Jordan Eggington – Thursday 28th May 2020 – 9:15am.
West Midlands Ambulance Service has worked with fire colleagues after a fire at a tower block in Birmingham in the early hours of this morning.
We were called at 2:08am (Thursday) by the fire service to Humber Tower in Francis Street. The Hazardous Area Response Team, two paramedic officers, a Tactical Commander, one ambulance and MERIT trauma doctor were sent to the scene.
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “On arrival, crews were informed that a fire had started on the 14th floor of the 16-storey building, with fire colleagues working hard to evacuate residents and put out the blaze.
Once residents had been safely evacuated, ambulance crews assessed a total of eight patients who had suffered smoke inhalation. All were discharged at the scene and given advice to seek further medical advice if their condition worsens.”
Murray MacGregor – Wednesday 27th May 2020 – 2.50pm
With attendances at A&E Departments across the country down by roughly 50 per cent, there are concerns that people are not getting the help they should for serious conditions such as a heart attack, which shouldn’t be confused with a cardiac arrest.
A heart attack, sometimes known as a myocardial infarction or MI, is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot.
A lack of blood to the heart can seriously damage the heart muscle, which could be life threatening or at least life changing with a lasting impact.
That’s why it is so important that everyone knows what the symptoms are and knows to get help as quickly as possible if you are suffering from them.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) Paramedic, Rob Moore, said: “If you or a family member develop symptoms such as chest pain, this could be a heart attack and you should call 999 immediately.
“The pain might feel heavy or tight and it might spread to your arms neck or jaw. It could make you feel breathless, sick, sweaty or light-headed.
A woman and a man have been taken to hospital following a collision involving a car and a motorcycle in Oldbury this lunchtime.
West Midlands Ambulance Service received multiple 999 calls reporting a collision on Hagley Road West at 1.50pm earlier today (Tuesday). Two ambulances and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Ambulance crews arrived to find a motorcyclist being cared for by an off-duty nurse and passers-by following a collision with a car. The motorcyclist, a woman, suffered potentially serious injuries and was given trauma care by the team of ambulance staff on scene before being taken by land ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham; her condition was described as stable on arrival at hospital.
“The car driver, a man, was assessed by paramedics before being taken to the same hospital as a precaution.”
Murray MacGregor – Thursday 21st May 2020 – 6.10pm.
Not one but two mountain bikers have ended up in hospital after crashing on the same trail in completely separate accidents.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called twice this morning (Thursday) to the Sherbrook Trail on Cannock Chase
In the first incident at around 9.40am, the caller said that the middle aged rider went over his handlebars after his bike came to a sudden stop leaving him briefly unconscious.
An ambulance and a paramedic officer in a 4×4 vehicle were sent to the scene. Fortunately, the 4×4 was able to get close to where the man was.
After treatment at the scene he was taken back to the ambulance before being conveyed to Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Literally, just two minutes after finishing the first case, the paramedic officer was assigned to the second case, where again, a middle aged man had fallen whilst on the Sherbrook Trail
Another ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team was also sent after the call at 11.10am.
This time, the caller said that the rider had come off while going down a slope but had landed heavily. Once again the paramedic officer was able to access the rider in his 4×4 and after assessment took him to the ambulance before the rider was taken to County Hospital, Stafford.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “These were clearly very unfortunate accidents. Given the great weather, and the easing of lockdown, it is fantastic that we are all able to enjoy areas such as Cannock Chase.
“However, over the Bank Holiday, we would urge everyone to remember the need to keep socially distanced at all times and only meet up in the way the guidance sets out.
“This virus is far from over; we have to remember that hundreds of people are still dying every day. Yes, enjoy the wonderful area we live in, but please, make sure you do everything possible to reduce the risk of spreading this cruel virus.”
Murray MacGregor – Thursday 21st May 2020 – 5.30pm.
A woman who coughed on emergency workers who were taking her to hospital has been jailed for 27 weeks.
Nicola Tilstone, 37, of no fixed address, was charged with four counts of assaulting an emergency worker after coughing on three officers and a paramedic on 9th April.
Emergency services attended King Street in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, after receiving a report of a woman staggering and banging on vehicles. Ambulance staff were assisted by police officers to take Tilstone to hospital with potential Covid-19 symptoms due to a high temperature.
Whilst in the ambulance, the 37-year-old began to cough. She was advised not to cough in the direction of staff but continued to do so purposefully.
When arriving at the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s Covid ward, Tilstone coughed several times including at a paramedic who was attempting to treat her.
Tilstone pleaded guilty to four counts of assaulting an emergency worker and was jailed yesterday (20th May) at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “My staff are working night and day to help people during this dreadful pandemic. We have been overwhelmed by the support and gratefulness of so many patients and their loved ones, which is why this case is so shocking.
“We all know the dangers of this virus and the thought that someone would purposefully try and infect the very people there to help her is appalling.
“I am delighted that the Court has shown everyone that such actions will not be tolerated.”
Staffordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Simon Tweats said: “The vast majority of people across Staffordshire have been fantastic during the lockdown period, even now as the government begins to ease restrictions. Compliance with the regulations remains important, especially if we are to continue to locally drive down infection rates.
“Unfortunately, there are a small minority that choose not to protect others and there have been several incidents where emergency services have been deliberately spat and coughed at in an attempt to infect them, or at least making emergency workers think so. Not only is this dangerous from a health protection perspective it’s also down right disgusting behaviour.
“Emergency services are on the frontline and are working to save people’s lives; often working in extremely challenging situations. Rest assured we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and those responsible will be arrested and brought to justice.”
Murray MacGregor – Thursday 21st May 2020 – 10.55am.
A motorcyclist has suffered multiple serious injuries after he was injured in a collision with a car.
It happened at the junction of Anson Road and Bentley Road North in the Willenhall area of Walsall at shortly after 4.00pm on Wednesday afternoon.
Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found the rider some distance from the collision. Both he bike and car had been damaged.
“The rider, a man in his 40’s had suffered multiple serious injuries. He was assessed and treated at the scene before being taken on blue lights by land ambulance to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham; the doctor and critical care paramedic from the aircraft travelled with the ambulance crew.
“A woman in her 60’s who was the front seat passenger in the car was assessed at the scene but was discharged after treatment. The driver was unhurt.”
Murray MacGregor – Thursday 21st May 2020 – 9.05am.
A paramedic has had to be taken to hospital after suffering smoke inhalation while leading people to safety after a car fire in a busy tunnel in Birmingham.
The car went on fire in the Queensway Tunnel at just after 7.00pm last night.
An ambulance from Erdington Hub was not far behind it when it happened and was caught up along with around 50 cars inside the tunnel.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The crew immediately informed control requesting the fire service and then went to check on the driver of the car who had managed to get out himself.
“They then helped escort other drivers from the tunnel so that the fire service could deal with the fire.
“A second ambulance and a paramedic officer were also sent to the scene.
“The driver of the car, a man in his 20s, was assessed at the scene but was unhurt and was discharged.
“The paramedic from the ambulance, also in his 20s, was assessed by the crew of the second ambulance and was taken to Heartlands Hospital as a precaution but was later discharged.”
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May 2020), the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) with the support of UK ambulance services – including West Midlands Ambulance Service – has released a video of ambulance staff discussing their experiences with their mental health.
The film – produced before the coronavirus pandemic and before social distancing – involves members of staff from ambulance services across the country: Izzy, Scott, Ricky and West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic Amanda, speaking honestly and openly about their experiences.
Amanda was treated for PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder after struggling to cope with some particularly difficult cases. In the video she talks of her experiences working in our Service and the support she has received from managers and colleagues.
This year the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is kindness. Now, more than ever, with the effects of the coronavirus on us all, a simple act of kindness – such as a conversation – could really help a person who is struggling with their mental health.
There are mental health resources for ambulance service employees, families and volunteers from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives here.
Check out the NHS Every Mind Matters resources here.
A man has been treated for serious injuries and taken to hospital after a house fire in Staffordshire this morning (Wednesday).
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called by colleagues from the fire service at 11:14am to a house fire at a property in Highfield Place, Biddulph. The Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford, a land ambulance, paramedic officer and BASICS doctor attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival we discovered one patient, a man, in a serious condition.
“He was treated for multiple serious injuries by crews at the scene before being taken on blue lights and sirens to Royal Stoke Hospital for further treatment. The air crew travelled with colleagues on the land ambulance to continue treatment on route to hospital.”
A man has been treated for serious injuries and taken to hospital after his motorbike collided with a motorway barrier in Herefordshire this afternoon.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the westbound carriageway of the M50, between junctions 3 and 4, at 2.38pm and sent an ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance Crew from Strensham in a rapid response car to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival we discovered one patient, a man, who was the motorcyclist.
“He was treated for multiple serious injuries by ambulance staff at the scene before being taken on blue lights and sirens to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
“The doctor from the air ambulance crew travelled on the back of the ambulance to help continue treating the patient on route to hospital.”
A man who was trapped in his car for around an hour has been treated by ambulance staff and taken to one of the region’s major trauma centres following a collision with a tree.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 2.47pm to the incident which took place near to Walsall Football Club at the junction of Bescot Crescent and Wallows Lane. An ambulance, a paramedic officer the West Midlands Care Team were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a car that had collided with a tree and one patient, a man, still inside the vehicle.
“He was trapped inside the car as a result of both his injuries and the damage caused to the vehicle. Ambulance staff worked alongside colleagues from the fire service to ensure the man was safely cut free, monitoring him throughout the process which took about an hour.
“He was treated for multiple serious injuries before being transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham on blue lights and sirens. The doctor from the Care Team travelled on the ambulance to help continue treat the patient whilst travelling to hospital.”
Murray MacGregor – Wednesday 6th May 2020 – 9.45am.
On Friday, staff from West Midlands Ambulance Service will be stopping to pay their respects to all those who helped achieve Victory in Europe, 75 years ago.
Where possible, staff on the road, in our control rooms and the many other roles in the Service, will join the nation in falling silent for two minutes at 11am.
However, the Trust is also urging the public to celebrate this important anniversary, but in a way that doesn’t risk increasing the transmission of Corona Virus, which ultimately could lead to more lives being lost.
WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “We all owe a huge debt to the brave men and women that helped shape the country we now live in.
“However, we all now face our own challenge in beating Corona Virus. Our staff will be celebrating VE75 at work and in their homes, but while we are remembering the heroes of the Second World War, it is vitally important that we all continue to practise social distancing and abide by the guidelines around gatherings.”
Trust Medical Director, Dr Alison Walker, said: “There is no question that people following the advice to “Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives” has done a great job in flattening the curve and getting us over the initial peak of Covid-19 infections.
“But sadly, several hundred people are still dying every single day from this dreadful virus. Each time I go to work I see the devastating effect these deaths have on the patient’s friends and family.
“There are thousands of new cases in England each day; we are nowhere near done with this pandemic. We therefore need to keep up the great work even though it’s difficult for such long periods.
“The risk of easing off too soon is that we will see a second wave of cases and sadly, more deaths.
“Thank you so much for staying at home, it will save lives and protect our amazing NHS, social care staff and other essential workers across the West Midlands and beyond.”
Mr Marsh added: “As a Trust we are proud to have many former and serving military staff working with us. Over 3% of our workforce belong to the military family with many still playing an active part in the likes of the Reserves.
“We absolutely recognise that our ethos is very similar to that of the armed forces with a similar type of camaraderie. We would welcome anyone who thinks switching to the ambulance service could be the right move for them.”
Ends
For those looking at ways to celebrate VE75 at home, there are tips from the Government here and Royal British Legion also have information on their website; both set out how to celebrate safely at home and pay tribute to the heroes of the Second World War.
A man has died following a road traffic collision in Telford.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called by police to an RTC involving a motorbike and road sign at the junction of the A442 and A4169 in the Brookside area at 1:48pm this afternoon (Monday).
A West Midlands Ambulance spokeswoman said: “We sent the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a BASICS doctor onboard, a land ambulance and paramedic officer to the scene.
“Upon arrival, crews found one man, who was the motorcyclist, in a critical condition. Unfortunately, it quickly became clear nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”
A man has died following a road traffic collision in Coventry this morning.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called by the police to a two-car collision on Broad Lane in Coventry at 8.12am (Friday). Three ambulances, two paramedic officers and a critical care car from the Air Ambulance Service attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find police administering CPR to a man involved in the collision. Ambulance staff took over resuscitation efforts and commenced advanced life support. Sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead on scene a short time later.
“Three other occupants from the vehicles involved were assessed on scene, two of which were conveyed to hospital for further treatment with injuries not believed to be serious.”
