Month: August 2014

Tuesday 12th August 2014 – 11.15pm – Murray MacGregor.

A woman has been rescued from a narrow ledge after a two hour operation involving Buxton Mountain Rescue Team and staff from West Midlands Ambulance Service.

The woman has been climbing on Hen Cloud in the Roaches area of the Staffordshire Moorlands when she slipped and fell landing on her left ankle badly.

An ambulance and a paramedic office were joined by 16 members of the mountain rescue team including a doctor.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The 44 year old, who comes from the Buxton area, reportedly fell about six feet landing on a narrow ledge with sheer sides above and below it.

“An initial assessment suggested that she might have either dislocated or broken her left ankle, which as a result meant that she couldn’t move without help.

“The ambulance crew went up to the area where she had fallen but needed the specialist capabilities of the Mountain rescue team to winch her off the ledge and down to a piece of ground where she could then be carried back to the waiting ambulance.”

Area Support Officer, Kevin Errington, added: “When we arrived it was dry and light. By the time the woman was in the ambulance, it was not only dark but had been raining hard in the area. The combination of fading light and rain certainly made the extrication more difficult for everyone.

“The woman was made as comfortable as possible and her leg splinted before she was brought down. She was subsequently taken to Macclesfield General Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

“We’d like to thank the volunteers from Buxton Mountain Rescue Team, who were on their second call out of the day, who did a fantastic job helping us to get the patient off the mountain as quickly as possible in very difficult circumstances.

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Tuesday 12^th August 2014 – 7.10pm – Murray MacGregor.

A teenage mountain biker has his helmet to thank for not suffering more serious injuries according to the ambulance crew that treated him.

The 14 year old was riding down Cardingmill Valley near the car park in the Church Stretton area of Shropshire.

A community first responder and an ambulance were sent to the scene after a number of 999 calls at around 4.15pm on Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency Medical Technician, Nick Browne, said: “People at the scene said that the youngster had gone over the handlebars of his mountain bike after crossing over a cattle grid.

“They said that he had been unconscious for a period before we arrived and he was still a bit groggy when we were assessing him.

“The situation was made more complicated due to a torrential downpour at the time.

“Thankfully the teenager was wearing a helmet otherwise his head injury would almost have certainly been far more serious.

“As a mountain biker myself, I have cracked two helmets in falls while out in the countryside so know from first-hand experience the value of wearing one; I wouldn’t go out on my bike without a helmet.”

The lad was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where the trauma team was on standby to provide further assessment and treatment.

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Tuesday 12^th August 2014 – 4pm – Chris Kowalik.

A teenage boy has been injured in a collision with a car on a dual carriageway on the outskirts of Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A456 Hagley Road West at its junction with Stanley Road shortly before 12.40pm today.

An advanced community paramedic and two ambulance crews attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The boy had injuries to his neck and chin. His heart rate had increased and his speech was repetitive.

“Because of these symptoms he was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further assessment and treatment.”

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Tuesday 12^th August 2014 – 3pm – Chris Kowalik.

A motorcyclist was the most seriously injured of three people involved in a road traffic collision in Staffordshire.

The bike he was riding collided with a car in Stafford Road, Uttoxeter. West Midlands Ambulance Service was called shortly before 10am today. An advanced Community Paramedic, two ambulance crews and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The biker, a man in his twenties, had a broken left arm and a suspected fractured pelvis. He was given pain relief at the scene, a splint was applied to his arm, a pelvic binder was also applied. He was fully immobilised and was flown under alert to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

“A man who was driving the car was treated for burns to an arm as a result of the airbag going off. A young boy who was also in the car was treated for a bump to his forehead. Both were taken as a precaution to the same hospital for further assessment.”

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Tuesday 12th August – 2.30pm – Suzie Wheaton.

Final preparations are being made ahead of this week’s V Festival at Weston Park.

The annual festival is expecting to see tens of thousands of revellers attending the event each day, with the vast majority of them camping out throughout the weekend.

West Midlands Ambulance Service will once again be working in partnership with Venture Event Medical Management and St. John Ambulance, to ensure first-class medical services are available onsite for the thousands attending the festival, making it one of the safest festivals in the country.

In total there will be approximately 300 staff and volunteers working throughout the weekend. A command and control centre will be set up on site, staffed by call takers and dispatchers who will co-ordinate ambulances and medical staff who will be stationed within the park. Self-contained medical centres staffed by doctors, nurses and staff from St. John Ambulance will also be present on site and are fully equipped to deal with all types of injuries, helping festival goers to avoid any unnecessary trips to A&E and continue on with their fun at the festival.

The ambulance service will be taking its own advice and will be prepared for all weather conditions; alongside our ambulances, we will be deploying a number specialist vehicles, including a 6×6 all-terrain vehicle, fitted with specialist stretchers and medical equipment, and a number of 4×4 vehicles, which will help staff gain access to people who may become injured in any difficult locations during the event.

Talking about the festival Steve Wheaton, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer said: “We are urging festival goers to follow a few simple tips over the weekend’s event to ensure they get to spend their time in the music tent rather than the medical centre.

“Over the years I have encountered huge variations in the weather throughout festival events. Savvy festival goers will bring waterproof clothing, such as a rain coat, their wellies and sensible footwear to help avoid any unnecessary slips and falls, as well as some sun cream and a hat should the sun decide to shine over the park.

“The festival is a fun, good natured and overall has a history of being a very safe event. Every year we will see a handful of people over-doing it on the first night and sadly having to go home early, missing the entire festival. Therefore it is important that people are sensible with their intake of alcohol and I would advise people to drink plenty of water and soft drinks to avoid dehydration and please don’t forget to eat regularly.

“If you are on medication please remember to bring enough to last throughout the whole weekend and don’t forget to take it. It is helpful to keep friends informed of any medical conditions that you have or any medication you may be taking as they could help our medical teams should you become ill and aren’t in a position to tell us yourself.”

Jon Mannion, the event manager for St John Ambulance, said: “V Festival is one of the biggest first aid operations of the year for St John Ambulance in the West Midlands.

“We will be providing a team of 176 healthcare professionals, ambulance crews, first aiders and support staff as part of the medical provision on site.

“As well as manning numerous medical posts, St John Ambulance will also be providing forward intervention and cycle response teams who will carry specialist equipment enabling them to quickly treat and extricate patients from the crowds or difficult locations, should the need arise.

“Last year, the team gave medical attention to a very small percentage of the festival population and we look forward to providing a high quality and responsive service with our partners again this year.”

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To view a video for our top festival tips please click on the image above.

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 14

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 13

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 12

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 11

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 10

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 9

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 8

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 7

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 6

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 5

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 4

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 3

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 2

First Time on the Front line – highlights – Episode 1

Tuesday 12th August 2014 – 9.08am – Steve Parry

The driver of a pick up escaped with minor injuries despite his vehicle suffereing massive damage after a collision with a lorry on the M54, (junction 2 west at Coven Heath) at just before midnight on Monday evening.

The patient was treated at the scene by ambulance staff for lacerations to his left arm but it was not serious and after a period of monitoring his condition he was discharged at the scene.

An ambulance and paramedic officer attended the incident.

The crew said the man was very lucky to only have minor injuries given the level of damage to hs vehicle.

The lorry driver was uninjured.

Monday 11th August 2014 – 10.30pm – Steve Parry

Three adults and two children have been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision on the A429 near Ettington in Warwickshire this evening.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A429 between Ettington and Wellesbourne at just before 8.20pm.

Four ambulances; a paramedic officer, the MERIT team and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Tatenhill attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a car had collided with a van.

“Two men were found ejected from the van. The driver, a man in his thirties, received serious multiple pelvic and leg injuries and was anesthetised at the scene by a doctor before being taken to University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.

“The passenger, a man in his thirties, received head, back and abdominal injuries. He was immobilised with the use of a neck collar and spinal board before also being conveyed to the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.

“A woman in her thirties and two children travelling in the car were treated for minor injuries. They were assessed at the scene before being taken to the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.”

 

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Monday 11th August 2014 – 5.45pm – Suzie Wheaton.

A woman was has been treated for serious injuries following a road traffic collision in Birmingham today.

West Midlands Ambulance Service dispatched an ambulance, a senior paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle and a community first responder to the incident which took place on Carrs Lane shortly before 4.25pm this afternoon.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews were called to reports of a pedestrian and a bus that had been in collision. On arrival at the scene crews found a woman lying in the road.

“The woman, believed to be in her 30’s, was treated for a potential pelvic injury and fractures to both of her legs. She was fully immobilised and given pain relief at the scene before being conveyed to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further assessment and specialist treatment.”

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Monday 11^th August 2014 – 8.20am – Chris Kowalik.

Three men have been injured in a collision involving a taxi in the Black Country.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to High Street, Bloxwich at 1.30am today.

An advanced community paramedic, a paramedic area support officer, three ambulance crews and the MERIT trauma team consisting of a trauma doctor and critical care practitioner attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The taxi driver, a man in his twenties, was trapped in his vehicle for approx. 45 minutes. He was freed from the vehicle and was found to have a broken arm. He was taken on alert to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“A man in his twenties, who was a passenger in the taxi, had managed to get himself out of the vehicle. He was experiencing spinal tenderness and was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.

“A third man who was in the road, had an injury to his head. He was immobilised and was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.”

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Monday 11^th August 2014 – 8.20am – Chris Kowalik.

Two men appear to have escaped serious injury and one is considered lucky to be alive after the car they were in collided with a tree in north Staffordshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A500 at its junction with the A34 in Stoke On Trent shortly after 8.30 pm last night (Sunday).

Two BASICS emergency doctors, two ambulance crews, a paramedic area support officer and a community paramedic attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The car collided with a tree and overturned. The damage to the car was so bad, the engine block had fallen out.

“The two men in the car who were both in their twenties had neck pains and were both immobilised and taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.”

A picture taken of the car at the scene shows the extent of the damage.

Ends

Sunday 10^th August 2014 – 7.30pm – Chris Kowalik.

A car has overturned injuring the three people in it in Staffordshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of Dunstall Cross and Rangemore Hill, Tatenhill shortly before 10.30am today.

Three ambulance crews, a paramedic area support officer and a BASICS emergency doctor attended. The crew of the nearby Midlands Air Ambulance base in Tatenhill also attended by blue-light car.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Two cars had collided. One had overturned.

“There were three people in the overturned car. The rear seat passenger, a man in his twenties, had head and facial injuries. He also had leg pain. Pain relief and drugs were administered to stabilise his condition and he was taken on blue lights to the University of North Staffordshire.

“The driver, a man in his sixties, and his front-seat passenger, a woman in her fifties, both had minor injuries. They were both immobilised with the use of neck collars and spinal boards as a precaution before being taken to Queen’s Hospital in Burton.”

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Sunday 10^th August 2014 – 7.30pm – Chris Kowalik.

A woman appears to have escaped serious injury after the car she was in collided with a lamppost, crushing the side of the car she was in.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Witton Road, Aston, Birmingham, shortly after 10.05am today.

A paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance crew attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The woman was a passenger in the car and her side door had been pushed in significantly.

“She had pain in her side and a small cut to one hand. She was immobilised with the use of a neck collar and scoop stretcher. A pelvic splint was also applied. She was given fluids and pain relief intravenously before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further assessment and any necessary treatment from its major trauma centre.”

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Sunday 10^th August 2014 – 7.30pm – Chris Kowalik.

Two men have been injured in a collision with a van in the Black Country.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Wilkin Road, Brownhills, shortly before 12.50am today

A paramedic area support officer, an advanced community paramedic, the MERIT trauma team, the West Midlands CARE team and two ambulance crews attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Two men, both in their twenties were on the pavement, injured.

“One had a head injury. He was anaesthetised and his airway maintained. He was immobilised with the use of a spinal board and neck collar and was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for the attention of its major trauma centre.

“The other man had knee pain and a grazed elbow. He was taken to the same hospital.”

The MERIT Trauma team consists of a trauma doctor and a critical care practitioner.

The West Midlands Central Accident Resuscitation & Emergency (CARE) team is a group of approx 60 volunteer Doctors and Nurses who provide a medical team in support of the West Midlands Ambulance Service. Each team consists of a Doctor, Nurse, WMAS Incident Officer and a Trainee. The team is able to offer advanced surgical intervention, airway and equipment support. The CARE Team was formed in 1990 and is affiliated with the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS). The Scheme is funded entirely by charitable donations and is a registered charity number 1129027.

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Sunday 10^th August 2014 – 7.35pm – Chris Kowalik.

A woman was badly trapped in the car she was driving after it collided with another in the Black Country.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Halfords Lane, Smethwick shortly after 3.15pm today.

Three ambulance crews, a paramedic area support officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “With the help of the fire service, she was freed from the damaged car, but it did take a long time to get her out. She was trapped below the waistline. A hydraulic ramp had to be used to lift the dashboard. She had a broken arm, a broken leg, injuries to a foot and ankle and a suspected dislocated hip. She was fully immobilised, given pain relief and was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“Her passenger, also a woman, had managed to get herself out of the car. She had a broken arm. She was immobilised and taken to Sandwell Hospital.

“There were two men, both in their twenties, in the other car involved. They had both got out. The driver had a broken ankle. He was immobilised, was given pain relief and was taken to Sandwell Hospital. His passenger had a minor hand injury and declined further treatment.”

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Saturday 9^th August 2014 – 9.30pm – Chris Kowalik.

A motorcyclist has been seriously injured in a collision with a car in Halesowen.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Colley Lane at 5.55pm today.

A paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance crew and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The motorcyclist, a man believed to be in his late twenties or early thirties, had pelvic, leg and wrist fractures.

His limbs were splinted and he was immobilised, given fluids and pain relief before being flown to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.”

Ends

Saturday 9^th August 2014 – 9.30pm – Chris Kowalik.

Two lanes of the M42 had to be closed earlier today after a woman became ill on a coach.

The coach pulled over onto the hard shoulder on the northbound carriageway at junction 4 and West Midlands Ambulance Service was called shortly before 2pm today.

An advanced community paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance crew attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The woman passenger who is in her seventies had a very low heart rate and was in a state of near collapse. Crews gave her drugs to increase her rate and stabilise her condition.

“She was placed on a scoop stretcher to get into the ambulance and into hospital, but the quickest way to get her out of the coach was through the fire exit at the back of the vehicle.

“In order to do that, considering the woman was on a stretcher, the Highways Agency briefly closed two lanes.

“The woman who, by this time was in a stable condition, was taken on blue lights on alert to Solihull Hospital.”

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Saturday 9^th August 2014 – 9.30pm – Chris Kowalik.

A moped rider has been injured in a collision with a car in the Black Country.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Walsall Road, Wednesbury shortly before 11.45am today.

A rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer, two ambulance crews and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The moped rider, a woman in her forties, had a bad cut to her head and a suspected leg injury.

“She was immobilised with the use of a spinal board and neck collar, given pain relief and was taken by land ambulance to Walsall Manor Hospital.

“The driver of the car had back pain but refused hospital treatment.”

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Saturday 9^th August 2014 – 9.30pm – Chris Kowalik.

A cyclist has been injured in a collision with a car in Warwickshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Crown Way, Lillington, shortly before 11.10am today.

An ambulance crew, a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The cyclist, a man in his sixties, had numerous injuries. They included injuries to his head, shoulder, elbow and hip. He also had a suspected pelvic injury.

“A pelvic binder and neck collar were applied, pain relief was given and he was placed on a spinal board before being flown to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.”

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Saturday 9^th August 2014 – 9.30pm – Chris Kowalik.

A young man has been seriously injured in a road traffic collision in which the car he was in overturned in the Black Country.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Sutton Road, Walsall, shortly before 11.50pm last night (Friday).

The MERIT trauma team of a trauma doctor and critical care practitioner attended in a rapid response vehicle along with a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance crew.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The man who is in his twenties, had head and chest injuries.

“His head wounds were dressed and he was fully immobilised and given pain relief. He was then taken to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.”

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Friday 8th August 2014 – 4pm – Steve Parry

A cyclist and a biker have been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in Wombourne this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Heath Mill Road at just after 1.25pm.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer together with the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The ambulance service responded to a collision between a motorbike and cyclist.

“Crews treated a seventeen year old male cyclist for head injuries. The patient was immobilised using a neck collar and orthopaedic stretcher before being airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

“The motorcyclist involved was an 18 year old male and he was treated for a wrist injury. He was conveyed by land ambulance to Russells Hall Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

 

End

 

Friday 8th August 2014 – 3pm – Steve Parry

A woman has died following a road traffic collision in Dudley this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of Jews Lane and Kent Street, Upper Gornal at just after 11.35am.

An ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews attended a road traffic collision involving a lorry and cyclist.

“Sadly, it quickly became apparent to crews that nothing could be done to save the cyclist involved. She was confirmed dead at the scene.

“The lorry driver was assessed by ambulance staff, but did not require further hospital treatment.”

 

 

Ends

 

Friday 8th August 2014 – 11.45am – Steve Parry.

Two people have been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in Priorslee this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of the A5 and Grange Lane at just after 9am.

Two ambulances together with the Midlands Air Ambulance based at Tatenhill and the air ambulance medics from Cosford attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews responded to a road traffic incident following reports of a two-car collision.

“A woman in her fifties was treated for abdominal injuries at the scene and later conveyed to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.

“The driver of the second car involved, a man believed to be in his forties, was treated for pelvic injuries. He was given pain relief and immobilised with the use of a neck collar, splint and spinal board before being airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

“A 6-year old child was also travelling in the same car. The patient was uninjured but was taken to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford as a precaution.”

 

Ends

 

Friday 8th August 2014 – 9am – Steve Parry

A woman has been taken to hospital after falling from the Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury earlier this morning.

The incident occurred at just after 3.15am.

An ambulance together with a paramedic in a rapid response car attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews responded to a 999 call following reports that a person had fallen from the Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury.

“A woman in her twenties appears to have fallen 20 feet into the River Severn. She was treated for a possible fractured arm and conveyed to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

 

• End – .

 

 

Thursday 7^th August 2014 – 1pm – Chris Kowalik.

A girl in north Shropshire didn’t want any presents for her sixth birthday – instead she asked for donations from her friends attending her birthday party for her local volunteer lifesavers.

Rebecca Sadler of Quina Brook near Wem decided for the money to go to North Shropshire Community First Responders because having seen Lynne Stokes and other CFR at local events her parents explained the important role they have and how donations help to buy new equipment or vehicles. She raised £75.

Her father Neale said: “Rebecca wanted to raise money for a local charity after her brother William raised money for the air ambulance in the same way for his 6th birthday. The launch of the new response cars was perfect timing for Rebecca to see and appreciate how the money raised had been used – and don’t worry, Rebecca still had a few presents from her family.”

Community First Responders are volunteers from all walks of life who are trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service in lifesaving techniques. They can be called upon by the ambulance service’s control room to attend a medical incident in their area while an emergency blue-light vehicle is en-route.

There are eight active Community First Responders within the North Shropshire scheme covering Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Shawbury and Wem. One of them, Lynne Stokes met Rebecca (both pictured) to thank her for the donation.

Lynne said: “Rebecca is a pupil at Whixall Primary School where I work. I was totally surprised when Rebecca handed me the cheques from her birthday party. This is a truly selfless thought from a 6 year old. We are all overwhelmed at Rebecca’s considerate thoughts and kindness.”

For more information about the work of Community First Responders, or to become one yourself, visit http://www.wmas.nhs.uk or call the Community Response department on 01384 215 855.

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Thursday 7^th August 2014 – 11.30am – Claire Brown.

The new ASDA on the Stratford Road in Shirley is the latest Birmingham store of the supermarket chain to bag a life-saving piece of kit.

Defibrillators are being installed in all of ASDA’s stores throughout the country in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation. A defibrillator is a device that could restart the heart of someone who suffers a cardiac arrest.

A total of 13 ASDA stores in Birmingham now have a defibrillator and staff trained in the device thanks to West Midlands Ambulance Service. Tuesday (5^th August) was the turn of the Shirley store, which opened in May, and is the final Birmingham store to go live with the project.

Anne Foley, the Trust’s Community Defibrillator Facilitator, trained a total of 11 staff in basic first aid and how to use the defibrillator. The newly trained staff work in various departments, from the cashier desk to the chilled section, and are the stores first aiders who are on hand to provide medical help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Andy Jeynes, the Trust’s Community Response Manager, said: “With around 7,000 customers walking through the doors each day, it’s a great installation for the supermarket as it not only gives peace of mind to the public but to their own staff too. The quicker you start CPR and shock a patient in cardiac arrest with a defibrillator, the better the chances they have of surviving.”

Anne-Marie Hudson, People Services Manager for ASDA Shirley, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to support the local community and we’re proud to have this device in our store.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor: Pictured (in top photograph left to right) cashier Jane Taylor, Andy Jeynes, Anne-Marie Hudson and Anne Foley.

 

Thursday 7^th August 2014 – 8.50am – Claire Brown.

A woman received advanced pre hospital care by medics at the scene of a road traffic collision in Shropshire last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a two vehicle collision on the A442 in Hodnet, Market Drayton shortly after 10.30pm (Wednesday). Two 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 and a van which had been involved in a significant collision.

“A woman, believed to be in her 20s, was trapped in the car by her legs. Upon assessment, ambulance staff and the doctor found that the woman had sustained a suspected fractured pelvis. The medical team worked to stabilise the woman’s condition, administering fluids and analgaesia, whilst the fire service worked around them to carefully extricate the woman from the wreckage.

“Once released, the woman was fully immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board before being taken to one of the region’s major trauma centres at University Hospital North Staffordshire for further emergency treatment. The MERIT doctor travelled with the patient to hospital to continue treatment and monitoring en route.

“A second patient, a man, sustained a foot injury in the collision. He was treated at the scene before being taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.”

 

ENDS

Wednesday 6^th August 2014 – 9.30pm – Claire Brown.

A cyclist received advanced analgaesia at the side of the road before being airlifted to a major trauma centre after being involved in a collision with a car in Warwickshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Snowford Hill inLong Itchington, Southam shortly before 5.00pm this afternoon (Wednesday). An ambulance, a community paramedic, a paramedic area support officer and critical care paramedics in the Midlands Air Ambulance from Tatenhill airbase attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived they found a cyclist off his badly damaged bicycle and a car with significant damage to its windscreen.

“The cyclist, a man believed to be in his 30s, was found to have sustained a serious shoulder and arm injury. He was given advanced pain relief at the roadside to stabilise his condition before crews immobilised him with a neck collar and spinal board.

“Once fully immobilised, the man was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further treatment.

“Fortunately, the man was wearing a cycling helmet which prevented him from suffering a serious head injury on impact with the windscreen.”

ENDS

 

Wednesday 6th July 2014 – 4.30pm – Suzie Wheaton.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service PTS driver for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust will be cycling 100 miles for Charity when he takes on the ‘Prudential Ride London – Surrey 100’ on Sunday 10th August.

Mark Griffiths and his two friends Adam Bowater and Richard Bowater will be taking on the challenge to raise vital funds for blood cancer Charity, Anthony Nolan*.

The trio from Tipton will be cycling along the Olympic cycle route; starting at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, travelling through the capital city into Surrey’s stunning countryside before finishing on The Mall towards Buckingham Palace.

The team are aiming to complete the course in eight hours and are hoping to raise a massive £2,000 for the Charity.

To help them on their way with their fundraising, the cycling trio also held a bank holiday bonanza event on the 25th May at Tipton Sports Academy, which hosted a band and raffle. The event was well attended and helped them raise over £500 towards their total.

Mark Griffiths said: “The Anthony Nolan charity is particularly close to mine and my family’s heart. I feel that the Charity is an unsung hero, working incredibly hard to help find cures for people. The Charity is continuously working raise awareness of bone marrow transplants and I hope that if someone from my family ever needed a transplant that there would be a match out there for them.”

Anyone wishing to support Mark, Adam and Richard can do so by making a donation via: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=MarkGriffiths84

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* Every day, the Anthony Nolan Charity match incredible individuals willing to donate their blood stem cells or bone marrow to people with blood cancer and blood disorders who desperately need lifesaving transplants. It all began in 1974 when three-year-old Anthony was in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. His mother Shirley Nolan set up the world’s first register to match donors with people in desperate need. Now, the charity helps three people each day to find that lifesaving match. They also conduct world-class research into stem cell matching and transplants, so they can make sure every person in need gets the best possible treatment. For more information please visit: http://www.anthonynolan.org/

Read Jon Simcock’s blog here:

http://www.shrewsburytoday.co.uk/burrowsabout-crash-bang-wallop-and-thankyou/

Wednesday 6^th August 2014 – 2.25pm – Claire Brown.

A Birmingham paramedic is on a mission to raise £13,000 to help a friend with terminal cancer receive vital treatment to prolong her life.

Maya Black, a paramedic from Aston Hub, will be running in the Bupa Great Birmingham Run in October and hopes to raise £13,000 for a new treatment to prolong the life of her friend, Rabina Aslam.

Rabina, a 34-year-old mother of one, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in October and was given a life expectancy of less than two years.

After enduring six aggressive chemotherapy treatments, the tumours continue to grow and her only hope now is a new cancer treatment. The NanoKnife treatment, a technique which destroys soft tissue tumours with the use of an electrical current, is not available on the NHS and costs around £13,000.

Maya, 30 from Harborne, has known Rabina for four years and has been tirelessly fundraising. In her first week, she raised a staggering £7,300. Maya said: “Rabina works for the NHS and has dedicated the past 10 years of her life to caring for sick and injured people in A&Es across Birmingham. Nothing is ever too much for her when it comes to patients. I know personally that her diagnosis has devastated not only her family but also her work colleagues.

“The treatment may not cure the cancer but it could give her more time to spend with her five-year-old son, Armaan, who is the centre of her world. If we can give them another few years together then we have achieved something that is almost a miracle.

“Unfortunately we do not have time as the tumours are continuing to grow. The quicker we raise the funds the quicker Rabina will receive the treatment. It doesn’t have to be much; you could sacrifice the cost of your daily Costa or takeaway lunch. Every penny will make a difference.”

To donate, please visit: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/0pUT3?utm_campaign=share-campaign&utm_medium=email&utm_source=07-2014.

 

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Wednesday 6^th August 2014 – 9.30am – Claire Brown.

If you don’t want a paramedic as an unexpected guest at your next family barbecue, be a savvy sizzler not a botch-job burner this summer.

Sadly each year the ambulance service attends incidents where people have either been burnt from using a barbecue or chiminea or have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from inhaling noxious fumes.

John Woodhall, a paramedic and Team Leader for the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), said: “When you suffer a burn it actually takes layers of skin away. It can leave you open to infection, you can be left with life-long scars and in some cases burns can result in limb amputations and even death.

“Carbon monoxide poisoning is very difficult to diagnose. Carbon monoxide actually binds to your red blood cells. It stops your body taking up oxygen so essentially you actually suffocate.

“Carbon monoxide can build up even from a barbecue which appears as though it’s gone out, it can still be lit, and will give off harmful carbon monoxide for hours afterwards which is why we urge people to avoid harmful situations by not taking barbecues into tents or enclosed spaces.

“We want you to have a nice summer so to avoid one of us turning up at your barbecue, please be careful and take note of these simple tips:

• Never use accelerants like petrol, to light your barbecue as its explosive and can burn you. Only use approved fuels.
• Don’t use barbecues in enclosed spaces, like tents, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning which can be fatal if undetected early.
• Watch out for children and animals when a barbecue is lit.
• Always keep a bucket of water nearby just in case.”

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Please watch this video of John talking about BBQ safety.

Tuesday 5^th August 2014 – 11.15am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

For many, there is something quite special about attending a festival, as where else can you experience live outdoor music, big crowds and a party atmosphere across the course of a weekend?

This summer’s festival season is in full swing and with thousands of people descending on various events; West Midlands Ambulance Service is urging people to remember some basic safety advice in order to stay out of trouble and enjoy the music on offer.

At last year’s V-Festival alone, almost 1,400 people were treated by on-site medical staff with on-site ambulance crews being called out 279 times and 30 people needing to be taken to hospital.

Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Steve Wheaton, explained there are a number of key items you should take with you to help you stay out of the medical tents, saying: “It’s summer time again, which means that it’s festival season and if you follow our advice we hope you’ll have a safe festival and enjoy the bands you’re looking forward to seeing, rather than spending your time in the medical centre with us.

Video: Steve Wheaton

“Weather conditions can be extremely changeable with bright sunshine one minute and flash flooding the next, so please prepare for all eventualities, as whether suffering from sunburn or hypothermia, the likelihood is you are going to end up needing medical attention.

“Please make sure you take plenty of food and water with you and if you are on medication take enough for the duration of your stay.

“We want you to have a good time at the festival, they’re great places to be, but please look after yourself and help us to help you.”

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Nots to Editors:

If using either the photo of the medical tent, or any of the video footage, please credit to West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Monday 4th August 2014 – 5.25pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A man has been airlifted to one of the region’s major trauma centres with a serious head injury following a fall from scaffolding in Solihull this afternoon (Monday).

The incident took place on St Gerards Road, Solihull, shortly after 3.35pm and West Midlands Ambulance Service sent an ambulance, two rapid response paramedics, a paramedic area support officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a 55-year-old man who had fallen approximately eight feet from scaffolding on to a tarmac drive.

“Paramedics quickly assessed the man and began treating him for a significant head injury.

“Due to the serious nature of his condition he was anaesthetised before being flown to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further treatment.”

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Monday 4^th August 2014 – 5pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

For many people, the description of a perfect summer’s day would be something along the lines of late evening sunshine, live music and a few sausages sizzling away on the barbecue.

With festival season in full swing and plenty of hot weather still to come, if the weather forecast is to be believed, West Midlands Ambulance Service is urging everyone to take care whilst watching your favourite bands or lighting up the barbecue as part of its Summer Safety Campaign.

There are a number of factors festivalgoers should be aware of including making sure you take all of the vital equipment with you to cover every eventuality and making sure you stay safe and protect your valuables when on-site.

Whether having a barbecue at a festival or enjoying the company of your family in the back garden, the advice remains the same about not using accelerants to light it, keeping children and pets well away from the cooking area and always having a bucket of water on standby should anything go wrong.

Over the course of this week, West Midlands Ambulance Service will be offering advice about festival and barbecue safety through a collection of press releases and videos in order to allow everyone to enjoy a safe summer.

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Monday 4th August 2014 – 9.45am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

Two drivers were left trapped in their vehicles and requiring treatment from paramedics following a collision between a van and a people carrier in Evesham this morning (Monday).

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident near to the junction of the A46 and Badsey Road shortly after 5.15am and sent two ambulances, a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer and two doctors to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival crews discovered two vehicles that had suffered significant front end damage in the collision, with the drivers of both vehicles trapped inside.

“Thankfully, after working closely with the fire service, both patients were cut free from their vehicles quickly.

“The van driver, a 24-year-old man, was treated for significant pelvis and chest injuries. Due to the serious nature of his condition he was anaesthetised and taken to Worcester Royal Hospital, who had been alerted to his condition prior to his arrival.

“The driver of the people carrier, a 31-year-old man, was fortunate to escape without serious injury in the collision.

“He was treated for minor injuries to his head and chest before also being transported to Worcester Royal Hospital for further assessment.

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