Category: News Items

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CRASH Card

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CRASH Card

CRASH Card

After a number of years of this scheme being successful in the East of the UK, the National launch of CRASH was on the 31st March 2011.

This crash card is designed for all sizes of powered two wheelers, mopeds to super bikes and cruisers to tourers, for all motorcycle journeys, ie to school, for leisure, work and commuting, including professionals.

CRASH Card is a scheme in which motorcyclists place a card inside their crash helmet as a medic alert. The details which the rider has written on the card provide vital information for attending ambulance crews if the motorcyclist is injured in a road traffic collision. Saving valuable time and helping treatment especially if the rider is either unconscious or unable to communicate.

This scheme, which has been in use for nearly two years in some parts of England, was created by the committee of the Ambulance Motorcycle Club a group of experienced paramedics and ambulance staff who are passionate about motorcycling.

The card also has a mnemonic “CRASH” which gives helpful advice if a rider comes across a road traffic collision. Ian Burrell, Chairman of the Ambulance Motorcycle Club said: “We know that riders are more likely than any other road user to stop at the scene of an accident and offer to help. CRASH is an excellent way of helping the emergency services get the right resources to the scene as quickly as possible and we hope riders who stop to help will use their own card to provide information when calling 999.”

Pc Simon Ross, Traffic Police, said: “By carrying the CRASH card within your helmet and affixing the green dot to the right side of it, we will know that the next of kin details (name/phone number) will be available to the us, so that we can if necessary, contact the rider or pillion’s loved ones should they be required in the event of an incident.”

The CRASH Card is accompanied by an explanatory letter which contains a self adhesive green dot. The letter explains that rider/pillion should affix the dot to the right hand side of their helmet to help alert the attending medical staff to the presence of the card. The letter also shows how to fill out the card and explains that only trained professionals should remove an injured rider’s crash helmet.

If you would like to know where you can get a CRASH Card please use the link to the Ambulance Motorcycle Club website: www.ambulancemotorcycleclub.co.uk

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Support for speed cameras remains high – but London and the north-east still need some convincing

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28 October 2015

A national survey by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has shown that although most drivers support speed cameras there are big variations across the country – and Londoners and people in the north-east appear to show higher levels of resistance than most.

The survey polled 1,000 drivers of all age groups across Britain and asked “It is now common for the authorities to use speed cameras at the side of the road to identify vehicles involved in speeding offences. How acceptable do you think this is?” The national average is 79% but only 69% of Londoners said it was acceptable, down from 85% in 2011.

The north-east also has seen a decrease in acceptance in the past year, down from 84% to 70%. The north-west, Yorkshire and Humber and Scotland have also all seen acceptability decrease over the four year period.

When asked if they agree with the statement “Speed cameras are only sited at places where accidents are happening” again there was a sharp decrease in people in the north-east and London agreeing with it. Only 37% of those polled in the north-east agreed with this, down from 69% between 2013 and 2014.

In London the numbers agreeing fell from 46% to 28%. The north-east has seen the biggest fall in drivers agreeing with the statement (from a peak of 69 per cent in 2013 to 37% in 2014).

We asked if they agree with the statement: “Raising money from fines is not the motive for speed cameras” there is a sharp fall in those in the north-east and London agreeing compared to 12 months ago, and a gradual fall over the past four years. In 2011 48% of people agreed with this statement in London, which has dropped to 29% last year. In the north-east those agreeing with the statement dropped from 58% in 2013 to 30% last year.

The West Midlands and London are the only regions where the overall trend since 2011 indicates that more drivers believe raising money from speed cameras is the motive (from 37% in 2011 to 56% in 2014 for London, and from 51 per cent in 2011 to 58 per cent in 2014 for the West Midlands).

With deaths on UK roads having fallen from around 3,600 in the mid-nineties (when speed camera use became widespread) to 1,713 in 2014, respondents were asked: “To what extent do you believe speed cameras have helped in this decline?”

While there is a very high agreement across the country for this statement, the north-west is the only region to see a consistent year-on-year decrease in those who believe speed cameras have contributed to the decline in road fatalities.

And there was a sharp fall in those in the north-east in the past year who agree with the statement that speed cameras have helped in this respect, from 91% to 57%.

In its manifesto, the IAM supports the use of safety camera systems at collision hot spots, on roads with a bad crash record and at areas of proven risk, such as motorway road works.

However, the IAM states that it is vital for their credibility and road safety policy that their use is concentrated on these areas, directly linked to speed related crashes and casualties. It also suggests that cameras should be seen as a temporary solution until long term engineering improvements can be implemented to solve the problem permanently.

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “It is clear that most drivers accept that speed cameras are effective in reducing the numbers of people who are killed and seriously injured, but for many there is still an unfortunate link to revenue raising and a perception they are not always in the right places.

“Public support is very important when it comes to effective speed camera operation. They will respect them if they can see their effectiveness and worthiness, and theseregional variations highlight where extra work is needed to convince drivers of the benefits and to counter media perceptions and urban myths around cameras.”

For the full survey findings as commissioned by the IAM click here: http://bit.ly/1k7b3p9

ENDS

The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 90,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving and motorcycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

 

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Don’t Let Dark Nights Spook You This Halloween

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Don’t Let Dark Nights Spook You This Halloween

The dark nights have set in and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is urging all parents to take some simple steps to ensure Halloween is a safe and spooky treat for children this year.

Each year NWAS sees a rise in calls on Halloween or ‘Mischief Night’ – a lot of which are incidents that could be avoided if the public followed some useful safety advice.

NWAS is urging parents to ensure they always accompany children when they are ‘trick or treating’, to make sure children carry a torch or glow stick and wear reflective clothing to make them visible to drivers. It is important children should learn how to cross the road properly as more accidents happen in the dark.

The Trust is also advising that well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes should be worn to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls – which are regular calls on Halloween night. Face paints should be tested on a small area of skin first to check for irritation.

Director of Operations at NWAS, Derek Cartwright, said: “Halloween is a really exciting time for children and young people. The dark nights at this time of year can however lead to accidents, so it’s important to make sure children are as safe and as visible as possible.

“Emergency calls to the ambulance service soar at this time of year. We are urging parents to ensure their children are safe so they can enjoy the night and ambulances are free to attend life-threatening emergencies.

“People should think before they dial 999 about whether they really need an ambulance. More appropriate treatment could be available at a minor injuries unit, walk-in-centre, GP or Pharmacy. We also have our helpline 111 to give you advice on issues that aren’t life-threatening.”

Please also remember not to leave burning candles or pumpkin lanterns unattended or near flammable materials – all these simple steps could save lives.

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iResus returns

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iResus returns

From the UK Resuscitation Council
A new version of the iResus app released for healthcare professionals.

In conjunction with the 2015 Guidelines, we have developed a new version of the popular iResus app. The original app created in 2010, was an immediate success amongst healthcare professionals looking to supplement their learning and have immediate access to the Resuscitation Council (UK) life support algorithms.

‘When we launched the original app in 2010 it filled a gap and enabled healthcare professionals to rapidly access all the resuscitation algorithms on their phone. It was clear that once the 2010 app was made unavailable a replacement was needed and we’re delighted to announce the new iResus app’ explains Dr Jasmeet Soar, consultant in anaesthetics and intensive care medicine at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, and the Resuscitation Council (UK) Guidelines 2015 lead.

The main function of this free app is to act as a support tool and a learning supplement for healthcare professionals once they have taken a Resuscitation Council (UK) life support course.

The new and updated iResus can be downloaded on a phone or tablet from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Once downloaded, iResus can function without the need for an internet connection. All algorithms used in the Resuscitation Council (UK) life support courses can be accessed using the app. Should there be any updates to the algorithms the update function enables users to download the latest versions immediately.

The app has been produced in collaboration with Cranworth Medical – a specialist mobile app developer for the health sector.

If you have any questions concerning technical issues or support with the app, please contact us and we will aim to respond within 5 working days. Please note that currently, the app is not available for Windows phone operating system.

October 2015

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London Ambulance Service and GoodSAM app team up

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Getting to the heart of the matter: London Ambulance Service and GoodSAM app team up to provide additional voluntary help to cardiac arrest patients across the Capital

GoodSAM app image

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) is embarking on an exciting new partnership with the internationally acclaimed GoodSAM app, in which clinically trained ambulance staff and members of the public with basic life support skills trained to an LAS standard, can now sign up as volunteers to respond to life-threatening emergency calls, including cardiac arrests.

The GoodSAM app uses GPS technology to alert trained first responders to nearby life-threatening emergencies.

The sooner effective Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is started, the better the chance of survival for the patient. If a defibrillator is readily available, patients are six times as likely to survive.

Volunteer responders with basic life support skills who are affiliated or trained to an LAS Standard should register on the GoodSAM app selecting London Ambulance Service as the verifying organisation. Those who are not LAS trained or affiliated should select GoodSAM as the verifying organisation.

Funded by the Centre for Social Action Innovation Fund, supported by Nesta and the Cabinet Office, this ground-breaking project will initially see the mobilisation of clinically trained London Ambulance Service volunteer responders – paramedics for example – who can respond to alerts via the GoodSAM App on their smartphone about life-threatening calls.

The volunteer responder will attend in addition to the normal emergency ambulance response, which is deployed to life-threatening calls.

When an emergency call is directed to the London Ambulance Service Emergency Operations Centre and it is classified to be of a life-threatening nature, details will automatically be sent through to the GoodSAM app, which will alert the nearest volunteer responder who has registered with the app.

If the responder is available and has already been approved through the governance process administered by London Ambulance Service for its own staff and members of the public with basic life support skills trained to an LAS standard, they can accept the alert via the GoodSAM app and make their way to the location of the incident.

If the volunteer responder is not in a position to accept the alert, it can be declined and will get diverted through to the next nearest responder.

The responder will also be advised of the location of the nearest defibrillator. When a public access defibrillator is used in cardiac arrest, the overall survival rate to discharge is 58.6 per cent.

Chris Hartley-Sharpe, Head of First Responders at London Ambulance Service said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the GoodSAM team.  It’s a well-established fact that the sooner effective CPR is started, the better the chance of survival for the patient. Getting a defibrillator to someone in cardiac arrest further increases their chance of survival.

“By working with GoodSAM, we have introduced an integrated and seamless approach that will enable our volunteer responders to be alerted via the GoodSAM app to a patient in cardiac arrest nearby.

“For example, if our control room receives a 999 call about someone in cardiac arrest on Bond Street, an alert would go to the nearest volunteer responder via the GoodSAM app.

“They could accept the alert and make their way to the patient.  It is important to stress the responder is an additional resource to the emergency ambulance response, which is deployed as normal to a patient in cardiac arrest.

“While we are actively encouraging our own clinically trained staff and LAS accredited members of the public to sign up as volunteer responders, we are also working with other emergency services to help promote the GoodSAM app to their staff. They too would need to demonstrate that they had the skills required to be a volunteer responder.”

Dr Mark Wilson, GoodSAM’s Medical Director, said: “If a patient has a cardiac arrest or a traumatic head injury, it is the first few minutes after the incident that determine the outcome – life, death, or long-term brain injury.

“But in this time frame, we could never have enough ambulances to be on scene and able to provide treatment within two minutes. That is why we need to alert people with the right life support training skills.

“We are delighted that the London Ambulance Service has partnered with us and would urge other organisations and medically trained individuals around the world to continue to do so as well.”

Despite pressures on the London Ambulance Service, the average response time to cardiac arrest patients is 7 minutes 38 seconds, well within the eight minute target time.

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Problem parking can cost vital seconds

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Problem parking can cost vital seconds
October 2015

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is reminding motorists to park sensibly to avoid obstructing routes that could cause delays to emergency vehicles.

In an emergency situation seconds lost can cost lives and it is vital that our staff and responder volunteers can get to the scene of an incident as quickly as possible.

Following a recent incident at Durdle Door, Dorset, a vehicle causing an obstruction meant that crews had to abandon their vehicle and continue to a casualty on foot. Fortunately in this instance a first responder was already providing treatment to the patient.

SWASFT’s director of operations, Neil Le Chevalier, added: “Parking inappropriately can lead to delays in our crews getting to the scene of an incident. In an emergency situation, where seconds really can make a huge difference to the outcome for our patients, it is vital that we are able to get there as quickly as possible. I would urge the public when parking vehicles in narrow roads to have a look around and think about whether there would be enough space for an emergency vehicle to get through.”

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Simple steps to prevent falls

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SCAS says take simple steps to prevent falls

With autumn not too far away, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is encouraging everyone to take steps to avoid slips, trips and falls.

Everyone is at risk of falling, slipping or tripping over. These accidents can result in fractures and can lead to serious injury and even death.

However, there are simple measures people can take at home and in other settings to prevent falls.

Avoiding falls at home by:

·         Removing clutter, trailing wires and frayed carpet;

·         Use non-slip mats and rugs;

·         Not walking on slippery floors in socks or tights;

·         Wearing well-fitting shoes with good grip;

·         Organising your home so that climbing, stretching and bending are kept to a minimum.

By adopting some of these helpful tips into a daily routine, people can also integrate regular strength and balance exercises to minimize the chance of falling over.

Keeping active with activities including Tai Chi, gardening and dancing are great ways to boost your core strength and counteract muscle deterioration.

Mark Browning, Technician, SCAS, explained: “Falls are the most common cause of accidental death or serious injury amongst older people.  They affect about one third of all people over 65 and in very elderly people (over 85) this figure is nearly 40%. They cause injury, restrict activity, destroy confidence, increase isolation and reduce independence. As age advances, the incidence of falls increases, with women more likely to sustain a fracture than men.

“An ageing population means that the rate of falls and fractures are increasing. With light activity, walking, gentle exercise, healthy nutrition etc this will help reduce the risk if injury from falling. All falls should be reported to your GP.”

Other avenues of available care to help falls prevention include asking your GP to review your medicines annually if you’re on long term medication, ensuring you have regular sight tests and requesting a home hazard assessment from your local authority.

 

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Who will treat you – Scottish Ambulance

Who Will Treat You

Who will treat you

As soon as we have enough information and we believe you need immediate medical treatment, we will send help.

There are a number of ways in which we respond, depending on the circumstances:

Emergency Ambulance

Frontline emergency ambulances with a crew of two, one of which will be a paramedic, respond to the majority of emergency calls. Ambulance Technicians and Paramedics are trained to deal with life threatening illnesses and injuries. We carry a full range of medical equipment on our ambulances, including electrocardiogram (ECG) machines to monitor a patient’s heart and defibrillators which can restart the heart if a patient goes into cardiac arrest.

Paramedic Response Unit (PRU)

Paramedic Response Units are normally crewed by a paramedic working on their own. They will go to patients by car or motorcycle and carry all of the life saving equipment needed in a medical emergency. In life threatening situations, they can provide a vital, fast response and they will be backed up by an emergency ambulance that can take you to hospital.

Special Operations Team (SORT)

Specialised Paramedics, Technicians and Logistics Staff trained to gain access and administer care for patients in hazardous or difficult environments and at the scene of major incidents. SORT also deploy to provide paramedical support for other agencies involved in potentially hazardous environments.

Community Paramedics

These are paramedics who have undertaken extra clinical training. They are able to thoroughly investigate a patient’s condition and situation and then make a qualified decision about the best way to progress their treatment. They often work with minor injuries units and out of hours doctor services and can refer patients to the most appropriate care if a visit to hospital is not required.

Air Ambulance

We operate two emergency helicopters and two fixed wing planes. They are often asked to assist at incidents where there may problems with inaccessible terrain or where a very fast evacuation to hospital is preferable to a journey by road ambulance.

Community First Responders

These are members of the community who have been trained to provide first aid and other medical skills while the ambulance is on its way to you. They are able to deliver treatments that are time critical, such as using a shock box in cardiac cases.

BASICS Responders (British Association of Immediate Care)

BASICS Responders are Doctor’s, Nurses and Paramedics who have received additional Pre-Hospital Emergency Training through BASICS Scotland. Each of the Responders are provided with a Sandpiper Medical/Trauma Response bag and access to a Defibrillator. Many Responders have also been issued with an Ambulance Service Airwave Radio and a Vehicle Locater System to allow contact and best resourcing via their Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre.

Paramedic Clinical Advisor

If the incident is not life threatening, you may be passed by telephone to one of our Paramedic Clinical Advisors, or to NHS 24, who will give you assistance or point you in the right direction for help.

Whatever your reason for calling us, the Emergency Medical Call Taker who answers your call will ensure that you receive the most appropriate response and liaise with other services and professionals where necessary.

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London to get a second air ambulance helicopter

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London to get second air ambulance

The London Air Ambulance lands near Marble Arch  Image copyright Matthew Bell
The used helicopter which is currently green will be made to match the first one

 

A second air ambulance for London has been purchased, the charity that runs the service has said.

The aircraft should arrive from Qatar this week and be in use by early next year after modifications, a spokeswoman for London’s Air Ambulance said.

About £3m was raised for the purchase and conversion costs.

It means when one helicopter is being maintained, London will still be served by a traffic-beating aircraft.

The second emergency medical helicopter – a used MD902 Explorer – was paid for by donations to the Your London, Your Helicopter campaign which aims to raise a target of £6m to keep it flying for five years.

The helicopters will alternate taking an advanced trauma team to critically injured people.

The spokeswoman said last year there was an accumulated total of 55 days when the charity’s helicopter could not be used because of maintenance work.

London Air Ambulance boss Graham Hodgkin said it was a “truly exciting development for London and the biggest step-change” in the service resilience in the charity’s history.

View of Thames from Air Ambulance  Image copyright London’s Air Ambulance
The second helicopter has been used for medical purposes in Qatar

London’s Air Ambulance facts

  • Founded in 1989, it has treated more than 30,000 critically injured people
  • It serves the 10 million people who live, work and holiday within the M25
  • It operates in partnership with Barts Health NHS Trust and London Ambulance Service
  • In 2014, it treated 1,806 patients: 33% from road traffic incidents, 27% from falls and 24% from penetrating trauma including stabbings and shootings

 

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New Clinical Model Pilot Launch

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Countdown on for new clinical model pilot launch

THE Welsh Ambulance Service will embark on its pioneering new clinical model pilot this week.

Under the new model, those patients in imminent danger of death will get a life-saving response as quickly as possible.

All other patients else will have a response based on their clinical needs, but it might not always equal a trip to hospital – it could be a referral to NHS Direct Wales or their GP.

It is hoped the new model will end the current practice of sending multiple ambulances to a 999 call in order to meet the eight-minute target.

The pilot was established after the McClelland review recommended that Welsh Government move away from the eight-minute target to a more intelligent set of indicators, which put a greater emphasis on patient outcomes and experience.

The changes will come into effect on October 1, 2015.

Dr Brendan Lloyd, Medical Director at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Since 1974 our ambulance service has been measured by the time it takes to reach emergency calls.

“Para-medicine and pre-hospital care has developed rapidly since then, but the focus is still on how many ambulances arrive at calls within eight minutes regardless of the clinical outcome.

“That’s why we’re moving away from time-based targets to look more at the quality of what we do for our patients once we arrive.

“Having an ambulance arrive at a patient’s door quickly does not necessarily translate to a better outcome for the patient, but having the right type of vehicle arrive at a patient’s door and timely transport to a treatment centre does.”

The new model will introduce three new categories of calls – red, amber and green – to replace the current system.

RED calls are immediately life-threatening calls – someone is in imminent danger of death, such as a cardiac arrest.

There is compelling clinical evidence to show an immediate emergency response will make a difference to a person’s outcome.

The eight-minute target will be retained for this group of calls with an initial target of 65% receiving an eight-minute response.

AMBER calls refer to those patients with conditions which may need treatment and care at the scene and fast transport to a healthcare facility, if needed.

Patients will be prioritised on the basis of clinical need and patients will receive a fast, blue light response.

There will be no time-based target for amber calls, but a range of clinical outcome indicators will be introduced to measure the quality, safety and timeliness of care being delivered alongside patient experience information, which will be published every quarter.

GREEN calls are less urgent calls, which can often be managed by other health services, like GPs, or through self-care.

This category also includes calls from healthcare professionals, which will be handled in a different, planned way in the future.

Dr Lloyd added: “In order to meet the complex and growing demands on our ambulance service, we need to transform the way we deliver our services.

“This new model will make our ambulance service among the most progressive in the world.”

There is a wealth of information about the pilot on the Trust’s website.

You can also keep abreast of news and updates by following the Welsh Ambulance Service on Twitter @WelshAmbulance and on Facebook.

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BHF PocketCPR app

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BHF PocketCPR app

The CPR app

Practise Hands-only CPR with the BHF PocketCPR app for iPhone and Android.

The free app explains how to carry out Hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on someone in cardiac arrest using hard and fast chest compressions.

The app allows you to practise by making use of the accelerometer in your smartphone. It means your phone can measure the rate and depth of compressions, telling you if you need to do the compressions faster or slower, or whether you should push harder or softer.

DOWNLOAD THE ANDROID APP

DOWNLOAD THE IPHONE APP

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What happens when you call 999

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What happens when you call 999

In a medical emergency, ask for the ambulance service and you will be put through to one of our call-takers.

In the video below Jules Lockett, Head of Control Services Training, explains how the information you provide to us helps us.

You will need to have the following information available when you call 999:

  • The location where you are, including the area or postcode.
  • The phone number you are calling from.
  • Exactly what has happened.

As soon as we know where you are we will start arranging help for you.

You will also be asked to give some extra information, including:

  • The patient’s age, gender and any medical history;
  • Whether the patient is awake/conscious, breathing and if there is any serious bleeding or chest pain; and
  • Details of the injury and how it happened.

Answering these questions will not delay us, but it will help us give you important first aid advice while our staff are on their way.

The extra information also helps us to make sure you get the most appropriate help.

What can I do before help arrives?

In the video below Jules Lockett, Head of Control Services Training, explains how you can look after the patient until help arrives.

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Before help arrives, you can help us by doing the following:

  • If you are in the street, stay with the patient until help arrives.
  • Call us back if the patient’s condition changes.
  • Call us again if your location changes.
  • If you are calling from home or work, ask someone to open the doors and signal where the ambulance staff are needed.
  • Lock away any family pets.
  • If you can, write down the patient’s GP details and collect any medication that they are taking.
  • Tell us if the patient has any allergies.
  • Stay calm—our staff are there to help. Violence or threatening behaviour aimed at them will not be tolerated and could delay help getting to the patient.

How can I be prepared for an emergency?

There are things you can do today to help us in the future.

  • Check that your house number can be seen from the road.
  • If you live on an estate, check there is a clear sign to direct emergency services and that all lifts are working.
  • If it’s dark outside turn on lights to help our staff to find you quickly.

Karen Uptoon EOC 200x300
What information will I need when I call 999?

When you call 999, an operator will ask you which emergency service you need.
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When to call 999 – LAS

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When to call 999

In a life-threatening emergency

Always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk.

Examples of medical emergencies include (but are not limited to):

  • chest painWalk in centre sign
  • difficulty in breathing
  • unconsciousness
  • severe loss of blood
  • severe burns or scalds
  • choking
  • fitting or concussion
  • drowning
  • severe allergic reactions.

When it’s not a life-threatening emergency

If it is not a life-threatening emergency and you, or the person you are with, do not need immediate medical attention, consider other options before you dial 999:

  • Look after yourself or the patient at home. If you cannot stay at home, see if family or friends are able to help.
  • Talk to your local pharmacist.
  • Visit or call your GP.
  • Call NHS 111.
  • Visit the NHS Choices website.
  • Make your own way to your local A&E department, walk-in centre, minor injuries unit or urgent care centre. (Arriving in an ambulance does not necessarily mean you will be treated more quickly.)

Choose the best treatment for your needs – choose well. It allows us to make sure that we are able to help the people who need us the most.

Not sure where your nearest health services are? Visit www.nhs.uk.

If you are nearing the end of your pregnancy, the London Ambulance Service have put together some advice if you are due to give birth.

 

With thanks to the London Ambulance Service

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We are off to the Emergency Services Show

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Emergency Services Show

We are off to the Emergency Services Show at the NEC on Wednesday the 23rd

Our apologies if we are not able to answer the phone as quickly as usual, please make certain to leave a message and we’ll collect it as soon as possible, better still email us we will be reading them all through the day.

Hope to see plenty of friends during the day

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RC (UK) awarded NICE accreditation

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The RC (UK) awarded NICE accreditation

The Resuscitation Council (UK) [RC (UK)] has become one of only 19 UK charities to receive NICE accreditation.

March 2015

In 2012 the National Centre for Clinical Excellence (NICE) awarded the RC (UK) accreditation for the resuscitation Guidelines 2010. Three years on the RC (UK) applied for and has received NICE accreditation for the process used to assemble and produce all its guideline documents.

The RC (UK) works to promote high-quality, scientific resuscitation guidelines that are applicable to everybody, and to contribute to saving life through education, training, research and collaboration. In October 2015 the RC (UK) will publish new resuscitation guidelines.

The NICE accreditation mark will be displayed on guidelines to inform users that they can expect it to be a high quality source of information. The accreditation is valid for five years from March 2015.

Dr Jasmeet Soar, member of the Executive Committee and Lead Author of the process manual said, “I’m pleased that NICE has recognised that RC (UK) has a robust guidelines development process that both healthcare professionals and the public can rely on.”

Since 2009, NICE has accredited 62 guidance development processes on a number of different medical areas. The Resuscitation council (UK) is proud to be part of this number.

Professor Martin Underwood, Chair of the NICE Accreditation Advisory Committee said: “I am delighted to congratulate the Resuscitation Council (UK) who successfully met all 25 criteria on which their processes were assessed. The charity aims to save lives through the education of the public, as well as improving the education of healthcare professionals in relation to resuscitation. Therefore I am particularly pleased to congratulate them on the degree to which lay members are involved in development of their guidance.”

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Physio-Control acquires HeartSine Technologies

Physio-Control Range

Physio-Control acquires HeartSine Technologies to form one of the world’s largest automated external defibrillator companies
BY JAMES RISLEY on September 14, 2015 at 10:52 am

If you have a heart attack out in public, there’s a good chance a company based in Redmond, Wash., is behind the life-saving technology that can bring you back from the brink of death.

Physio Control HeartSinePhysio-Control is now one of the world’s largest automated external defibrillator (AED) solutions providers after acquiring Northern Ireland-based HeartSine Technologies, the company announced today. Both Physio-Control and HeartSine are major manufacturers of AEDs, which allow untrained bystanders to jump-start the heart after a heart attack.

“Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the biggest healthcare problems in the world and AEDs are a critical part of the solution,” Physio-Control CEO Brian Webster said in a news release. “The global market for these devices is growing fast and our joint aim is to save more lives with more AEDs in more places.”

Physio-Control, privately held by Bain Capital, designs and produces its products in Redmond, but HeartSine will continue to produce AEDs at its facilities in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Physio Control HeartSine

james  James Risley is a technology writer living in Seattle. He’s written for the Medill News Service and helped build small, news-focused web tools for covering transportation and politics. He recently earned his graduate degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. You can follow James on Twitter or Instagram and reach him at james@geekwire.com.

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RC (UK) Resuscitation Guidelines 2015 to be published on 15 October

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RC (UK) Resuscitation Guidelines 2015 to be published on 15 October

Guidelines 2015 Logo

The Resuscitation Council (UK) will be publishing new resuscitation guidelines on line on 15 October 2015 following the review of resuscitation science by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).

Changes in the guidelines will be based on the available science and aimed at simplifying clinical practice, enhancing education, and improving outcomes. The process used by the Resuscitation Council (UK) to develop and update its guidelines has NICE accreditation and is described in the Guidelines development process manual on the Council’s website.

The publication of new and revised treatment recommendations does not necessarily imply that current care is either unsafe or ineffective. The RC (UK) believe it is in everyone’s best interests that the current training you provide continues right up until such time as your organisation has updated its content and has made plans for local implementation. They will be updating  course teaching material after the guidelines have been published and new course material will be introduced in the following stages during 2016:

  • Advanced Life Support (and e-ALS) – January 2016
  • Immediate Life Support –  January 2016
  • Focused Echocardiography in Emergency Life Support – April 2016
  • Newborn Life Support – April 2016
  • Advanced Resuscitation of the Newborn Infant – April 2016
  • European Paediatric Life Support – April 2016
  • Paediatric Immediate Life Support – April 2016
  • Generic Instructor Course – April 2016
  • Immediate Life Support Instructor Course – April 2016

The RC (UK) recommend that all organisations aim to have implemented the guidelines by January 2017.

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BASIC Medics attend Shoreham Airshow Crash

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Shoreham Airshow Crash

BASICS SIMCAS (South East Coast Immediate Care Scheme) volunteer immediate care nurse Tony Kemp was called yesterday to attend the Shoreham Airshow Crash involving a Hawker Hunter Jet. Based at the Airshow assisting the British Red Cross in their crowd medical cover Tony witnessed the immediate aftermath of the crash as the jet crashed onto the A27 dual carriageway just outside the airfield.

Asked to attend the scene Tony was joined by two off duty GPs (Drs Marieanne Jackson and Karen Eastman) who had undertaken BASICS training and whose assistance was invaluable in the coming hours. As reported nationally a number of motorists and other road users died at the scene whilst the pilot escaped with his life although remaining critically ill in the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Tony was the first medical resource on scene and was quickly joined by the SECAmb airside ambulance for the airshow.

It was immediately obvious that there were a number of deceased casualties and reports of walking wounded being taken to an ex-pub, now part of the nearby Lancing College that lies adjacent to the A27. Tony split his medical response equipment and Dr Jackson was initially tasked to the ex-pub to provide medical care and assessment. Tony and Dr Eastman took the bulk of the kit to the site of the cockpit in the rough ground just off the road bordering the runway to the airfield where there were reports from fire-fighters on scene that the pilot was alive.

Working in cooperation with fire-fighters and about 10-meters from the engines which remained on fire the pilot received immediate life-saving care whilst arriving ambulance crews brought a long board stretcher down to the site so that the pilot could be rapidly extricated to a place of greater safety for all concerned and his care handed over to an air ambulance (HEMS) team. Tony and the two doctors, working with other rescuers and in liasion with the the Medical Incident Commander from the Kent Air Ambulance provided care to the walking wounded who were at the ex-pub site and at the main Red Cross treatment centre on the airfield. They were joined by a medical team from the Fire and Rescue Service who brought additional equipment. Four others were transferred to hospital as a direct result of the crash.

Tony and the GPs were reunited at the Airfield in the British Red Cross treatment Centre where sterling work was being done by Red Cross Volunteers caring for not only those physically and emotionally affected by the crash but also a range of non-related injuries and illnesses arising (as normal) within the crowd of 20,000. The Main Treatment Centre had been declared a secondary treatment centre for casualties arising from the crash. Two other Red Cross treatment centres within the venue also cared for a number of others who presented with minor illness and injury as well as upset by the afternoon’s events.

Tony said afterwards: “My medical colleagues and I were so impressed with the resilience and professionalism of the Red Cross volunteers as well as the generosity and assistance offered by those at the ex-pub (Lancing College Building). This was a horrific incident and many people witnessed what was a quite disturbing sight and a much lesser number were more immediately involved in the aftermath at the crash sight.” As the afternoon wore on the public remained unable to leave the airfield until about 7pm and even then faced lengthy queues to get out as well as further delays on local roads. During this period a number of individuals came to the Red Cross treatment centre worried about the consequences of missing important medication due to being delayed in getting home and received advice from Tony.

A small number of bystanders roamed the crash site in the initial aftermath filming with their mobile-phones. Tony commented “many found this behaviour quite grotesque and outrageous, unfortunately it is a modern curse at the scene of many accidents today, I would ask that individuals who have such photos and videos consider very carefully the ramifications of sharing these images with anyone, particularly on social media.”

Another SIMCAS member and Emergency Medicine Consultant, Dr Rowley Cottingham was the major incident commader at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. He said that he was “enormously proud of the Emergency department staff and the prehospital response”.

BASICS SIMCAS offer their condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s tragedy and their thanks to emergency services colleagues including those of the British Red Cross and the volunteer doctors who came forward to assist.

Drs Marianne Jackson and Karen Eastman are both Sussex based GP’s who were attending the Airshow with their families. Tony Kemp is a Nurse Consultant in Emergency Prehospital Care based in Kent. Tony is also the Vice-Chairman of the British Association for Immediate Care and a tutor on it’s prehospital care courses..