patients. 

“We look forward to learning from 

each other and hope that this 

will be the first of many similar 

collaborations for palliative teams.” 


second counts and the freedom 

we have on a motorcycle to 

access areas other vehicles can’t 

reach means we really can make 

a difference to people’s lives.” 

The relaunch comes exactly 

30 years since the Motorcycle 

Response Unit was first launched 

also be using their skills in the 

999 control room. These senior 

clinicians will be so important as 

we head into winter - they will be 

supporting crews in their decisionmaking 

and be available to talk to 

our patients. Our cycle response 

unit (CRU) colleagues are doing 

the same thing.” 

“Not many people realise that we 

also help patients approaching 

the end of their life due to an 

advanced illness, either with 

urgent symptom management or 

for a sudden deterioration. 

“Every paramedic in Wales is 

trained to support these patients, 

but the palliative care paramedic 

role is unique in that their time 

will be divided between patients 

in the community and those in an 

inpatient setting. 

“In the community, they’ll respond 

to palliative emergencies – 

essentially, they’re the bridge 

between the home and hospital 

for patients in the last days of life. 

“They’ll also work in a hospital or 

hospice setting providing support 

to Swansea Bay patients, working 

This is the latest in a series of 

initiatives the Welsh Ambulance 

Service has introduced to improve 

the care that palliative patients 

receive. 

In February, the Trust joined forces 

with Macmillan Cancer Support 

in Wales to improve the training 

delivered to ambulance crews so 

they can better recognise when 

a patient is nearing the end of 

their life and better manage their 

symptoms to prevent avoidable 

hospital admissions. 

The Trust was also the first 

ambulance service in the UK 

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 poorly. 

188 


NEWSLINE 

The Trust’s End of Life Care Rapid 

Transport Service also works with 

teams across Wales to provide 

transport for terminally ill patients 

to their preferred place of death. 

The service has made over 2,100 

compassionate journeys since its 

introduction in 2017. 

Dr Nikki Pease is a Macmillan 

Palliative Medicine Consultant at 

Velindre University NHS Trust and a 

member of the ambulance service’s 

End of Life Care Project Board. 

She said: “The appointment of 

four palliative care paramedics 

in Swansea Bay builds on the 

solid foundation established by 

ongoing collaboration between 

the Welsh Ambulance Service 

and palliative care organisations 

across Wales. 

“Outcomes from this local 

innovative change will be shared 

with colleagues and teams across 

Wales to ensure national learning 

to improve end-of-life care across 

Wales.” 

New NHS Charities 

Together campaign 

shows why public 

support is still 

needed 

NHS Charities Together has 

launched a new campaign to 

show the incredible impact 

public fundraising has made for 

NHS staff – and why ongoing 

support is still needed. 

The campaign film, titled 

‘For every moment’, aims to 

demonstrate how the NHS is 

here for us in our best and worst 

moments, while showcasing 

the vital work NHS Charities 

Together’s 240 member charities 

do to support staff, patients and 

volunteers – so the public might 

continue to be there for them in 

NHS Charities Together’s 

Covid-19 Urgent Appeal was 

the most successful fundraising 

campaign of all time. Supported 

by Captain Sir Tom Moore, 

premiership footballers, Joe 

Wicks, and thousands of other 

generous individuals and 

organisations, in total it raised 

more than £150 million. 

These funds are already making a 

vital difference, and to date NHS 

Charities Together has allocated 

£140 million supporting over 600 

projects, covering the length and 

breadth of the UK. This includes 

over 400 projects supporting the 

mental health of NHS staff, including 

counselling support, helplines, and 

intensive psychological support for 

post-traumatic stress disorder. 

In an NHS Charities Together survey 

of 1000 NHS staff1, two thirds 

of those surveyed said they had 

experienced problems with their 

mental health since the pandemic 

began in 2020. While two thirds 

(66%) have now been able to 

access support from their place 

of work, in part thanks to NHS 

Charities Together funding, the 

research highlighted how practical 

and emotional help is still needed. 

More than a third of those 

surveyed (36%) said they would 

benefit from psychological support 

and/or counselling services, 

roughly one in ten (11%) said 

they would benefit from intensive 

therapy for trauma support, and 

nearly half (47%) wanted practical 

support (e.g. access to necessary 

food, drink and rest areas). 

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of 

NHS Charities Together, said: “With 

the pandemic’s impact expected 

to last for many years, partnerships 

between the NHS and NHS 

charities are now more vital than 

ever – and we must be there for 

staff in the long-term. We hope this 

film helps show the phenomenal 

difference public fundraising can 

make to NHS staff, volunteers and 

“There is an urgent and growing 

need to help vulnerable groups 

in our society – we have more 

elderly individuals and long-term 

conditions to care for, more of 

us across all ages are waiting for 

treatment, and more NHS staff are 

facing burnout than ever before. 

But together we can provide the 

extra support needed in hospitals, 

ambulance teams, community 

and mental health care, and help 

our health service to go further for 

everyone – now and in the future.” 

In the wake of COVID-19, NHS 

Charities Together is committed 

to helping the NHS recover from 

the pandemic. This includes 

training and equipping emergency 

response volunteers, and funding 

emerging health needs – for 

example through research into 

long-Covid. In its latest phase 

of grants, the charity is investing 

in projects that make access 

to healthcare more equal, 

and supporting communities 

disproportionately affected by 

COVID-19, while supporting the 

long-term recovery of the NHS. 

NHS Charities Together is the 

national independent charity 

caring for the NHS. Visit 

nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/join-us 

to watch the film and learn more. 

WAS 

New joint initiative to 

safeguard vulnerable 

people at home 


has partnered with fire and 

rescue services to launch a 

new initiative to better protect 

vulnerable people at risk of an 

accident in their home. 

The new system allows 

ambulance crews to e-refer at-risk 

patients to their fire and rescue 

service counterparts in North, Mid 

and West and South Wales for a 

Safe and Well check. 

property to mitigate any risks. 

Nikki Harvey, the Welsh Ambulance 

Service’s Head of Safeguarding, 

said: “Ambulance crews go to a 

patient’s property to deliver medical 

interventions, but often while they’re 

there, they’ll spot things in the home 

which raise a red flag. 

“It could be that there isn’t a 

smoke alarm, that electrical 

sockets are overloaded or that 

there’s a build-up of fat on 

cooking appliances, all of which 

present a fire hazard. 

“It could be that the patient has 

cigarette burns on their clothes 

or furniture, or that the patient’s 

hoarding has blocked an escape 

route. 

“The new referral form – which 

our crews complete on an 

iPad – streamlines the process 

completely and makes it easier 

than ever before to enlist the 

support of fire service colleagues 

and safeguard that patient. 

“Anything that we can do 

collectively to improve patient 

safety, mitigate the risk of 

accidents and prevent harm could 

reduce 999 calls in the future.” 

Tim Owen, Community Safety 

Manager at North Wales Fire and 

Rescue Service, on behalf of 

the three Welsh fire and rescue 

services, said: “The Welsh 

Ambulance Service and the 

regional fire services in Wales work 

together operationally every day. 

“This agreement will enable us to 

extend this work, identifying those 

most at risk and vulnerable in our 

communities to make them safer. 

“The sharing of information will 

enable us to develop the principles of 

the Wellbeing of Future Generations 

Act, targeting our services to those in 

most need of support. 

“It will also provide a template for 


the long-term. 

patients across the UK. 

Fire crews can then visit the 

promoting future joint working.” 


189

NEWSLINE 

SCAS 

Former flight cabin 

crew member inspired 

to join ambulance 

service after saving 

friend’s life 

David instructed Graham to 

continue with chest compressions 

while he set up an automated 

external defibrillator (AED) and then 

delivered several shocks before 

paramedics and air ambulance 

doctors arrived to continue 

resuscitation and treatment. 

A former British Airways cabin 

crew member was inspired to 

volunteer for South Central 

Ambulance Service NHS 

Foundation Trust (SCAS) after 

saving the life of his friend who 

collapsed during dinner. 

Graham Langley, 63, from 

Bishop’s Waltham in Hampshire, 

launched into action utilising 

emergency training from his 20- 

year flight career when 66-year-old 

Richard Lovegrove fell ill suddenly 

and lost consciousness on an 

evening in November last year. 

Suspecting a cardiac arrest, which 

occurs when the heart’s electrical 

system malfunctions and stops 

pumping blood around the body, he 

immediately began cardiopulmonary 

resuscitation (CPR) while other 

guests called 999. 

He continued this for 10 minutes 

until the arrival of local Community 

First Responder (CFR) David 

Spackman, a trained volunteer for 

SCAS funded by South Central 

Ambulance Charity. 

Richard regained a pulse and was 

taken to the Queen Alexandra 

Hospital in Portsmouth, where he 

spent six days in a coma and almost 

eight weeks recovering before 

returning home. He has made a 

near-complete recovery from his 

cardiac arrest but continues to suffer 

some memory loss as a result. 

“When Richard collapsed and 

slumped in his chair seconds after 

a conversation our friends looked 

at each other and I realised he 

wasn’t right at all,” said Graham, 

who spoke out ahead of World 

Restart a Heart Day tomorrow 

(Saturday, 16 October). 

“I’d worked for BA as cabin crew 

for 20 years and had just retired. 

We had obviously been trained for 

emergency situations so I just went 

into training mode automatically. 

“I said, ‘get him on the floor now’ 

and when I realised he wasn’t 

responsive at all, I started CPR while 

one of the other guys called 999. We 

also sent someone else to try to get 

the local defibrillator from the pub.” 

He added: “The response from 

the NHS was phenomenal. 

First David the CFR arrived 

and very quickly after giving 

Richard a couple of shocks, two 

ambulances, the air ambulance 

crew in a car, a doctor and other 

professionals arrived. 

“It took ages to get Richard 

stabilised but eventually they said 

that they had a pulse and that 

he was still with us. It was such a 

relief to hear and when they finally 

stabilised him enough and took 

him out to the ambulance, it was 

so lovely. 

“I remember watching Richard’s 

hand move when he was lying on 

the trolley and that was such a 

relief and I knew he had a chance. 

It was an amazing feeling.” 

local insurance brokers, said he 

felt like “some kind of celebrity” 

when he was followed up by his 

local GP, who explained just how 

slim survival chances are for 

people who suffer cardiac arrests 

outside of hospital. “The help I 

had on the day of the incident 

and the treatment I had at the QA 

Hospital was terrific,” he said. 

“All I remember from the night 

was Graham telling a story about 

a friend of his who was ill and, 

ironically, I said, ‘do you know I’m 

going to be 66 on Tuesday and I’ve 

never really been ill in my life’ and 

that’s all I remember – I woke up in 

hospital a couple of weeks later. 

“I’m just lucky to be around. You 

just have to grasp it. I just feel 

very, very lucky.” 


Graham Langley and Richard Lovegrove 

Around 60,000 out-of-hospital 

cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur in 

the UK every year and emergency 

services attempt resuscitation in 

around half – but just one in 10 

people survive to hospital discharge. 

However, chances of survival are 

two to three times higher with 

immediate bystander CPR – and a 

report published earlier this year by 

the National Confidential Enquiry 

into Patient Outcome and Death 

(NCEPOD) found 35.5% of patients 

who received CPR from a bystander 

survived to hospital discharge. 

Richard, a managing director of a 

After the incident, Graham was 

praised for his calm conduct 

under pressure and decided 

to find out more about the CFR 

scheme, which sees more than 

1,000 specially trained members 

of the public support the 

ambulance service by responding 

to medical emergencies. 

They often provide lifesaving first 

aid to patients before paramedics 

arrive and assist with ongoing 

patient care at the scene, 

attending more than 30,000 

incidents every year. 

They are funded solely by South 

190 


NEWSLINE 

Central Ambulance Charity, which 

provides equipment, training and 

is responsible for the dedicated 

vehicle fleet. 

Realising he was capable under 

pressure and seeing the CFR 

programme in action, Graham 

decided the join the service and 

is now a dedicated member of 

the team of volunteer responders 

that covers the Bishop’s Waltham, 

Waltham Chase and Swanmore 

area. 

“Before Richard’s incident I didn’t 

know about the CFR scheme,” 

he said. “But the urgency of 

the incident and speed of the 

response by the local CFR made 

me realise how vitally important 

immediate action was. 

“Without the volunteer CFR there 

would have been a delay in 

emergency treatment which may 

have had an impact on Richard’s 

recovery. 

“The feedback from the crew 

on the night was that I’d done a 

fantastic job and I realised that I 

was probably reasonably good 

under pressure – particularly for 

emergencies with people. 

“Because of the Covid shutdown 

I’d retired early and was looking for 

something to do so it just felt right.” 

Graham enjoys that every call is 

different and that he can make a 

real difference to people within the 

local community. 

He said: “You feel like you’ve 

made a difference on every call 

that you’ve been to even if the 

ambulance is there only a couple 

of minutes later. You feel like 

you’re doing something for the 

community.” 

The advice from both Richard 

and Graham for anyone who 

experiences a situation like this is 

to begin chest compressions as 

soon as possible. 

Graham said: “Definitely just get 

stuck in and start giving someone 

CPR if you find yourself in this 

situation and while you’re waiting 

for help to arrive - this absolutely 

made all the difference for 

Richard.” 

Vanessa Casey, Chief Executive of 

South Central Ambulance Charity, 

said: “What a truly remarkable 

story this is. 

“All of us at SCAS and the charity 

are delighted to see Richard has 

made such a positive recovery 

and we are also so grateful to 

have Graham on board as a CFR 

in Bishop’s Waltham – our skilled 

and dedicated CFRs are so 

valuable to us. 

“All of our volunteers make such 

a difference to the service we 

provide for patients and they 

are also fantastic advocates 

for the charity, enabling us to 

constantly add to and upgrade 

our equipment and ensure they 

have all the kit they need.” 

As part of a series of events 

leading up to World Restart a 

Heart Day, SCAS issued an 

open invitation to members of 

the public to participate in a live 

online resuscitation training event 

at facebook.com/scas999. The 

session will remain available on 

Facebook to view at any time. 

WAS 

Amateur boxer lands 

knockout job at 

ambulance service 

An amateur boxer has landed a 

knockout new job at the Welsh 

Ambulance Service. 

Jamie Jones, of Tal-y-Bont, 

Bangor, is learning the ropes as 

an Ambulance Care Assistant 

for the Trust’s Non-Emergency 

Patient Transport Service. 

It is a family affair for the 23-yearold 

heavyweight whose uncle 

works for the service and whose 

late grandfather also had more 

than 15 years under his belt. 

Jamie, who until recently worked 

at his father’s joinery business, 

started at the Trust in August after 

searching for a job that would 

allow him to fulfil his gruelling 

training schedule. 

He said: “I’ve been boxing since I 

was 16 – it was just a hobby in the 

beginning, but it quickly turned 

into a serious pursuit. 

“Boxing teaches you discipline, 

but it also gives you confidence 

and keeps you well physically and 

mentally. 

“I’d love to progress into pro 

boxing, but in the meantime I 

fancied something a bit different 

to joinery and my ambition was to 

pursue a career in the ambulance 

service. 

“My uncle Mark is an Emergency 

Medical Technician and my 

grandfather John worked for the 

service for 15 years, so I suppose 

you could say I’m following in their 

footsteps. 

“I typically train 3-4 times a week, 

and this role gives me the flexibility 

to do my job but also pursue my 

passion, and the Trust have been 

really supportive in that way.” 

Ambulance Care Assistants in the 

Trust’s Non-Emergency Patient 

Transport Service are trained to 

take patients to and from their 

routine hospital appointments. 

No formal qualifications are 

required for the role, but 

candidates are expected to 

demonstrate a reasonable 

standard of education. 

They must have the physical 

strength to fulfil the manual 

handling element of the role and 

can also expect long periods of 

driving. 

More importantly, recruits must 

have experience of delivering 

excellent customer care. 

The Trust is recruiting an 

additional 20 Ambulance Care 

Assistants in North Wales. 

Jamie, who is based at Colwyn 

Bay Ambulance Station, is 

encouraging others to apply. 

He said: “What I enjoy most about 

the role is that you’re meeting new 

people every day, and I’ve been 

made to feel so welcome. 

“You could enjoy a lifelong career 

in the non-emergency service, but 

it’s also a great foundation role – 

especially for young people – not 

only to start you off in your career 

but also in life. 

“Personally, I’d like to progress 

into an Emergency Medical 

Technician role so that I’m 

delivering clinical care to patients, 

and this is a great springboard 

for that.” 



191

NEWSLINE 


SCAS 

Staff, volunteers and 

public recognised at 

first of Trust’s annual 

awards 

The long service and 

achievements of South East 

Coast Ambulance Service staff, 

volunteers and members of the 

public have been recognised 

at the first of the Trust’s annual 

awards ceremonies. 

The awards, primarily covering 

Kent, took place at The Orangery, 

Turkey Mill, Maidstone on the 

evening of Thursday 7 October. 

The ceremony saw longservice 

award winners gather 

in person for the awards while 

commendation award winners 

joined in the celebrations virtually. 

Queen’s Medals for Long 

Service and Good Conduct 

were presented by The Queen’s 

representative, Deputy Lieutenant 

of Kent, George Jessel, with 

attendees also recognised for 20, 

30 and an amazing 40 years’ NHS 

service. 

There was also a special 

recognition award for former 

paramedic Robin Friday – one 

of the original six ambulance 

personnel chosen to undergo 

formal cardiac training under the 

tutorship of the then Dr Douglas 

Chamberlain. This year marks 50 

years since Robin became what 

is considered to be one of the 

UK’s first paramedics when he 

completed his training in Brighton 

in 1971. 

Chief Executive Commendations 

were presented to individuals 

across a number of categories 

including Exceeding Expectations, 

Clinical Excellence and Quality 

Improvement, Community or 

Voluntary Service and, for the first 

time, a category for COVID-19 

Response. 

There was also a Public 

Commendation for on-call Kent firefighters 

Mark Rustage and James 

Knight and SECAmb Ambulance 

Technician, Charlie Speers, for their 

quick thinking when they sprang 

into action when off duty to save 

the life of 5-year-old Lila Page from 

Rainham. The Trust was delighted 

Lila was also able to join in the 

celebrations virtually with her family. 

SECAmb Chief Executive Philip 

Astle said: “I was delighted to be 

able to celebrate the achievements 

of every single award recipient. 

The dedication shown to the 

ambulance service over so many 

years by our long service award 

winners is truly humbling and 

the amazing stories behind each 

commendation winner highlights 

just a few examples of the fantastic 

work which goes on 24 hours a 

day at SECAmb. 

“I would like to thank all our award 

winners and everyone linked to 

SECAmb for their commitment at 

what continues to be an extremely 

challenging and busy time.” 

WAS 

WAST Awards 2021- 

And the winners are... 


has honoured staff and 

volunteers at its sixth annual 

awards ceremony. 

More than a dozen awards were 

presented to colleagues across 

Wales at a virtual event. 

Among them were accolades for 

Team of the Year and Inspiring 

Others, as well as a pair of special 

awards to mark the launch of the 

Trust’s first Volunteers’ Strategy. 

Tributes were paid to lost 

colleagues, including Emergency 

Medical Technician Dorian 

Williams, of Swansea, who died 

in June, just six weeks after a 

stomach cancer diagnosis. 

The 44-year-old newlywed was also 

the recipient of the posthumous 

People’s Choice Award. 

Chief Executive Jason Killens 

said: “Awards are a brilliant 

way to recognise the sterling 

efforts of staff and volunteers 

who demonstrate overwhelming 

commitment and do a great job 

for the people of Wales, every day. 

“Once again, the Covid-19 

pandemic meant we couldn’t host 

the ceremony in the usual way, 

but it has given us the opportunity 

to pause and reflect on our 

achievements in a different way. 

“It’s more important than ever to 

take stock of the last 12 months 

and say a big thank you to our 

people, without whom Wales’ 

national ambulance service simply 

would not exist.” 

Chair Martin Woodford added: 

“Often, our people don’t realise 

that what they do is special; they 

see it as part of their daily job, so 

the staff awards are an excellent 

way to shine a light on their work 

and recognise that effort. 

“We heard some incredible stories 

as part of the ceremony, and I’d 

like to extend a huge heartfelt 

congratulations to all of our winners.” 

And the winners are – 

Emergency Medical Service 

Award 

North: Jenny Lewis and the East 

Duty Operations Managers – for 

delivering outstanding patient 

care and supporting frontline 

colleagues 

Central and West: Hayley 

Bennett – for saving a choking 

colleague 

South East: Cath and Kevin 

O’Connor – for their charity work 

and having compassion for 

patients and colleagues alike 

Non-Emergency Patient 

Transport Service Award 

North: Bethan Roberts – for her 

commitment to the role and her 

efforts to improve culture 

Central and West: David Arch – 

for going above and beyond for 

patients 

South East: Kelly Baker – for being 

a good team leader and ensuring 

that staff wellbeing is a priority 

Clinical Contact Centre Award 

North: Laura Williams – for being 

a good role model to NHS 111 

Wales colleagues 

Central and West: Laura Reed 

– for taking ownership of every 

decision and for going the extra 

mile with staff training 

South East: John Attfield – for his 

professional handling of a 999 call 

involving a member of staff 

Support Services Award 

North: Carl Melville and Sam 

Roberts – for going above and 

beyond to support frontline staff 

through the Covid-19 pandemic 

Central and West: Jenny McGinn 

– for working tirelessly to support 

the alternative responder team 

South East: Jamie Roberts – for 

his patience and responsiveness 

when dealing with ICT queries 

Volunteer – Community First 

Responder 

North: Jonathan Lawton – for his 

commitment and professionalism 

as a CFR 

Central and West: Wendy Lewis 

– for being an inspiration to the 

CFR family 

South East: Mike Hope and Lucy 

Rowlands – for their enthusiasm 

and for providing excellent 

patient care through the Covid-19 

pandemic 

Volunteer – Volunteer Car 

Driver 

North: Howard Dickson – for his 

dedication to the role over three 

decades of service 

Central and West: Amanda 

Williams – for her quick-thinking 

actions to deliver first aid to a 

member of the public 

South East: Ernest ‘Tony’ Anthony 

Dale – for his professionalism and 

compassion over 20 years’ service 

192 


NEWSLINE 

People’s Choice Award 

Dorian Williams (posthumous) – 

for his passion for helping people, 

both as an Emergency Medical 

Technician for the Trust and as a 

training officer for St John Cymru 

Wales 

Public Recognition 

Pamela Gannon – for supporting 

health and social services through 

the Covid-19 pandemic by hand 

making Personal Protective 

Equipment 

Great Listener Award 

North: Carol Archer – for being 

the epitome of a kind and caring 

person 

Central and West: Garin Lloyd – for 

using his initiative as a call handler 

to help a patient in difficulty and for 

securing a position in university to 

train as a paramedic 

South East: Dylan Parry – for 

supporting colleagues as the 

Trust’s Violence and Aggression 

Project Officer 

Learning and Innovation Award 

Jo Kelso – for drawing on her 

skills, knowledge and expertise to 

deliver key organisational priorities 

for the Trust 

Inspiring Others Award 

North: Karen Neville – for her 

‘get up and go’ and fantastic 

leadership, especially though the 

Covid-19 pandemic 

Central and West: Catrin Convery 

– for being an inspirational leader 

and supporting staff through the 

death of a colleague 

South East: Nicola De-Gare Pitt 

– for her positivity and inspiring 

others to be their best 

Team of the Year Award 

111 Wales Team – for being front 

and centre of the Trust’s Covid-19 

effort and for working tirelessly to 

maintain the service in the face of 

increased demand 

Welsh Language Award 

Dylan Vining – for his skill and 

proficiency as a Welsh-speaking 

call handler 

Chair’s Award 

Ernest ‘Tony’ Anthony Dale – for his 

professionalism and compassion 

over 20 years’ service 

Chief Executive’s Award 

Mark Tonkin – for going above and 

beyond to help others inside and 

outside of work, including organising 

donations for people in need during 

the Covid-19 pandemic 

Gail Williams Award for Clinical 

and Operational Excellence 

Stephen Donovan and Wayne 

Davies – for providing exemplary 

clinical care at the roadside to a 

patient in labour 

SCAS 

South Central 

Ambulance Service 

volunteer responders 

win national team of 

the year award 


Service (SCAS) and South 

Central Ambulance Charity’s 

volunteer responders have been 

named ‘outstanding volunteering 

team of the year’ at a national 

awards ceremony for their 

contribution to healthcare amid 

the challenges of COVID-19. 

The 1,200-strong team of 

Community First Responders 

(CFRs) and Co-Responders 

were up against four other 

organisations for the title at the 

Helpforce Champions Awards 

2021, with the winner announced 

online on Friday. 

Volunteer responders are 

members of the public trained to 

support the ambulance service 

primarily by attending medical 

emergencies and sometimes 

providing lifesaving first aid to 

patients before paramedics arrive. 

They also assist with ongoing 

patient care at the scene and 

attend more than 30,000 incidents 

every year. They are funded solely 

by South Central Ambulance 

Charity, which provides equipment, 

training and is responsible for the 

vehicle fleet of 51. 

CFRs volunteer in their spare 

time – providing a minimum of 20 

hours a month each – and cover a 

population of more than four million 

across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, 

Hampshire and Oxfordshire. 

Helpforce was set up by former 

Marie Curie charity chief executive 

Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett to 

accelerate the growth and impact 

of volunteering in the NHS by 

collaborating with organisations 

and rapidly sharing insights and 

best practice. 

Its awards ceremony celebrates 

the invaluable contributions made 

by volunteers in the NHS and 

this year focused on the role they 

have played – and continue to 

play – in managing the impact of 

the pandemic. 

“We are absolutely delighted our 

SCAS Community First Responder 

team has won this award,” said 

Vanessa Casey, Chief Executive of 

South Central Ambulance Charity. 

“The award recognises the 

enormous contribution each and 

every one of our CFRs and Co- 

Responders has made, not just over 

the last year but in every year. 

“We know the last year has provided 

many new and different challenges 

but it has also shown the true 

loyalty, resilience and passion of our 

volunteers - on behalf of everyone 

at SCAS we thank them all for their 

continued support and hard work.” 

During the pandemic CFRs 

have continued to respond to 

emergencies and support patient 

care but have also taken on new 

roles such as introducing ‘Teapot’ 

refreshment vehicles to provide 

staff with hot drinks while waiting 

with patients at emergency 

departments. 

They have also volunteered in the 

control room and headquarters to 

dispatch CFRs, helped distribute 

donated goods from hand cream 

to coffee across ambulance 

service sites and taken on a 

variety of fundraising challenges 

to raise money for additional 

equipment and new technology. 

Volunteers who had to temporarily 

stand down due to age or their 

own health vulnerabilities did not 

give up and found new ways to 

support SCAS, joining specific 

bubbles and providing essential 

support outside of direct patient 

care such as helping with 

vaccination rollouts. 

Andy Long, a CFR based in 

Oxfordshire, said: “I have been 

a CFR for almost 14 years and I 

have loved every single second. 

“COVID-19 has been difficult and 

made life quite scary at times 

but we continued to do what we 

do because we know it makes 

a difference and is appreciated. 

This award is marvellous and to 

be recognised for something you 

do is really special - it means an 

awful lot.” 

Sir Thomas said: “What a 

team. Driving black cabs down 

from London to protect patient 

transport patients in transit, they 

trained to dispatch community 

first responders from their call 

centre, crewed teapot refreshment 

vehicles and distributed donated 

goods from hand cream to coffee. 

“They helped their ambulance 

service reach even more patients, 

treating and leaving patients at 

home and supporting the welfare 

of elderly and vulnerable patients 

throughout the pandemic. 

“How lucky we are to have them I 

applaud on your behalf the South 

Central Ambulance Charity and 

South Central Ambulance Service 

Community First Responders.” 

Watch the announcement in 

full here: https://twitter.com/i/ 

status/1454025825230024708 



193

NEWSLINE 

Southampton 

researchers 

demonstrate a more 

effective personal 

protective equipment 

strategy for COVID-19 

in the NHS 

Research by the University of 

Southampton and University 

Hospital Southampton has 

demonstrated that a newlydeveloped 

respirator hood is a 

safe form of personal protective 

equipment (PPE) for frontline 

healthcare workers and support 

staff. As well as being preferred 

by patients and staff to standard 

facemasks, they provide cost 

saving opportunities for the NHS 

and did not face the supply chain 

issues experienced for single-use 

PPE early in the pandemic. 

At the start of the pandemic, 

a collaboration of University 

and Hospital staff, with industry 

partners, developed prototype 

reusable, battery-powered 

respirators (PeRSo) as alternative 

PPE to standard disposable 

face masks. After initial trials, 

widespread deployment was 

approved; in the first wave, over 

1500 PeRSos were used, and 

over 3500 were used during the 

second wave, all individually 

requested by staff. 

The respirators have a waistmounted 

rechargeable battery 

powered unit, which filters air 

extremely effectively and then 

blows clean air into a loose-fitting 

hood with a clear visor. 

They received approval from the 

regulators for use in hospitals 

during the pandemic. 

The key findings of this new 

study, published in Frontiers in 

Medical Technology, were that 

the respirators were significantly 

preferred by staff, as they felt 

safer and more comfortable, and 

preferred by patients who could 

see their carers’ faces in full, 

making communication much 

easier. 

Economic analysis showed 

widespread PeRSo use to be 

cost saving after approximately 

PeRSo on the frontline 

ten weeks, and as they are 

reusable the supply chain issues 

that limited PPE availability were 

resolved. The environmental 

impact of disposable PPE was 

also minimised. Furthermore, 

widespread use led to relatively 

low staff absence during the 

second wave of the pandemic, 

and over 80% of staff requested 

their PeRSos to be stored for 

any future rise in cases. This 

improved PPE was offered to all 

staff, including cleaners, porters, 

physiotherapists and healthcare 

assistants. 

The team therefore conclude that 

PeRSos represent an alternative 

form of PPE to protect healthcare 

workers from coronavirus 

infection. 

Paul Elkington, Professor of 

© University Hospital Southampton 

Respiratory Medicine at the 

University of Southampton and 

co-director of the project, said 

“We have shown that widespread 

PeRSo use gives staff the ability 

to choose their level of PPE, and 

is preferred by staff and patients. 

Also, this approach reduces the 

enormous waste of standard 

PPE and is cost saving as the 

respirators are reusable“. 

Dr Trevor Smith, Deputy Chief 

Medical Officer at University 

Hospital Southampton, said “This 

is a prime example of the local 

hospital, university and industry 

working together to come up with 

innovative a solution to the crisis 

that has benefited patients and 

staff alike. Our experience can 

help the wider NHS to improve 

its PPE provision as we enter a 

difficult winter”. 


PeRSo being assembled by INDO Lighting 

© INDO Lighting 

PeRSo being assembled by INDO Lighting 

© INDO Lighting 

194 


NEWSLINE 

WAS 

Eight assaults a 

day on emergency 

workers – work with 

us, not against us is 

the Christmas plea 

Eight assaults every day were 

committed against Welsh 

emergency workers during the 

first six months of this year, new 

figures have revealed. 

More than1,360 assaults were 

committed in the six-month period 

from 01 January 2021 – 30 June 

2021. 

They included kicking, slapping, 

head-butting and verbal abuse, 

and ranged from common assault 

to serious premediated attacks 

involving grievous bodily harm. 

At least 21 incidents involved a 

weapon. 

With Christmas fast approaching 

– the time of year when assaults 

traditionally spike – emergency 

workers are asking the public to 

treat them with respect. 

Jason Killens, Chief Executive 

of the Welsh Ambulance 

Service, said: “The Covid-19 

pandemic has been a fraught time 

for all of us, but that’s no excuse 

to assault an emergency worker, 

who are normal human beings 

just trying to do a job. 

“The run-up to Christmas means 

more people are out enjoying 

the revelry, and with alcohol 

consumption comes an increase 

in assaults, both physical and 

verbal. 

“There were 60 verbal attacks 

alone on our ambulance control 

room staff in the first six months 

of the year. 

“We know it’s distressing when 

you’re waiting for help, but 

abusing our call handlers is not 

the answer – if anything, it could 

potentially delay help. 

“On the road meanwhile, crews 

might have no choice but to 

leave a scene if their safety is 

compromised, and that’s not 

helpful for anyone, especially the 

patient. 

“The debt of gratitude we owe to 

our emergency workers has never 

been greater, so we’re asking the 

public to work with us, not against 

us this Christmas.” 

Almost half (47%) of assaults in 

the six-month period took place 

in South East Wales; Cardiff, 

Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend 

are among the most prolific local 

authority areas. 

Offenders aged 26-35 account for 

the highest portion of offending 

(24%), while a third of incidents 

involved people under the 

influence of alcohol. 

averaging 152 victims every 

month in the six-month period. 

Claire Parmenter, Temporary 

Chief Constable at Dyfed Powys 

Police, said: “Assaults on police 

officers continue to increase and 

this is completely unacceptable. 

“Assault is a traumatic offence that 

causes great distress to anyone, 

and it is no different when the 

victim is an emergency worker. 

“In September, we saw a man 

handed a 26-week prison 

sentence suspended for two 

years after he violently attacked 

two of our police officers who had 

gone to his aid. 

“Concerned for his safety, they 

May 2021 saw the highest volume 

of assaults (281) as the hospitality 

industry re-opened in Wales after 

the second Covid-19 lockdown. 

Since the start of the pandemic 

in March 2020, there have been 

at least 36 incidents where an 

emergency worker has been 

deliberately coughed at. 

Assaults on police account for two 

thirds (67%) of the total number, 

gave him a lift home – and in 

return both were physically 

injured. 

“The psychological impact on 

both officers is something they will 

take time to recover from. 

“In the same month alone, three 

officers carrying out their duties 

suffered injuries in an unprovoked 

attack at the hands of the man 

they were trying to arrest. 



195

NEWSLINE 

“Despite the offender’s efforts, the 

officers were able to arrest him 

although they were left with injuries. 

“The offender appeared in court 

the day after his arrest, where he 

was sentenced to 12 months in 

prison. 

“Assaults such as these stay with 

the victims for the rest of their 

careers, and none of my officers 

and staff should have to go to 

work serving the public and be 

afraid of being assaulted. 

“With the upcoming season of 

goodwill, please respect and 

protect our emergency workers.” 

Although fewer in number – 22 

incidents over the six-month 

period – March 2021 saw an 

unexplained rise in assaults on fire 

service colleagues, especially in 

South Wales. 

Chief Fire Officer Huw Jakeway 

QFSM from South Wales Fire 

and Rescue Service said: “Our 

emergency services work hard 

every day keeping the public safe 

and should not have to deal with 

abuse. 

“Attacks on crews while protecting 

our communities and keeping 

people safe is completely 

unacceptable. 

“Our blue light services come 

to work to serve and protect the 

public and the impact of such 

assaults can lead to life-changing 

consequences for those involved. 

“This type of behaviour is, of 

course, carried out by a very 

small minority, and we once again 

thank our communities for their 

continued support in working 

with us this festive season to stay 

safe.” 

Under the Assault on Emergency 

Workers (Offences) Act, the 

definition of an emergency 

worker includes police, fire and 

ambulance staff, as well as prison 

staff and NHS workers. 

Judith Paget, Chief Executive 

of NHS Wales, said: “Our 

emergency workers provide 

life-saving and life-changing 

care every day in often difficult 

circumstances. 

“Our NHS staff are preparing for a 

challenging Christmas period so 

now, more than ever, they deserve 

to be treated with respect. 

“Any form of attack on 

our emergency workers is 

completely unacceptable and we 

are doing everything we can to 

work with NHS Wales employers 

and our partner agencies to 

eradicate physical or verbal 

assaults on staff.” 

Last week, UK Government 

announced that it was 

introducing a new law that will 

mean a mandatory life sentence 

for those who kill an emergency 

worker in the course of their 

duty. 

The Ministry of Justice said it 

would aim to pass ‘Harper’s 

Law’ in England and Wales – in 

memory of Thames Valley Police 

PC Andrew Harper, who was 

killed in the line of duty in 2019 – 

as soon as possible. 


The With Us, Not Against Us 

campaign was launched in May 

2021 by the Joint Emergency 

Service Group in Wales to try 

and reduce the number of 

assaults on emergency workers. 

Pledge your support on social 

media using the hashtag 

#WithUsNotAgainstUs or 

#GydaNiNidYnEinHerbyn. 

196 


IN PERSON 

SECAmb News 

SECAmb appoints new 

Executive Director of Quality 

and Nursing 

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS 

Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is pleased 

to announce the appointment of a new 

Executive Director of Quality and Nursing. 

Robert Nicholls will join the Trust in February 

replacing current Director, Bethan Eaton- 

Haskins, who announced her decision to leave 

the Trust earlier this year. 

A nurse since 1993, Robert has held a number 

of senior roles in the NHS, most recently in his 

current position as Director of Nursing Division 

of Medicine and Integrated Care at Imperial 

College Healthcare NHS Trust. 

Prior to this he was seconded to the role of 

Programme Director of Clinical Workforce 

at Kent and Medway Sustainability and 

Transformation Partnership (STP) and he has 

held a variety of deputy director of nursing and 

deputy chief nurse roles at NHS organisations 

including North Somerset Community 

Partnership and Medway NHS Foundation Trust. 

He is a member of the Chief Nursing Officer 

for England male BAME advisory group, 

supporting the Chief Nursing Officer on the 

national equality, diversity and inclusion 

agenda. 

In his role for SECAmb, Robert will be 

responsible for all matters connected to the 

quality agenda, lead a wide variety of specialist 

teams and as well as the increasingly powerful 

cadre of nurses supporting the Trust’s 111 and 

999 services. 

SECAmb Chief Executive, Philip Astle said: 

“I am really pleased we have been able 

to appoint such a strong candidate to this 

important role. I would also like to thank 

Bethan for her dedication since she joined us 

in 2018 and in particular, for her expertise and 

leadership during the COVID pandemic. 

“Robert brings a great deal of experience 

with him across a variety of senior NHS roles 

and I am certain this will be of huge benefit to 

SECAmb and its strong Executive Team and 

Trust Board. I would like to take this opportunity 

to formally welcome him ahead of him joining 

us in February. I look forward to working closely 

with him in the months and years ahead.” 

Robert said: I am delighted to be offered such 

a privileged position and I am really looking 

forward to working with my executive and nonexecutive 

colleagues and our people who work 

diligently to deliver an exceptional emergency 

service across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.” 

WAST News 

Andy Swinburn appointed 

Trust’s first Director of 

Paramedicine 

The Welsh Ambulance Service has 

appointed its first Director of Paramedicine. 

Following a competitive recruitment process 

open externally to suitably qualified and 

experienced applicants, we are delighted to 

announce that Andy Swinburn QAM FCPara 

has been appointed to the role of Director of 

Paramedicine. 

Andy joined #TeamWAST in 2017 as Assistant 

Director of Paramedicine, later securing 

promotion to Associate Director in January 2020. 

moment in the Trust’s clinical journey and for 

the UK ambulance sector more widely. 

He said: “The Director of Paramedicine role is 

a first for the Welsh Ambulance Service and 

one which signals our commitment to the 

development of paramedicine as a profession 

in our organisation. 

“Andy will be a member of the Executive 

Team and Trust Board and will assume full 

responsibility for what has historically been the 

Medical Directorate from 01 January 2022. 

“In Andy we have found a passionate and 

innovative advocate for the profession who 

has already made a huge contribution to the 

organisation. 

“Having Andy in this role gives our paramedics 

and the profession more broadly their rightful 

seat at the Board table as we continue to 

evolve and develop as a provider of a range of 

clinically-based services.” 

Andy added: “I am truly elated to have been 

appointed to the role of Director of Paramedicine. 

“This has been a challenging selection process 

in which I am pleased to have been successful. 

“However, I am most excited about taking a 

lead role within our future strategic direction 

and play my part in shaping our service to 

deliver even better care to the people of Wales. 

“I’d like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks 

to the numerous members of #TeamWAST that 

have supported me since my arrival in 2017 and 

more latterly through the selection process. 

“We have great people here in Wales and I know 

that together we can take things forward in a 

progressive and positive manner – thank you.” 

During this period, he has been at the forefront 

of developments in clinical practice, including 

as a leading proponent of advanced and 

extended paramedic practice. 

Andy has more recently championed key 

elements of our future strategy. 

Chief Executive Jason Killens said the 

appointment to the role was a significant 



197

COMPANY NEWS 

NEW PRODUCTION LINE EXPANSION INCREASES 

RHINO PRODUCTS’ MANUFACTURING CAPACITY 

Rhino Products, Europe’s leading van accessory manufacturer, 

has expanded its production capacity by adding two new 

lines at its modern Ellesmere Port facility. The new lines are 

dedicated to the manufacture of the highly popular SafeClamp 

ladder clamping system, adding to recently enhanced 

production capabilities across the business. 

Rhino Products continuously invests in its infrastructure and personnel 

to meet customer demand for its high-quality commercial vehicle 

accessories. Recent upgrades include new manufacturing floors, offices 

and other facilities. As part of this, the business has also hired a number 

of new employees from the local area. 

Forming the latest round of investment, the addition of two new 

SafeClamp production lines has doubled production from 500 to 

1,000 pairs a day. The SafeClamp is a one touch ladder clamping 

system, featuring a composite beam structure and stainless-steel 

anchor hook. The device is five times quicker than traditional screw 

down ladder clamps. 

To support this increased manufacturing capacity, Rhino has hired three 

new production staff from the local area. The lines have been built on 

a dedicated mezzanine floor and employ LEAN principles, with racking 

and continuous improvement strategies in place to maximise efficiency. 

“When building Rhino House, we ensured that alongside modern 

office and factory spaces, we allowed for flexibility to facilitate our 

ambitious growth plans. This strategy has allowed us to quickly meet 

the growing market demand for our van accessories,” said Steve 

Egerton, Group CEO. 

As well as the SafeClamp, all of Rhino’s roof racks, bars, ladder handling 

systems, steps, pipe carriers and rear door ladders are manufactured at 

Rhino House. Furthermore, the modern factory facilities, which include 

two mezzanine floors, also include expansive racking and goods-in space 

for stock. All in all, this ensures product availability in the UK, Europe and 

other export markets to meet customer demand. 

Rhino has also hired a number of new employees from the local area. 

Beyond the shop floor, Rhino House features a three-storey office 

complex with modern facilities. With plenty of room for continued 

expansion, Rhino can deliver its exciting plans for future growth with 

confidence. 

About Rhino Products 

Rhino Products are Europe’s leading manufacturers of commercial 

vehicle accessories, supplying van roof bars, racks, rear steps and 

ladder handling accessories to both trades people and some of the 

biggest named fleets around the world. 

Headquartered in the UK, the Rhino brand has grown from humble 

beginnings less than 20 years ago, to an international group of 

companies with two UK factories and three further sites in the 

Netherlands, Sweden and Poland. The group also includes the AVS 

Steps Ltd brand, a leading manufacturer of ambulance and passenger 

vehicle side steps. 

For more information, visit www.rhinoproducts.co.uk 


Rhino Products, has expanded its production capacity by adding two 

new lines at its modern Ellesmere Port facility. 

The new lines will produce the SafeClamp, a one touch ladder 

clamping system. 

198 


COMPANY NEWS 

STOP THE BLEED: 87% OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS 

BELIEVE MORE LIVES COULD BE SAVED IF THE PUBLIC WERE 

BETTER PREPARED WITH TRAUMA RESPONSE TRAINING 

On World Trauma Day, Safeguard Medical is calling for the 

introduction of life-saving bleed kits across the UK and offering 

over 500 places on FREE bleed control training sessions for UK 

public to help support emergency responders to save more lives. 

In a recent survey of UK Emergency Medical Services, Fire and Police 

commissioned by Safeguard Medical, 87% of respondents agreed that 

if the public were more aware of the immediate care required following 

major trauma, preventable deaths would decrease [1] . The majority of 

first responders (85%) believe that more lives could be saved with 

the introduction of bleeding control kits, placed alongside every 

public access defibrillator. 

The UK Government has released statistics that over 41,000 knife crime 

offences occurred in 2020/21, of which 224 were homicides [2] . Bleed 

kits contain lifesaving equipment including tourniquets to stop major 

bleeding and haemostatic bandages that can be ‘packed’ into a wound 

to stop haemorrhaging. 

With World Trauma Day on Sunday 17th October, Safeguard Medical 

is appealing to raise greater awareness of the vital skills that help to 

preserve life following a trauma incident. During the COVID pandemic, 

emergency responders reported increased pressures, with 95% 

agreeing they have responded to an increased number of trauma 

incidents. Almost half of those surveyed (48%) agreed that the public 

could be better prepared to respond while waiting for professional 

ambulance assistance to arrive on scene. 

“In addition, the demand for advanced medicines and equipment 

coupled with specialist care on scene delivered by our critical care 

paramedics and flight doctors continues to rise annually, with a 1.3 

per cent rise in trauma-related incidents compared to 2020, which was 

already an extraordinary year with additional Covid pressures.” 

The emergency responders surveyed agreed that since the pandemic, 

certain trauma incidents have increased considerably. For example, as 

more people have been upgrading their homes, DIY accidents have 

increased (28%), as have falls from height and sporting incidents (25%). 

Professor Richard Lyon MBE, Chief Medical Officer at Safeguard 

Medical and a practising NHS Consultant in Emergency Medicine 

& Pre-hospital Care, said: “Even with an air ambulance travelling in 

a straight line at over 130mph to an incident, patients can bleed out in 

under 5 minutes in some circumstances. Minutes are critical when you 

are bleeding. This is why a tourniquet or haemostatic trauma bandages 

in bleed kits give the public the chance to intervene and save a life. Our 

rapid response teams can then focus on keeping the patient stable and 

preparing them for medical intervention once at the hospital.” 

Professor Lyon agreed that during the UK lockdowns, the number of 

callouts to incidents reduced but added: “There’s been a significant 

increase in recreational incidents following the lifting of lockdowns. 

Accident from sporting incidents, DIY, road traffic collisions, falls from 

heights, as well as an increase in mental health-related incidents and 

assault-related trauma – particularly knife crime – have all increased.” 

Emergency responders are also dealing with the mental health impact 

of witnessing and experiencing trauma, with 94% agreeing that their 

mental health had suffered because of the increased pressures 

placed on the emergency medical services during the pandemic. 

Safeguard Medical believes that if the public were better prepared to 

deal with medical and trauma emergencies, this immediate support 

could help reduce mental health pressure on emergency medical 

responders, whilst also directly saving lives. 

One of Safeguard Medical’s partners, the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, 

will host a training session on World Trauma Day at Merry Hill Shopping 

Centre in the West Midlands, delivered by Safeguard Medical’s training 

division, Prometheus Medical. At this free, open event, the public can learn 

vital first aid skills that could save someone’s life. These include how to 

perform CPR, use a defibrillator and how to manage major bleeding. 

Ian Jones, air operations manager for Midlands Air Ambulance 

Charity, said: “World Trauma Day is an important awareness day for 

us. With more than 63% of the charity’s missions being trauma-related, 

it’s important to use this day to shine a light on the enhanced critical 

care our crews provide, and what bystanders can do to help the patient 

before medical expertise even arrives. 

Safeguard Medical is dedicated to equipping responders at every 

skill level to saving life, in any environment. Which is why its training 

arm, Prometheus Medical, is providing over 500 free places on its 

medical training courses across the UK to help prepare the public and 

businesses to respond better to medical emergencies by understanding 

bleed control. 

To find out more and register your interest for the free training sessions, 

visit www.prometheusmedical.com 

To learn about how Safeguard can supply bleed kits for general public 

use, visit https://safeguardmedical.com/en-gb/products/haemorrhagecontrol/prometheus-bleed-control-kit-daniel-baird-foundation/. 

A demonstration of how to use the Bleed Control Kit can be viewed 

here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRmt5E8b1lg 



199

VENTILATION SIMPLIFIED 

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For more information, visit us at www.zoll.com 

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© 2020 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. Smart Help, Ventilation Simplified, Z Vent, and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the 

United States and/or other countries. 

MCN EP 1811 0246

Ambulance UK December 2021

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