Month: March 2021

Shaunna Farley. Wednesday 31st March. 3:28pm.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is launching a new campaign just in time for Easter half term, which encourages young children to learn important and life-saving skills.

The campaign, titled Little Lifesavers, includes learning resources such as a fun activity book and videos from our staff, providing the perfect entertaining and educational activity for youngsters to do this Easter.

The campaign encourages young children to become a ‘Little Lifesaver’ by learning how to make an emergency 999 call, what kind of situation is an emergency, how to perform CPR and how to place someone in the recovery position as well as a virtual tour of an ambulance.

Throughout the pandemic, activities such as in-school visits haven’t been possible but that doesn’t mean children should miss out on learning vital life skills. The virtual tour of an ambulance will allow children to virtually jump on board the ambulance with a paramedic and learn about the equipment kept on board and how it is used.

Making a 999 call can be a high pressured and stressful situation for many of us, but it is particularly important that children know how to make a 999 call, in addition knowing what kind of situation warrants a call to the emergency services. The Little Life Savers campaign includes a video from a team of West Midlands Ambulance Service Call Assessors running through how to make a 999 call and an example of how a call might sound.

Paramedic Ash Bolus, who features in the Virtual Tour of an ambulance video, said: “Ordinarily, I’d be able to go into schools and show the children around the ambulance, which they find really interesting so it’s great that I’m able to do it virtually so that children don’t miss out on learning something that could potentially help them save a life one day.”

Little Lifesavers resources will be posted across West Midlands Ambulance Service social media channels on @OfficialWMAS on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube and on the West Midlands Ambulance Service website on https://wmas.nhs.uk/become-a-little-lifesaver/

Jordan Eggington – Tuesday 30^th March 2021 – 4:25pm.

A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital on blue lights and sirens after a collision with a car in Shropshire this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 12:54pm to reports of an RTC involving a motorbike and car on the A49 from Marsh Cottage Junction in Felhampton. Several resources attended the scene, including the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford, three land ambulances and an off-duty paramedic.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival, the motorcyclist, a man, was found to be in a critical condition after coming off his bike in the collision. Crews carried out advanced trauma care to the patient at the scene and continued treatment on route to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

“A man and woman also involved in the RTC were treated for minor injuries.”

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Jordan Eggington – Tuesday 30^th March 2021 – 9:30am.

Two men have been taken to hospital after a gas explosion at a property in Walsall this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called by fire colleagues at 6:32am to a domestic address in Darlaston Road. The Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), two ambulances and two paramedic officers attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived at Darlaston Road to find the property involved with significant damage and five people to assess. A car passing at the time of the incident was also seriously damaged as a result of the explosion.

“Two men were treated for injuries not believed to be serious and taken to hospital for further treatment. Due to the nature of their injuries, one of the men was conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, whilst the other went to Walsall Manor.

“Of the three other patients assessed at the scene, one was treated for minor injuries and the others did not require treatment. All were discharged at the scene.”

Photo Credit: West Midlands Ambulance Service

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Claire Brown – Thursday 25^th March 2021 – 4.30pm.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is continuing its commitment to reducing its impact on the environment by taking delivery of two fully electric operational manager response cars.

Following the launch of the UK’s first 100% electric ambulance by the Trust in October 2020, West Midlands Ambulance Service has worked with its partner, conversion specialist VCS of Bradford, to launch two all-electric zero emissions Jaguar I-Pace ambulance response cars which will be going into operation in Birmingham in the coming weeks.

VCS has used its expert capabilities to develop the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace into a fully capable response vehicle – in tandem the Trust has also invested in rapid charge infrastructure to facilitate fully charging of these vehicles in less than hour.  

WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “West Midlands Ambulance Service has been at the forefront of developing ambulance technology and operating a modern fleet for the last ten years.  Working with industry specialists like VCS, we have used aircraft style technology and design to create the most hi-tech and lightest vehicles in the country.  This has continually reduced our impact on the environment by lowering our CO2 levels and ensured that patients receive the highest standards of safety and comfort. With an all-electric ambulance already in our fleet, which was launched last year, it’s hugely exciting to now have two fully electric response cars to add to our operational vehicles in Birmingham.”

Mark Kerrigan, Managing Director at VCS, said: “We have engaged in a programme with JLR, West Midlands Ambulance Service Fleet and Operational user teams to produce a bespoke fit for purpose design to the very capable zero emission platform in the Jaguar I-Pace. As always the team at WMAS have pushed the innovation envelope which has resulted in the delivery of what we feel is a best in class fully capable zero emission response car.”

Tony Page, General Manager for Fleet and Facilities Management at WMAS, said: “It’s great to see the delivery of this latest innovation in our drive to deliver a zero-emission fleet. This new edition follows the successful integration of the fully electric emergency ambulance last year which is performing well and receiving good feedback from operational colleagues as I am sure the new I-Pace cars will too. This is another good example of robust and focussed collaboration between the vehicle converter VCS, the vehicle manufacturer JLR and WMAS operational and fleet staff. I would like to thank Rebecca Flintason, James Williams and Martin Corley for their valued input through the design process.  Work is now in progress to deliver two Zero Emission PTS vehicles.”

WMAS Director of Strategic Operations and Digital Integration, Craig Cooke, added: “These new Jaguar I-Pace cars will be utilised every single day by the tactical operational commander teams responding in the UK’s second city. These vehicles are highly capable and will allow the Trust to deliver the best Ambulance Response Service in the UK, whilst also operating zero emission vehicles for these 24/7 commanders.  Alongside the vehicles, considerable investment has been made in the charging infrastructure on the operational hubs in Birmingham to facilitate very fast charging of both the zero-emission ambulance launched last year and these two new response cars.  WMAS is fully committed to driving down the carbon footprint of our operations and these new vehicles alongside other developments in the pipeline will also help WMAS contribute to the Commonwealth Games 2022 commitment to reduced carbon footprint.”

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Notes to Editors: Photos please credit West Midlands Ambulance Service

Claire Brown – Tuesday 23^rd March 2021 – 10.45am.

A teenage boy received advanced trauma care at the scene of a road traffic collision in Birmingham last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Rocky Lane, Perry Barr at 7.23pm last night (Monday) to reports of a moped rider who had been seriously injured. Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic attended the scene.  

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived at the scene, they found police officers administering CPR to a moped rider, a teenage boy. Ambulance crews quickly took over resuscitation efforts to administer advanced life support on scene before the boy was conveyed on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in a critical condition.”

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Claire Brown – Monday 15^th March 2021 – 9.00am.

One man has sadly died and two others have been injured in a road traffic collision on the M42 motorway.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 8.17pm last night (Sunday) to the southbound carriageway of the M42 between junctions 3 and 2, Alvechurch. Three paramedic officers, three ambulances, HART paramedics and two BASICS medics attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The first crew arrived on scene to find a car down an embankment. Two men, the driver and passenger, had managed to self-extricate from the vehicle and were described as ‘walking wounded’. Both men were given treatment on scene for non-serious injuries before being conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham as a precaution.

A third man, a passenger, was trapped and in a critical condition. Ambulance staff worked together with fire colleagues to rapidly extricate him from the vehicle, before commencing advanced life support. Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone on scene nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased on scene.”

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Jordan Eggington – Wednesday 10^th March 2021 – 8:50am.

A man has received advanced trauma care after a collision in Birmingham in the early hours of this morning.  

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 00:27am (Wednesday) to reports a motorcyclist had come into collision with a tree at the junction of Aldridge Road and the A453 in Perry Barr.  One ambulance, a nearby paramedic, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find the motorcyclist, a man, in a critical condition after coming into collision with a tree at the side of the road.

“Colleagues worked quickly to administer advanced trauma care at the scene and on route to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He travelled on blue lights and sirens with the doctor and critical care paramedic on board continuing treatment.”

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Jamie Arrowsmith – Tuesday 9^th March 2021 – 10.15am.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is on the lookout for keen and willing recruits across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to join our band of volunteer lifesavers as a Community First Responder (CFR).

CFRs are everyday members of the public who are trained in a number of assessments and basic lifesaving techniques including the use of a defibrillator, a device used to restart the heart of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest. Their availability, close proximity and local knowledge of their area are among their many assets.

CFRs will be called by the ambulance service’s control room to medical emergencies in their area while an ambulance is en-route. They are vital in life-threatening situations, particularly in the case of a cardiac arrest and trauma when every second counts.

Community Response Manager for West Mercia, Cliff Medlicott, said: “Volunteers come from all walks of life. When they make themselves available to respond they can continue to go about their daily lives, but if an emergency call is received by the ambulance service within a five or six mile radius, they are sent and always backed-up by an emergency ambulance service vehicle.

“To volunteer, you must be aged 18 or over, have a full driving licence and lots of enthusiasm.

“Help will be provided in obtaining the necessary equipment and no previous experience is necessary as West Midlands Ambulance Service will provide the training.

“Successful applicants will attend a nationally recognised training course covering Basic Life Support and Defibrillation, Medical Emergencies, Traumatic Emergencies and Preparing for Active Duty. They will then train alongside ambulance crews before going ‘live’”.

To apply, please visit www.jobs.nhs.uk and search for job reference 217-CFR07-20-21 (Worcestershire) or 217-CFR06-20-21 (Herefordshire). Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 25^th March.

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Jordan Eggington – Monday 8^th March 2021 – 10:30am.

A man has sadly died after a stabbing in Birmingham last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 9:45pm on Sunday to reports of a stabbing in West Road, Great Barr. Four ambulances and three paramedic officers attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “When crews arrived, they found a man in a critical condition. Staff worked quickly to carry out advanced trauma care to the patient, but sadly despite the best efforts, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“A second patient, also a man, was treated for serious injuries at the scene before being conveyed to hospital on blue lights and sirens for further treatment.”

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Claire Brown – Friday 5^th March 2021 – 11.00am.

A man has died following a collision in Warwickshire in the early hours of this morning.  

The incident happened in Snitterfield Road, Bearley, Stratford-upon-Avon and the ambulance service received a 999 call at 5.48am this morning (Friday). Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance crews arrived, they found the driver of a car, a man, in a critical condition being given excellent CPR by police and fire colleagues. Crews took over resuscitation efforts and commenced advanced life support on the man. Sadly, nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased a short time later at the scene.”

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Claire Brown – Friday 5^th March 2021 – 9.30am.

One man has sadly died following a road traffic collision in Redditch last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 10.16pm to the junction of Bromsgrove Highway and Alvechurch Highway, Redditch to reports of a car which had been in collision with a lamppost. Three ambulances, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were dispatched to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When crews arrived on scene, they found a man, the driver of a car, in a critical condition. Crews worked with fire service colleagues to rapidly extricate the man from the vehicle before the team of medics commenced advanced life support.

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead a short time later at the scene.”  

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