Month: June 2015

Tuesday 2nd June 2015 – 8am – Chris Kowalik/Steve Parry

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is to take part in a ground breaking medical trial funded by the National Institute for Health Research and co-ordinated by the University of Warwick.

Gavin Perkins, Chief Investigator for the Trial explains:

 

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, European Resuscitation Council and Resuscitation Council (UK) which set the current resuscitation guidelines, have identified the urgent need for a clinical trial to determine whether  adrenaline therapy for cardiac arrest is safe and effective. The new study will work out once and for all if adrenaline is helpful or harmful as a treatment for cardiac arrest.

A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating and the patient is unconscious. All people taking part in the study will receive standard treatments which are known to work (CPR and, if required defibrillation).  In addition, some people will receive adrenaline and some will not receive adrenaline.

Patients will be followed up in hospital and researchers will compare what happens and determine whether adrenaline works or not. The data will be analysed frequently as the trial progresses so that if a significant difference (one way or the other) is detected, the trial can be stopped early.

Speaking about the trial, Mike Smyth (pictured below), research fellow at Warwick Medical School and WMAS paramedic, said: “We’ve been using adrenaline in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest for over 50 years now, but we don’t know if it’s beneficial for improved patient outcomes. There has been data that had emerged recently that suggests patients who receive adrenaline during their resuscitation was worse neurologic (brain function) outcomes. Therefore it is important for us to find out for patients if we are harming them by giving them adrenaline.”

The trial also involves four other ambulance Trusts (South Central Ambulance Service, London Ambulance Service, Welsh Ambulance Service and North East Ambulance Service) and will commence in the West Midlands in June.

Note:

• Certain patients will be excluded from the trial, for example under 16s, pregnant women and people with anaphylactic reactions.

Tuesday 2nd June 2015 – 7.45am – Murray MacGregor.

A lorry driver has died after an early morning collision between two HGVs.

The crash happened at about 4.50am (Tuesday) on the eastbound A50 towards Uttoxeter, just near to the JCB factory

An ambulance, two rapid response vehicles and a paramedic Area Support Officer were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found one lorry on its side facing the opposite direction to the carriageway with significant damage to the central reservation.

“Sadly, it immediately became apparent that there was nothing that could be done to save the driver, who was confirmed dead at the scene.

“The driver of the other HGV, a flatbed lorry, was uninjured but was understandably badly shaken and was checked over by ambulance staff. He was discharged at scene.

“The crash is likely to keep the eastbound carriageway closed for a considerable period while investigations into the crash and recovery take place.”
Ends

Monday 1st June 2015 – 7.00pm – Murray MacGregor.

Ambulance bosses are appealing for parents to remind their children of the dangers of running out from between parked cars after a youngster ended up in hospital after a collision with a car.

The unfortunate incident happened on St George’s Road in Coventry at about 3.20pm this afternoon (Monday).

A paramedic area support officer was first on scene backed up by an ambulance.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The 10 year old was reported to have come out from behind a parked van and collided with the side of a car that was driving by at relatively slow speed.

“Fortunately, the boy went into the side of the car rather than being hit by the front end. Despite that he was still suffering from a laceration to his head and a suspected fracture dislocation to his left leg.

“After being treated on scene by ambulance staff he was taken to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire for further assessment and treatment.

“The woman driving the car was uninjured by understandably upset by what had happened.

“Although this young man has ended up in hospital, it had the potential to be much more serious. We would urge all parents to re-enforce the ‘green cross code’ so as to avoid their own children getting hurt, or worse.”
Ends

Monday 1st June 2015 – 4.20pm – Steve Parry.

Two joggers have been rescued after falling down a steep slope at the Lickey Hills Country Park this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to dense woodland near the Visitor Centre at Warren Lane, at just after 2pm.

Two ambulances together with a paramedic support officer in a rapid response car; the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART); the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford; two community paramedics and a community first responder attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews responded to the Lickey Hills following reports of two joggers falling 25 foot down a steep slope.

“Two men, believed to be in their twenties were treated for head injuries. One of the patients had a reduced level of consciousness when medics arrived on scene.

“The patients were located about 40 foot above ground level. The HART team and ambulance crews had to negotiate dense woodland and a steep climb to bring the two men to safety.

“The casualties were immobilised with the use of a specialist rescue stretcher before they were taken by land ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

 

-Ends-

 

Monday 1st June 2015 – 3.10pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

Three people have been lucky to escape serious injury following a three car collision in Stourbridge this afternoon.

The incident took place near to the junction of the A458 and Mere Lane in Enville shortly before 1.15pm and West Midlands Ambulance Service sent an ambulance, a paramedic area support officer and a community paramedic to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival at the scene, crews discovered three cars that had been in collision and three patients, two of whom were out their vehicle.

“Ambulance staff worked closely with the fire service to cut the third patient, a man in his 60s, free from his vehicle.

“He was assessed on scene and treated for minor injuries before being taken to Russell’s Hall Hospital as a precaution.

“The drivers of the other two cars, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 30s, were both assessed and discharged on scene.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

If used, please credit the images to West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Monday 1st June 2015 – 1pm – Steve Parry.

Three people have been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in Handsworth this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Rookery Road at just before 11.30am.

Three ambulances; an ambulance support officer; the Midlands Air Ambulance based at Cosford together with a paramedic responder from the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) 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 man in his thirties received treatment for a fractured leg and chest injuries. He was immobilised with the use of a pelvic binder, neck collar and orthopaedic stretcher. The patient was given pain relief before being conveyed by land ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

“A seventeen year old man also travelling in the same car was treated for minor injuries. He was taken to the City Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

“In the second car involved, ambulance crews assessed a woman in her thirties for minor injuries. She was taken to the City Hospital.

“The air ambulance landed on a football pitch near the Soho Road but was not required to transfer patients to hospital.”

 

Ends