News

Thursday 21st March 2013 – 8am – Steve Parry.

A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in Hanley, Stoke on Trent, last night (Wednesday).

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to an incident at Hanley Road, Sneyd Green at approximately 10pm.

 An ambulance and two BASICS doctors attended the scene. 

 A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The ambulance service responded to a collision between a car and motorbike.

 “Crews treated a male (age unknown) for serious leg fractures, head and face injuries.

 “The patient was immobilised using a neck collar, spinal board and leg splint. He was conveyed to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for further assessment and treatment.”

 End

Wednesday 20th March 2013 – 8pm – Steve Parry.

A teenager has been airlifted to hospital following a road traffic collision in Madeley this afternoon.

The incident occurred on The Parkway at the junction with The Maddocks in Madeley just after 4pm.

An ambulance, together with a paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle and the Midlands Air Ambulance based at Cosford attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Ambulance crews arrived to find a pedestrian had been in collision with a car.

 “A teenage male, believe to be 14 years old, was treated for a serious head injury. The patient was anaesthetised by a doctor at the scene.

“The patient was immobilised with the use of a neck collar and placed on a spinal board before being airlifted to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

–       End – .

 

 

Wednesday 20th March 2013 – 10am – Steve Parry.

Friends and colleagues at West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) will bid farewell to one of its longest serving members of staff this Thursday when Bill Cody retires after 37 years.

Bill Cody (60), who lives in Wall Heath, Kingswinford, has been the WMAS Police Liaison Officer based at the Trust’s headquarters on the Waterfront Business Park, Brierley Hill since 2006.   Previously, Bill was responsible for Community Relations at the former West Midland Ambulance Service. 

Mr Cody started his career in 1976 as an ambulanceman based at Dudley ambulance station.

During his time with the Trust, Bill was involved in local politics as a Labour Party Councillor in the Netherton and Woodside constituency.  He also had the honour to serve as Mayor of Dudley for the period 1996-97.

Speaking about his retirement from the Trust, Bill said: “It’s sad to say goodbye to all my friends and colleagues across the Trust.  It has been a varied and enjoyable career, but it is now time to spent more time with the family and enjoy other interests.”   

Bill will officially retire from the Trust at the end of March.  

-END-

Wednesday 20th March 2013  –  9.30pm – Steve Parry.

A child has died and two others have been taken to hospital after falling into a canal in Kidderminster yesterday evening. (Tuesday)

West Midlands Ambulance Service can confirm that it was called to a location near Springfield Park, Kidderminster shortly after 6.15pm.

Two ambulances, an officer in a rapid response vehicle, together with the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and the CARE team, including a doctor, were alerted to the incident.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Ambulance crews joined other emergency services in searching a location near Springfield Park after reports of children in difficulty in the water.

“A female was recovered from the water and found to be in cardiac arrest. Resuscitation was immediately carried out on the child before the patient was later taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

“It is understood that the child later died in hospital.

“Two further children were treated at the scene for hypothermia. A boy and girl, believed to be 6-years old were out of the water when ambulance crews arrived. They were conveyed to Worcester Hospital.”  

Ends

 

Tuesday 19th March 2013 – 8.20pm – Steve Parry

A child has been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in Sparkhill this evening.

The incident occurred in Warwick Road just before 5pm. An ambulance, together with a paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle and a CARE team including a doctor, attended the scene.

 A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Ambulance crews arrived to find a pedestrian had been in collision with a car.

 “A female believed to be ten years old was treated for serious leg and pelvic injuries.

 “The patient was immobilised with the use of a neck collar, splints and placed on a spinal board. She was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

 A doctor travelled with the patient and the hospital was alerted to the serious condition of the patient.

–       End – .

Tuesday 18^th March 2013 – 9.05pm – John Hawker.

Two men have been seriously injured following a crash near Rugby this afternoon.

The crash occurred near the junction of Montilo Lane and the B4027, Pailton at around 3.05pm.  An ambulance, a paramedic officer, and the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire, and the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulances attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find two cars that had been in a collision.  Both cars had suffered substantial damage.

“The drivers of both vehicles, two men, both suffered serious injuries.  One man, believed to be in his 20’s was ejected from the vehicle and suffered multiple serious injuries, including head, leg and arm injuries.  He received emergency treatment and was air lifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further emergency treatment.

“The second driver, a man believed to be in his 30’s, suffered serious leg injuries and was trapped in his vehicle for around one hour whilst he received emergency treatment. His condition was stabilised and he was extricated from the car.  The man was airlifted to the same hospital by the second air ambulance for further emergency treatment.

“The hospital had been pre alerted to the patient’s arrival and their very serious injuries.”

 Ends

Photographs for 20 years Long Service and Good Conduct can be found here:

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/wmas-long-service-excellence-awards-20-years

 

Photographs for 25 years Long Service and Good Conduct can be found here:

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-lond-service

 

Photographs for 30 years Long Service and Good Conduct can be found here:

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service

 

Retirement photographs can be found here:

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service-66394

 

Outstanding Achievement photographs can be found here:

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service-74795

 

Photographs of Chief Officer Commendations can be found here:

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service-18666

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service-57353

and http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service-34064

 

 

Monday 18^th March 2013 – 2pm – Chris Kowalik.

Staff of West Midlands Ambulance Service, police, fire service personnel and members of the public have been honoured for their lifesaving help at a ceremony in Worcestershire.

Chief Officer Commendations were awarded at the Long Service and Excellence Awards at The Chateau Impney Hotel in Droitwich on Thursday 14^th March during which members of ambulance service staff received awards for long service and good conduct and retirement certificates.

Chief Executive Anthony Marsh said: “A really big thank you to all of our staff, volunteers and other colleagues who have worked with the ambulance service on a very regular basis to do the best we can for the public and patients across the entire West Midlands.”

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Holcroft, the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, who, on behalf of the Queen, presented the Long Service and Good Conduct medals for twenty years’ service, said: “I would like to thank all of you in the ambulance service no matter what your role is for carrying out your duties on a daily basis as part of a team that is both dedicated professional and, in many cases, extremely patient. May I include in the thank-you the husbands, wives, partners and families who all share in the shift patterns, the stresses and strains, the highs and lows of life in the service and who together are so important in making the service the undoubted success that it enjoys.”

Kevin Anderson, Head of Marketing of G4S Technology Ltd. (sponsoring the event), said: “I am proud that we are associated with the fantastic work that West Midlands Ambulance Service do on a daily basis. This really has been a wonderful afternoon and I am honoured  to have presented these awards to such incredible people.”

Sir Graham Meldrum, Chairman of West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “Today we will hear and we have heard the justification of the pride that we should all take in West Midlands Ambulance Service and all the people that serve it and have served it so well in so many different ways over so many years. I am certainly justifiably proud to be Chairman of such an excellent organisation.”

 

Awards:

Outstanding Achievement Award – Midlands Air Ambulance Paramedic Ian Roberts, based at Strensham.

Ian started his career in Worcester in April 1983.  He soon started to progress his career, eventually becoming a Divisional Officer at the station. His stay at Worcester ambulance station was not without incident as he was one of the first on scene at the M42 multi-vehicle road accident which involved over 100 vehicles.  Opting for air rather than land, Ian became a member of the Midlands Air Ambulance air crew based at Strensham in 2003. He became a full time flight crew member in 2007.  From that day to this, he has inspired many ambulance staff, including those now taking their first steps as a flight paramedic. For his professionalism and dedication to duty, the work of Ian Roberts was recognised with an Outstanding Achievement Award.

 

Among the Chief Officer Commendations were the following: (citations included):

Paramedic Suzanne Bromley

Emergency Care Assistant Patrick Finnegan

based Coventry:

In April last year, three ambulance staff based in Coventry responded to a 999 call describing a woman in cardiac arrest. The patient, Joanna Henderson, not only survived her ordeal, but visited Coventry ambulance station after her release from hospital to say ‘thank you’ to the crew involved. Sadly the crew were not on duty that day. . . However, we’ve finally managed to track everyone down …

 

Molly O’Mahony

member of the public from Quinton, Birmingham

Molly called 999 call to report her young brother suffering a convulsion. When ambulance crews arrived, it became clear that the patient, Jack and his sister Molly, were playing in the back garden of their home when Jack fell on the concrete floor and suffer a head injury. Showing true presence of mind, Molly called her mum and then dialled 999. Molly continued to care for her brother by putting him in the recovery position and did everything she was asked by the ambulance call taker – put the dog away, collect Jack’s medication – and flagged down the arriving ambulance. According to ambulance staff, Molly displayed an incredible mature attitude towards her brother’s situation.

 

Jasveer Poonian and Jaskaran Mavi

members of the public from Birmingham.

In August, Rajan Chaudhry a medical student at the University of Birmingham was enjoying a night out when he suddenly collapsed on the dance floor.  His friends Jasveer Poonian and Jaskaran Mavi  promptly recognised that he was in cardiac arrest and quickly started resuscitation. Paramedics arriving on scene and continued advanced life support before Rajan was taken to hospital. Rajan was discharged from hospital.  The intervention of Jaskaran Mavi and Jasveer Poonian saved the life of Rajan who was at the awards ceremony to assist in the presentation of the commendations to his two friends. 

 

Philipa Stokes

member of the public from Hereford.

Philipa has been recognised by ambulance staff for her actions in going to the assistance of a man who collapsed in cardiac arrest in February last year. Terrified and in shock at witnessing the sudden collapse, Philipa went to aid the patient with CPR before the crew arrived.  It was her early intervention that almost certainly saved the life of the patient.

 

Liz Rowbotham

member of the public from Wombourne.

Liz, a nurse, answered her door to a woman with a five-week old baby in arms who had stopped breathing. Liz commenced CPR until ambulance staff arrived. The baby was later rushed to hospital. The baby’s recovery was the result of quick thinking and prompt life-saving skills performed by Liz on that day.

 

Paul Sheldon

member of the public from Solihull.

In situations where a person collapses suddenly it is vital that immediate lifesaving treatment is given before ambulance crews arrive. Paul Sheldon went to the aid of a person who had collapsed in cardiac arrest. As a bystander, he recognised something had to be done and he started to deliver CPR to the patient before medical assistance arrived. His early actions eventually led to the patient surviving and leaving hospital.  Paul was awarded a Chief Officer Commendation on the recommendation of ambulance staff at the scene.

 

Paramedic Danielle Prosser

based in Birmingham.

Danielle was sent to the scene of an incident in Kings Heath, Birmingham.  Arriving first on scene, the paramedic was surprised to see a house well alight and no other emergency service on scene. The paramedic could see a woman still inside the property and without hesitation she took the decision to enter the property and proceeded to drag the patient to safety. The patient suffered serious burns in the incident and was taken to Hospital. Danielle was commended for her outstanding bravery and selfless actions at the scene of a significant house fire.

 

Team Leader Scott Hawkins,

Advanced Paramedic Michael Donnelly,

Advanced Paramedic Claire Bowden,

Advanced Paramedic Andrew Gelsthorpe,

Advanced Paramedic David Dawson.

all members of the Hazardous Area Response Team based in the Black Country.

The Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) are regularly called upon to attend the most serious of incidents in the region. In August, West Midlands Police raided a house in Birmingham for drugs. The premises were barricaded and when entry was finally made, police officers came into contact with a chemical substance spread on the floor causing them to become unwell. The HART team were on hand to provide expert treatment at the scene. Afterwards the Regional Head of Police Investigations praised the professional support and partnership provided by HART.

 

Paramedic David Benion

based at Donnington Ambulance Station in Telford.

In September last year, the skills of three ambulance staff from Shropshire were tested to the full when they were called to a mother giving birth during her 23rd week of pregnancy. This is normally far below the time regarded as a ‘survivable birth’. Given the very difficult circumstances, the team set to work delivering and then ventilating the new born as well as treating the mother. Mum and baby were conveyed to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where they spent many weeks before being discharged.  According to press reports at the time, the delivery was described as a ‘miracle outcome’. Two of the three members of staff were unable to attend the awards ceremony.

 

Steve Tarry

based at Coventry

Steve Tarry and a colleague who was unable to attend the awards ceremony were dealing with urgent patient transfers when a call was received for attendance at a  cardiac arrest only minutes away. They arrived and gave excellent CPR and medical treatment until and ambulance arrived. 

 

Paramedic Mark Iley – based in Worcester.

Mark and a colleague who was unable to attend the awards ceremony were sent to a property in Worcester where a patient riding a new mobility scooter had gone off a garden pathway and into a fish pond. The patient was lifted to safety and taken to hospital. They were commended for their efforts in this unusual case.

 

Tracey Morrell, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer based in Brierley Hill.

Tracey is commended for her considerable efforts during the festive season, working with the Temporary Minor Injury Unit based in central Birmingham. The unit is designed to provide medical assistance to party revellers to ease the demand on 999 services. This year saw the highest number treated at the centre in 6 years. Tracey was assaulted for her trouble, which sadly highlights the inherent dangers ambulance staff face as they go about their work.

 

University of Worcester Student Paramedic Jon Wood

Motorcycle Paramedic Steven Cooper based in Birmingham.

Jon was off-duty and shopping in Birmingham city centre when he suddenly noticed a young woman who looked in some distress. Jon decided to go and see if he could help.  It turned out that the woman was having contractions and was within minutes of going into labour. Motorcycle paramedic Steven Cooper arrived just in time and between Steve and John they successfully delivered a baby boy in the middle of a busy shopping street. Mum and baby were later transferred to Hospital and are doing fine.

 

Paramedic Robert Jennings – based in Dudley

Robert and a colleague who was unable to attend the awards ceremony were attending to a patient during the early hours of the morning at an apartment complex when they noticed smoke billowing from a neighbouring flat. With Police assistance, Robert Jennings and Philip Styles gained entry and three family members were woken from their beds and quickly evacuated from the premises. It turned out to be a chip pan fire with Robert removing it from the flat by throwing it outside as it burst into flames. He admits in hindsight that it may not have been the best idea, but he acted on impulse.  This was an act above and beyond the call of duty which undoubtedly saved a family and their property.

 

Paramedic Aimee Lihou

Emergency Care Assistant – Mike Slater

based in Stoke On Trent.

Aimee and Mike were first on scene of a fatal road traffic accident on the M6 on Christmas Day. Sadly there was loss of life in the accident, which was widely reported in the national media.  Aimee had only been practicing as a qualified paramedic for a matter of days and Mick, as an Emergency Care Assistant, was also relatively new to the role. Both Aimee and Mick did everything they could to manage the scene to the highest professional standards.

 

Midlands Air Ambulance Paramedic Fay Pollock

Midlands Air Ambulance Paramedic Ian Walley

Midlands Air Ambulance Doctor Nick Crombie

based Staffordshire

7-year old Ricky-Lee Poulton was seriously injured outside his home in Halesowen last August.  Ricky-Lee suffered serious internal and pelvic injuries in a collision with a van. Ambulance staff were quickly on the scene and treated Ricky-Lee for his injuries before he was taken to hospital. Ricky-Lee is now well on the way to recovery and back at school. Ricky-Lee and his family were present at the awards ceremony and assisted in the presentation of the three commendations.

 

Advanced Technician Phil Turton based in Dudley

Paramedic Area Support Officer Stephanie Whitehouse based in Dudley

Emergency Medical Technician Sean Bednall based in Sandwell.

Philip Clarke and Mark Haywood – West Bromwich Albion Stewards.

It was a massive team effort to revive Des Humphries the West Bromwich Albion fan who was just settling into his seat to watch the Baggies when he suffered a cardiac arrest.  Ground stewards, paramedics and supporters sprang into action to save Des after his heart stopped beating shortly before the derby game against Aston Villa at The Hawthorns in April last year.  Off duty ambulance technician, Phil Turton, was sitting next to Des and his son Neil. Phil immediately commenced CPR as ambulance crew Stephanie Whitehouse and Sean Bednall, together with stewards Philip Clarke and Mark Haywood joined forces to treat Des.  A defibrillator was used before he was taken to hospital where Des underwent heart surgery during an eight-week stay. Des and his son Neil attended the awards ceremony and assisted in the presentation of the commendations.

 

The following police and fire service personnel were nominated by ambulance staff for commendation for the role they played at incidents where a person’s life was in the balance:

 

PC Paul Bennett and PC Craig Spencer of West Midlands Police based in Walsall.

For providing excellent CPR to a patient who gained a pulse a pulse when ambulance staff arrived.

 

PC Tracey Robinson of West Mercia Police based in Hereford.

Tracey was out jogging and off-duty when a man suffered a cardiac arrest at the wheel of his car. Tracey pulled the gentleman from the car and started CPR until the arrival of the ambulance.

 

PC Philip Oldacres of West Mercia Police, Birmingham West & Central.

In recognition of his personal and professional conduct in treating a patient following an incident in Birmingham.

 

PC Laura Lawson, West Mercia Police, based in Redditch

Kevan Skidmore, Community First Responder.

PC Lawson was first on scene at an incident where a man was found ‘engulfed in flames’. PC Lawson managed to extinguish the flames and was joined by Community First Responder Kevan Skidmore who dressed the burns and provided a comprehensive handover to arriving ambulance staff.

 

Jason Boyd, West Midlands Fire Service Watch Commander based Oldbury

Graham Blunt, Firefighter, West Midlands Fire Service, based Oldbury

Mark Phillips, Firefighter, West Midlands Fire Service based Oldbury

Neil Stokes, Firefighter, West Midlands Fire Service based Hay Mills.

Firefighters worked with paramedics at the scene of a difficult and emotional incident in the Black Country. They have been nominated by ambulance staff who noted their professionalism and significant assistance at a difficult and demanding 999 call.

 

Ends

 

Note to Editors:

Pictures to accompany the above release are available from:

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service-74795

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service-18666

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service-57353

and http://officialwmas.posterous.com/west-midlands-ambulance-service-long-service-34064

 

The following press release issued February 10^th refers to Danielle Prosser’s commendation:

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/woman-rescued-from-house-fire

 

The following press release issued December 25^th 2012 refers to Aimee Lihou and Mike Slater’s commendation:

http://officialwmas.posterous.com/update-multiple-fatal-crash-on-m6

 

The following press release issued by the University of Worcester October 29^th 2012 refers to Jon Wood and Steven Cooper’s commendation:

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/off-duty-paramedic-student-ensures-safe-delivery.html

 

The following press release issued by West Bromwich Albion October 6^th 2012 refers to Phil Turton, Stephanie Whitehouse, Sean Bednall, Phil Clarke and Mark Haywood’s commendation:

http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/des-makes-heroic-comeback-411263.aspx

 

Note: A cardiac arrest is not a “heart attack” and should not be referred to as such.

.

Sunday 17^th March 2013 – 9.00pm – Claire Thomas.

A motorcyclist and pillion have been seriously injured following a collision with a car in Solihull this evening.

The incident happened outside The Barn public house on Stratford Road in Hockley Heath at 6.15pm (Sunday). Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and medics from the West Midlands Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency (CARE) Team attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a car and a motorcycle that had been involved in a significant collision. The rider, a man in his 50s, suffered a fractured pelvis, leg and wrist. Crews and the medics administered advanced analgesia to stabilise his condition whilst they assessed and treated his injuries. He was fully immobilised with a pelvic and leg splint and neck collar and spinal board before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. A medic travelled in the ambulance to hospital to continue treatment en route.

“The pillion passenger, a woman in her 40s, sustained serious multiple fractures. The woman was given advanced pre hospital treatment at the roadside by the medics in order to stabilise her condition which included advanced pain relief, fluids and full immobilisation. The woman was transferred by land ambulance on blue lights to the same hospital for further emergency treatment. The second medic accompanied the woman to A&E due to her condition. Medics were pre alerted to the arrival of both patients who were said to be in a serious condition.                                                                                                               

“Three men from the car involved were uninjured in the crash.”

Ends

Saturday 16^th March 2013 – 6.45pm – Claire Thomas.

A man had to be airlifted to hospital following a crash on the M6 this morning in Stoke on Trent.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the southbound carriageway of the M6 between junctions 15 and 14 in Hanchurch at 11.30am (Saturday). Two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a van which had collided with a barrier.

“All three occupants were out of the vehicle. The driver, a man believed to be in his 20s, suffered a leg and pelvic injury and was in a lot of pain. The doctor and crews administered pain relief to the man and stabilised his condition before he was fully immobilised. The man was their airlifted to University Hospital North Staffordshire for further treatment.

“The two passengers suffered relatively minor injuries and were immobilised as a precaution by crews before being taken to the same hospital for further assessment.

“Both carriageways of the motorway were closed for a time to enable the air ambulance to land and lift off from the scene.”

Ends

Saturday 16^th March 2013 – 5.45am – Claire Thomas.

A lorry driver has been taken to hospital after the HGV he was driving overturned in Coventry this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of the A45 and A46 in Baginton shortly after 9.30am (Saturday). An ambulance, a paramedic area support officer and two doctors and a paramedic from the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance base attended via land due to their close proximity.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a heavy goods vehicle, carrying around 30 tonnes of bananas, overturned onto its drivers’ side. The driver, a man in his 50s, was trapped in the cab by his right arm.

“The doctors and crews administered pain relief to the man, who had a shoulder injury and nasty injury to his trapped arm, and worked with the fire service to quickly establish the best way of extricating the man from the wreckage. The man’s arm was pinned between the lorry door and the road so the fire service used air bags to carefully lift up the side of the lorry in order for crews to release the man.

“After around half an hour, the man was released. Crews and the doctors immobilised him and dressed his wounds before being taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further treatment.”

Ends

Further to the press release issued this morning about an RTC in Hadley, Telford, the ambulance crew first on scene have praised the efforts of two West Mercia police officers from Shrewsbury.

The police officers reportedly found the car on fire with a passenger inside.  Despite the fact that the car was on fire, they managed to cut his seatbelt and drag the man from the wreckage to a safe distance before the car was totally engulfed in flames.

The attending ambulance crews would like to pass on their appreciation and respect to the officers who’s actions were very brave in such a dangerous situation. The police officers will be nominated for a WMAS Chief Officers Commendation.

Notes to editors: There will be no more details released regarding this case. Please contact West Mercia Police for more information.

Saturday 16^th March 2013 – 7.00am – Claire Thomas.

A man has been seriously injured after the car he was travelling in collided with a tree in Telford in the early hours.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A442 Queensway, near the Hadley Park roundabout, Hadley, shortly after 1.20am this morning (Saturday). An ambulance, two responder paramedics and the MERIT trauma doctor were sent to the scene. A second ambulance, en route to hospital with a patient on board, came across the RTC and stopped to help before crews arrived.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When crews arrived they found three patients out of the car. One passenger, a man, had been pulled clear from the wreckage by police prior to the ambulance services arrival and was in a serious condition.

“The man sustained a significant head injury and chest injury in the crash. Crews and the doctor quickly worked to stabilise his injuries. The doctor anaesthetised him on scene due to his worsening condition. The man was immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board, given fluids and drugs before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to University Hospital North Staffordshire for further emergency treatment. The doctor travelled in the ambulance with the patient. Medics were pre alerted to the arrival of the man who, at the time, was in a serious condition.

“The driver and second passenger were walking wounded with minor injuries and were taken to hospital as a precaution.”

 

Ends

Notes to Editors

I have no more details regarding this incident.

Friday 15^th March 2013 – 2.50am – Claire Thomas.

Doctors and nurses wanting to make a difference in their spare time are saving lives alongside West Midlands Ambulance Service.

The West Midlands Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency (CARE) team is a charitable organisation consisting of 85 doctors and nurses who volunteer their time and life-saving skills responding to 999 calls across the Region. They have been providing life-saving care in partnership with WMAS for 22 years and work alongside ambulance staff to provide specialist immediate care skills and advanced medical care to patients.

Every weekend a team of medics consisting of a doctor, nurse, paramedic officer and trainee medic are on hand to attend serious incidents.  The CARE Team looks after critically ill patients from those severely injured in car crashes, industrial incidents, shootings and stabbings to adult and child cardiac arrests and patients with serious medical problems such as heart attacks, fits, and breathing problems.

As well as providing help at the weekend, three doctors also respond to serious incidents throughout the week in their own cars and in their own time. A nurse is also due to start solo responding in the near future.

Martin Horton, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner at Heartlands Hospital, has been volunteering with the charity for seven years:  “We offer life-saving interventions such as surgical skills, anaesthesia, sedation and stronger pain relief which complement those of a paramedic and often means we learn from each other. By doing this job it challenges me and makes me think every single day, which is very rewarding as a nurse.

“Sometimes it might not be a job that’s extremely complex, but a job that makes a patient feel better is a good feeling.”

Dr Rob Moss, an Anaesthetic Registrar from the Stoke School of Anaesthetics, is the Fundraising Lead for the charity. He said: “I volunteer, not only because I am passionate about saving lives, but because it’s important to me to make a difference by improving patient outcomes and by supporting our ambulance service I feel I make a difference to local communities.

“It’s different from my day job in the sense of you never quite know what a job will bring. I like being able to bring my medical skills and knowledge to the front line working alongside paramedics as I believe we can make a difference to a patients’ survival and their long-term outcomes.

“This year, to continue the service we provide to patients across the Region, we’re looking for our own, dedicated, emergency vehicle for the charity. We are appealing for corporate, financial and charitable help to source a suitable car big enough to carry our team of four and all of our medical equipment. Any help would be greatly appreciated.”

If you think you can help, or if your company are interested in supporting the West Midlands CARE Team either though financial support, sponsorship or branding, please contact Dr Robert Moss, Fundraising Lead on 0121 471 2834 visit http://www.wmcareteam.co.uk/ or email office@wmcareteam.co.uk. You can follow the CARE team on Twitter via @wmcareteam.

 

Ends

Notes to Editor:

As well as saving lives on the front line, the CARE Team also provide a broad range of clinical education and training to the ambulance service and hospital staff. They’re also involved in medical research to further improve the care of patients by changing clinical practices in the pre hospital environment.

 

 

West Midlands Ambulance Service is Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week! Since 2009, over 100 WMAS staff have achieved apprenticeships with a further 120 staff who hope to achieve within the next 18 months.  For more information, please contact organisational.developmentHR@wmas.nhs.uk

Come along to ASDA in Smethwick from 9am till 12pm and Birmingham Central Mosque from 12pm till 2.30pm. The team look forward to seeing as many potential paras of the future as possible 🙂

Thank you to everyone who came to speak to us (Pictured Louise Harris – Recruitment Advisor, Dan Brady – Clinical Development Officer, Angad ‘Ungie’ Flora – Paramedic, Nisha – Job Seeker)

 

Thursday 14^th March 2013 – 5.20pm – Claire Thomas.

Two women have been taken to hospital after falling over in woodland in Herefordshire and Shropshire this afternoon.  

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the Old Rectory Wood near Church Street in Church Stretton shortly before 11.45am (Thursday) and two ambulances were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The woman, believed to be in her 60s, was walking on a hill when she slipped a fell on a steep bank. Crews assessed the woman and found she had suffered an ankle injury in the fall. The woman was treated on scene before being carried to the awaiting ambulance with help from the National Trust. The woman was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further treatment.”

The second incident happened at around 3.30pm in woods near the Police Station on Worcester Road in Ledbury. An ambulance, a responder paramedic and paramedics from the Trusts Hazardous Area Response Team attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The 58 year old woman had fallen whilst walking and had landed in a small gully. She had suffered an ankle injury. Crews gave the woman pain relief whilst they stabilised her ankle and secured her into a specialised carry stretcher. The crews then carried the woman to the awaiting ambulance before she was taken to Hereford Hospital.”

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Thursday 14^th March 2013 – 9.30am – Claire Thomas.

A woman has been taken to hospital after being rescued from a house fire in Dudley this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Edenbridge View, Lower Gornal, shortly after 2.30am (Thursday). An ambulance crew, a responder paramedic and a paramedic area support officer attended the scene.

 A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When crews arrived they found a woman in her 50s who had been rescued from a house fire by the fire service.

 “The woman was suffering from the effects of inhaling smoke. She was given oxygen therapy and further treatment by crews at the scene before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Russells Hall Hospital.”

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Thursday 14^th March 2013 – 8.55am – Claire Thomas.

A man has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after being involved in a road traffic collision in Walsall in the early hours.

 West Midlands Ambulance Service received several 999 calls to reports of a car which had left the road and collided with a lamppost on West Bromwich Road near to Walstead Road in Walsall at around 2.15am (Thursday). An ambulance crew, a paramedic area support officer, a Hazardous Area Response Team paramedic and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene.

 A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find an unconscious man out of the car.

 “The man, believed to be in his 20s, suffered a serious head injury in the collision. After a full assessment, the doctor decided to anaesthetise the man at the scene due to his condition.

 “Once stabilised, the man was fully immobilised before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, one of the region’s major trauma centres, for further assessment and treatment.”

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Wednesday 13^th March 2013 – 5.15pm – Suzie Fothergill.

 A motorcyclist has been injured following a road traffic collision in Staffordshire today.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of Weston Coyney Road and Farnworth Road in Longton at approximately 3.50pm this afternoon.

An ambulance and a paramedic area support officer were dispatched to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews were called to reports of a van a motorcycle that had been in collision.

“The motorcyclist, a 70-year-old man, was treated at the scene for a fractured leg. The man was given pain relief and his leg was immobilised at the scene before being conveyed to University Hospital of North Staffordshire for further assessment and treatment.

“No one else was injured in this incident.”

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WMAS will be at Job Centre Plus at Temple Row House, Soho Road, Birmingham on Thursday 14th March between 10am and 4pm.  Come along and see what becoming a paramedic is all about . . .

WMAS will be at Job Centre Plus at Temple Row House, Soho Road, Birmingham, on Thursday 14th March between 10am and 4pm.  Come along and see what becoming a paramedic is all about . . .

Monday 11^th March 2013 – 1.35pm – Chris Kowalik. 

A woman and a baby boy have been taken to hospital after the car they were in ended up on its roof in Warwickshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Gaydon Road, near Brookside Farm, Bishops Itchington shortly before 11.45am today.

A senior paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance crew and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The woman driver who is in her twenties had neck, back and pelvic pain. She was immobilised with the use of a spinal board and neck collar.

“The four month old baby was securely strapped to a child seat in the car and appeared to be uninjured.

“The attending ambulance took the woman to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. The baby was taken to the same hospital in the same ambulance for a check-up.”

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Saturday 9^th March 2013 – 8.45pm – John Hawker.

Four people have been injured in a crash in Worcestershire this evening.

The crash occurred on Lower Howsell Road, Leigh Sinton at around 4.20pm. Four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic officer and the Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS) Basics Doctor attended the scene.

 A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a car and a van that had been in a significant collision.  Both vehicles had suffered substantial damage.

 “Four people were travelling in the car; a 20 year old man suffered two suspected broken wrists, a 20 year old man suffered a suspected fractured jaw and a 15 year old boy suffered neck pain.  All there were treated at the scene for their injuries and transferred to Worcester Royal Hospital by ambulances for further treatment.

 “A 21 year old girl travelling in the car suffered multiple serious leg injuries and was trapped in the vehicle.  She received emergency treatment at the scene whilst being removed from the car.

 “The girl was transferred by ambulance to the same hospital for further emergency treatment.

 “The hospital had been pre alerted to the girl’s arrival and serious injuries.

 “The occupant of the van was uninjured in the crash.

 “Considering the damage to the vehicles, the occupants were fortunate not to have suffered more serious or even life threatening injuries.”

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A number of people have asked questions about whether you can apply to become one of our student paramedics if you have had a criminal conviction.

Jennifer Zandbeek, who is one of the team doing the recruiting has this answer:

“Thank you for your questions. These posts are exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, therefore you must declare all criminal convictions on the application form, Criminal Declaration Convictions Form and during your interview, including “spent” convictions, driving offences. The post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and ultimately HCPC registration may not be possible to achieve with some convictions. We would want to establish this early, if you wish to discuss confidentially with a Recruitment Advisor please call on 01902 886460. A further Enhanced DBS check will be required if you qualify, just prior to registration and on application for a Registered Paramedic post.”

For information about the position can be found on NHS Jobs at http://www.jobs.nhs.uk and then search for West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Saturday 9^th March 2013 – 1.45pm – John Hawker.

A woman was trapped in the car she was driving following a serious RTC in Walsall this morning.

The crash occurred on the A454 Black Country Route, near the Keyway Junction at around 8.45am.  An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic officer and the Trusts MERIT Team attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a car and a coach that are believed to have been in a collision.  Both vehicles had also been in collision with the central reservation barrier.

“The woman driving the car, believed to be 23 years old, suffered multiple minor injuries including back pain.  She received emergency treatment at the scene in the car, and was immobilised using a spinal board and neck collar.  The woman was then removed from the car with the help of the fire service.

“She was transferred by land ambulance to Walsall Manor Hospital for further treatment.

“The coach was full at the time of the crash but fortunately no one was injured.”

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We are unable to do condition checks.   Pictures are available to use, but please credit West Midlands Ambulance Service.

 

Saturday 9^th March 2013 – 8.00am – John Hawker.

A man has been seriously injured following an RTC in Telford last night.

The crash occurred just before midnight at Burford, Brookside.  An ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Trusts MERIT Team with a Trauma Doctor attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a man trapped in a car with serious head and leg injuries.

“He received emergency treatment at the scene and was extricated from the vehicle.

“The man, believed to be in his 20’s, was transferred by ambulance to University Hospital North Staffordshire Major Trauma Unit for further emergency treatment.

“The hospital had been pre alerted to the mans arrival and his serious injuries.”

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We are unable to do condition checks

Friday 8th March 2013 – 4pm – Steve Parry.

A mother and two young children have been taken to hospital following a fire at a residential property in Yardley this afternoon. 

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to premises in Kathleen Road at approximately 2.30pm.

An ambulance, together with a paramedic officer and the Medical Response Incident Team (MERIT) attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “A woman in her thirties and her two young children were apparently rescued from a window by a neighbour as the emergency services attended the scene.    

“The woman and the two female children (3 years and 2 months of age) were treated for smoke inhalation and conveyed to Hartlands Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

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Ask your Student Paramedic Support Team

You can submit a question to Jennifer and Louise via our Facebook and Twitter pages. Search for @officialwmas

Jennifer Zandbeek (pictured above) is the Trust’s Learning & Development Manager and provides the link between our partner Universities and our Trust. Jennifer has played an integral role in designing the training programme so can assist you with any queries regarding this.

Louise Harris (pictured above) is a Recruitment Advisor specialising in the employment of our operational workforce. Louise can assist you with advice on the recruitment process including completing your application form, the entry criteria for the post and also answer any questions regarding the Student Paramedic Fixed Term Contract.

 

 

Thursday 7^th March 2013 – 10.30pm – John Hawker.

Two people have been injured following an RTC in Shropshire this evening.

The crash occurred on the A442, near Dudmaston Hall, Bridgnorth at around 5.15pm.  Three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic officer and the Trusts MERIT Team attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find two vehicles that had been in a serious collision.

“One man travelling in one vehicle, believed to be in his 60’s, suffered serious arm, chest and suspected abdominal injuries.  He received emergency treatment at the scene and was extricated from the vehicle.

“A man believed to be in his 40’s, travelling in the second vehicle, suffered serious leg and facial injuries.  He also received emergency treatment at the scene whilst being freed from the vehicle.

“Both men were transferred by land ambulances to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Major Trauma Unit for further emergency treatment.

 “The hospital had been pre alerted to the mens arrival and their serious injuries.”

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We are unable to do condition checks.

Thursday 7^th March 2013 – 5.10pm – Chris Kowalik.

Two men have been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision involving a car and a van in Herefordshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of the A449 and the B4224 at Old Gore, between Ross-on-Wye and Much Marcle.

A community paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a senior paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle and two ambulance crews attended. The crew of the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham also attended, arriving in a rapid response vehicle because the helicopter was unable to fly due to poor visibility.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a van overturned having collided with a BMW. The driver of the car was uninjured, but its male passenger had head and neck pain and was taken to Hereford County Hospital.
“Ambulance and fire personnel worked together to free a man in his forties who was the driver of the overturned van. He had abdominal pain and spinal tenderness. He was immobilised and taken to the same hospital.”

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Thursday 7^th March 2013 – 3.25pm – John Hawker.

Due to the imminent closure of the posterous.com service, West Midlands Ambulance Service will continue to provide all of its latest news to the media and public by switching to the ‘wordpress’ service.

Log on to www.officialwmas.wordpress.com to access all the latest Trust news and information.  All Trust press releases will be uploaded onto the site, with the ability to subscribe to automatic updates via email, and also share news via social media.

The Trusts twitter feed @officialwmas, and facebook page officialwmas will also continue to be updated and a source of information.  You can also access our press releases via the news section of our website www.wmas.nhs.uk

We hope the change goes smoothly and does not affect the accessibility of the information and news that we send out.

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Thursday 7^th March 2013 – 9.20am – Chris Kowalik.

One thousand pounds has been donated to a group of volunteer lifesavers in Shropshire.

Telford & Wrekin Community First Responder (CFR) scheme, a registered charity (charity number 1131479) was presented with a cheque from the Ironbridge Lodge in Broseley on Monday 4^th March.

There are 23 active members of the Telford & Wrekin scheme, all trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service to a nationally recognised standard in a variety of skills and techniques including basic life support, CPR and defibrillation. They can be sent by the ambulance service’s control room to medical emergencies in their area while an ambulance resource is en-route.

Scheme co-ordinator Steve Brown said: “We were delighted they raised so much money for us. It was a nice surprise. It was good to see the community helping us. The money will go towards a new response vehicle.”

For more information about the work of Community First Responders, visit www.wmas.nhs.uk and enter “Community First Responder” in the search field.

For more information about Telford & Wrekin Community First Responders, visit www.telfordcfrs.org

To become a Community First Responder, call the CFR Admin office on 01743 273 677

Ends

Pictured left to right: Arthur Jones, John Griffiths, Rowland Appleby, Steve Brown Stewart Hayllar, Wayne Appleby, Paul Hughes, Austin Cannon

Thursday 7^th March 2013 – 9.20am – Chris Kowalik.

One thousand pounds has been donated to a group of volunteer lifesavers in Shropshire.

Telford & Wrekin Community First Responder (CFR) scheme, a registered charity (charity number 1131479) was presented with a cheque from the Ironbridge Lodge in Broseley on Monday 4^th March.

There are 23 active members of the Telford & Wrekin scheme, all trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service to a nationally recognised standard in a variety of skills and techniques including basic life support, CPR and defibrillation. They can be sent by the ambulance service’s control room to medical emergencies in their area while an ambulance resource is en-route.

Scheme co-ordinator Steve Brown said: “We were delighted they raised so much money for us. It was a nice surprise. It was good to see the community helping us. The money will go towards a new response vehicle.”

For more information about the work of Community First Responders, visit www.wmas.nhs.uk and enter “Community First Responder” in the search field.

For more information about Telford & Wrekin Community First Responders, visit www.telfordcfrs.org

To become a Community First Responder, call the CFR Admin office on 01743 273 677

Ends

Pictured left to right: Arthur Jones, John Griffiths, Rowland Appleby, Steve Brown

Stewart Hayllar, Wayne Appleby, Paul Hughes, Austin Cannon

 

 

 

Thursday 7^th March 2013 – 9.10am – Chris Kowalik.

West Midlands Ambulance Service can confirm it was called this morning to a medical emergency on board a bus in Hagley Road, Edgbaston shortly after 7.35am.

A senior paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle, two BASICS Emergency medics and two ambulance crews attended.

One person was confirmed dead at the scene.

Ends

Note to Editors: For any further information, please contact West Midlands Police.