A woman and her daughter were lucky to escape serious injury following an RTC on Stourbridge ring road this lunchtime.
The crash occurred just before 1.00pm and two rapid response vehicles, a paramedic officer, and an ambulance attended the scene. An off duty emergency medical technician came across the incident and treated the patients.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a 4×4 vehicle that had left the road and collided with a set of railings and also an estate agents.
“The woman driving the car had suffered serious arm injuries in the crash and was also in shock. She received emergency treatment whilst still inside the vehicle including pain relief.
“With the assistance of the fire service the woman was freed from the vehicle, whilst immobilised using a spinal board and neck collar.
“The woman, believed to be in her late 30’s, was transferred by ambulance to Russell’s Hall Hospital for further treatment.
“The teenage girl travelling in the car was checked over at the scene but did not require further treatment.
“Fortunately, no one in the estate agents suffered any injuries.”
Tuesday 15th April 2014 – 12.10pm – Murray MacGregor.
A motorcyclist has suffered potentially very serious injuries after a collision with a lamppost in Tamworth
The crash happened at just before 10.00pm on Monday evening in Silver Link Road, Glascote.
A rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and the MERIT trauma doctor were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found a man near a lamppost and a motorcycle nearby.
“The man, who was in his 20s, had a potentially very serious back injury along with possible internal injuries.
“The man was immobilised using a neck collar and spinal board before being taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at University Hospital North Staffordshire.”
Monday 14th April 2014 – 11.20pm – Murray MacGregor.
A motorcyclist has been anaesthetised at the scene of a serious crash in Smethwick.
The collision between a car and the motorcycle happened at the junction of Crocketts Lane and Soho Way at around 6.50pm on Monday evening.
An off duty doctor and nurse were first on scene and provided support until the ambulance staff arrived. In total, three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, the MERIT Trauma doctor and two members of the Hazardous Area Response Team were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, staff found a bike that had suffered significant damage and a silver car that had suffered severe damage to the near side.
“The rider, had suffered multiple fractures and was anaesthetised by the doctor from the MERIT vehicle. He was taken to the Major Trauma Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with the doctor travelling with the crew.
“There were five people in the car. A woman estimated to be in her 20s who had been on the near side of the car had suffered back pain. She was immobilised as a precaution using a neck collar and spinal board.
“A man estimated to be in his 40s was complaining of shoulder pain, while a woman of about the same age had suspected glass in her eyes. A girl in the car was complaining of having a headache. All four were taken to City Hospital.
“The driver of the car was checked over at the scene but did not travel to hospital.”
Monday 14th April 2014 – 5.55pm – Murray MacGregor.
Three people have been treated by ambulance staff in Birmingham after a two car crash that left both vehicles with significant damage.
The collision happened at about 4.15pm on Monday afternoon in Belchers Lane, Bordsley Green.
Two ambulances and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found there had been a collision between a small car and a silver 4×4 type vehicle.
“The driver of the small car, a man estimated to be in his 20’s, had suffered a head injury; there was damage to the inside of the windscreen.
“As a precaution, he was immobilised using a neck collar and spinal board before being taken to Heartlands Hospital.
“There were a couple estimated to be in their 60s in the other vehicle. The driver had suffered a hand injury. The woman in the passenger seat had to be extricated with help of firefighters. She was suffering from abdominal pain.
“She too was immobilised and both were also taken to Heartlands Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”
With schools starting their Easter Half Term this week, the ambulance service is urging people to keep safe and healthy to avoid meeting a paramedic.
West Midlands Ambulance Service is appealing to parents, guardians and children to keep safe whilst they are enjoying the Easter break. Statistics show that over bank holiday weekends in particular, demand upon the ambulance service rises by between 10 and 15%.
Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Diane Scott, said: “The Easter holiday always proves to be a busy time for the ambulance service with the public taking the opportunity to enjoy the first holiday break of the year.
“We anticipate 999 calls to rise and therefore we would ask the public to think carefully before calling 999 to allow us to attend to patients’ suffering life threatening illness and injury.
“The ambulance service is here to deal with life threatening cases such as chest pains, stroke, serious blood loss and unconscious patients. If it’s not life threatening, consider alternatives to calling 999 such as NHS 111, visiting a walk-in centre, a local pharmacists or self-care at home.”
Notes to Editor
Other healthcare services available include:
• Self care – A range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.
• NHS 111 – Confidential health advice and information by phone 24 hours a day.
• Pharmacist – Your local pharmacist can give you advice on illnesses and the medicines you need to treat them. Visit a pharmacist when you are suffering from a common health problem which does not require being seen by a nurse or doctor.
• GP – GP surgeries provide a range of services by appointment, including medical advice, examinations, and prescriptions. In an emergency, a GP can also visit your home outside of opening hours by contacting your local surgery and following the recorded instructions.
• NHS walk-in centre, urgent care centre, or minor injuries unit – You do not need an appointment and you will be seen by an experienced nurse or GP. These services give healthcare and advice and most are open from early in the morning until late at night. Visit one of these centres if you need medical treatment or advice which does not need a visit to A&E or a medical appointment.
West Midlands Ambulance Service is offering members of the public the opportunity to have their say at its forthcoming Equality ‘Grading Event’ on Thursday 15th May.
The event will take place at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
The purpose of the public event is to provide an opportunity for patients and community members to share honestly and openly their views and personal experiences of equality and diversity issues in their local ambulance service.
The event was very successful last year attracting a great deal of interest with all protected groups being represented.
WMAS Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Sofia Jabeen, said: “We would like to engage with the public in a proactive and meaningful way to ensure we design and improve our services to achieve better health outcomes for all communities across the West Midlands Region.”
The Trust will also invite local stakeholders and interested groups to be part of this important piece of work.
A man has been airlifted to hospital after being involved in a jet ski accident this afternoon (Sunday).
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Kingsbury Water Park, Sutton Coldfield, just before 12pm and sent an ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a man, believed to be in his 50s, who had fallen off an inflatable whilst being pulled by a jet ski.
“After being assessed he was treated for central neck pain, given pain relief and fully immobilised with the use of a neck collar and spinal board.
“He was then taken by land ambulance to the awaiting air ambulance which had landed nearby before being airlifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further assessment and treatment.”
A rock climber had to be carried off a rock face and airlifted to hospital after falling approximately 10 meters this morning (Sunday).
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called shortly after 11.20am to a rock face near to Bank Top Farm in Upper Hulme, Leek. Two community paramedics, both in rapid response vehicles, and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a man, believed to be in his early 40s, who had reportedly fallen 10 metres backwards after reaching the top of the climb.
“After being assessed he was treated for a leg fracture and given pain relief. He was also immobilised with his leg being put in a splint.
“Due to the difficult location of the patient on the rock face, ambulance crews worked closely with Mountain Rescue to carry the patient to safety before he was flown to University Hospital North Staffordshire for further treatment.”
Saturday 12th April 2014 – 7am – Jamie Arrowsmith.
Three people had to be taken to be hospital after the horse and cart they were travelling in was involved in a collision with a car in Bewdley last night (Friday).
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident near to The Running Horse public house on Long Bank just before 8.40pm. Three ambulances, a rapid response paramedic, a paramedic area support officer and the MERIT trauma team were despatched to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered three people who had been injured when the horse and cart they were travelling in had been in collision with a car.
“The first patient, a man in his 30s, was assessed and treated for leg and hip pain and was immobalised with the use of a spinal board.
“A woman in her 30s was treated for a fractured left arm whilst the third patient, a young girl, was assessed and treated for a fractured ankle and back pain.
“All three patients were conveyed by ambulances in convoy to Worcester Royal Hospital.
“The hospital was pre-alerted to the arrival of all three patients and of their conditions.
“The horse was also hit in the collision but did not appear to be injured.
“The driver of the vehicle did not suffer any injuries.”
West Midlands Ambulance service worked closely in connection with the fire service to rescue a teenage boy from the side of the Trent and Mersey canal in Stoke on Trent earlier this afternoon.
After receiving a call at 3.55pm, West Midlands Ambulance service sent an ambulance, two paramedic support officers, a community paramedic and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire to the scene, which was near to a canal bridge on the A50, close to Stoke City Football Club’s home ground.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a boy who had come to difficulty whilst trying to retrieve a ball from the side of the canal.
“Due to his location it was difficult to access the patient initially in order to be able to assess and treat him.
“Ambulance crews worked closely with the fire service in order to be able to access the patient who had suffered serious leg injuries and a suspected fractured ankle after reportedly colliding with a piece of metal.
“He was given pain relief and had a splint applied before being moved to a safer location from where he was airlifted to University Hospital North Staffordshire for further assessment and treatment.”
Representing West Midlands Ambulance Service at the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2014 today are (left to right) Staffordshire Area Manager Michelle Kelly and Learning and Development Manager Jennifer Zandbeek. These Awards, now in their eighth year, recognise and reward projects and professionals that lead innovative healthcare practice and make a real difference to patients’ lives in the healthcare science and allied health professions. The awards are unique in that they are UK-wide and cover all the professional and specialists groups whose achievements so often go unnoticed. The Trust has been shortlisted within the category ‘NHS Employers Award for Inspiring the Workforce of the Future’ for our Engaging Leaders Programme. We’re competing with three other nominees within this category.
A Birmingham man who suffered a cardiac arrest in January has, this week, said thank you in person to the ambulance staff who helped to save his life.
On Friday 31st January, self-employed electrician Jonathan Gilkes was rewiring in a loft when he started to feel pains in his chest. Thinking nothing of it and putting it down to over stretching, Jonathan carried on working. By 11pm the same day, Jonathan’s chest pain had worsened. Home alone and feeling decidedly unwell, he reluctantly dialled 999.
A paramedic officer attended and, after carrying out a full set of medical checks including an ECG, the paramedic was baffled to find signs that anything was wrong. It was then that Jonathan collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. The paramedic immediately commenced CPR and requested an ambulance back up which arrived within minutes.
The ambulance crew and paramedic continued resuscitation and delivered a shock to his heart with a defibrillator which, after half an hour of CPR, successfully restarted his heart. He was rushed to City Hospital where Jonathan spent five days in an induced coma and a further five days in hospital after having three stents fitted in his heart.
Jonathan, a 49-year-old father of three from Deritend in Birmingham City Centre, visited Erdington Ambulance Hub on Tuesday (8th April) with his mum, dad and son. Upon meeting the ambulance crew, he said: “I’ve never called 999 before and felt awkward doing it, but I definitely called for the right reason and at the right time because it was only for the fact that I suffered a cardiac arrest in front of a paramedic that I survived.
“Everybody’s told me how lucky I was, including the surgeons at hospital and my own doctor, as it took 31 minutes to restart my heart. The skills you’ve got meant that I’m here today and have got a second chance and for that I’ll be forever thankful. I’d also like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Critical Care Unit at City Hospital for keeping me alive.”
Jonathan’s son, Andrew Gilkes from Walsall, said: “It’s not a little thing saving someone’s life, it’s a big thing and something that you guys don’t get the recognition you deserve. The doctors at hospital told us to prepare for the worst to start with as when your heart has stopped for that long there’s a chance of brain damage. They couldn’t believe how well he recovered and said it was the quality of the CPR you did on my Dad that saved his life.
“We will never forget what you did for my Dad; you not only saved his life but saved our whole families happiness because he’s still here and healthier than ever before.”
Paramedic Rachael Grant was one half of the ambulance crew that attended Jonanthan and said: “It was one of those jobs where everything fell into place. We managed to restart his heart with just one defib shock and en route to hospital he was becoming more and more alert the closer we got which is always a good feeling.
“I’ve never had a personal thank you from a patient so it’s been really nice to see Jonathan and his family. There are so many jobs that ambulance staff attend where we often wonder what happened to a patient once we’ve left A&E so it was great to see that Jonathan has made a fantastic recovery from what was the most traumatic experience you could ever go through.”
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Notes to Editor:
Group photograph (left to right): Jonathan Gilkes, Fred Gilkes (Jonathan’s father), Andrew Gilkes (Jonathan’s son), Marion Gilkes (Jonathan’s mother), Rachael Grant (paramedic) and Gary Smith (technician).
A cyclist had to be anaesthetised at the roadside by doctors before being airlifted to a major trauma centre following a collision with a lorry near Pershore this morning.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the B4084 Worcester Road in Drakes Broughton shortly after 7.00am (Friday). Two ambulances, a Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS) BASICS doctor and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a MERIT trauma doctor on board attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Upon arrival ambulance staff found a cyclist, a man believed to be in his 60s, who had been involved in a collision with a lorry.
“The medical team began a full assessment and quickly found he had sustained serious head, chest and pelvic injuries as well as fractures to his lower leg. Due to the nature of the man’s injuries, the doctors decided to anaesthetise him to help stabilise his condition. The man was then immobilised with a neck collar, spinal board, pelvic splint and limb splints before he was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, a regional trauma centre, for further emergency treatment.
“Upon arrival at hospital, the man was said to be in a critical condition.
West Midlands Ambulance Service can confirm that a 999 call was received following a road traffic collision in Chester Road, Brownhills this afternoon.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident at 3.20pm.
An ambulance, a paramedic officer in a rapid response car, a paramedic in a rapid response car, Community First Responder and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews were alerted to a pedestrian in collision with a lorry.
“A teenager was found to be in cardiac arrest. Sadly, despite the effort of medics at the scene, a male was later confirmed dead at the scene.”
Nursery school children in the Black Country had a special treat this week when an ambulance came to visit.
Roberts Primary Nursery in Lower Gornal was visited by West Midlands Ambulance Service, along with the police and fire service, on Tuesday 8th April as part of the nursery’s ‘people who help’ themed day.
Paramedic Alison Gibson and Commercial Tutors Sian White and Ian Bryan took over the playground with an ambulance packed with all the usual life-saving equipment to show the children that there’s nothing to be afraid of.
During the day, 85 nursery children aged three and four jumped on board the ambulance in groups to discover what was in the back of the mysterious big yellow truck. Some even had the chance to sit in the driver’s seat and turn on the lights and sirens.
Sian White, a Commercial Tutor for the Trust, said: “The children seem to know a lot about the ambulance service and knew to dial 999 if they ever need our help which is fantastic.
“They were very inquisitive when it came to the equipment we carry, such as the heart monitor, and especially liked honking the horn and sounding the siren much to some of the parents’ dismay! It’s a really good way to familiarise children with who we are, what we do and shows them that we’re here to help.”
Zoe Tolley, Nursery Manager said: “We had an amazing day in Nursery and would like to thank everyone involved who made our day so special. As part of our Early Years Curriculum it is vital for children to have a good understanding about the wider world around them, different occupations and ways of life.
“It was a really useful opportunity to encourage the children not to feel scared or worried if they see or have to go in an ambulance. The paramedics completed our emergency service visitors so we are all clued up on 999!”
ENDS
Photograph 1: Paramedic Alison Gibson and Commercial Tutor Ian Bryan show the children how a heart monitor works.
Photograph 2 (in background left to right): Paramedic Alison Gibson and Commercial Tutors Sian White and Ian Bryan with nursery children.
Wednesday 9th April 2014 – 2.45pm – Suzie Fothergill.
During February West Midlands Ambulance Service appealed to all service users for their feedback to help us shape the future of the ambulance service.
Every year, all NHS organisations are required to produce a Quality Account. These reports assess quality across an entire range of healthcare services and outline an organisation’s commitment to continuous evidence-based quality improvements.
The Quality Accounts provide patients, service users and members of the public with information about where improvements will and need to be taken.
This years draft 2014/15 Quality Account is now available to view and is open to feedback. Your feedback will enable the Trust to focus on our 2014/15 Account, which will also be set in line with our commissioner’s intentions and the NHS Outcomes Framework.
Wednesday 9th April 2014 – 1.15pm – Suzie Fothergill.
A man has been airlifted to hospital following an incident in Staffordshire today.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Lichfield Road in Tamworth shortly before 7.20am this morning.
An ambulance, a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle, the Hazardous Area Response Team and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire were dispatched to the scene. The Police and Fire Service were also in attendance.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews were called to reports of a man who had become injured after falling from a ladder whilst on top of a storage container.
“The man, who is believed to have been trying to access a higher stacked container had fallen from a lower rung of the ladder.
“The casualty was treated at the scene for a possible spinal injury. He was fully immobilised and given pain relief before being brought down to safety using a hydraulic platform.
“The man, believed to be in his 40’s, was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further assessment and treatment.”
Wednesday 9th April 2014 – 11.45am – Suzie Fothergill.
Two people have been airlifted to a major trauma centre following a road traffic collision in Herefordshire this morning.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A49, Dinmore Hill in Leominster at approximately 9.10am today.
Two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, a MARS BASICS Doctor, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and the Welsh Air Ambulance from Welshpool were in attendance.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival at the scene, crews found two cars that had been in a significant collision.
“One of the vehicles had been carrying two occupants at the time of the incident. Due to the nature of his injuries, the driver of the car was extricated from the vehicle whilst being treated for abdominal and chest injuries. The man believed to be in his 60’s was given pain relief and fully immobilised before being airlifted to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
“The passenger of the car was out of the vehicle on the crew’s arrival. The woman, also believed to be in her 60’s, was treated for chest and abdominal injuries. She was immobilised and given pain relief before being airlifted to the same hospital for further assessment and treatment.
“The hospital was pre-alerted to the arrival of both of the patients and of their conditions.
“The driver of the second car, a man, was assessed and discharged at the scene.”
Wednesday 9th April 2014 – 11.10am – Suzie Fothergill.
A cyclist has been airlifted to hospital following a serious road traffic collision in Hereford today.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of Church Road and Hampton Dene Road at approximately 7.30am this morning.
An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, a MARS BASICS Doctor and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford, carrying a trauma doctor and a critical care paramedic, were dispatched to the scene. An off duty paramedic was also in attendance.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews were called to reports of a collision between a car and a cyclist.
“Emergency medical treatment was provided to the cyclist who had sustained a significant head injury. Due to the nature of the injury the man was fully immobilised and given an anaesthetic at the scene before being airlifted to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further assessment and treatment.
“The hospital was pre-alerted and medics were on standby awaiting the arrival of the man.”
Wednesday 9th April 2014 – 8.30am – Suzie Fothergill.
Whitebridge Estates have their finger on the pulse and have recently invested in two lifesaving defibrillators for their site in Stone.
The Community Public Access Defibrillators (CPADs) which were purchased by the Estate went live on the 1st April.
Twenty- seven members of staff from across the site have now been trained in the use of the defibrillator and first aid techniques.
Victoria Tufail, West Midlands Ambulance Service Community Response Manager said: “As a service we strongly believe that by having defibrillators installed in public places and by having people trained in their use, helps to ensure that the best care possible can be provided quickly and effectively prior to the arrival of an ambulance.
“The quicker someone in cardiac arrest is defibrillated, not only improves the chance of their survival, but it can also help to improve the chances of a patient’s full recovery and reduce the time to do so. For every minute a patient is in cardiac arrest their chance of survival decreases by 10 percent. So every second really does count!”
Should anyone suffer a cardiac arrest the first port of call should always be to dial 999 and commence CPR immediately. However, anyone dialing 999 to report a cardiac arrest within the Whitebridge Estates area of Stone will now be advised of the location of the defibrillator and given the code to open the secure cabinet in which it is housed. The ambulance call assessor has the ability to talk any caller, trained or untrained, through instructions in how to use the device. The defibrillator itself also provides voice guidance throughout and pictorial guides are also present.
Jamie Richards, Director of Midlands Safety Training and AED Sales UK said: “It’s really is great to be educating local people in the use of defibrillators and basic life support. We certainly hope that these units do not have to be used but it is vital that we start to promote and make people aware of the need of these lifesaving pieces of equipment”
Ends
Pictured: Estates Manager, Phil Darby and Whitebridge Estates employees carrying out the defibrillator training.
For more information about community access defibrillators within Staffordshire please contact Victoria.tufail@wmas.nhs.uk
A group of volunteer life-savers in the Black Country were presented with a prestigious award from the Mayor of Dudley at a ceremony last week.
More than 150 people packed into the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill on Friday 4th April, for the civic ceremony where the Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Alan Finch, presented awards to ‘community heroes’ from across the borough.
Fastaid Black Country Community First Responders (CFRs), a group of volunteers who respond to 999 calls in their local community and provide care until the ambulance service arrives, won the prestigious Mayor’s Civic Award. The group were one of four nominees put forward for the award category and received the most online votes from the public.
Carol Waite, Fastaid Black Country Chair, said: “The charity was nominated by the Mayor and the public then voted for us to win which I think is something we should all be proud of and shows that we are highly valued by the public. It is only down to you guys out there in the community that makes it possible for us to be nominated and win the award and for that, thank you.”
Councillor Alan Finch, Mayor of Dudley, said: “It was a fantastic night and such an honour and a privilege to meet the people who make our communities tick. I would like to congratulate all our community heroes for the work they do across the borough, helping to make Dudley borough a great place to live.”
Andy Jeynes, the Trust’s Birmingham and the Black Country Community Response Manager, said: “People are always surprised to hear that CFRs are volunteers who give up their spare time, often when they’ve finished their normal day job, to respond to 999 calls to help the ambulance service. This award proves that their hard work and commitment to their local community is appreciated by the public in the Black Country. Fastaid Black Country CFRs should be very proud, this is an excellent achievement. Well done!”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Photographs courtesy of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.
Pictured above: Carol Waite (Fastaid Black Country CFR Chair) with Cllr Alan Finch Mayor of Dudley.
Pictured below (left to right): Martin Dews (sponsor Cougar Monitoring), Carol Waite (Fastaid Black Country CFR Chair person), Richard Smith (CFR), Mayor of Dudley Cllr Alan Finch, Paul Grove (CFR), Dave Hubball (CFR) and Martin Griffiths (CFR).
The M6 was blocked earlier today by a collision involving two lorries and two cars.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the southbound carriageway between junctions three and two shortly before 7.45am today.
Six ambulance crews, a paramedic area support officer, a senior paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended along with the crew of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance who arrived in a rapid response vehicle.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “A man in his twenties who was one of the lorry drivers was trapped in his cab. He was freed with the help of the fire service. He had a broken leg, a broken wrist and a suspected fractured pelvis. A traction splint, pelvic bind and neck collar were applied, pain relief was given and he was immobilised on a spinal board before being taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire on blue lights. The hospital had been put on alert due to the seriousness of his injuries.
“Two women who were in the two cars involved in the collision were both taken to the same hospital with minor injuries.
There are calls for schools in Shropshire to put CPR and defibrillation on their curricula.
In January 2013, Heartstart Shropshire CFR, supported by West Midlands Ambulance Service and the British Heart Foundation went on a mission to teach basic lifesaving skills to as many people in the county as possible.
The group is now focussing on schools, a number of which have taken-up the offer of free lessons on what to do when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
One of them is The Corbet School in Baschurch whose year eight to eleven pupils are currently being taught by Heartstart volunteers.
Taking the lessons to year eleven pupils on Friday 4th April was Andy Davies, the co-ordinator of Heartstart Shropshire CFR. He said: “In schools, we have a captive audience. As soon as they leave school and go into the big wide world you can never get them all together again. By being at the schools, by teaching them and hopefully coming in, starting them off and taking them right the way through, an hour a year, we have a generation out there that can go out and do that emergency life support.
“An hour a year – if you can do an hour a year, that’s five hours throughout the school year, general updates and a little bit of refresher training and we’ve got a generation that are fully trained as soon as they leave school.”
Jeanette Reaney PHSE coordinator at The Corbet School added: “The feedback has been excellent. The kids have thoroughly enjoyed doing it, they feel they have achieved something and the fact that the vast majority of staff now are first aid trained, we can have a discussion with children about what they have done, so you know it has actually sunk in. I think other schools should take it on board. I think it should be a standard part of the curriculum. It fits in very well into the PHSE and citizenship curricula. To have the physical ‘hands-on’ is vital.”
To arrange a lesson, please contact Andy Davies on 07891 187 530 or email andygdfire@aol.com
Pictured: back row l-r: Andy Davies, Ethan Green, Tim Stokes (CFR and Heartstart trainer). Front: Sinead Smallcombe.
Please credit “West Midlands Ambulance Service” if using any of the above pictures.
West Midlands Ambulance Service is offering members of the public the opportunity to have their say at its forthcoming Equality ‘Grading Event’ on Thursday 15th May.
The event will take place at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
The purpose of the public event is to provide an opportunity for patients and community members to share honestly and openly their views and personal experiences of equality and diversity issues in their local ambulance service.
The event was very successful last year, attracting a great deal of interest with all protected groups being represented.
WMAS Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Sofia Jabeen, said: “We would like to engage with the public in a proactive and meaningful way to ensure we design and improve our services to achieve better health outcomes for all communities across the West Midlands Region.”
The Trust will also invite local stakeholders and interested groups to be part of this important piece of work.
Monday 7th April 2014 – 12.45pm – Chris Kowalik in conjunction with South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group.
A scheme to support paramedics when they respond to 999 calls and reduce the number of patients being admitted to hospital, received praise at a national conference last month (Wednesday 26th March).
The GPs with Ambulance scheme is run in partnership between the three Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and West Midlands Ambulance service (WMAS), commissioning GPs to work alongside paramedics when called out, if it’s felt a patient would be better cared for by a GP rather than in hospital.
By employing GPs to work with paramedics, it has helped to free up ambulance crews to attend life-threatening emergencies and eased pressure on our emergency departments and local hospital beds. It has also helped to provide a better service for patients as GPs and ambulance services work more closely to provide care to patients closer to home.
Since the launch of the scheme in October 2012, more than 2,900 emergency calls have been dealt with by GPs, preventing over 2,300 A&E attendances by ensuring care is accessed quickly. It’s estimated that the scheme so far has made over £2.5 million in savings for the NHS.
The scheme was presented at ‘The role of Ambulance and Paramedic Services in Delivering Urgent Care’ conference in Manchester and received very positive feedback from the attendees.
Dr Nikki Burger, Urgent Care Clinical Lead for NHS South Worcestershire CCG made the presentation with Michelle Brotherton, General Manager for WMAS NHS Foundation Trust and said: “This scheme has gone from strength to strength since its launch. The pressures on emergency services are being felt all over the country and we have been really proud of the results that have been achieved in reducing numbers attending A&E.
“This conference has been a great opportunity to showcase the scheme to a national audience and we’ve had a great response to it.”
Above: Michelle Brotherton
Michelle Brotherton, General Manager at West Midlands Ambulance Service added: “The use of GPs in this way has been the right thing to do for patients, not all of whom need to go to A&E. The duty GPs also provide sound clinical advice to ambulance staff which, in turn, increases their confidence when seeking appropriate alternative places for treatments. This scheme has been popular with our own staff and we have been asked by other ambulance services to present our findings.”
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Notes for Editors
For more information about NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning please visit: www.southworcsccg.nhs.uk
An elderly woman received emergency treatment after falling down escalators in Burton-on-Trent this afternoon.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Marks and Spencer in St Modwens Walk at 2.50pm today (Saturday). A community paramedic, two ambulances 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 woman, believed to be in her 80s, who had sustained a head injury after falling down three escalator steps inside a shop.
“The ambulance crews and the doctor assessed the woman, who was initially drowsy after the incident but had regained full consciousness, and found she had suffered no other injuries. The woman was given anti-sickness tablets before being immobilised with a neck collar, spinal board and pelvic splint as a precaution. The woman was taken to the land ambulance and transferred to the helicopter, which had landed in a nearby field, before being airlifted to University Hospital North Staffordshire for further treatment.”
A young girl received treatment by the ambulance service before being airlifted to hospital after falling from a horse in Stafford.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to a field off Pasturefields Lane, Hixon, shortly before midday today (Saturday). An ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The 10-year-old girl had reportedly fallen from a 12 hand horse. Ambulance staff assessed the girl and found she had sustained neck tenderness, reduced sensation in her left arm and altered sensation to both feet.
“The girl was given pain relief before carefully being immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board. Due to the nature of the girl’s injuries, ambulance crews decided to airlift her to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, has been presented with a prestigious Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal (QAM) by The Prince of Wales today.
Mr Marsh, who has been with the ambulance service for over 25 years, was announced as a recipient of the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal (QAM) in December. His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, presented Mr Marsh with the award during today’s Investiture at Buckingham Palace.
Mr Marsh said: “I am very honoured to have received this award. Whilst I have been extremely fortunate to receive it, this is down to the hard work of everyone involved in the ambulance service.
“There is not a day goes by that I do not see or hear about the actions of staff that makes me immensely proud to be part of the ambulance service.”
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Notes to Editor:
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A two vehicle crash on the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire border saw air and land ambulance staff work together to treat two patients this afternoon.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Southam Road in Farnborough, Banbury, shortly after 12.30pm this afternoon (Friday). An ambulance and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “A car and a van had been involved in a significant collision. To the surprise of the ambulance crews upon arrival, the occupants were out of the vehicles.
“The driver of the van, a man in his 60s, was assessed by ambulance crews and was found to have sustained neck, back and chest pain. He was given pain relief before being carefully immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board. The man was then airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for further assessment and treatment.
“The driver of the car, a woman, was also given a full assessment at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.”
With unpleasant weather conditions persisting across much of the region this week, West Midlands Ambulance Service has experienced moderate increases in calls as a result of the pollution.
The Trust has seen an increase in 999 calls to patients with chest pain and breathing problems over the last three days resulting in an increase in overall demand. Calls to breathing problems and chest pain have increased predominantly in Staffordshire and Birmingham.
Breathing problems normally account for 11% of our total 999 calls but this has increased to 12%. Similarly, 10.5% of our total emergency calls are to chest pain but a 2.5% increase this week has resulted in this accounting to 13% of our total 999 calls.
WMAS medical director, Dr Andrew Carson said: “A prolonged period of these conditions poses real difficulties to those patients with emphysema, asthma and long term breathing problems.
“Air pollution and smog can make breathing difficult even for healthy individuals. That’s why we suggest people with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors as much as possible.
“It is vital that we get to patients needing our help as quickly as possible and therefore ask the public to assist us by only calling 999 in life threatening situations. For less urgent health advice, please call 111.”
Weather forecasters are suggesting pollution over parts of the UK could be blown away later today.
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Editor Notes:
Useful advice at this time:
Those with existing lung and heart conditions may find their symptoms worsen and should stay indoors wherever possible until pollution levels decrease.
Healthy people may experience minor symptoms such as a sore throat or a tickly cough
Avoid strenuous activity, especially outdoors, to reduce exposure and symptoms.
A car driver appears to have escaped serious injury after his car collided with a lorry in Shropshire.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A41 in Newport shortly after 2.30pm today.
A senior paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle and two ambulance crews attended.
A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said: “The car left the road and ended up in bushes. Its driver, a man in his thirties, had managed to get out. He had some cuts, but he had banged his head. He was therefore immobilised as a precaution and was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”
Thursday 3rd April 2014 – 10.40am – Chris Kowalik.
Senior cricketers in Worcestershire have raised money to buy four defibrillators to take to matches.
The decision, by the Worcestershire Senior Cricket Association followed the death of its own Chairman and a number of senior players last year. It was also in response to a proposal at the Seevent Cricket League AGM that all 31 member Counties should endeavour to provide defibrillators at Championship matches.
Helping to raise the money were Rob and Maggie Underwood of ‘Redditch HeartSafe’; an organisation supported by West Midlands Ambulance Service who presented them with an award last year for their work in getting defibrillators in public places. There was also assistance from the Worcestershire Cricket Board, senior cricketers and WEL Medical. They met at Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s New Road Ground on Friday 21st March where the defibrillators were handed over.
Barry Briscoe , Team Manager for Worcestershire Over 60s Cricket Teams said: “Redditch HeartSafe and the Worcestershire Senior Cricket Association have worked together to provide four defibrillators which will now be available at all of the Seniors matches. The Seniors presently field four sides who play other County teams in over 50,60,and 70 year age groups. Nationally it has been increasingly recognised that the provision of defibrillators at sports facilities and matches can have a significant impact on the survival of anyone who suffers a heart attack whilst either playing or attending these events.
“The need to have defibrillators available at all our matches was tragically realised by us following the collapse of one of our colleagues, who subsequently passed away, during a seniors match last season.
“I should like to pay tribute to the help and advice which Redditch HeartSafe have given us to ensure that we have right equipment available at all our matches. ”
Rob Underwood from Redditch HeartSafe said: “We are losing too many people every single day of the week in this country through no fault of anybody’s and we need these defibrillators there to give these people the best chance of survival.”
Ian Pearse, Director WEL Medical, the manufacturers of the defibrillators purchased said: “It is a tragedy that Worcestershire Seniors Cricketers and their supporters have had their lives adversely affected by the sudden loss of their colleagues. The dedication of the members, the Cricket Board and Redditch HeartSafe has turned this tragedy in to an opportunity that may help save the lives of others. We are proud to be able to support all those involved in this project.”
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Rob and Maggie Underwood spoke to BBC Hereford & Worcester’s Andrew Easton. Listen here:
At 72, Graham Wride still volunteers himself for up to forty hours a week, making himself available to respond to medical emergencies.
Graham from Wickhamford in Worcestershire, formerly a nurse, a psychiatric nurse and a mental welfare officer/social worker, applied to become a Community First Responder (CFR) seven years ago as he approached retirement. Since then he has responded to more than a thousand emergencies.
He said: “I very much remember the first case; a gentleman in our village who had fallen. He was quite a poorly man, he was unable to get off the floor. With the paramedic who backed me on the call we determined he had been on the floor for some considerable time. We eventually got him back onto his bed and the paramedic arranged for some follow-up care for him. The gentleman eventually went into a care home.
“I very well remember the very first cardiac arrest I went to. I have to admit it was a very frightening experience. It was frightening because it was the first one. It was in a public place, in a shop. I managed to get to defibrillate the man three times before a back-up crew had arrived. They were happy with the way I dealt with it. I did explain to them it was my first arrest – they said I had handled the situation very well. It was nice to have a bit of a compliment on that. On leaving the incident I had to stop the car because the adrenalin was still pumping a little bit too much for me to continue driving.”
Graham is a Trustee of the Hereford & Worcester Community First Responders, a registered charity (number 1124035). To become a Community First Responder, Graham was trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service. Following his qualification as a CFR, he is called by the ambulance service’s control room to a medical emergency near him while an emergency ambulance service vehicle is en-route. In addition to his making himself available for the ambulance service, Graham is also a member of St John Ambulance in Evesham.
Graham said he couldn’t do it without the support of the community: “They raised the money for the kit that I carry; specifically the Wickhamford Sports and Social Club who raised about £3,000. They have been very, very supportive. They have been a tremendous financial help to me which has allowed me more time to do the work that I do in the community. Some of the members who I know contributed have been beneficiaries of our service.”
Graham plans to continue responding for as long as he can, but more volunteers are needed in Evesham’s other outlying villages such as Broadway, Pebworth and Honeybourne.
He said: “If you are thinking about it – go for it. Try it. If you don’t like it, you’re a volunteer – you can drop out. You don’t have to have any special skills except I think you need to care about people. The training is more than adequate to cope with anything you are likely to encounter. You are not assigned to a job that you won’t be able to cope with. It is a very worthwhile thing to do. It is very satisfying in many respects particularly when you manage to revive someone.”
For more information about the work of Community First Responders or to become one yourself:
Wednesday 2nd April 2014 – 10.10pm – Claire Brown.
A woman had to be anaesthetised at the roadside by ambulance medics before being taken to A&E following a single car collision in Rugby this evening.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the B4453 Straight Mile near a farm in Bourton shortly after 7.45pm this evening (Wednesday). An ambulance, a paramedic area support officer, a responder paramedic, a MERIT trauma doctor and a BASICS doctor attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a single car which had rolled over. The driver and single occupant, a woman, was trapped in the wreckage.
“Ambulance staff and medics worked to stabilise the woman, who had sustained a suspected head injury in the collision, before working closely with the fire service to extricate her from the vehicle.
“Medics decided to anaesthetise her at the scene due to the nature of the woman’s injury and her condition. She was immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. The trauma doctor travelled with the patient to hospital to continue treatment en route.”
In September 1993 Michelle Brotherton joined the-then Hereford & Worcester Ambulance Service as a cadet at the age of 16.
On Thursday 20th March 2014, Michelle was presented with her twenty year medal at West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Long Service and Excellence Awards in Stoke-On-Trent. The presentation recognised Michelle’s rise through the ranks from cadet qualifying as an ambulance technician two years later and as a paramedic after a further three years. She then held a variety of senior positions; currently she is General Manager for Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire and is responsible for providing the ambulance service to the populations of the three counties. But, as a paramedic, she still drops everything to respond to emergencies while in and out of work. And during that time she married a fellow former ambulance cadet and had four children!
The Long Service & Excellence Awards held at the Best Western PLUS Stoke-on-Trent sponsored by Zoll UK Ltd. was an opportunity for Michelle’s family to mark her anniversary and for Michelle to catch-up with a number of colleagues from Worcestershire with whom she began her five-year cadetship and some of whom she hasn’t seen for many years since (pictured with WMAS Chief Executive Anthony Marsh).
Michelle said: “I felt really proud because the ambulance service has been my life for the last twenty years. I am as enthusiastic about the ambulance service now as I was then.” But she admitted she couldn’t have done it without the support of her close family.
She recalled: “My Mum and Dad have supported me throughout my whole career. At 16 I couldn’t drive so my Mum and Dad used to ferry me around, taking me to Powick for my inductions because that’s where the ambulance headquarters was based. Until I got my driving licence they took me to my placements around Herefordshire and Worcestershire and they’ve continued to support me since. Now they look after my children while I’m at work. I have a very understanding husband. He used to be in the ambulance service and was a cadet as well. If it wasn’t for my family I wouldn’t be able to do the role because of the long hours.”
Michelle described how the roles of the paramedic and the ambulance service have changed since she started: “It’s changed dramatically in terms of the skills, additional drugs that paramedics now use and technology.”
She concluded: “At the age of 36, part of me thinks ‘what’s next’? I’m keen to continue to progress within the ambulance service which will enable me to retain my skills as a paramedic and still have patient contact. Patient contact is the bit I really enjoy and it reinforces why I joined the ambulance service; that was for the patient.”
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Note to Editors: Michelle Brotherton is pictured with WMAS Chief Executive Anthony Marsh.
Back row, left to right: Nicholas Montandon (Paramedic Area Support Officer), Kate Owen (Clinical Team Mentor), Kenneth Dunkley (Emergency Operations Centre Controller), Wayne Carrier (Emergency Medical Technician), Adam Joynes (Clinical Team Mentor), Sandra Potter (Paramedic Officer), Stuart Gardner (Paramedic), Marissa Causier (Paramedic)
A lorry driver has died following a crash in Wellesbourne this afternoon.
The crash occurred on the A429 at around 3.25pm. An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a lorry that had left the road and come to rest on its side in a copse of trees.
“Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”
A woman who suffered a variety of serious injuries has been airlifted to hospital following a road traffic collision in Birmingham this afternoon.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Coleshill Road in Hodge Hill at 12.40pm. An ambulance, a Paramedic Support Officer, a Rapid Response Paramedic and two BASICS doctors, one of whom was aboard the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford, attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival at the scene, crews discovered a female, believed to be 40-years-old, who was the driver of a car which had been in collision with street furniture.
“The serious nature of the collision resulted in the woman being trapped inside her vehicle. Crews quickly assessed the woman and began treating her for multiple injuries whilst working closely with the fire service to safely cut her free.
“She was given pain relief and fully immobilised with the use of a neck collar and spinal board.
“Crews treated the woman for a broken arm and fractures to her right wrist and legs. She also suffered deep cuts to her knees.
“Once her condition was stabilised, she was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, a major trauma centre, for further assessment and treatment.”
A teenager has been treated for burns after coming into contact with railway wires in Coseley this morning.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Bayer Street shortly before 8.10am and despatched an ambulance, Paramedic Support Officer and Community Paramedic to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered a male teenager who had come into contact with railway wires near to the footbridge over the tracks.
“He was assessed and treated on scene for serious burns to his leg and hand which amounted to approximately ten per cent burns.
“He had his injuries treated and bandaged and was given pain relief.
“Although his injuries appeared superficial, electricity can cause serious injury when travelling through the body so the teenager was conveyed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”
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Notes to Editors:
We are unable to confirm how he came into contact with the wires.
