Medical Staff Treat 700 at Festival

Over 700 people required medical attention at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Revellers were treated for a variety of problems ranging from allergies, blisters, sunburn and sprains through to over indulgence, minor burns and exhaustion.

Chris Smith, Head of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service said 'the partnership working between the Island’s NHS, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust’s HART specialist team, and the St. John Ambulance and Red Cross volunteers in Strawberry Fields is an important part of the service provided.

'Hundreds of Festival goers were helped with Injuries, illness and minor ailments and our colleagues in St. John Ambulance and the Red Cross were kept busy until the early hours and our private sector partners kept the campsite vigil all night long.   Indeed the whole medical service provided to the Festival is based on excellent partnership working between the NHS, voluntary and private sectors.'

Close to the First Aid Centre in Strawberry Fields the Isle of Wight NHS Trust team organise and run a pharmacy under the name ‘Wight Medicine’.   They were able to provide hundreds of Festival goers with over the counter remedies and emergency supplies for common problems such as headaches, hay fever, eye infections, sunburn, blisters, indigestion, bites and stings.

Acting Chief Executive at Isle of Wight NHS Trust Karen Baker said: “All our staff who work and volunteer at the Festival are a credit to the organisation.  They help ensure that the Festival is safe and fun for all present whilst at the same time ensuring that Island residents continue to receive a high quality responsive service.'

Not long to go...

Plans are now well under way for this year’s Motorcycle Ride Out in aid of Devon Air Ambulance Trust, with a new registration and start point, a new route and a different location for the celebrations at the end of the ride.  This annual event, now in its 7^th year, traditionally attracts riders from all over the county of Devon and this year looks set to be bigger and better than ever.

Bikers are invited to meet from 0900 on Sunday 8^th July at The Log Cabin at Knowstone, just off the A361 between Tiverton and South Molton.  There is plenty of parking and refreshments will be available.  After a safety briefing, the ride will start at 1100, following an 80-mile fully marshalled route through some of Devon’s most beautiful countryside, finishing on The Den at Teignmouth, where there will be live music, hot food, a beer tent and entertainment for all the family.

One rider looking forward to the Ride Out this year is Andy Payne who, as well as riding the route, will also be displaying his 1000cc Aprilia v-twin racing sports bike on The Den at Teignmouth.  Andy, from Paington, was airlifted by Devon Air Ambulance in June 2010 following a head-on collision between his motorbike and a car.  Andy, in a great deal of pain from compression fractures to three of his vertebrae, was grateful to the paramedics who attended the incident, “I was very relieved to be taken to hospital by the helicopter as a land ambulance would have taken much longer and, undoubtedly been a far bumpier ride!  I am very happy to be back riding and racing again and I am delighted to support the Devon Air Ambulance wherever I can.” 

This year’s ride costs only £5 to enter; all riders receive a souvenir t-shirt and all bikes will be entered for judging.  Trophies will be awarded to category winners in Best Custom Bike, Best Classic Bike and Best In Show.

Caroline Creer, Director of Fundraising for Devon Air Ambulance Trust, said “Our annual Motorcycle Ride Out is always incredibly well supported. It’s such a good day out and the atmosphere is amazing. Like Andy, the motorcycling community of Devon is very appreciative of the work of the Devon Air Ambulance and this is one event where they can be involved and really give something back.”

In 2011, 33 motorcyclists were airlifted to a specialist hospital as a matter of urgency. The medical attention and care given by the aircrew at the scene of an incident and the speed with which they can convey patients to the most appropriate hospital is paramount to their survival and recovery.

I'm your patron, car crash victim tells Magpas team

Magpas patron Lady Linda Vane Percy experienced the emergency medical team in action when her car overturned in Huntingdon. The 63-year-old was cut out of her vehicle by the fire service as a Magpas team monitored her condition.

Lady Linda, of Island Hall, Godmanchester, suffered four fractured ribs and cuts and bruising and is now recovering at home. She told the News she made a joke about Magpas to the emergency services at the scene, knowing they attended serious incidents, only to recognise one of their distinctive Magpas uniforms. Lady Linda, 63, said: “They said ‘we have been asked to check you over’ and I said ‘I am a patron of yours’ and they replied ‘I thought I recognised you, at least you are getting your money’s worth now’.” She added: “I have been a great supporter of theirs for many years. I was so pleased, I love my Magpas.”

Lady Linda said she did not think the accident was ever going to stop as her Smart car flipped over and the windows began to smash. She said: “My mouth was full of broken glass and my hand was bleeding profusely.”

She was removed from the vehicle on a spinal board before being taken to hospital.

Lady Linda praised Magpas and the emergency services, saying: “They were so marvellous, all of them. After a week I still feel stiff and quite breathless and not able to do as much as I would like to do.”

Lady Linda and her husband Christopher Vane Percy are organising a fundraising event for Magpas at Island Hall, involving an exhibition of her Zandra Rhodes dresses and talks about the designer’s work. Information about the event, on July 1, is available from info@magpas.org.uk or (01480) 371060.

Julian Makey , Cambridge News

Gravesend lifeboat called to injured man on boat in Erith

The Gravesend lifeboat was called in the middle of the night to help a man who had fallen on a boat in Erith.
Crews were scrambled to the sailing barge Cambria at 3:08am on Wednesday (June 6). The casualty, who had briefly passed out, was found to be conscious and alert on arrival but was complaining of a pain in his side from when he fell. A Hazardous Area Response Team paramedic was put on board the Cambria and consulted with the lifeboat crew from Gravesend about how best to deal with the casualty.It was agreed to land the man ashore at Erith Causeway, where he was taken to hospital by ambulance.

 

CEGA win Waypoint Airmed and Rescue Challenge 2012

CEGA Air Ambulance again demonstrated that it leads the way in standards of clinical excellence by winning the Waypoint Airmed and Rescue Challenge 2012 for fixed wing aircraft.

The Challenge is held annually at the Waypoint Airmed Conference, which attracts exhibitors and delegates from all over the world. Working in teams and using patient simulators, teams have the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in a typical medical emergency situation to a panel of international medical experts.

"We're delighted to receive this international endorsement of our proactive approach to patient safety and care. It's a true testament to the skills of our multi-disciplined air ambulance teams," said Stuart Cox, Senior Flight Nurse, one of CEGA's participating medical team.

INSPIRING FIRST AID HEROES AND COMPANIES SOUGHT

- AWARDS OPEN FOR ENTRY -

Do you know someone who has saved a life? Or a healthcare organisation that has high first aid standards? St John Ambulance is seeking your nominations as the charity launches its nationwide search for individuals, organisations and businesses that are leading the way in first aid.

The St John Ambulance First Aid Awards is a high-profile awards event honouring first aid role models, while raising awareness that first aid can be the difference between lives lost and lives saved. This year’s event will be hosted by survivalist Ray Mears who has himself used first aid many times and will take place at the luxurious Lancaster London hotel near London’s Hyde Park on 19 November.

Ray Mears says: ‘When I attended last year’s St John Ambulance First Aid Awards, I was touched and inspired by the stories that I heard of heroism and commitment to saving lives. That’s why I am proud to be hosting the First Aid Awards this year.

‘The skill to save a life is an essential one; you never know when you could find yourself faced with a situation where first aid is the difference between a life lost and a life saved. That’s definitely the case in the wilderness but also applies at home, in the office or your local neighbourhood.

‘I can’t wait to hear the great first aid stories that come out of this year’s awards and meet those leading the way.’

Previous winners

Last year’s inaugural event was an inspirational and uplifting evening, with celebrities and royalty attending to celebrate first aid excellence. Hosted by BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth, the evening recognised outstanding individuals from organisations like the Metropolitan Police and Tesco as well as from local communities. Teenagers James Mavin and Michael Purvis received an award from HRH The Countess of Wessex for saving an elderly gentleman's life, while playscheme worker Christophe Hayes was rewarded for resuscitating his colleague.

Healthcare organisations nominated last year included Acorn Villages, Roche Products and winner 3 Trees Community Support. 3 Trees Community Support also won the prize for Overall Workplace of the Year, for a submission described as 'inspiring' by the judges.

Help ensure recognition for first aid heroes

Successful entries will be invited to join high-profile guests for the uplifting black-tie ceremony in November.

Last year’s winner, Simon Smith, Director at 3 Trees Community Support said: “Winning both the Workplace Award for Healthcare and the Workplace of the Year Award came as a big surprise. We see first aid as an everyday part of what we do and it is very humbling to win both of these awards. 100% of our team are trained in first aid and they work hard to bring first aid knowledge to the wider community and young people. We believe it’s an important part of what we offer at 3 Trees and is something we hope to continue doing in future.”

Find out about our award categories, and help ensure that inspirational first aid stories and organisations who are going the extra mile get the recognition they deserve. Visit www.sja.org.uk/firstaidawards for more information. The deadline for entries is 5pm Friday 13 July.

First Responders Recognised With Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal

Six members of the Rossendale Community First Responder team were proud and honoured to receive a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for long service.

 Pictured with their medals left to right are: Gary Bradbury,
Mohammed Shafiq (currently training to become a Paramedic),
Brian Pickup (Rossendale CFR Team Leader),
Councillor Gladys Sandiford, Dawn Taylor (Deputy Team Leader),
Simon Doyle (now leading the Sabden CFR team),
Carl Potter (former CFR, now a Paramedic) and Paul Nielsen.

The medals were presented at the team's regular training evening at Fearns Community Sports College by Councillor Gladys Sandiford, former Mayor of Rossendale. Each of the Responders has served at least 5 years in continuous voluntary service to the Rossendale community.

First Responders are mobilized by North West Ambulance Service and, as they are on call from their own home or place of work, they are often able to arrive on scene before the emergency ambulance. They are trained to a high standard and carry life saving equipment to assist a patient with serious or life-threatening conditions.

Paul Nielsen said: 'I am really proud to receive the medal and to have not only my work, but also the work of all Community First Responders recognised in this way.'