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Trust welcomes changes
Wednesday 16th May 2012
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
"Changes to the way call times are measured will have real benefit for the most seriously ill or injured patients that we are called to."
That is the view of Dr Andy Carson, Medical Director of West Midlands Ambulance Service. His comments come after the Department of Health announced that the way times are calculated for ambulance services in England will change from the 1st June 2012.
Currently, an ambulance response must reach 75% of Category A calls within 8 minutes. These are cases where the patient has an immediately life threatening condition; this is widely recognised as one of the toughest targets in the world.
From 1st June 2012 Category A cases will be split into Red 1 and Red 2 calls:
- Red 1 calls are patients who are suffering cardiac arrest, are unconscious or who have stopped breathing.
- Red 2 calls are serious cases, but are not ones where up to 60 additional seconds will affect a patient's outcome, for example diabetic episodes and fits.
From 1st April 2013, ambulance trusts will be required to improve their performance to show they can reach 80% of Red 1 calls within 8 minutes.
Last year (2011-12), the Trust monitored its performance in these new categories by way of preparation. For Red 1 calls, the Trust achieved 84.1% and for Red 2 calls, 76.1%.
Dr Carson added: "During the first few seconds of the 999 call, the staff in our emergency operations centres will establish if it is a 'Red 1' call. Where it is, an ambulance response will be dispatched immediately.
"Where it turns out not to be a Red 1 call, they will have up to an additional 60 seconds to get more details about the patient's condition.
"Allowing our call taking staff to establish more information about the type of call will ensure that we send the most appropriate response, not just the closest.
"Because of the current target, all ambulance trusts frequently send more than one vehicle - such as an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle to each case to ensure that they get there in the time limit. However, on average, over 20 per cent of these vehicles are then cancelled on route before reaching the scene, wasting vital resources which could and should be used for other patients.
"The Trust ran a week long pilot of the new system in March. During this period 17,940 calls were taken, of which 6,712 were Category A. Using the new system, ambulance vehicles got to more Red 1 patients more quickly than they do at present.
"Furthermore, the number of times an ambulance vehicle was dispatched reduced by 8%, while the average daily number of cancellations reduced by 24%."
| Pre-trial period | Trial period | Change | |
| % patients responded to in 8 minutes |
|||
| Red 1 | 82.5% | 83.2% | 0.7% |
| Red 2 | 75.6% | 75.8% | 0.2% |
| Average response time in minutes |
|||
| Red 1 | 06:06 | 05:24 | 42 seconds |
| Red 2 | 06:49 | 06:18 | 31 seconds |
Changes to the current system of measuring performance have been supported by two independent organisations. The National Audit Office and the cross party Public Accounts Committee both published reports in 2011 which made clear that the focus on time targets led to over-commitment of vehicles and staff resources and resulted in other patients not getting the most appropriate care.
All ambulance services will be required to publish how long it takes them to reach 95 per cent of all their patients from June 2012 to encourage them to bring down the number of people who wait the longest, particularly in rural areas.
Dr Carson continued: "Time is still an important factor which is why the 8 minutes standard will become even tougher. However, it should not be forgotten that it is based around clinical evidence relating to cardiac arrests, not other conditions.
"I can speak on behalf of all of our clinical staff when I say that they all want to ensure that everyone who calls us gets access to the most appropriate medical assistance.
"What these changes will do is make sure that the most seriously ill or injured patients get the support and care they need even faster than they do at present."
Stuart Gardner, who is a paramedic and joint union staffside Chair, added: "All three unions welcome the change to the clock start. We firmly believe that it will benefit patients by ensuring that those that are in the most need, get an ambulance even more quickly than they do now.
"From a staff perspective it will also mean a reduction in the number of times we are sent on an incident and then get stood down before we arrive.
"Whilst we understand the reasons why it happens, it can be very frustrating ending up driving the same piece of road several times in only a few minutes. These changes will not only save fuel but ensure we spend more time treating patients which has to be a good thing."
Michael Abrahams is a member of the Local Involvement Network (LINk) in Worcestershire and a member of the West Midlands Ambulance Service Patient and Public Engagement Group which speaks on behalf of patients.
He said: "It is clear that the current system is simply not efficient and does not serve patients as well as it could. For those calls that are immediately life threatening, the ambulance will still be dispatched immediately.
"However, for the others, ambulance trusts will be given up to an additional 60 seconds to gather all of the information that they need to make a more informed clinical decision on what resources to send.
"This means that many more ambulances will be available to respond to those cases where every second counts. That has got to be good for patients.
"On many occasions I have been astounded by some of the reasons given by people for dialling 999. This means that there are literally millions of cases where an ambulance driving on blue lights is cancelled before it arrives, because it is not an appropriate case to respond to.
"The new arrangements will be much more efficient which will improve the response times to those patients who are critically ill."
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Latest News
Applications for this year's Clinical Leadership Fellowships are now open
Friday 18th May 2012
NHS Leadership Academy
The National Clinical Leadership Fellowships, sponsored by the NHS Leadership Academy, is the only scheme designed for clinicians in all areas of the NHS across England.
It builds on the very best leadership development and offers a bespoke approach to clinical leadership challenges.
The scheme offers clinicians a unique opportunity to develop their personal leadership skills, career, and contribution to improving patient care.
Current fellowship participants have said: "I am enjoying and feel I am benefiting immensely from the programme so far. I return from each module more informed and inspired to improve my service for the benefit of patients." Claire Ellwood, Pharmacist from East Midlands
"The programme has been a real catalyst to my development as a clinical leader and at a crucial point in my career and involvement in service transformation. The mentoring, supervision and high-level expert teaching have had a clear and positive impact on my ability to drive and influence complex service change at a challenging time for the NHS." Dr Paul Brown, from the North East
"The clinical leadership fellowship provided me with useful skills and knowledge from the outset. I have gained insight into practical tools that can help facilitate service development, improving the standards of care that my team provides." Karen Tomlin a Nurse from East Midlands
Deborah Chafer, National Programme Director for Clinical Leadership Fellowships said "Now is the time to recognise that clinicians are not only experts in their professional field but also leaders and deliverers of our services. This scheme supports their learning and development and helps realise their potential in leading health services and improving patient care."
Each individual selected will have access to a bespoke leadership development course, aligned to their clinical service, and of direct benefit to patients within the context of the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) agenda.
Individuals will need to demonstrate both a talent for leadership but also an ambition to further develop wider leadership skills in the service of the NHS. We are looking for clinicians who think innovatively, have a burning ambition to lead change, and want to improve an area of service.
The Clinical Leadership Fellowships are part of the work led by the NHS Leadership Academy to develop outstanding leadership in health.
The NHS Leadership Academy is the new national NHS hub for leadership development and talent management, and a centre of leadership excellence for all clinical and managerial staff working in the NHS, or providing care funded by the NHS.
The NHS Leadership Academy is keen to attract people from as diverse a range of backgrounds and professions as possible within the NHS in England.
To find out more visit http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/areas-of-work/national-programmes/fellowship-application-about
Ambulance Service appoints Non Executive
Friday 18th May 2012
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
A senior nursing officer has been appointed as a Non-executive Director of West Midlands Ambulance Service by the Appointments Commission.
Jacynth Gillespie will serve a four-year term as a Non-executive Director on the West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust Board from 1st May 2012 to 2016.
Jacynth who lives in Birmingham, has over 25 years of NHS experience having started her career as a nurse, midwife and health visitor. She progressed to become an executive director of clinical leadership within Solihull Primary Care Trust and acting Director of Nursing at the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority. In July 2011, Jacynth was appointed by WMAS to be their first clinical associate Non-executive Director.
Speaking about her appointment, Jacynth Gillespie said: "West Midlands Ambulance Service has become the top performing ambulance Trust since it was formed in July 2006, and I am delighted to become involved in the continuing development of patient care."
Serving a population of 5.3 million, West Midlands Ambulance Service covers Staffordshire, Birmingham and the Black Country, Shropshire, Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, assisting people with life threatening and serious medical emergencies and providing urgent and planned healthcare and transport services.
The non-executive will be part of the Trust Board for four years with remuneration of £6,005 per annum. The reappointments have been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice.
All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees political activity (if any declared) to be made public. The non-executive director has not declared any political activity in the last five years and has no other ministerial appointments.
TV Fame for Ferno
Thursday 17th May 2012
Ferno (UK) Limited
Ferno, a world leading manufacturer of medical equipment, has had more than its 15 minutes of fame thanks to numerous television appearances this year - including in the new World Cup advert for Mars.
Over the past few weeks eagle-eyed viewers will have seen the Ferno Pioneer Trolley and Model 71 stretcher in the latest advert for one of the nation's favourite chocolate bars as medics rush to the aid of England's goalkeeper during a penalty shoot-out.
But this isn't the first time products made by Cleckheaton-based Ferno have appeared on our screens. Long-running medical dramas Holby City and Casualty often feature Ferno products and earlier this year the company was featured in the Channel 5's Big Body Squad, a fly-on-the wall documentary about the challenges faced by the medical profession with over-weight patients.
Ferno stretchers and other medical equipment appear on television channels almost weekly at televised sporting events. The Ferno Model 71 basket stretcher is often used to carry injured footballers off the field of play and earlier this year a Ferno basket stretcher appeared at 158th Oxford and Cambridge boat race after bowman Alex Wood collapsed from exhaustion.
Ferno managing director Jon Ellis said: "When we see our stretchers and trolleys on television being used at sporting events around the country, it is a testament to Ferno being one of the most trusted manufacturers of safety and health equipment in the industry.
"We regularly see our products being used in the hospital dramas but it was a great surprise when we saw our stretcher and trolley pop up in the new Mars advert. It is always a boost when we see our products on the small screen."
Ferno, which has been trading for 40 years, is recognised as the global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of emergency patient-handling equipment and mortuary products and exports to more than 95 countries worldwide. It employs 80 staff at its Cleckheaton UK headquarters.
Sepura plc announces the acquisition of 3T Communications AG
Wednesday 16th May 2012
Sepura plc
Sepura plc today announces the acquisition of 3T Communications AG, the Austrian supplier of TETRA infrastructure. The combination of Sepura's market leading TETRA product portfolio with 3T Communications' comprehensive infrastructure offering will enable Sepura to deliver an entire critical communications solution to the market.
3T Communications designs and implements small to mid size TETRA systems predominantly for customers in the commercial sector. This business segment is growing strongly as the worldwide TETRA market develops beyond its public safety origins. Sectors such as chemical industries, oil and gas and utilities represent areas for future growth of TETRA and Sepura is taking this key step to address the needs of a significant volume of new users.
3T Communications' customer base is primarily European focused and with this acquisition there is significant growth potential to be gained through Sepura's existing and comprehensive worldwide routes to market. Sepura expects to generate synergies through a combination of engineering design improvements and strong supply chain management.
CEO of Sepura, Gordon Watling, commented: "In acquiring 3T Communications we have underlined our ambitions to grow and diversify the business. We are very familiar with 3T Communications' product portfolio and management team through our existing partnership and see this acquisition as an exciting opportunity to provide our customers with the end-to-end communications solutions they need. Sepura remains in a very strong position from a financial, operational and resource perspective. Our two organisations target the same markets, have the same technical skill set and, most importantly, are an excellent cultural fit as we are both very quality oriented with a complementary customer base".
Gordon Watling added: "After 10 years of existence Sepura continues to build momentum and grow. This acquisition couldn't have happened at a more significant time in our history. What a remarkable 10th anniversary year so far: from the growing success of our top of the range ATEX radio, to the launch of a new series of hand-portables and of our lone worker and safety protection solution, to the shipment of our 1 millionth radio. We are the established market leader in public safety in Europe and have successfully retained our customer base in the UK, throughout Europe, and as far afield as Russia and Australia".
CEO of 3T Communications, Thomas Haschberger, reflected: "Our customers have shown increasing interest in acquiring business critical communications systems from one supplier and this acquisition enables us to deliver against this requirement. We have been impressed with Sepura's vision, which is consistent with our strategy, and are excited to be joining them at this time."
Mr Watling added: "Sepura will continue to support its existing partners and respect current supply relationships. We will continue to listen to our customers, turning market requirements into leading products and continue to focus on customer care and delivery. So, it is very much business as usual for Sepura!"
Cycle response founder wins 'hero' award
Wednesday 16th May 2012
London Ambulance Service
The founder of London Ambulance Service's cycle response unit has won a prestigious national award.
Emergency Medical Technician Tom Lynch, the former international BMX racing champion who pioneered responding to patients in London using pedal power, scooped top prize in the Emergency Services category at the Daily Record Our Heroes Awards.
Cycle Response Manager Tom, 42, from Ayrshire, said: "I'm very honoured, very humbled, but also to be in the same room as some of those great nominees is also quite an honour.
"I've had a great team to work with over the years, and thanks goes to them."
Tom trialled responding to 999 calls on a bicycle in 2000. Since then the London Ambulance Service team has grown to cover the West End, Heathrow Airport, Kingston town centre, the City of London, and King's Cross, Euston and St Pancras railway stations.
Tom also set up the Public Safety Cycling Association to raise the standard of all emergency services and public safety cyclists. He also created the National Cycle Response Group for all ambulance services.
This has resulted in thousands of police, fire, ambulance, St John Ambulance, Red Cross, St Andrew Coast Guard search and rescue, and many other workforce cyclists, including the London bike hire scheme and Docklands Light Railway, all benefiting from his expertise, as well as teams in Europe, Asia and America.
During his career with Team GB, Tom coached world BMX champions Shanaze Reade and Liam Phillips - two Olympic hopefuls this summer.
In 2006, Tom was awarded the MBE for services to bicycle moto-cross (BMX) racing and London Ambulance Service's cycle response unit.
Three UK Ambulance Services have chosen Optima Software Solutions
Tuesday 15th May 2012
The Optima Corporation
The Optima Corporation, leading supplier of innovative simulation and optimisation business solutions for the Emergency Services has successfully secured contracts with three Ambulance Services in the UK.
With all public services under pressure to review existing ways of working, Scottish Ambulance, South Central Ambulance and East of England Ambulance have all taken the decision to deploy Optima PredictTM, Optima's leading-edge simulation based planning solution. Optima Predict analyses and processes data from the vast range of data that Ambulance Services have access to, including CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) and AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location), to enable operations and planning personnel to accurately model endless "what if?" scenarios. The model is tuned so that it accurately mimics the complexities of a dynamic Ambulance Service operation and simulates the likely effects of those scenarios, ultimately leading to more informed decision making and greater operational efficiencies.
The Scottish Ambulance Service has also purchased Optima LiveTM, an intuitive deployment solution for the control room. Optima Live provides dynamic, real time decision support to assist dispatchers with emerging coverage challenges, offering optimised recommendations for resource deployment and providing effective management of meal breaks.
Using Optima Live will ensure that the Scottish Ambulance Service delivers the best possible service to the public with the resources it has available. The intelligent solution provides consistency across multiple control rooms helping to ensure that as well as delivering highly efficient day to day Ambulance care, the Service is also fully equipped to handle major incidents.
The Optima Corporation works with Emergency Services across the globe and has recently established its UK Headquarters in Reading, Berkshire.
For more information on The Optima Corporation and its product suite, please call +44 1189 036602, email marketing@theoptimacorporation.com or visit www.theoptimacorporation.com
YAA paramedics to take on Guinness World Record challenge
Tuesday 15th May 2012
Yorkshire Air Ambulance
A group of determined Paramedics from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) are about to take on the challenge of a lifetime when they attempt to break a Guinness World Record!
Seven of the YAA Paramedics, who will be joined by nine more colleagues from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust and friends and family, will attempt to break the 'Longest marathon playing five-a-side football record'. The current record stands at 40 hours, however the team are determined to break this record by aiming for at least 44 hours!
As well as trying to break the record, the Paramedics will be aiming to raise as much money as possible for the Charity they fly with, but are looking to raise £7,200, the cost of a day's flying.
Pete Vallance, aircrew of the YAA whose idea it was to attempt the record commented "A number of the Paramedics have flown with the YAA for many years now. We see day-to-day the impact that the YAA has on the people of Yorkshire and we know how vital the role of the Charity team and the public is in helping to raise the monies needed to keep both of the helicopters in the air. We decided it would be good to help raise money for the Charity and, as keen five-a-side footballers, we thought this a great way to combine both."
Avid BBC Helicopter Heroes fans will recognise the paramedics participating in the Guinness World Record as: Pete Vallance, James Vine, Paul Kilner, Dave Appleby, Matt Syrat, Andy Armitage and John Baxter.
The Paramedics, who are seconded to the YAA from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service will be joined on their record attempt by a number of their colleagues from the ambulance service, friends and family.
The team have spent a lot of time reading through all the strict guidance notes that have been supplied by Guinness World Records as well as starting their training for the event.
Pete continues "There are a lot of rules and requirements we have to fulfil for Guinness World Records to enable us to record and prove our attempt. This is going to prove the most difficult part - playing football is probably going to be the easiest bit"
The record attempt will take place from Thursday 7th June to Saturday 9th June 2012 at Goals Soccer Centre, Norfolk Park Road, Sheffield and anyone wishing to support the guys are welcome to come down to cheer them on.
Pete adds "It is going to be a long two days for us and we will need regular food and drink breaks. If any local companies would be willing to donate anything, they would be gratefully received. We are particularly in need of items such as sandwiches and snacks, sports drinks, fruit and probably some coffee and caffeine type drinks too."
If anyone would like to support the Paramedics efforts through a donation of food or drinks, please contact the team via the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity Office on 01422 237900.
You can also support the Guinness World Attempt team by sponsoring through their JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/Fiveasidefootballworldrecordattempt.
Medical students drive NEAS ambulance 9,000 miles to Mongolia
Monday 14th May 2012
North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust
With a fleet that clocks up more than 10 million miles per year, NEAS knows its vehicles can take the strain.
Good news for three medical students from Newcastle University - who are about to drive a decommissioned ambulance 9,000 miles across rugged terrain to Mongolia, all in the name of charity.
Ross Sayers and his friends Matthew Brown and Sidney Parker are aiming to complete the journey in four weeks.
When they reach their destination, the vehicle will be donated to the Mongolian Ambulance Service.
Ross, a fourth-year medical student at Newcastle University, said: "I'm really excited about it but we know that at some point something is going to go wrong.
"We will encounter all sorts of difficulties along the way and an ambulance is probably not the best form of transport to use."
The group of 22-year-olds will set off from the region in June, before making their way to Holland, then onto the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and then Mongolia.
In the Mongolian town of Ulaanbataar the group will spend eight weeks working in the National Trauma and Orthopaedic Centre.
They will be helping in the accident and emergency department and other areas of the hospital, to improve their medical skills.
The students have teamed up with Newcastle University and Go Help a UK charity that works with local communities in Central Asia to improve their access to education and healthcare to complete the challenge.
Ross said: "There is a shortfall of ambulances of nearly 20% across Mongolia and those that are provided by the Government are of wildly varying quality."
For this reason the ambulance would then have been donated on arrival to a hospital in Ulaanbataar to improve the overall quality of the Mongolia Ambulance Service and GoHelp would then maintain the ambulance on a day-to-day basis.
The group will be updating a blog and video diary, as well as social networking sites Twitter and Facebook, along the way. They will be using a regular accident and emergency ambulance, which has been used in the North East but has reached the end of its seven-year service.
Bosses at the NEAS will also give the boys a special three-week driving course, normally undertaken by those employed to drive 999 emergency vehicles.
Geoff Craik, who is in charge of the NEAS vehicle fleet, said: "We are delighted to help such a good cause. The ambulance the lads are taking had just reached the end of its service period of service with NEAS, but there's still lots of life left in it. Im sure it won't let its new owners down.
"All of our vehicles are regularly maintained by our mechanics at Pallion, and the one heading off to Mongolia has been given a thorough checking-over. It's a mind-boggling distance the boys will be covering, but the ambulance is up to the task.
"They're built to cope with constant use, and a lot of people might be surprised to know that the fleet in the North East clocks up more than 10 million miles every year."
Follow Ross, Matthew and Sydney's progress at medics2mongolia. tumblr.com
Paramedics Alarmed by Late Retirement Age
Monday 14th May 2012
College of Paramedics
What would the public think of paramedics, approaching their 70th birthday, still dealing with major trauma, medical emergencies, drunks, lifting and carrying patients down stairs, driving at critically high speeds and dealing with the huge range of situations that ambulance clinicians have to, on a daily basis?
This is the scenario faced by NHS paramedics under the new pension rules that the Government would like to introduce, under which 67 year-olds will be expected to carry out the full range of paramedic duties. The alarming prospect has prompted the paramedic professional body, the College of Paramedics (CoP) to write to Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude directly, urging him to rethink the situation and bring ambulance service staff in line with other frontline emergency staff.
In the letter, CoP Chair Professor Andy Newton compares the current retirement age of other emergency service staff. "Presently ambulance clinicians are able to achieve a full pension after 40 years service, at 65 years old. The Fire Services front line personnel are able to retire at 55 years and police officers at 60 years old". The new rules, says Prof. Newton, will turn an already disparate situation into one that is "unfair and unreasonable".
Paramedics have traditionally held the record for the worst early ill-health retirement rates in the NHS, due to largely musculo-skeletal problems but also cancers and heart disease at much higher than average rates. Professor Newton goes on: Emergency ambulance clinicians are exposed to high degrees of physical and psychological stress and equal, or greater, danger on a frequent basis. In comparison with the general public and more interestingly with other groups of health professionals it is well known that ambulance clinicians simply do not make retirement age and if they do, on average, they often do not enjoy a long retirement.
There is the very real possibility that if the changes go ahead, the UK public will be cared for by paramedics nearing their 70th birthday, these staff will be expected to carry out the full range of practice which includes all manner of 999 emergencies. Paramedics, who statistically are also at the forefront of violence to NHS staff, are expected to routinely deal with everything and anything that presents through the 999 system.
Prof. Newton concludes that the changes are "simply unachievable" and present an unacceptable risk to the future emergency workforce and hence national emergency resilience in general.
Ambulance control centre ready for action
Friday 11th May 2012
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
North West Ambulance Service's new state-of-the-art control centre, located at Parkway Business Park in Manchester, was opened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, today (10 May 2012).
The Duke met and talked to ambulance control staff, who last month, moved to the centre from the old site in Belle Vue, that was no longer fit for purpose. Following a tour of the facilities, HRH revealed a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
The centre, which took 11 months to complete, marks a real milestone for the ambulance service and brings together the emergency, urgent and patient transport control functions covering the entire Greater Manchester area.
Collectively the control function in Greater Manchester employs over 200 staff and last year answered some 426,365 emergency 999 calls and managed 618,312 non-emergency patient journeys.
Around 8,000 hours of work went into the project which has resulted in six different zones - 999 call taking, ambulance dispatch, NHS 111, Urgent Care, Patient Transport Service Day Control,Planning and call management and Major Incident Management.
The control centre creates the environment for the ambulance service to think differently about how it serves those in need. In the Urgent Care section for example, specialist paramedics call back less serious 999 calls and give a clinical assessment over the phone. The paramedics can then, if appropriate, refer patients to an alternative place for treatment, freeing up emergency ambulances for more serious incidents.
This is a significant move for the Patient Transport Service control function which was previously split between five sites. Establishing one contact centre in the Greater Manchester area brings the area in line with the rest of the service in the North West and has enabled new technology to be rolled out effectively, such as a computer aided dispatch system, automated vehicle tracking and the digital radio system Airwave, to bring the service in line with the emergency service.
Chief Executive at North West Ambulance Service, Darren Hurrell said: "Modern control rooms are the hub of ambulance services of today and play a vital role in ensuring that patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
"This investment not only provides a pleasant working environment for staff, but also allows us to continue to progress the way we deliver healthcare to our patients in the future, through functions which offer patients other appropriate care pathways such as NHS 111 and the Urgent Care Desk.
"We are very proud of the new development and are honoured that Prince Richard took time to visit us."
The facility at Parkway is shared with NHS Manchester.
Ambulance Service tests Games readiness
Friday 11th May 2012
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Ambulance staff from across the country have joined forces this weekend in the first event of its kind to test and demonstrate their response to incidents.
Exercise Amber was hosted by the London Ambulance Service and held at the site of the Service's deployment centre for the 2012 Games, which has also been used for the first time.
The scenarios - which were supported by other agencies such as the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and the RNLI - included patients on a boat on the River Thames, and others needing treatment at the top of scaffolding and rescuing from under rubble.
Until recent years, ambulance staff weren't easily able to attend casualties in these types of situations, but extra training and developments in technology means that treatment can now start more quickly and before the patient is moved.
London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Peter Bradley said: "The exercise has been very useful in testing the skills of ambulance staff to respond to these types of incidents, and the more that we are able to work together like this the better prepared we can continue to be.
"These extra capabilities that all ambulance services now have significantly add to the quality of care that our staff can provide to our millions of patients every year."
Staff from London have also been working alongside colleagues from other ambulance services at a number of 2012 Games test events over the last few days.
Peter added: "We will have around 440 staff dedicated to the Games, and about half of these will be from other ambulance services across the country.
"Some of those who will be involved have been here to work with us over the last few days so that we can test the processes that we intend to use to deploy staff during the Games themselves.
"This has all gone well, and we are confident that we are going to be able to play our part to make the Games a big success."
Air Ambulances Keep Operational Despite Grounding
Thursday 10th May 2012
Association of Air Ambulances
It has been widely reported about the grounding of Bond Air Services fleet of 22 Eurocopter EC135 aircraft, following cracks being found in flange joints in two aircraft and the impact on various air ambulances in the UK.
Some reports implied that no air ambulance operations actually took place in affected areas. This is not accurate due to the co-operation of the different air ambulance charities who have supported each other.
For example on the 8th May, in Dorset and Somerset three air ambulance sorties were recorded with two via the Great Western Air Ambulance and one via search and rescue services. In Devon and Cornwall there were nine sorties between Devon's second air ambulance, Great Westerns Air Ambulance and Military Search and Rescue Services. In the Midlands three sorties were carried out by another air ambulance charity and in the east of England covering Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire there were seven sorties with the use of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance were on line due to their EC135 aircraft being on routine maintenance, their support aircraft carried out four missions including one in a neighbouring region. Across the country and over the period of the suspension a similar picture was present.
National Director of the AAA, Clive Dickin comments: "Aircraft of all types occasionally are grounded for routine maintenance or due to bad weather; in these instances other air ambulances and ambulance service providers work closely to ensure no patients are affected. Obviously when an extremely rare incident like this happens stresses can be placed on the services and the incident over the weekend has proven that the current air ambulance structure has the flexibility to respond even in this rare situation."
"I am pleased that Bond Air Services and Eurocopter worked closely together providing the needed information and support to ensure the air ambulance operations were as quickly as possible returned to full service and that the safety of the general public and the air ambulance crews were not jeopardised."
Dedicated ambulance Rapid Response Amenity Point opens at Hazlemere Golf Club
Thursday 10th May 2012
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) Deputy Head of Estates Steven Cooper working together with Chris Mahoney, General Manager at Hazlemere Golf Club, Councillor James Malliff of Wycombe District Council, consultants Cube and Smart Building Systems Limited has opened a dedicated ambulance Rapid Response Amenity Point (RRAP) at Hazlemere Golf Club.
Maria Langler, SCAS Area Manager for Buckinghamshire said: 'The new facility is strategically placed to enhance the standard of emergency care across Buckinghamshire including the county's rural communities and will enhance the Trust's capability for rapid response. Further work is under way in the county to provide similar standby points in and around the Milton Keynes area.'
Chris Mahoney, General Manager at Hazlemere Golf Club added: 'We're delighted to have this facility at our club as it will provide immediate access to emergency medical care should we have an incident on the course. What's more, as most of our 500 members live in and around the local community, it enables us to become involved in giving something back to them, their families and the community.'
Speaking on behalf of Smart Building Systems Limited, Managing Director Darren Eaton said: 'We're very pleased to be involved in what is the first unit purpose built in our factory to SCAS' specification. In addition we were responsible for the ground works, utilities connection, and parking space construction. We are delighted to say that the unit was fully functioning 2 hours after arriving on site with the ground works having been completed over the previous few weeks.'
Commenting on behalf of SCAS Staff Side, Unison representative Darren Tompkins said: 'Staff side welcome this new RRAP for Buckinghamshire. Special thanks to Maria Langler Area Manager for Buckinghamshire, Emergency Services Manager Mark Begley, and to Deputy Head of Estates Steven Cooper for identifying the site and agreeing the lease with the Hazlemere Golf Club towards making our goal of improved community response a reality.'
The new RRAP allows staff who are very busy working 12 hour shifts some down time to have refreshment and to review the incidents they have attended whilst still being available to respond to the local community quickly and efficiently.
Councillor James Malliff of Wycombe District Council concluded: 'This is a big day for Hazlemere. The new RRAP symbolises a core strand of government policy in getting care to people where and when they need it.'
Local ambulance staff donates £303 To The Katharine House Hospice
Thursday 10th May 2012
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) has donated £303 to Katharine House Hospice, Adderbury.
The money was raised by the Trust at the suggestion of Chief Executive Will Hancock by raffling off gifts received from suppliers including a Christmas hamper, wines, spirits and chocolates.
Pauline Davies, Receptionist at the SCAS' Bicester Headquarters presented the cheque to Katharine House Hospice Community Fundraiser Valerie Carter together with the contents of one of the charity's collection boxes. This was donated by staff working in the Trust's Bicester Emergency Operations Centre in recognition of the care their colleague Nick Vannozzi received from Katharine House Hospice in April 2011.
Valerie Carter, Community Fundraiser at The Katharine House Hospice, said: 'We're delighted to receive this fantastic amount from the local ambulance service. We could not run our services at Katharine House without the wonderful support of front line ambulance crews.'
The Katharine House Hospice provides specialist palliative care and support to the residents of Banbury and the surrounding area. It includes a 10-bed inpatient unit, a 12-place day hospice, a community support team of Clinical Nurse Specialists and a bereavement team supporting patients' families.
No charge is made for any part of the services The Katharine House Hospice provides. This year it will cost £2.5 million to run these services. With only around 40% of the charity's income coming from Government Katharine House Hospice must raise at least £1.5 million from the local community.
To make a donation to The Katharine House Hospice visit www.khh.org.uk or write to Katherine House Hospice, East End, Adderbury, OX17 3NL.
National plan could cut falls by up to thirty per cent
Thursday 10th May 2012
NHS Confederation
A national drive to tackle one of the most common causes of death resulting from injury in over 75s could cut the problem by up to 30 per cent and save the NHS money, says a new report by the NHS Confederation.
Falls are one of the leading causes of mortality resulting from injury in people over 75 in the UK. One in three people over 65 and half of people over 80 will suffer a fall each year. Falls account for 10 to 25 per cent of ambulance call outs for the over-65s.
The psychological impact of falling can be devastating too and lower levels of confidence and independence in older people, along with increased isolation and depression, often slow down recovery.
Half of those with hip fracture never regain their former level of function and one in five die within three months.
The report highlights that the Department of Health itself has estimated that a falls prevention strategy could reduce the number of falls by 15 to 30 per cent.
Government policies for the last 20 years have focused on prevention, health promotion and integration as the way to tackle falls.
However, studies have shown that these policies have not been entirely successful. Many patients still experience disjointed care as falls and fracture services are not integrated and not enough is done to stop people falling again.
The report make the case for investing in rehabilitation and prevention falls services that link up organisations across health and social care. It also provides examples of where the NHS, social care and community services are already working together to set up effective falls services.
The NHS Confederation Ambulance Service Network and Community Health Services forum is calling for a concerted drive from the national to the local level to tackle falls. Its report makes a number of recommendations for making falls services work.
Ambulance Service Network director Jo Webber said:
"Falls are not only physically debilitating but, particularly for older people, they really knock their confidence and can slow recovery.
"We have to take the opportunity of the NHS reforms to get organisations across health, social care and local authorities working together.
"Effective falls services that are already up and running across the country show that for little initial investment patients are getting better care, more falls are being prevented and money is being saved.
"Half the people in this country over 80 will suffer a fall this year. As our population gets older, we have to recognise that working together on falls is going to be even more of a priority.
"There are mechanisms available in the NHS reforms to make joint working possible but they will require leadership from the national to local level to really work."
Whole system collaboration:
Health and Well being boards need to ensure services and commissioning for falls are joined up.
Organisations across public health, the NHS, social care and local government should share data.
Organisations should use the NHS patient number to keep track of people who fall and assess the care they receive
Health and social care budgets should be shared or aligned to support joined-up falls services.
Commissioning
The NHS Commissioning Board and Public Health England will need to enable clinical commissioning groups to work together to deliver a range of integrated falls services across health and social care locally.
As part of local authorities' public health advice mandate, councils should provide falls prevention information and support services.
Falls should play a major part of the needs assessment undertaken by commissioners.
Mechanisms to deliver better care
Falls and fracture indicators should be part of the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework and new ambulance performance measures.
NHS trust quality accounts should prioritise reducing the number of and harm from falls
Commissioning quality and innovation (CQUIN) targets should include an indicator for reducing falls and avoidable admissions that encourages organisations to work together.
Controllers run in memory of Imogen
Tuesday 8th May 2012
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Two controllers from West Midlands Ambulance Service will soon be taking on the Great Midlands Fun Run to raise money for SANDS.
Dave Skelcher (25) and Dan Gissane (27), who work in the emergency operations centre at Tollgate in Staffordshire, will be taking part in the 8.5 mile run in memory of Dave's daughter Imogen, who sadly passed away a couple of days after birth. The duo will also be raising money for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity, SANDS.
Figures from the national charity suggests that seventeen babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every day in the UK. The charities main aims are to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, to work in partnership with health professionals to improve support services and to promote research in a bid to help reduce the loss of babies' lives.
Taking about the run Dave said: "Neither of us are really athletic types, so the eight and a half mile run will be a tough challenge for us. The SANDS Charity is very close to my heart after sadly losing my daughter Imogen in March 2011. We hope to raise as many funds as possible to help the charity to continue to support those families who find themselves in similar situations."
Dave and Dan, who are both from Warwickshire, will be taking part in the event in Sutton Coldfield on Sunday 10th June along with two other friends.
Anyone who wishes to help support the team in their fundraising efforts can do so by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DaveSkelcher or http://www.justgiving.com/dangissane.