WOMBOURNE BUTCHER SWAPS CHOPPING TO SHOCKING

Locals in a South Staffordshire village are in safe hands after a defibrillator took up residence at a butcher’s this week.

Thanks to partnership working between West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS), Treble9 Community First Responders (CFRs) and a local business, Wombourne has a life-saving piece of kit on hand 24 hours a day seven days a week together with people trained in basic life support.

Boxleys Butchers on Windmill Bank is now home to a public access defibrillator (PAD); a device used to restart someone’s heart when they’ve suffered a cardiac arrest. The defibrillator, located in a yellow box on the wall of the butchers, is secure but publicly accessible in the event of an emergency.

On Wednesday, WMAS officially handed over the defibrillator. Adrian Jackson, co-owner of Boxleys Butchers, said: “We’re privileged to participate in this venture on behalf of the village. We’ve had lots of customers asking what the yellow box is on the wall outside and we’ve been explaining it to them as well as handing out leaflets to raise awareness about the defibrillator.

“You really don’t know when you’ll need to know how to save a life and the defibrillator is there just in case. We hope it’s never used in reality but if it saves just one life it’s worthwhile.”

Kevin Wright, Treble 9 CFR, saves lives in South Staffordshire and the Black Country in his spare time. Kevin approached Boxleys as it was an ideal location for the defibrillator in Wombourne. Kevin said: “We are grateful to Adrian and Mark [Brookes] at Boxleys for their support and community spirit in allowing us to site the defibrillator on their premises.

“If you want to find out more about the defibrillator at Boxleys and how to save a life, come along to the Community Centre, Church Road, Wombourne on 9^th February between 9.00am – 1.30pm. We’ll be there to give locals the opportunity to get hands-on with the defibrillator to learn how to save a life!”

Emma Wilkins, the Trust’s Black Country Community Response Manager, said: “This is great news for locals and something to be really proud of. There’s real overwhelming support from Boxleys to the community of Wombourne. It’s fantastic that the defibrillator is in a central point and one that everyone knows who live in and around Wombourne.

“If someone suffers a cardiac arrest in the village residents and shop owners know to call 999 and head to Boxleys for a defibrillator. This will undoubtedly give a patient the best chance of surviving whilst an ambulance is on route.”

SECAmb thanks staff, volunteers and public

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has praised the efforts of its staff, volunteers and the support of the public during the recent snowy weather.

The Trust has continued to respond well to patients in difficult conditions and had robust plans in place ahead of the arrival of the colder weather. 

Challenging driving conditions have meant that it has taken longer that it would like to reach some patients but staff and clinicians in its Emergency Operations Centres and out on the road have ensured those in most need have been prioritised and treated as quickly as possible.

Support staff and mechanics have also ensured the Trust’s vehicles and stock levels are maintained and the dedication of the SECAmb’s volunteer Community First Responders and voluntary groups including St John Ambulance, the Red Cross and local 4x4 organisations has been invaluable.

Head of Contingency Planning and Resilience at SECAmb, Andy Cashman said: “Our crews have worked tirelessly around the clock to ensure those who need our help are treated as quickly as possible. On behalf of the Trust, I’d like to say a very big thank you to every one of them. We’re also extremely thankful to all our volunteers whose support throughout the year but in particular at difficult times such as these is always second to none.”

The snow and ice, as is typical, has led to an increase in calls for slips and falls and the colder weather can also lead to other problems for elderly or vulnerable people.

SECAmb would also like to thank members of the public for their continued support and remind them of some simple advice to keep themselves and their friends and family safe and well as the colder continues during this week.

New Chief Executive joins London Ambulance Service

Ann Radmore, an NHS leader with over 30 years experience, joins London Ambulance Service today (Monday 7 January) as its new Chief Executive. Ann is the first female chief executive of the London Ambulance Service. She said: “I feel very privileged and excited to be joining the Service.

“One of my first big challenges is to understand the rising demand for ambulances in London. I’m looking forward to working with commissioners to take the Service forward so we continue to provide the highest standards of patient care while responding to increasing numbers of 999 calls.”

Since her appointment was announced in October, Ann has already joined ambulance crews on ride outs as they respond to incidents in the capital. She has also spent time in the emergency control room at the Service’s headquarters in Waterloo.

Ann said: “What I’ve seen is real pride, compassion and commitment to patient care in the people who work for the Service. It is certainly one of our biggest strengths.

“The London Ambulance Service is a good organisation and I’m looking forward to leading it through some of the changes taking place in the health service in London.”

Ann was previously Chief Executive of NHS South West London and started her NHS career as a national management trainee after graduating from Cambridge University. She was appointed Sector Chief Executive for South West London in 2009 and was previously Chief Executive of NHS Wandsworth. 


Ann led two major hospital redevelopments, one in Greenwich and one at Queen Mary's Roehampton. She also led the London wide implementation of the ground breaking stroke and cardiovascular models – which significantly improved outcomes for patients through specialist units.

Ann said: “I have lived in London all my life and worked in the NHS since 1983 and feel honoured to have the opportunity to work for this crucial, lifesaving service.

“I very much look forward to playing my part in taking these essential services for Londoners from strength to strength.”

Ann lives in Croydon with her two sons. 

She replaces Peter Bradley who left the Service in September to become Chief Executive of St John Ambulance in New Zealand.

Busy New Year for ambulance service

999 call numbers significant during first four hours of 2013

As predicted, the New Year brought a challenging time for East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS), who were busy responding to people who needed help having sustained an injury or falling ill.

Peter Ripley, EMAS Director of Operations said: “In the first four hours of 2013, we received over 1,000 emergency 999 calls. On an average day, we expect to receive around 2,000 calls. 

“I pay tribute to our staff who worked in on the frontline – our skilled staff answering calls received in our Emergency Operations Centres and our clinicians out on the road providing medical treatment and care. They did a truly magnificent job, in challenging circumstances.

“They were supported by operational management teams based at hospital Emergency Departments to assists with the clinical handover of patients to hospital staff. We were also supported by our Community First Responders, Fire co-responders, the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance and EMICS (East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme doctors), all of whom help us to provide the very best service during busy and challenging times. I thank them for their continued dedication and support.

“The festive season may be over, however we expect to continue to receive significant call numbers over the next few weeks and I urge people to use the right NHS services available to them for treatment of minor illnesses or injuries."

 CHRISTMAS ARRIVES EARLY FOR CFRS


Norton/Burntwood and Brownhills District CFRs with the Norton Canes Parish Councillor and PC 
Paramedics staff.

The Norton/Burntwood and Brownhills District Community First Responder (CFR) scheme has received almost £1,500 in donations from the public and local organisations.

CFRs are groups of volunteers that respond to emergencies on behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service, prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

CFRs are local to their communities and can help reach those people in rural areas suffering from medical emergencies fast. In many illnesses or injuries the first few minutes are critical and simple interventions can be performed in order to save lives or prevent disability.

Although trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service CFRs are entirely funded by charitable donations.

In a bid to raise additional funds the Norton/Burntwood and Brownhills District CFRs recently held a Christmas Fete at Burntwood's Springhill Primary School. The day went extremely well, seeing hundreds of people attend throughout the day, raising £300 for the group.

Alongside the fundraising fete, the scheme has recently received a number of large donations from organisations including Norton Council, PC Paramedics and Rugeley Lions. The group has also received a bequest of £300.

Group co-ordinator Sam Westley said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to all who have offered donations to the group. In total we have managed to raise almost £1,500. This money will certainly help the group to continue responding.

“The scheme, which consists of three responders, has attended to approximately 1,300 calls since March (approx. 200 calls a month) so you can imagine fuel costs and car maintenance cost mount up substantially.”

For more information about the responders please visit http://www.nbbdcfr.org/