Month: January 2019

Tuesday 29^th January 2019 – 10.50am – Claire Brown.

A pedestrian is in a serious condition after a collision with a vehicle in Worcester this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received several 999 calls to reports of a road traffic collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle on the A449 between Claines Lane and Ombersley Park junctions at 5.55am this morning (Tuesday). Two ambulances and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived on scene they found a pedestrian, a man, who had sustained serious injuries following a collision with a vehicle.

“The team of ambulance staff worked quickly to administer advanced trauma care to the man before he was taken by ambulance on blue lights and sirens to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further emergency care.”

ENDS

Tuesday 29^th January 2019 – 10.30am – Claire Brown.

A cyclist received advanced trauma care by ambulance staff this morning following a collision involving a car in Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Queslett Road in Great Barr at 7.40am (Tuesday). An ambulance, a paramedic officer, a critical care car from the Midlands Air Ambulance and a MERIT trauma doctor responded to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a cyclist, a man, who had been involved in a collision with a car. Upon assessment ambulance staff found he was in a serious condition and required advanced trauma care at the roadside before being conveyed by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further emergency care; the doctor travelled with the ambulance crew to continue treatment en route.”

ENDS

Monday 28^th January 2019 – 6.10pm – Murray MacGregor.

One man has suffered multiple injuries after a collision between a car and a double decker bus.

It happened at the junction of Friary Road and Handsworth Wood Road in the Handsworth area of Birmingham at around 2.30pm today, Monday.

Two ambulances, two paramedic officers, the Hazardous Area Response Team and the West Midlands Care Team were sent to the scene.

AWest Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival ambulance staff found a car that had suffered significant front end damage leaving the driver trapped.

“Ambulance staff worked with firefighters to extricate the man from the car.  He was assessed and treated at the scene before being taken to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with serious injuries.

“The teenage front seat passenger had suffered less serious injuries.  He was taken to Sandwell Hospital by ambulance.

Thankfully none of the passengers from the bus was hurt.  The man driving the double decker was checked over by ambulance staff.  He had minor injuries and was shaken up but was discharged after assessment.

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Monday 28^th January 2019 – 9.35am – Murray MacGregor.

A man has suffered potentially serious injuries after a rollover RTC.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Haselor Lane in Hinton on the Green near Evesham at around 9.30pm on Sunday.

An ambulance, a paramedic officer and The Air Ambulance Critical Care Car were sent to the scene.  On arrival they found a car on its roof and the patient around 20 metres away.

A WMAS spokesman said: “The man was assessed at the scene for multiple injuries.  He was treated at the scene before being taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“The doctor from the critical care car travelled with the crew.”

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Wednesday 23^rd January 2019 – 2.15pm – Claire Brown.

A pedestrian has suffered serious injuries following a road traffic collision in Nuneaton this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called by the police to a collision involving a car and a pedestrian on Coventry Road in Nuneaton shortly after midday (Wednesday). Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance with a doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The pedestrian, a woman, was already receiving first aid by police officers when ambulance crews arrived. The woman had sustained serious injuries and the team of ambulance staff worked quickly to administer advanced trauma care on scene before she was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to University Hospital Coventry Warwickshire for further emergency care.”

ENDS

Wednesday 23^rd January 2019 – 11.20am – Claire Brown.

A woman has died and a man has been injured following a road traffic collision in Birmingham last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called by the police to reports of a two vehicle RTC at the junction of the Hagley Road and Lordswood Road in Bearwood at around 11.50pm last night (Tuesday). Three ambulances, a MERIT trauma doctor and two paramedic officers attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived on scene, police officers were already performing CPR on a woman, the driver of one of the cars involved. Ambulance staff quickly took over resuscitation efforts but sadly nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed dead a short time later on scene.

“The driver of the second car, a man, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for further checks.”

ENDS

Wednesday 23^rd January 2019 – 9.30am – Claire Brown.

A child has been seriously injured following a road traffic collision in Stafford last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian in a car park off Newport Road, Stafford at around 5.50pm yesterday evening (Tuesday). Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the critical care car from the Midlands Air Ambulance base at Cosford with a MERIT doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance crews arrived they found the pedestrian, a boy, in a serious condition already receiving first aid by emergency service colleagues and bystanders. Ambulance staff and the doctor worked as a team to administer advanced trauma care to the boy before he was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further emergency care.”

ENDS

Wednesday 16^th January 2019 – 8.20pm – Claire Brown.

A pedestrian received advanced trauma care from ambulance staff following a road traffic collision in Birmingham last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian on Chester Road in Erdington at around 8.45pm yesterday (Tuesday). Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Ambulance crews arrived to find an off-duty nurse and bystanders administering first aid to a pedestrian, a man. Upon assessment ambulance staff found he was in a serious condition and quickly worked as a team to administer advanced trauma care on scene before he was conveyed by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.”

ENDS

Tuesday 15^th January 2019 – 3.30pm – Claire Brown.

A road traffic collision involving a lorry and a van in Lichfield this afternoon has left two men in a serious condition.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Wood End Lane in Fradley, Lichfield shortly before 12.30pm today (Tuesday). Two ambulances, three paramedic officers, the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance and two Midlands Air Ambulances, one with a MERIT trauma doctor on board, attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a serious RTC involving two patients.

“The driver of the van, a man, sustained serious injuries. The team of ambulance staff worked closely with the fire service to release him from the vehicle whilst he received advanced trauma care on scene. Once stabilised, the man was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further trauma care.

“The lorry driver, a man, also suffered serious injuries which required emergency treatment by ambulance crews on scene before he was conveyed by air ambulance to Royal Stoke University Hospital.”

ENDS

Friday 11^th January 2019 – 1pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A man has died following a two-car collision this morning, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of Lanchester Way and the A452 in Castle Bromwich at 8.15am and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find two patients, both men, following the collision.

“One of the men was still inside his car and after ambulance staff quickly discovered he had suffered serious injuries in the incident, he was rapidly freed from his vehicle and treatment began immediately.

“Specialist trauma care was administered, however, sadly it became apparent nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“The second man, who was from the other car, was assessed and treated for minor injuries at the scene before being transported to Heartlands Hospital.”

ENDS

Friday 11^th January 2019 – 10.30am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A man has been treated for serious injuries following a two-car collision night which resulted in one of them hitting a tree.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A5 in Churchover, Rugby – near to the junction with Newton Lane – at 11.24pm and sent one ambulance and a paramedic officer to the scene. Two critical care teams from the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Service also attended in rapid response cars, together with an ambulance from East Midlands Ambulance Service.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered a man lying near a bush and a car that had suffered significant damage.

“He was treated for multiple serious injuries suffered in the incident before being taken to hospital on blue lights and sirens. Medics from one of the critical care teams travelled with the patient on the back of the ambulance to help continue treatment en-route to hospital.

“A further three patients were assessed at the scene but were all discharged on scene with minor injuries.”

ENDS

Pic courtesy of @hmed54

Thursday 10^th January 2019 – 10.00am – Claire Brown.

A pedestrian received trauma care by ambulance staff following a road traffic collision in Birmingham last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a 999 call reporting an RTC involving a pedestrian at the junction of Bacchus Road and Nineveh Road, Winson Green shortly after 6.00pm yesterday (Wednesday). Two ambulances and a BASICS emergency doctor responded to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a car which had collided with several vehicles and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a woman, sustained serious injuries which required trauma care from the doctor and ambulance crews. The woman was stabilised on scene before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further care.

“The car driver, a man, was assessed by ambulance staff and treated for his injuries on scene before being conveyed to the same hospital.”

ENDS

Thursday 10^th January 2019 – 9.00am – Claire Brown.

One man has sadly died, and 10 other people required assessment by ambulance staff following a property fire in Stoke-on-Trent last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to a property off the B5041 London Road, Stoke-on-Trent at around 11.50pm yesterday (Wednesday). Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a BASICS emergency doctor were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Sadly it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save one occupant, a man, and he was confirmed dead on scene.

“A total of 10 other patients were assessed by ambulance staff at the scene. Two women and a man sustained minor injuries which required further treatment at Royal Stoke University Hospital.  All other patients were discharged on scene.”

ENDS

Wednesday 9^th January 2019 – 8.00am – Claire Brown.

Despite the best efforts of bystanders and ambulance crews, nothing could be done to save the life of a motorcyclist following a collision with a car last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A423 Banbury Road in Wormleighton shortly before 5.15pm yesterday (Tuesday). Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a community first responder 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: “When ambulance crews arrived they found a motorcyclist and a car which had left the road and were in a ditch. The motorcyclist, a man, was being given CPR by a nurse who was passing the scene and stopped to help. Ambulance crews took over resuscitation efforts and worked as a team to administer advanced life support to the man. Sadly, he couldn’t be saved and was confirmed deceased on scene a short time later.

“The car driver, a woman, was out of the vehicle and was given treatment on scene for minor injuries. She didn’t require hospital treatment.”

ENDS

Tuesday 8^th January 2019 – 9.15am – Claire Brown.

A man has sadly died after the car he was in collided with a tree in Warwick last night.

The incident happened on Primrose Hill, Warwick and West Midlands Ambulance Service received a 999 call from the police requesting our attendance just after 10.00pm (Monday). An ambulance and a paramedic officer responded to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived they found a car which had collided with a tree. The occupant, a man, sustained serious injuries. Sadly, nothing could be done by ambulance staff to save the man and he was confirmed dead on scene.”

ENDS

Tuesday 8^th January 2019 – 8.55am – Claire Brown.

A car which collided with a tree yesterday evening in Evesham left two people injured, one seriously.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Broadway Road, Evesham at 7.15pm last night (Monday). Two ambulances, a critical care car from the Midlands Air Ambulance air based in Strensham and a second critical care car from the Air Ambulance Service responded to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived the driver of the car, a man, had managed to self-extricate from the vehicle. He had suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Alexandra Hospital for further checks. The passenger, a woman, sustained serious injuries which required ambulance crews and the air ambulance medics to administer advanced trauma care on scene. They worked closely with the fire service to carefully extricate her from the car before she was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for specialist trauma care.”

ENDS

 

Tuesday 8^th January 2019 – 8.30am – Claire Brown.

Ambulance crews responded to a serious RTC involving two pedestrians and a car in Stafford yesterday rush hour.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of the A449 Mosspit and The Pippins at around 5.45pm last night (Monday). Three ambulance, a paramedic officer and a critical care car from the Midlands Air Ambulance base in Tatenhill responded to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find two pedestrians, a woman and a girl, who had been involved in a collision with a car. The woman sustained serious injuries and was given advanced trauma care by the team of ambulance staff on scene before she was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further emergency care. The girl sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the roadside before being taken to the same hospital as a precaution. The car driver, a woman, was checked over on scene and was conveyed to the same hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

ENDS

 

Monday 7th January 2018 – 10.00am – Murray MacGregor.

It may be a bit late to make a New Year’s resolution, but make this one anyway; know what the signs of a heart attack are.

We’ve all seen TV programmes where someone collapses with chest pain and it’s therefore definitely a heart attack, but is that what the reality is like?

What is a heart attack?

First things first; a heart attack is where there’s a sudden loss of blood flow to a part of your heart usually caused by a blood clot.

This can seriously damage the heart muscle and be life-threatening.  As such you should dial 999 immediately.  The sooner you get help the better your chances of survival and rapid assistance could also reduce the level of damage meaning you’ll have a better quality of life going forward.

What signs and symptoms should I look out for?

Jason Wiles, Lead Paramedic for Emergency Care, said: “As with most medical conditions, the signs depend on the individual.  Pain in your chest that suddenly occurs and doesn’t go away is the classic symptom.  The pain may spread to your arm, neck, jaw, back or stomach.  For some, the pain or tightness is severe, while others just feel uncomfortable.  You may also feel sick, sweaty, light headed or short of breath.

“However, the elderly, women, or those with diabetes may not get classic symptoms as the condition can cause nerve damage which affects how you feel pain.  Some people also confuse their stomach for their chest and all they have is indigestion!

If I’m concerned, what should I so

Jason says: “Even if you aren’t sure, it’s important to seek medical attention to be on the safe side so phone for an ambulance immediately.

“Try to remain calm, answer the questions you’ll be asked as best you can as that will ensure you get the right help.  They call handler will also be able to provide advice while you await the ambulance.

“You should sit and rest; getting up and walking around may put unnecessary strain on your heart. If possible, get someone else to open the door for the ambulance crew as this saves time.”

A heart attack is life-threatening. If you think you or anyone else is having a heart attack, call 999 for an ambulance immediately.

You can get more information here

Thursday 3rd January 2018 – 4.30pm – Murray MacGregor.

West Midlands Ambulance Service says thousands of lives could be saved in years to come with news that all secondary school children are to be taught CPR and basic first aid skills.

Each year, West Midlands Ambulance Service attends about 4,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests.  Sadly, only about 7% of those people will survive!  It’s a shocking figure, especially when in some countries like Denmark, the figure is around 25%.

The Government has announced that it is planning to make health education compulsory in all state-funded schools.  Under the proposed new guidance, by the end of secondary school pupils will be taught how to administer CPR, the purpose of defibrillators, and basic treatments for common injuries.

WMAS Community Response Manager, Cliff Medlicott, said: “There is no doubt that coming across a cardiac arrest is scary.  It’s different to a heart attack.  In a cardiac arrest, the patient will be unconscious and their heart won’t be beating – they are clinically dead – unless someone is prepared to do something.

“Giving CPR buys the patient time, so the ambulance service can get there.  You can’t hurt the person; doing something can only help.

“For every minute without life-saving treatment the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest drops by about 10% – meaning that the time before an ambulance arrives is crucial

“I can speak from personal experience – saving a life is the most incredible feeling; knowing that your actions mean someone will get to spend time with their loved ones when they wouldn’t otherwise have had that chance.

“A cardiac can strike anyone at any time: it could be a loved one, a friend, a complete stranger.  If you know what to do, you could help save their life.  Why would you not want to learn how to do CPR?  It doesn’t take long to learn and there are courses all over the place.”

Here’s Cliff Medlicott demonstrating how to do CPR

 

 

 

 

Thursday 3rd January 2019 – 9.15am – Murray MacGregor.

It’s a conundrum that many of our crews come across on a not irregular basis – which key safe is yours?

There is no doubt that Key Safes are great, especially for family members and carers who are visiting people who are unsteady on their feet or for a number of other reasons can’t easily come to the door.

However, as you can see in the picture, we sometimes get called to apartment complexes where our staff are faced with multiple Key Safes at the front door of the building.

1. If you have to call us and this is what it looks like outside your front door, please let us know which one is yours!

We understand that you probably don’t want to put a number on it, but perhaps put some other distinguishing mark on the safe so that we can quickly identify the correct one.

In a real emergency, those few seconds saved could make the difference between life and death.

Thursday 3^rd January 2019 – 8.25am – Murray MacGregor.

A woman suffered critical injuries after a collision with a car.

It happened outside the GP Surgery on Bunbury Road in the Northfield area of Birmingham at about 4.50pm on Wednesday afternoon.

A nurse was quickly on scene and provided care until the ambulance resources arrived four minutes after the 999 call.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car and the West Midlands Care Team car with two doctors on board were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance crews took over care of the woman who had suffered very serious injuries.

“Staff used advanced life support techniques at the scene before she was taken by ambulance on blue lights to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham; the doctors travelled with the ambulance crew.

“There were a man and a woman in the car; neither was injured.”

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Wednesday 2^nd January 2019 – 2.15pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

Despite it traditionally being the busiest night of the year, 999 calls were answered and cases responded to more quickly than ever before in the West Midlands. On New Year’s Eve night, across the region calls were answered in just one second on average.

The Trust’s two control rooms, based in Brierley Hill and Stafford, saw a 3.5% increase in the number of calls received between 7pm on New Year’s Eve and 6am on New Year’s Day but thanks to months of planning and preparation, calls were answered incredibly quickly.

In total, the Trust received 2,140 calls during that timeframe, compared to 2,068 the year before. Though there was a fall in the number of calls received on New Year’s Day, down to 4,152 in 2019 compared to 4,442 12-months earlier.

With planning for the festive period having started in the summer, staffing levels were maximised for New Year’s Eve and there were more staff and ambulances out on the roads of the West Midlands than ever before in order to ensure patients continued to receive the very highest standards of care possible.

WMAS Head of Emergency Operations Centres, Jeremy Brown, said: “It is testament to my staff that calls were answered incredibly quickly despite this traditionally being our busy night of the year.

“Our staff, both in control and out on the road, have to give up a lot of time with their families at this time of year and I thank them for all of their efforts and dedication.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “I am incredibly proud of the way that our control room staff were able to answer calls incredibly quickly on such a busy night, just as they do throughout the rest of the year.

“That, together with the hard work of ambulance staff who were out responding to the calls helped to ensure patients received care as quickly as possible. I would like to thank everyone involved for putting the public before themselves and their families.”

Calls received by hour on NYE	7pm-8pm	8pm-9pm	9pm-10pm	10pm-11pm	11pm-12am	12am-1am	1am-2am	2am-3am	3am-4am	4am-5am	5am-6am
2018/19	145	148	153	192	217	268	278	249	204	161	125
2017/18	210	172	167	183	168	272	237	212	202	124	121
Difference	-65	-24	-14	+9	+49	-4	+41	+37	+2	+37	+4

 

Total calls received by area	Birmingham	Black County	Arden	Staffordshire	Herefordshire	Shropshire	Worcestershire
Jan 1st 2019	1001	957	534	836	113	297	388
Jan 1st 2018	1007	1016	633	865	144	305	439
Difference	(-6)	(-59)	(-99)	(-29)	(-31)	(-8)	(-51)

 

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