Month: August 2013

Sunday 11th August 2013 – 11am – Steve Parry.

Four women in their twenties have been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision on the M6, northbound slip road, at Corley Services this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident at 8.30am.

Three ambulances; a paramedic officer, and the Warwickshire and Northants Air Ambulance from Coventry attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews responded to a road traffic collision involving a single vehicle on the M6 at Corley services.

“A woman in her twenties was trapped for over forty minutes. She was treated for a serious head injury and airlifted to the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.

“A second patient was treated for hip and facial injuries. She was immobilised with the use of a neck collar and spinal board before being taken to the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.

“Two further patients were treated for minor injuries and also taken by land ambulance to the University hospital.”

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Sunday 11th August 2013 – 9.40am – Steve Parry.

Two women have been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in Linden Road, Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident just after 1.40am.

An ambulance and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Two women in their twenties were treated for minor injuries after their car collided with a bus shelter, causing significant damage to the roadside structure.

“The patients were assessed at the scene and taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

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Sunday 11th August 2013 – 9.30am – Steve Parry.

A man has been injured after the car he was driving collided with a tree in Cheadle overnight.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Alton Road, Cheadle shortly before 4.40am.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle together with a BASICS doctor and the Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The driver was trapped for forty minutes in his car which was significantly damaged in the collision.

“After his release the man, believed to be in his twenties, was treated for a leg fracture, facial abrasions and abdominal pain.

“He was immobilised with the use of a neck collar, spinal board and leg splint before being conveyed to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for further assessment and treatment.”

Ends

Saturday 10th August 2013 – 1.45pm – Steve Parry.

A scooter rider and his pillion passenger have been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in Hartlebury near Kidderminster, earlier today.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident at the junction of Stanklyn Lane and Summerfield Lane at approximately 10.15am.

Two ambulances, a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, together with a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews responded to a collision between a car and scooter.

“A man in his forties was treated for a serious head injury.

“The patient was immobilised using a neck collar and spinal board before being airlifted to the trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

“The female pillion passenger, believed to be in her forties, was treated for minor injuries and taken by land ambulance to Kidderminster Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

-End-

 

 

 

Friday 9^th August 2013 – 3.15pm – Suzie Fothergill.

Members of Mayfield and Ellastone Community First Responders have recently qualified as Heartstart Instructors and are now offering members of the public, as well as local schools and businesses, free two hour courses on basic first aid.

The Heartstart programme is run in conjunction with West Midlands Ambulance Service and the British Heart Foundation. On the course participants will learn vital lifesaving skills, including:

• How to call for help
• How to help someone who is unconscious
• How to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• How to recognise the warning signs of a heart attack
• How to deal with choking
• How to deal with serious bleeding

The course requires no special medical skills and is suitable for anyone over 10 years old.

To find out more or book a course within Mayfield and Ellastone please email heartstart@mayfieldellastonecfr.co.uk.  It could be one of the most valuable things you’ll ever learn!

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Friday 9^th August 2013 – 12.30pm – Claire Brown.

A leading boiler manufacturer is helping to ease 999 pressures thanks to a generous donation to volunteer life savers in the Black Country.

Baxi Commercial, based in Birmingham, has a very unique employee who sells commercial heating and hot water solutions by day and responds to 999 calls to save lives by night.

Mark Gibbons, Baxi Commercial Northern Regional Sales Manager, gives up his spare time to be a Community First Responder (CFR) for Fastaid Black Country. CFRs are members of the public who have been trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service to a nationally recognised level and provide lifesaving treatment to people who dial 999 in their local communities. They provide vital first aid quickly to those living nearby, prior to the arrival of an emergency ambulance service vehicle.

Impressed by Mark’s dedication to the cause, Baxi Commercial has decided to support Fastaid Black Country as their chosen charity this year with a £3,000 donation.

Mark, who has been a volunteer life saver for 2 ½ years said: “This is fantastic news for Fastaid and will help us with the purchase of a dedicated response car and telephony for the CFRs. We’re extremely grateful to Baxi Commercial for this generous donation, thank you.”

Carol Waite, Fastaid Black Country Chair and CFR for 4 years, said: “Being a CFR has made me extremely thankful for what I have because when you respond to 999 calls you see some sorry sights. It’s so rewarding to give something back to the community and, with donations such as this it really does help to keep us going.”

Emma Wilkins, the Trust’s Black Country Community Response Manager said: “It’s great to see a large organisation such as Baxi Commercial striking up a supportive relationships with such a valuable community charity. Not only does it help to further boost public awareness about the role of Fastaid CFRs, it also gives the charity the security to keep their invaluable life-saving work going.”

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors: 

Photograph 1 – pictured front row (left to right): Fastaid Black Country CFR and Chair Carol Waite, WMAS Community Response Manager Emma Wilkins, CFR Julie Enbury and Mark Gibbons. Back row: Baxi Commercial’s Sales Director Gavin Watson and Finance Director Roger Purchase holding the £3,000 cheque for Fastaid.

•  Fastaid Black Country has 64      active Community First Responders and responded to 211 999 calls in      July.

 

• Baxi Commercial, based in Birmingham, is      the single source supplier of high efficiency, low carbon commercial      heating and hot water solutions through its market leading brands, Andrews      Water Heaters, Baxi-SenerTec and Potterton Commercial.

Thursday 8th August 2013 – 1.40pm – Murray MacGregor.

With the weather forecast looking good for the weekend, thousands of motorcyclists will be heading out onto the roads of the West Midlands this weekend.

Whether you are on a sports bike, a tourer or a scooter, there is one thing all riders have in common – they don’t plan to crash. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have to be your fault to hurt!

Some facts:
* In 2011, 362 people were killed in motorcycle crashes in the UK, with a further 5,200 suffering serious injuries. One in five people killed on our roads is a motorcyclist.
* On average, in the West Midlands, between March and October every year, around 240 motorcycle accidents occur every month, that’s around eight every single day.
* Those aged 16 – 21 on small capacity machines make up the majority of rider casualties in urban areas so don’t think it can’t happen to you.

Think about what happens if you do come off your bike. What’s the first thing you put out if you fall? Your hands. It’s the same in a crash whether on a scooter or a ‘big’ bike. Without protection on (like proper riding gloves) your hands will take the full force of the impact leaving you with severe grazing and bruising at best.

The next points to touch down are the bony, sticky out bits – knees, elbows, shoulders etc. They’re bits worth protecting. Tarmac isn’t designed to be slippery. At 30 mph it only takes 3 seconds to wear through flesh to bone. Tarmac is designed to grip and give friction to tyres so keep it away from your skin.

Good kit can make all the difference in the event of a crash. The difference between a bruise or a break; a graze or a painful and ugly skin graft. Good kit not only protects you in the event of a crash, it keeps you warm and dry too. Frozen fingers don’t make for good bike control.

West Midlands Ambulance Service motorcycle paramedic, Mark Hayes, said: “A significant percentage of motorcycle accidents, particularly fatal motorcycle crashes, occur at relatively high speeds. Unfortunately, even a relatively low speed crash can lead to serious injury, especially if the rider is not wearing appropriate safety clothing.

“A good set of leathers, safety helmet and high visibility clothing go a long way to minimising injury. Secondly, it is really important for people to concentrate on arriving at their destination safely, rather than as quickly as possible. Preventing the accident is the ideal as opposed to relying on safety equipment to save lives.

“I have been riding for over 20 years and have dealt with many accidents involving riders. All motorists, whether on two, three or four wheels are responsible for respecting the rights of all other drivers no matter the size or type of their vehicle.”

If you are out and about this weekend, have a great time, but please do everything you can to make sure you don’t meet Mark or any of his colleagues.

Ends

For more information about road safety, log onto http://www.roadsafetygb.org.uk

Wednesday 7th August 2013 – 12.45pm – Murray MacGregor.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is backing calls for all professional drivers to join a new scheme that could literally save hundreds of lives each year.

‘Driver First Assist’ is a not for profit organisation that is organising first aid training specifically for commercial drivers who come across or are involved in a road traffic collision (RTC).

Approximately half of all RTC deaths happen before the emergency services have time to arrive. For example, death from a blocked airway can happen in a matter of minutes. However, with some simple first aid techniques, the life of the individual could be saved until ambulance staff arrive to carry out more complicated life-saving procedures, if required.

The man behind Driver First Assist is former lorry driver David Higginbottom. He said: “I know from my own experience the number of times I have come across really serious road accidents where I wasn’t able to help. With some basic first aid knowledge and some simple equipment, I could have made a difference.

“Our vision is to get hundreds and eventually thousands of commercial drivers trained up so they are able to act in the first critical moments after an accident.”

The scheme has the backing of all three emergency services: the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, the Association of Chief Police Officers; and the Chief Fire Officers Association.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, added: “As an organisation that is committed to training people in our community in basic first aid, this is an excellent scheme. We already get a huge amount of support from the 1,000+ community first responders across the West Midlands who regularly save lives.

“Through the HeartStart programmes around the region, thousands of people are learning the techniques that could mean the difference between life or death for a loved one or someone they come across in the street.

“Given the nature of their jobs, it seems eminently sensible that professional drivers take the time to learn how to save a life and the Driver First Assist scheme will help them achieve that.”

The DFA training course has been developed by the emergency services and is delivered by an instructor who is either currently serving as a paramedic, police or fire officer, or someone who has front-line experience. In this region, training takes place in Tamworth and Stoke

You will also be issued with your DFA Toolkit comprising:

• Light weight long sleeve hi viz vest
• First aid kit
• Indemnity insurance

If you are a professional driver, this 7-hour module will count towards your Driver CPC Periodic Training.

Driver First Assist:
1 Scott Place
2 Hardman Street
Manchester M3 3AA
Tel: 030 30 40 10 20
Web: http://www.driverfirstassist.org
Twitter @Driver1Assist

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Tuesday 6^th August 2013 – 4.45pm – John Hawker.

The pilot of a light aircraft has had a lucky escape after crash landing in a field near Loxley in Warwickshire earlier today.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to an incident at approximately 11.20am.

An ambulance, a paramedic officer; a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, together with the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the scene. 

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews responded to reports of a light aircraft that had crash landed on farmland near Loxley.

“The man piloting the plane, believed to be in his late 50’s, was fortunate to escape with no injuries.  He was the only person aboard and was trapped in the aircraft by the fact the planes canopy would not open due to the position of the plane. 

“Once the plane was made safe by the fire service, they were able to access the man and assist him down from the plane.  The man was assessed by paramedics at the scene but did not require further treatment.”

Ends

 

 

 

Tuesday 6^th August 2013 – 4.00pm – John Hawker.

Two women have been seriously injured following a crash between a HGV and a campervan this afternoon.

The crash occurred on the A46, Heath End, Snitterfield at around 1.15pm.  Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford Strensham and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a campervan and a HGV that had been in a significant collision.  The camper van had suffered substantial damage.

“Two women were travelling in the campervan and suffered serious injuries.  The driver, believed to be in her late 40’s suffered serious leg, abdominal and chest injuries.  She received emergency treatment at the scene whilst being trapped for around one hour.  She was extricated from the vehicle and airlifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further emergency treatment.

“The passenger in the campervan, a woman believed to be in her 50’s, also suffered serious leg, pelvis, abdominal, arm and facial injuries.  She was trapped for around 45 minutes and received emergency treatment whilst being freed from the wreckage by the emergency services.

“The woman was also airlifted to the same hospital for further emergency treatment.  The hospital had been pre alerted to the patients arrival and their serious injuries.  Unfortunately the women’s injuries were considered life changing.

“Sadly, despite an emergency vet being called to the scene, a small dog that was travelling in the campervan died in the crash.

“The driver of the lorry was not injured.”

 Ends:

Notes to editors – we have no further details on this incident.

Tuesday 6^th August 2013 – 3.00pm – John Hawker.

A motorcyclist has been seriously injured following a road traffic collision in Leominster this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called the junction of the A49 and A4112 at approximately 8.45am.

Two ambulances and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene. 

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews responded to a collision between a car and a motorbike.

“A male motorcyclist, believed to be in his late forties, was treated for serious leg, chest, arm and pelvic injuries. The patient was anesthetised by the air ambulance doctor and immobilised with the use of splints, neck collar and spinal board before being conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

“The hospital was alerted to the serious condition of the patient and a trauma team were on standby.”

End

Tuesday 6^th August 2013 – 2pm – Chris Kowalik.

A former professional cyclist who suffered a cardiac arrest has been reunited with the ambulance crews who helped save his life.

61 year old Ged Dennis from Blymhill near Weston-under-Lizard had cycled to a friend’s house in Sherrifhales on April 23^rd to meet for a bike ride together when he collapsed.

His friend, Adrian Martin explained: “I rang Ged in the afternoon and asked if he fancied going out on the bike. It was a nice afternoon. Ged appeared, we had a chat and all of a sudden he collapsed and hit his head on the wall. He was out, stone cold. I ran to the phone and rang 999.”

First to arrive was paramedic Charlie Cambidge who fortunately, happened to be passing the town in a rapid response vehicle when the call came in. He arrived at the scene in 4 minutes.

Charlie picked up the story: “I was going to collect some equipment from Donnington ambulance hub and was at Priorslee when the call came through. It was fate that I was so close when the call came.  It soon became apparent that this was a cardiac arrest.”

Arriving in an ambulance were Paramedics Donna Malcolm and Mick Harvey. Donna said: “Charlie was already on scene, had shocked Ged once and was doing CPR when we rocked up.” Two further shocks were delivered. Charlie added: “Then he was breathing for himself with a good heart rhythm and blood pressure. It was amazing to see.” Just 37 minutes after Adrian made the call, Ged was in Princess Royal Hospital where he stayed for ten days.

In July, Ged and Adrian met the crews of Charlie, Donna and Mick (pictured) at Ged’s home in Blymhill. They spoke of the good fortune of Charlie being available in the area at the time of the call and the speed with which he arrived. Mick said: “It shows you what fate is about.” Ged replied: “There’s somebody up there! I’m blown away! Every day is a real gift.” With only a small proportion of cardiac arrest victims making a full recovery, Charlie said: “It was so unique and so rare to have the response from a patient that you showed.”

Ged began his cycling career at the age of 12. He rode throughout the country as an amateur. After turning professional he lived in Belgium, France and Holland. He intends to continue cycling: “People say ‘what are you going to do?’ and I say ‘What do you want me to do, just turn over and die? Just pack it in?’ We’ll still go out and do 120 miles. I stopped cycling professionally when I was about 35 or 36. I do train now, it’s what we do just to keep fit.”

With a stent and internal defibrillator fitted, it wasn’t long before Ged was back on the road on two wheels. In mid-July he took part in the gruelling MAMIL (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) cycle event on the Shropshire Hills, covering 100 miles and, with its undulating terrain and route including Clee Hill and the Long Mynd, involving climbs totalling 15,000 feet.

“It was special for me because I’d had this …” said Ged, pointing at his chest “… and they were blown away that I had turned up. There were 500 people at the start and they made a bit of a presentation. It does make you feel good. They were a little bit in awe of it.”

Ged is now hoping his story will highlight the case for a defibrillator in Blymhill’s village hall.

Ends

Note to Editors: A cardiac arrest is not a “heart attack”.

Pictured left to right: Mick Harvey, Donna Malcolm, Charlie Cambidge, Ged Dennis, Adrian Martin. Please credit “West Midlands Ambulance Service” if using this picture.

Monday 5th August 2013 – 9.24pm – Murray MacGregor.

A family of four have had an incredibly lucky escape after their car left a Warwickshire motorway and ended up in the middle of some very prickly hawthorn bushes.

The crash happened on the northbound carriageway of the M42 shortly before junction 10 at around 7.15pm on Monday evening.

Initial calls suggested that the car had gone on fire. As a result the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire, an ambulance and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Thankfully on arrival, the situation proved to be rather different. The silver car had left the motorway to the nearside, narrowly missing the ARMCO barrier and gone up an embankment into some very prickly bushes and then toppled over onto the driver’s side.

“The occupants, a mother and father with two children, both girls, one in her teens and the other aged about 6 years were able to clamber out of the vehicle through the passenger side door.

“Amazingly, none were injured other than a little muscular pain. In fact, they almost suffered more serious injuries getting through the bushes than from the actual crash.

“All four were assessed at the scene but were discharged.”

Ends

Monday 5th August 2013 – 8.52pm – Murray MacGregor.

A young man has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after his car crashed in the Streetly area.

The crash happened at just before 12.15pm on Monday lunchtime on Hardwick Road, close to Sutton Park.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival ambulance staff found a car that was propped up at an angle against a tree. A garden wall was damaged next to it and there was significant intrusion into the driver’s side door.

“The 21 year old driver had suffered a very serious chest injury. Ambulance staff used advanced skills at the scene before the man was airlifted to the Major Trauma Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“The man was anaesthetised shortly after arrival due to his potentially life threatening injuries.”

Ends

Monday 5th August 2013 – 12.15pm – Murray MacGregor.

Ambulance crews are being diverted away from Stafford Hospital after a fire in the A&E Department closed the unit.

The incident happened at about 9.45am this morning when there was a fire in an extractor fan in the roof of A&E. The fire was quickly brought under control but the department had to be evacuated.

Five ambulances were at the hospital with patients at the time of the fire. Doctors from the hospital assessed the patients on the back of the ambulances. Three were taken straight to wards, but two had to be transferred to University Hospital North Staffordshire (UHNS).

While the unit is closed, ambulance staff will remain on site in case there are any patients that self present and need assistance.

Ambulance crews will operate as they do when the A&E is closed overnight i.e. treating patients at home where appropriate to do so, but transferring patients to other hospitals when required. They will go to UHNS, New Cross, Burton and Walsall.

With the A&E Department likely to remain shut until at least 1.00pm, any patient who was planning to attend Stafford is asked to use another hospital, the Minor Injuries Unit at Cannock Chase Hospital or another part of the NHS such as your GP, NHS Direct or a pharmacist.

Ends

Unfortunately, there are still far too many people driving about without using seatbelts. Our crews see some horrific injuries and even deaths that could so easily have been avoided had the occupant in the car taken a couple of seconds to buckle up.

Please take a moment to have a look at this video produced by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership – if it doesn’t make you want to wear a seatbelt, not sure what will.

http://t.co/VwMMaAa1NA

Sunday 4^th August 2013 – 6.15pm – Claire Brown.

A man has been taken to hospital after a reversing car collided with him in Birmingham.

The incident happened in a garage in Leopold Street, Highgate at 12.40pm this afternoon (Sunday). Two ambulances and a paramedic area support officer attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “A car had reportedly collided with a man whilst reversing into a garage, pinning him against another car.

“The 33-year-old man suffered fractures to both of his legs in the incident and was in significant pain. The man was given pain relief before his legs were immobilised with vacuum splints. Crews then conveyed him to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for emergency treatment.”

 

ENDS

 

 

 

Sunday 4^th August 2013 – 6.15pm – Claire Brown.

A man has sustained serious injuries after the motorcycle he was riding collided with stationary cars in Oldbury this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Peel Way in Tividale at around 10.30am (Sunday). An ambulance and a paramedic area support officer attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When crews arrived they found a man, believed to be in his 30s, who had sustained a significant laceration to his head, back pain and a nasty fracture to his right leg.

“It is believed the man had been riding a motorcycle when it collided with two stationary cars.

“Crews administered pain relief to the man to make him more comfortable before they immobilised him with a neck collar, spinal board and leg splint and dressed his head wound. The man was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further treatment.

“No one else was injured in the collision.”

 

ENDS

 

Sunday 4^th August 2013 – 10.00am – Claire Brown.

One woman has died and two men have been injured in a single car road traffic collision in Wolverhampton earlier today.

The incident happened on the A4123 Birmingham Road near Curzon Street at 3.45am this morning (Sunday). Three ambulances, a paramedic area support officer, a responder paramedic and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a car on its side which had been involved in significant collision with a lamppost. Two occupants were trapped inside and a third had managed to get out of the car. Bystanders, police and fire colleagues were providing first aid to all three.

“One occupant inside the car, a woman, was in cardiac arrest. Crews and the doctor worked with the fire service to rapidly extricate her from the vehicle. Sadly, despite resuscitation efforts, nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed dead on scene a short time later.

“The second occupant, a man believed to be in his 30s, was mechanically trapped in the wreckage from his waist down. The doctor and crews found the man had a fractured arm but were unable to establish if the man had any other injuries. He was given strong pain relief before crews and the doctor worked with the fire service to carefully extricate him from the vehicle. After two hours of being trapped, the man was released from the vehicle and had suffered a suspected fractured foot and leg injuries. He was fully immobilised with a neck collar, spinal board and splints before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to New Cross Hospital.

“The third occupant, a man in his 30s, had self-extricated from the car and had sustained lacerations to his face and neck pain. He was assessed and treated on scene before being taken to the same hospital for treatment.”

 

ENDS

Sunday 4^th August 2013 – 10.00am – Claire Brown.

One man has died and two others are in a critical condition in hospital after a collision involving a pedestrian and a motorcycle in Birmingham in the early hours.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received multiple 999 calls to the Coventry Road in Yardley at around 1.50am this morning (Sunday). Three ambulances, a paramedic area support officer, a senior paramedic officer, a responder paramedic, a MERIT trauma doctor and a doctor and two nurses from the West Midlands Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency Team (CARE) attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival crews found three patients who had been involved in a significant collision between a motorcycle and a pedestrian.

“The pedestrian was in cardiac arrest and CPR was being carried out by bystanders. Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the pedestrian, a man, and he was confirmed dead on scene.

“Two men, believed to be in their 20s, had come off the motorcycle they were riding and both were in a critical condition suffering significant multiple injuries.

“Crews and the medics split up into two teams to provide treatment to both casualties. Both men received pain relief, oxygen, extensive advanced pre-hospital treatment and were fully immobilised with neck collars and spinal boards.

“Due to the nature of their injuries, the doctors anaesthetised both men at the roadside to stabilise their deteriorating conditions. The two men were then taken in separate land ambulances on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham; medics travelled with the men to hospital to continue treatment en route.

“The hospital was pre alerted to the arrival of the men who were said to be in a critical condition.”

 

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

I’m afraid I am unable to provide condition checks and any further details in relation to this case. Please contact West Midlands Police with further enquiries.

Sunday 4^th August 2013 – 7.30am – Claire Brown.

A man has been seriously injured after coming off his bicycle in Handsworth this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Oxhill Road, Handsworth at 2.50am earlier this morning (Sunday). An ambulance, a senior paramedic officer and a doctor and two nurses from the West Midlands Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency Team (CARE) were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews found a man, believed to be in his 50s, who had come off his bicycle and had sustained a serious head injury.

“Crews and the medics worked as a team to stabilise his condition and administer treatment on scene before he was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, a major trauma centre, for further emergency treatment.”

 

ENDS

 

Saturday 3^rd August 2013 – 7.10pm – Claire Brown.

A man has died in a road traffic collision in Stourport-on-Severn this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to a crash between a van and a motorcycle on the A451 near to the recycling centre in Stourport-on-Severn at around 4.00pm (Saturday). An ambulance, a responder paramedic, a paramedic area support officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a MERIT trauma doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a motorcycle and a van which had been involved in a significant collision.

“Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the motorcyclist, a man, and he was confirmed dead on scene.

“The driver of the van, a man in his 40s, sustained a suspected hip injury. Crews and the doctor administered pain relief to the man and immobilised him with a neck collar and spinal board before he was taken by land ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.”

 

ENDS

Saturday 3^rd August 2013 – 7.00pm – Claire Brown.

A man has been taken to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on the roof of a café in Wolverhampton this afternoon.

The incident happened on High Street shortly after 4.00pm (Saturday). Two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and a Community First Responder attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The man was reportedly carrying out work on the roof when he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest

“Crews carried out resuscitation efforts on the man, on the roof, shocking the man’s heart three times with a defibrillator. Due to the location, the fire service were called and helped to carry the man off the roof whilst ambulance crews continued CPR. The man was then taken by land ambulance on blue lights to New Cross Hospital; advanced life support continued en route.

“Medics were pre alerted to the arrival of the man who was said to be in a critical condition.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors: I’m afraid I’m unable to provide a condition check.

Saturday 3rd August 2013 – 6.20pm – Claire Brown.

An elderly couple have been seriously injured after a car reversed into them in a supermarket car park in Shrewsbury this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a collision involving two pedestrian and a car in the car park of The Co-operative Food on Bank Farm Road at around 10.30am (Saturday). Two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a MERIT trauma doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a husband and wife, both thought to be in their 80s, who had been in collision with a car.

“An off duty nurse was providing excellent first aid to the couple before crews arrived.

“It is believed the couple were standing by the boot of their car when a second car reversed into them, crushing the couple between the two vehicles. The reversing car then reportedly dragged the woman several metres and collided with parked cars before stopping.

“The woman suffered serious facial and head injuries, arm and leg injuries. Due to the condition of the woman, the doctor anaesthetised her at the scene before she was fully immobilised and airlifted to University Hospital North Staffordshire.

“Medics were pre alerted to the arrival of the woman who was said to be in a serious condition.

“Her husband sustained serious lacerations to his face and deep wounds to all four limbs as well as a suspected chest injury.

“Crews immobilised the man with a neck collar and spinal board and dressed his wounds before conveying him by land ambulance on blue lights to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

“The driver of the car, a woman, was uninjured.”

 

ENDS

Friday 2nd August 2013 – 2.35pm – Steve Parry.

A BMX rider has been taken to hospital suffering from serious neck injuries after coming off his bike in Wellington this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to a wooded location near Ice House Close, Apley at 11am.

An ambulance, together with a paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews responded to an incident in Wellington involving a BMX rider.

“A man in his twenties was treated for a serious neck injury. The patient was immobilised with the use of a neck collar and spinal board and given pain relief before being airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.”

End

 

 

Thursday 1^st August 2013 – 11.30pm – Claire Brown.

A man is in a serious condition following a motorcycle crash in Hereford.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a motorcyclist who had collided with street furniture at the junction of the A417 and A465 in Burley Gate shortly before 8.00pm this evening (Thursday). An ambulance, a responder paramedic, a MERIT trauma doctor together with a medical incident officer and BASICS doctor attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The man, believed to be in his 60s, had come off his motorbike and had sustained a serious head injury, suspected pelvic injuries and arm fractures. Crews and the doctors administered oxygen and pain relief. They decided to sedate him at the roadside in order to stabilise his condition.

“The team fully immobilised the man with a neck collar, spinal board and pelvic splint before he was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, a regional trauma centre, for further emergency treatment.”

ENDS

Thursday 1st August 2013 – 10.30pm – Claire Brown.

A man has been airlifted to hospital following a collision involving a car and a van in Malvern earlier this evening.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Poolbrook Road shortly before 6.00pm (Thursday). Two ambulances, two responder paramedics and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a van and car which had been involved in a collision.

“The driver of the car, a man believed to be in his 70s, sustained extensive bruising to his shoulder as well as pain in his chest and abdomen. The man was given oxygen and pain relief before crews immobilised him with a neck collar and spinal board. The man was then airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“The driver of the van suffered less serious injuries but was also immobilised as a precaution by crews before being taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital by land ambulance.”

ENDS

Thursday 1st August 2013 – 11.15am – Chris Kowalik.

Staff from West Midlands Ambulance Service have been teaching pre-school children about their lifesaving work as part of an education drive in Shropshire.

Paramedic Edd Davis has embarked on a series of school visits and recently complemented it with trips to two nurseries.

On June 28th, Edd and Emergency Medical Technician Beverley Brunt visited Hadnall pre-school Nursery. On July 4th, he was accompanied by Clinical Team Mentor Paramedic Tess Allmark and Emergency Medical Technician Andrew Bovington at Hillside House Nursery (pictured).

They brought an ambulance with them and taught the children when and when not to call 999.

Emily Duxbury of Hadnall pre-school nursery said: “The children loved seeing the ambulances and enjoyed setting off the sirens, exploring the equipment and bandaging. There have been bandages applied all afternoon and I don’t think there is a doll or teddy who hadn’t been made better. All the children were able to tell us which number to phone if they had an emergency.”

(Pictured above – thank-you card from Hadnall pre-school nursery)

Beth Lewis, Manager of Hillside House Nursery said: “The questions about emergencies and when to call 999 were really valuable. The children all loved having the certificate that you provided at the end and this was a great way to share the experience with mums and dads.”

If you know of a school or nursery in Shropshire that would like Edd and his colleagues to visit, contact Edd on 07816 247 681 or email eddcjdavis@gmail.com

Ends

Thursday 1st August 2013 – 10.30am – Chris Kowalik.

Two ambulance stations in Worcestershire are about to be put up for sale as part of West Midlands Ambulance Service’s ‘Make Ready’ plans.

The Make Ready programme has seen the creation of two 24/7 fleet maintenance hubs where dedicated teams of Ambulance Fleet Assistants prepare, service and maintain the fleet of ambulances. The hubs have been created through the refurbishment of two traditional ambulance stations in Spetchley Road, Worcester and Barnsley Hall Drive, Lickey End, Bromsgrove.

The remainder of the county’s traditionally owned stations are to be sold, replaced by a new network of Community Ambulance Stations which will be leased rather than owned. The new stations will be lower maintenance with resultant lower running costs and will be greater in number.

Kidderminster ambulance station, Stourport Road, Kidderminster, is due to be advertised as for sale this week with offers invited in the region of £265,000. It will be replaced by two new Community ambulance stations in the town at addresses to be confirmed in due course. In addition, a new community ambulance station has opened in Mitton Street, Stourport.

Redditch ambulance station, Cedar Park Road, Redditch, is due to be advertised as for sale this week with offers invited in the region of £260,000. It will be replaced by two community ambulance stations in the town.

Kidderminster and Redditch ambulance stations are the last two to be put up for sale in Worcestershire.

Despite being put up for sale, neither Kidderminster nor Redditch ambulance stations will be vacated until their replacement community ambulance stations have opened.

Ends

Thursday 1st August 2013 –10.30am – Chris Kowalik.

An ambulance station in Warwickshire is about to be put up for sale as part of West Midlands Ambulance Service’s ‘Make Ready’ plans.

The Make Ready programme is seeing the creation of two 24/7 fleet maintenance hubs where dedicated teams of Ambulance Fleet Assistants and mechanics prepare, service and maintain the fleet of ambulances. A hub has been created in Ibstock Road, Coventry and one is being built at Tournament Fields in Warwick.

Traditionally owned stations are to be sold, replaced by a new network of Community Ambulance Stations which will be leased rather than owned. The new stations will be lower maintenance with resultant lower running costs and will be greater in number.

Consequently, Warwick ambulance station, Montague Road, Warwick is due to be advertised for sale this week with offers invited in the region of £375,000. It will continue to be used to respond from until a site is found for a new Community Ambulance Station in the town.

When completed, the two hubs will serve a network of 19 Community Ambulance Stations in Coventry and Warwickshire. Ambulances prepared at the hubs will disperse to the new stations from where they will respond to 999 calls. The new Community Ambulance Stations are in the process of being established or, where a site has been found, refurbished. They are already established in Canley, Kenilworth, Stratford, Wellesbourne Airfield, Southam and Alcester and within fire stations in Atherstone, Leamington, Nuneaton, Binley, Foleshill, Bedworth and in Radford Road in Coventry. The Trust is still in the process of establishing premises for Community Ambulance Stations in Rugby (x2), Coleshill, Dordon, Warwick and Shipston.
By being smaller, lower maintenance and therefore lower cost than the Trust’s traditional ambulance stations, there can be more of them to further improve response times.

The system of hubs and new Community Ambulance Stations is known as ‘Make Ready’; implemented by the then Staffordshire Ambulance Service fifteen years ago resulting in it becoming one of the highest performing ambulance services in the country with some of the fastest response times.

The current level of ambulance cover in Coventry and Warwickshire will be maintained, but the ambulance service provided will increase overall with the introduction of Community Paramedic teams. Community Paramedics are already operating in Atherstone, Nuneaton, Canley, Kenilworth, Stratford, Wellebourne and Southam. Teams are still to be established for Rugby (x2), Coleshill and Shipston.

Dedicated to their respective areas, Community Paramedics are paramedics with additional training in advanced patient assessment and procedures.

They will be able to treat many more patients at the scene rather than them being conveyed to an A&E Department.

In addition to responding to 999 calls, the role of the Community Paramedics will be to liaise with other areas of health and social care and ensure the population they serve receive the best health service possible, while ensuring the ambulance service through 999 is used appropriately.

Each of the above areas will have a team of Community Paramedics to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

The ‘Make Ready’ system is expected to be fully in place in Coventry and Warwickshire later this year.

Ends

Thursday 1^st August 2013 – 10.30am – Chris Kowalik.

An ambulance station in Birmingham is to put up for sale as part of West Midlands Ambulance Service’s ‘Make Ready’ plans.

The Make Ready programme involves the creation of 24/7 fleet maintenance hubs where dedicated teams of Ambulance Fleet Assistants prepare, service and maintain the fleet of ambulances. Oncoming ambulance crews collect their ‘made-ready’ vehicle and go to any of a new network of more than thirty Community Ambulance Stations from where they respond to 999 calls.

The hubs will be based at:

Opus Aspect, Chester Road, Erdington,

• Hollymoor Point, Hollymoor Way, Northfield
• West Bromwich (refurbishment of ambulance station in Hargate Lane)
• Birmingham city centre (location tbc)

Hubs in Northfield and West Bromwich are already in operation. The hub in Erdington is due to open later this month.

The remainder of the city’s ambulance stations are being sold and replaced by a new network of Community Ambulance Stations which will be leased rather than owned. The new stations which are greater in number will be lower maintenance with resultant lower running costs.

The ambulance station in Henrietta Street, Birmingham is the last in the city to put up for sale. It is due to be advertised as such this week with offers invited in the region of £475,000. It will be replaced by a small hub in the city centre.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We have agreed with staff that we will close the current station at Henrietta Street and open a new base in Birmingham city centre at a site yet to be identified. Even if a buyer is forthcoming early, the sale of the station in Henrietta Street will not be completed and the station will not close until its replacement is ready.

“Under our proposals the number of places that we respond from is increasing markedly which means we will be able to help patients more quickly than ever before.  The Trust is investing heavily in this project because we know that it will bring very real benefits to patients.”

The ‘Make Ready’ system will be fully in place in Birmingham later this year.

Ends

We are currently recruiting for Registered Paramedics, Graduate Paramedics, Qualified Emergency Medical Technicians, PTS Apprentices and Learning Development Apprentice. For further information about these vacancies or to apply, please visit http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/advsearch?vpd_code=217