Month: December 2017

Friday 29^th December 2017 – 10.35pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Deputy Chief Executive, Diane Scott, has been named in this year’s New Year’s Honours List as one of only two England- based recipients of the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal (QAM).

The QAM ensures that the dedication of ambulance staff has the same level of Royal recognition as other members of the emergency services.

Diane is an Executive Director of the Trust Board and is responsible for the Corporate and Clinical Directorates. She is also a Health and Care Professions Council registered paramedic.

Speaking about her award, Diane, whose career spans more than 30 years having started with Hampshire Ambulance Service in 1985, said: “I am immensely proud and honoured to receive this award. It is a great privilege and the QAM represents the pinnacle of my ambulance career.

“I have been proud to work for, and with, many good people at all levels throughout the ambulance service and the NHS, including many skilled and compassionate colleagues who provide excellent care on a daily basis to patients and the public.

“Whilst I have been fortunate to receive the award, it would not have happened without the hard work and support of my colleagues from within the ambulance service to whom I am extremely grateful.”

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Notes to Editors:

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

Friday 29^th December 2017 – 9.05am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A man was treated for multiple serious injuries and taken to one of the region’s major trauma centres following a collision between a motorbike and a car last night (Thursday).

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Hipswell Highway in Coventry shortly after 6.50pm and sent two ambulances to the scene. A Patient Transport Service crew who came across the incident stopped to offer assistance before the arrival of an ambulance.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The PTS crew were already on scene when ambulance crews arrived and had done a good job of managing the scene and offering support to the motorcyclist.

“Bystanders told ambulance staff that the man, believed to be in his late teens, had lost consciousness following the collision with the car.

“He was treated for multiple injuries, including to his head, chest, arm and leg.

“He was fully immobilised and had pain relief administered before being transported to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire on blue lights and sirens.

“There were no other patients from the incident.”

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Friday 22^nd December 2017 – 2.50pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A cyclist has died following a collision with a van this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of the A449 and Claines Lane in Worcester at 7.05am and sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance Crew from Cosford in a rapid response car to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival crews discovered a man who was in cardiac arrest having suffered serious injuries in the incident.

“CPR and advanced life support was administered by ambulance staff, however, sadly it became apparent that nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Thursday 21^st December 2017 – 5.00pm – Claire Brown.

A teenage cyclist has been seriously injured in a collision involving a car in Staffordshire this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to The Levels in Brereton, Rugeley, shortly after midday. An ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Tatenhill with a BASICS doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “A 15-year-old boy had come off a pushbike after reportedly colliding with a car.

“Ambulance staff worked quickly to assess the boy’s injuries and found he had sustained a number of injuries which included suspected fractures to his pelvis and leg. He was given pain relief by the team to help make him more comfortable before they carefully immobilised him with a neck collar, spinal board and pelvic splint. The boy was then airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further trauma care.”

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Thursday 21^st December 2017 – 1.40pm – Murray MacGregor.

After a year where the service has never had a higher profile, now is your chance to join us and make a difference to the lives of people in the West Midlands, every single day.

Due to increases in demand, West Midlands Ambulance Service is increasing the number of Student Paramedics it is recruiting.  We are now looking for 270 who will all be operational by this time next year.

As a Trust, one of our key aims is to make our workforce representative of the communities we serve.  Evidence from the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard shows that by doing so, the Trust will become more efficient, more productive and more responsive to the needs of patients and staff alike.

Whilst we welcome applicants from anywhere, we are particularly looking for people who are passionate about the West Midlands as this is where you will be working.

WMAS Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Marsh said: “Being a paramedic is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world and it offers the chance to have an amazing career.

“The feeling of satisfaction you get when helping someone in their hour of need is something unique.”

To apply, you must hold a minimum of five GCSEs (including English, Maths and Science) plus an A-Level qualification or equivalent.  In addition, you must either hold a C1 on your driving licence or at least have applied for it.  As well as the C1 licence, you will have to provide original certificates showing your qualifications. If you aren’t able to provide these documents, your application will not be looked at, let alone considered.

Recruitment Manager, Louise Harris, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for people of all ages, and backgrounds.  As an ‘earn as you learn’ scheme, it opens up possibilities to a wide range of people in the region.

“We have seen people apply from all different communities but also people from their teens to their 50s; many who are looking at a complete career change or even a second career change.

“From our perspective, this is excellent news because it means we get a really good variety of people from all walks of life, area, ethnic group and community which can only be good for the service.

“I would urge anyone looking to apply to make sure that they read all of the information on NHS Jobs thoroughly, particularly the ‘Additional Information’ document that you can download.”

To find out more information, go to NHS Jobs and look for Job Ref: 217-VN268-17-18.  The closing date for applications is 11.59pm on Tuesday 2^nd January 2018.

If you need support or require further information about filling in your application form, please contact recruitment@wmas.nhs.uk.

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Thursday 21^st December 2017 – 9.30am – Claire Brown.

It’s not every day you find the roof of a bus on a road, but that’s exactly what the emergency services discovered when they attended a road traffic collision in Birmingham last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a call from the fire service shortly before midnight yesterday to Bournville Lane, Bournville, Birmingham to reports of a double-decker bus which had collided with a railway bridge. A paramedic officer, an ambulance and the mental health triage car, which was nearest to the incident at the time, were responded to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived they found a double-decker bus with it’s roof completely sliced off, which had landed on the road. Thankfully, there were no passengers on the bus at the time. The driver, a man in his 30s, was checked over by ambulance staff but was uninjured.

“This was a remarkable incident for emergency services to respond to. It was incredibly lucky that the bus was empty as it could’ve resulted in a very serious or even fatal incident.”

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Notes to Editor:

Pictures courtesy of West Midlands Ambulance Service

Tuesday 19^th December 2017 – 2.40pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

Three people have been treated by ambulance staff and taken to hospital following a collision involving two HGVs this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Shuckburgh Road in Napton on the Hill in Warwickshire shortly after 10.10am. Four ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival at the scene, crews discovered two lorries that had suffered considerable damage in the collision and three patients.

“The driver of the first vehicle, a man in his 30s, was assisted out of the cab and treated for chest, leg and arm injuries. He was immobilised with the use of a scoop stretcher and given pain relief.

“From the second vehicle, a man in his 20s, who was a passenger, was also assisted out of the cab and treated for a cut to the head as well as chest and leg pain. He too was immobilised and received pain relief.

“The driver of that vehicle, a man in his 50s, managed to get himself out of the lorry and was treated for back pain.

“All three patients were transported to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire by land ambulance.”

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Notes to Editors:

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

We’re delighted to say that we recently won ‘Ambulance Service of the Year’ at the Health Business Awards!

Read More “We are Ambulance Service of the Year”

Thursday 14^th December 2017 – 3.45pm – Murray MacGregor.

Swift action by fire and ambulance staff has given a man the best possible chance of survival after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Stourbridge Road in Halesowen next to the Luttley Mill Public House at about 9.50am this morning, Thursday.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, the West Midlands Care Team and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance crews found a man who was in cardiac arrest.

“He had been rapidly extricated by firefighters after the car had collided with a bush, a post box and a wall.

“After resuscitation at the scene, the man’s heart was restarted.  He was anaesthetised before being taken on blue lights by land ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with the Care team doctor travelling with the crew.

“The man was in a critical condition, but the rapid action of emergency services have given him the bets possible chance of survival.

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Thursday 14^th December 2017 – 11.55am – Murray MacGregor.

A woman has been airlifted to a major trauma centre in a critical condition after the car she was driving collided with a tree.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A422, Banbury Road at Oxhill in Warwickshire at around 7.40am this morning.

An ambulance, a paramedic officer, and The Air Ambulance Service Critical Care Car were initially sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived on scene to find a collision between a car and a tree.

“Due to the situation, the doctor requested an air ambulance be dispatched and the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance was sent to the scene.

“The 26-year-old woman driving was trapped inside her car.  Ambulance staff worked with firefighters to release the woman from the vehicle whilst providing care.

“She was treated for multiple injuries and was anaesthetised before being airlifted to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire in a critical condition.

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Thursday 14^th December 2017 – 8.29am – Murray MacGregor.

A man has died after he was in collision with a number of vehicles.

It happened at about 10.50pm last night (Wednesday) on the A46 in Warwickshire between the Bishopton and the Maraway islands at Stratford Upon Avon.

An ambulance, a paramedic officer and The Air Ambulance Service critical care car were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, it quickly became apparent that there was nothing that could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Wednesday 6^th December 2017 – 3.00pm – Claire Brown.

Three women have been taken to hospital after a road traffic collision in Worcestershire this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Worcester Road in Shenstone, Kidderminster, at 11.30am (Wednesday). Three ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When emergency services arrived they found two cars which had been involved in a serious collision. The two drivers and a passenger from one car all required assessment by ambulance staff.

“The driver of one car, a woman in her 50s, sustained suspected serious injuries to her chest, pelvis and abdomen. She was given advanced pain relief before the team of ambulance staff worked carefully to immobilise her with a neck collar, spinal board and pelvic binder to stabilise her injuries. The woman was then taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“The driver of the second car, a woman in her 40s, also suffered multiple serious injuries which required advanced trauma care. Ambulance staff administered pain relief to help ease her discomfort before working carefully to immobilise her before she was alerted by land ambulance to the same major trauma centre.

“The third woman, a passenger from one of the cars, suffered less serious injuries but still required further assessment at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.”

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Wednesday 6^th December 2017 – 10.30am – Claire Brown.

A collision involving two cars left one man seriously injured in Warwickshire last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A425 between Southam and Napton-on-the-Hill at 4.50pm yesterday evening following a two-car collision. Two ambulances, a senior paramedic officer and the Critical Care Car from The Air Ambulance Service with a doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The driver of one car, a man in his 20s, was trapped in the vehicle due to the damage caused in the collision. Upon assessment, ambulance staff found he had sustained serious multiple injuries. Whilst they began to administer emergency treatment to the man, the fire service worked carefully around them to cut the man from the wreckage.

“Due to the man’s serious condition, he was given advanced pain relief before being fully immobilised and alerted by ambulance on blue lights to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. The doctor travelled in the ambulance to continue treatment en route.

“The driver and passenger from the second car, a woman and child, suffered minor injuries and received treatment by ambulance staff on scene but didn’t require hospital treatment.”

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Tuesday 5^th December 2017 – 11am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A man has died following a collision with a car this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A441 Redditch Road, near to the Hopwood House public house in Alvechurch, shortly after 6.15am and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found a man in cardiac arrest having suffered serious injuries in the collision.

“CPR was already being performed by an off-duty nurse. Ambulance staff took over and administered advanced life support.

“However, unfortunately it became apparent that nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Monday 4^th December 2017 – 12.15pm – Claire Brown.

A man needed advanced pre-hospital care at the roadside before being airlifted to a major trauma centre following a collision in Hereford yesterday afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a car which had collided with a tree on a stretch of road between Bringsty and Stanford Bishop, Hereford shortly after 1.15pm on Sunday. An ambulance, a paramedic officer, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham with two paramedics on board and a BASICS doctor from Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS) attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find the driver of the car, a man, in a critical condition following the collision. The team of ambulance staff and doctor worked quickly to administer immediate advanced trauma care to help stabilise his deteriorating condition.

“Once the man had been stabilised, the team transferred him to the awaiting air ambulance before being airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The doctor travelled in the helicopter to continue treatment en route.”

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Friday 1^st December 2017 – 9.15am – Claire Brown.

A man received trauma care by the ambulance service earlier this morning after being involved in a collision with a van in Nuneaton.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Mancetter Road, Nuneaton shortly before 6.30am this morning (Friday). Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Critical Care Car from The Air Ambulance Service attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a pedestrian, a man in his 40s, who had been involved in a collision with a van. Upon assessment ambulance staff found that the man had sustained head, chest and leg injuries. He was given advanced pain relief and oxygen to help stabilise his condition before the ambulance team worked to treat his injuries further. The man was fully immobilised before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further assessment and treatment.”

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