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South Central
Ambulance Service
NHS Foundation Trust
Foundation Times
Issue 22
Spring 2018
Issue 22 Spring 2018
4
WELCOME
Meet the new class of 2018 Governors Welcome to
the spring 2018
17 26
bumper edition of
Paramedic Julia SCAS digital
Foundation Times
spends time in NHS pioneer
Chicago
28 36
Happy 3rd Personal
birthday 999 safety in the
Ted!! countryside
Ambulance service
Ambulance service
Issue 22 Spring 2018 Take the quiz on page 66
If you would like to submit an article for Foundation
Times please send it to getinvolved@scas.nhs.uk.
Foundation Times is produced by South Central
Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
FRONT COVER PHOTO
Editor: Monica Moro
Design: Clare Daniels opportunity
Cover photo: South Park, Oxford - Clare Daniels If you are interested in photography and would like to
see your image on the front cover of the next issue,
please send it to us along with details of where it was
taken to getinvolved@scas.nhs.uk
www.scas.nhs.uk www.facebook.com/scas999 www.twitter.com/scas999 www.flickr.com/999scas
2 3
Issue 22 Spring 2018
Meet the new class Public constituencies
of 2018 governors amsh ire
ck i n g h
Following our autumn elections, we are pleased to Bu
welcome some new faces to the Trust. Their three year
term started on 1 March this year. Bob
Crocker
shi re shire
in g h a m Hamp I am a Physicist and have worked all my
Buck professional life in Research and Development to
improve the inspection of engineering materials in
safety critical industries such as the aerospace, nuclear
and railway industry.
I have decided to stand for election because I believe
Tony Nicholson I could bring a useful perspective to the Council of
Charles McGill Governors because of my experience of working with
Bernadette Devine teams of highly skilled people to develop solutions
Bob Crocker to problems which, by their nature, present
huge unknowns, almost always against the
ituen cies constraints of both financial budgets and
Const
time to completion.
Staff
x f o rdshire
O
Bernadette
Devine
Lynn Dove-Dixon
My standing for election reflects my passion for
Loretta Light Emma Crozier excellence and my commitment to continued public and
Stephen Haynes patient representation and involvement. I have over 25 years’
experience as an NHS adult nurse, mental health nurse, urgent
care commissioner, and as a recently qualified First Responder.
n ted
Appoi Future delivery and sustainability within both SCAS as an
NHS organisation and by being in the business of caring will
require continued innovation. As an elected Governor my
Kate Moss aim would be to work in partnership with the body of
Jim Dunderdale SCAS members to continue the good work to date, to
challenge where needed, and to hold the system to
account when required within the remit of the
role.
Anne Crampton
4 5
Issue 22 Spring 2018
Hamp
shire dshire
Oxfor
Charles
McGill MBE Stephen
Haynes
I have been operational member of Hampshire fire and rescue
service for 52 years serving all over the county of Hampshire,
and have had the honour of receiving an MBE from Her Majesty the I am a resident of Thame in Oxfordshire, having lived there
Queen for services to the community and joint partnership working, for the past 12 years with my wife. I have worked within
in 2016. I am believed to be the longest serving watch manager in the and alongside the NHS for the last 37 years, much of this time
country according to my service. spent across the Thames Valley region. The first 20 years of my
NHS career was spent working within ambulance services both as a
I feel that I am at a stage in my life where I would like a new challenge practicing clinician and latterly as a senior operational manager.
and become more involved with something rewarding to enhance the
community and society we currently live in. I also feel that my 52 years There are two key areas of focus that I intend to support both the
operational service and working in the local community has set me in South Central Ambulance Service Trust and their users with during
good stance to offer my real life experiences and give something back my tenure as a public governor. Firstly, to promote the continued
to the community which I am very passionate about. integration of the ambulance service with services provided
by the wider local NHS to ensure patients can be cared for
I have worked extremely flexibly through the years and am in a in their own homes whenever possible. Secondly, to
very good position to continue to be as flexible. My service support and represent the needs faced by those living
is aware of my appointment and will give me full in the most rural parts of the county in terms
support with time off to attend meetings and of rapid response in times of urgent and
events. emergency clinical need.
Tony Loretta
Nicholson Light
It was several years as a Trustee with the Hampshire and
I qualified in medicine at Guy’s Hospital in 1971 and
Isle of Wight Air Ambulance that first introduced me to the
worked in London and Worcestershire before deciding
critical role and dedicated people of SCAS.
on Paediatrics as a speciality after post graduate training
at Warwick University. I became a Consultant Community
I already had the belief in ‘public services’, starting as a RAF
Paediatrician in South Staffordshire with a particular interest
helicopter pilot and onwards right through to a board position in
in Social Paediatrics and was the lead for Child Protection.
a government Defence Agency.
Both professionally and as a carer for my late mother, I
I am driven by the desire to help make things work and improve
have always had enormous respect for the ambulance
outcomes, by drawing on all those accumulated experiences.
service and I hope the varied experiences of my career
It’s clear that, like other public bodies, SCAS faces a range of
will be useful in participating in the governance
increasing challenges. Being a Governor, and representing
of the Trust in the difficult demographic and
SCAS members and the wider community of
financial climate in which the NHS finds
Hampshire, offers the chance to support a
itself.
committed team in delivering a service that
matters to all of us.
6 7
Issue 22 Spring 2018
Staff constituencies
Corpo
rate/s
uppo
rt/oth
er
Lynn
Emma Non-Emerg
e n c y P a t ie nt Transpo
tics
rt
Dove-Dixon
E P T S ) and Logis
Crozier Servic e (N
I joined Hampshire Ambulance Service in 1985 as an
Ambulance Technician. Through my career I became a
I have worked for SCAS since August 2006 starting in the Paramedic, undertook several managerial roles and for the last
Contact Centre based at the Churchill Hospital which then fifteen years, until very recently, have been a Scheduling Manager.
moved to Northern House headquarters in 2009. Since then My current role is Planning Manager – Workforce and I am part of
I have had various roles within NEPTS to my now role of Area the Planning, Performance and Forecasting team.
Manager North Commercial Services.
My aim as a Staff Governor is to use my wealth of experience to work
For me projecting a caring, positive image, listening to concerns with staff addressing any concerns they may have.
and addressing issues quickly and considerately is pivotal in my role
and I truly believe that it is these skills that are the key to the staff Part of my new role is to work with staff with the view of improving
governor role. I will take forward colleagues’ views confidently their working conditions. I am part of the Policy Review Group team
and strongly and my passion for improving the service and care and this means I can communicate, on staff’s behalf, changes that
for our patients can only get better if staff are listened to they feel could be made. Likewise I can also discuss with staff
and given the opportunity to influence. why a change cannot be made.
It is going to be a privilege representing my I am looking forward to meeting more staff
staff constituency on the Council of throughout SCAS and ensuring that I fulfil
Governors and please contact this role for you.
me at any time.
Jim
Dunderdale Kate
I put myself forward as a Staff Governor because I am
Moss
passionate about SCAS, the job it does and the dedicated
staff that work for the organisation. I am a paramedic based in Didcot with over 10 years
road experience within SCAS and previous experience
Since I joined the organisation in August 2014 I have worked as as a Community First Responder prior to joining the
a Call Handler, a Coach and I currently sit on the NHS 111 Staff service.
Engagement Group.
Prior to SCAS, I have had a career that covers management
During the last few years I have had cause to use the service on in retail at senior levels, training, IT and market research
several occasions myself and have always found the staff I have whilst bringing up my family at the same time.
spoken to very professional, understanding and helpful.
I am looking forward to giving an objective view
I can assure my staff constituency members that I shall of the challenges we face within the NHS from
a c t c e n t re s including give 100% to promoting the service and of course a different perspective with a beneficial
Con t TS 999 Oper
H S 1 1 1 , E O C and NEP I will be happy to communicate to the Board aspect to the Frontline and SCAS. atio ns – Nort
N any ideas and concerns employees may h
have.
8 9
Issue 22 Spring 2018
Appointed More info
The Trust would also like to welcome partner governor
Dr Anne Crampton to the Council of Governors. Anne Full Governors’ profile
is a District Councillor in Hart where she also chairs
the District’s forum together with being a member of You can read all our Governors’ full profiles at:
Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board.
èèhttp://www.scas.nhs.uk/about-scas/council-of-governors/
meet-our-governors/
Get in touch with our staff Governors
Anne
Crampton If you would like to get in touch with a staff Governor please email:
èèstaff.governors@scas.nhs.uk
I qualified from Sheffield University Medical school in 1985
and worked in hospitals in and around Sheffield until I moved to
Berkshire to become a General Practitioner (GP). I was a Partner at a
practice in Crowthorne, Berkshire for over twenty years until retiring in
2015. During my time as a GP, I set up and ran a GP out-of-hours service
covering South East Berkshire based at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot. Get in touch with our public Governors
My family moved to Hampshire in 2001.
Seven years ago I became a District Councillor in Hart just as Health and If you would like to get in touch with a public Governor, you can do so
Wellbeing Boards were being formed. I Chaired Hart’s Health and Wellbeing at the following address:
Board until 2017 and am currently a member of Hampshire Health and
Wellbeing Board and I Chair the Districts forum. I began by being the
District Council representative on the Fleet Community Hospital Friends
Company Secretary
Committee but am now a full Committee member. South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust,
7-8 Talisman Business Centre, Talisman Road, Bicester,
I am a passionate supporter of the NHS but also recognise Oxfordshire OX26 6HR
it faces many challenges. I am keen to see the service
perform well, serve the community and develop
its role for the future. Or you can send an email to:
èècompany.secretary@scas.nhs.uk
10 11
Issue 22 Spring 2018
Latest news from
following public and staff governor elections in late 2017.
The Chief Executive provided a comprehensive update on key, current issues for
SCAS, and the CoG spent time considering a range of issues associated with the
the Council of Trust’s workforce, including recruitment and retention, appraisals and training, staff
welfare and the outcomes of the recent staff survey.
Governors
The CoG also received details of the outcomes of the recent appraisals of the
27
Trust Chair and Non-Executive Directors, a process for which the governors had
contributed significantly.
From Steve Garside, SCAS Company Secretary
Since the last Foundation Times
was issued, the Council of PApers
Governors (CoG) has held its Papers for all CoG meetings, and dates of future events, are available on the
twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh Trust’s website at
meetings in public since SCAS
achieved Foundation Trust status èè http://www.scas.nhs.uk/council-of-governors/council-of-governors-
back in March 2012. The meetings meetings/
were on 11 January and 16
April, both held in the evening in
Newbury. The next meeting is on:
24 July 2018
MEETINGS
At the 11 January meeting, sixteen
of the twenty governors in post at
that time were present, together and any members wishing to attend
would be warmly welcomed.
with a considerable number of
members of the Board of Directors.
The Chief Executive provided a comprehensive update on key, current issues
for SCAS, and a range of questions were asked by the Governors. There was
considerable focus on performance over the Christmas and New Year period when
much of the NHS was under significant pressure. The hard work and commitment
of the Trust’s staff and volunteers was acknowledged.
The CoG also agreed a development plan with a range of priorities aimed at
further strengthening how it operates and also engages with Trust members and
members of the public.
At the 16 April meeting, nineteen of the twenty six governors now in post were
present, again together with a considerable number of members of the Board
of Directors. A number of new Governors were welcomed to their first meetings
12 13
Issue 22 Spring 2018
Be part of our
future by taking
part in our
annual survey
3
We want to hear from you, our members, and
make sure your opinion counts! It’s that time of
year again - our Annual Member Satisfaction and
Patient Care survey.
We are asking our Foundation Trust Members, members of the public, GP surgeries and
other organisations across our four counties to provide their views on a number of topics
and services. The results of this survey will help to inform the Trust’s plans for the year
ahead.
Last year we received nearly 550 responses and we want to surpass that number this year.
Please help us by completing our survey. We value your feedback.
Deadline for submitting the survey:
Sunday 24 June 2018 at 23:59
A summary of the results will be included in the next members’
newsletter and will be published on the Trust website.
Take the survey now
èè Take the survey now - http://www.scas.nhs.uk/get-involved/
foundation-trust/patient-experience-survey/
14 15
Issue 22 Spring 2018
SCAS INTERNATIONAL
Paramedic Julia spends time with the
NE
emergency services in Chicago
The Windy City has been the home of Here is her account of what she got up to.
many famous residents, including Harrison
Ford, Oprah Winfrey and of course, Barack “Having previously been out with crews
and Michelle Obama. Chicago is also a city from Philadelphia on my last holiday to the
that had been on the Bucket List of SCAS US in February 2017, I decided once again
Paramedic, Julia Cole, for a long time and to mix business with pleasure. Having made
in March this year, she booked some annual initial contact with Chicago’s Police and Fire
WS
leave, flights and a hotel and off she went. Departments over the phone and not got
As well as seeing many of the city’s famous very far, it was connections I made via their
tourist attractions and landmarks, Julia also social media channels that eventually helped
got to see a side of Chicago that few other me find the right people. It took nearly
visitors experience, thanks to the city’s Fire three weeks to get clearance for the ride
and Police Departments. outs with the Fire Department – in America,
the Fire Department is also responsible for
the emergency ambulance service – and
five months to be vetted and cleared to go
out with the Police Department. Barring a
minor administrative hiccup on my arrival in
Chicago, which was quickly sorted out by
a very helpful lady in the Fire Department, I
was as they say over there, good to go!
“The shift started with
a bang: a double heroin
overdose on a bus."
16 17
Issue 22 Spring 2018
Chicago Fire this neighbourhood it is not wise to try to
persuade people to go to hospital if they
several fire cars and one other ambulance
already at the scene. We ran across the
not require an ambulance. Each job
we attended we were accompanied by
Department – Ride don’t want to go, as this could (and has in road to see a fireman on a backboard being the police. I was advised that this was
the past) led to a gun being drawn on the rushed into the ambulance. No one was normal due to the neighbourhood we
Along #1 with crew. sure what had happened to him, however were in. Both the police and fire crews
Ambulance 33 We were then immediately sent to another
he was unconscious, barely breathing and
had evidence of severe smoke inhalation.
could recount several incidents they have
attended where gangs were still on scene.
I was allocated to ‘the ghetto’ part of town heroin overdose in an alley; this guy was We helped the first ambulance stabilise The ambulance crew I was with told me
for my first shift. I was told that this area extremely cyanosis (bluish or purplish him and then he was rushed to the there was a shooting outside the firehouse
was run by gangs who often settle their discolouration of the skin indicating low hospital. The next few hours seemed to two months earlier. The crew had to hide
differences by shooting each other. oxygen saturation) and again in respiratory blur together with concern for the fireman behind the concrete pillars in the firehouse
arrest. It was at this point the crew advised (who was well known to my crew), and to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
The shift started with a bang: a double that they had serious issues in Chicago the department chiefs debriefing us. I am
heroin overdose on a bus. I was quickly with really strong heroin which is cut with pleased to report that the fireman regained I lasted 17 hours with the crew
fentanyl. Again the crew gave Narcan, consciousness by the end of our shift, but
advised by my crew that it would be a good before giving in to jet lag. The
day to observe as it was payday weekend; quickly bringing the patient around. We was kept intubated for a further three days
took this gentleman to the hospital. As we to prevent serious airway swelling. crew advised me the next day
Chicago did not disappoint! The two heroin
overdose patients were in respiratory arrest. arrived at hospital a ‘mayday’ call came over that they weren’t sent to any
The crew administered Narcan (Naloxone the radio. We quickly dropped our patient We were extremely busy throughout the shootings after I left, however
off with a nurse and ran to the ambulance. shift, barely spending any time at the
Hydrochloride) which worked quickly, they did go to a serious stabbing.
bringing both patients around. A second The mayday call was a firefighter who was firehouse. However we managed to return
crew and fire engine were on scene as in distress. We raced to the scene as fast for lunch and dinner, all provided by and
well as the police. Our patient refused as we could. It looked like something from cooked by the firemen.
hospital treatment and opted to continue a movie. There was a building on fire with
to go to work instead. I was advised that in about five fire trucks, multiple police cars, During the shift we were sent to a lot of
jobs which over here in the UK would
18 19Issue 22 Spring 2018
Chicago Fire which was waiting, directed to the patient,
directed back to the lift which again was
We were then sent to a drug overdose on
the CTA, the Chicago Transit Authority
Department – Ride still waiting and then directed to the front – the city’s equivalent of the London
door. There was no waiting around and all Underground. I was advised that it was
Along #2 with doors were held open for us. This happened extremely rare for them to have an OD
Ambulance 42 in every high rise building we attended. in this part of town. There were no lifts
or escalators to get out of the CTA,
In the ambulance we did an ECG (or EKG as however the fire crew who attended with
I was given a ‘down town’ location for
it’s called over there) which looked normal. us volunteered to carry the patient to the
my second shift in the largest firehouse
The patient told us that he had a significant ambulance. It was decided we would keep
in Chicago. I was advised that this would
family history of cardiovascular disease and the patient in his drug induced state (as he
be a completely different shift than with
he had two stents fitted already. On the was breathing normally) until we got to the
Ambulance 33. This part of town was
way to hospital he told us he was a high hospital. Luckily we did as when we gave
mainly high rise buildings for businesses
end attorney and he owned the building the Narcan he came round and wanted to
and hotels. Ironically this firehouse was
we had picked him up from. I made sure fight us and the hospital staff, which would
mentioned in the crime tour I had been on
that I was extra nice and professional so I not have been ideal in the back of a moving
earlier in my trip as a mob boss was hung
couldn’t be sued for anything! The hospital ambulance!
outside it for his crimes back in the 1920s.
was made aware that we were coming and
on our arrival we were directed straight into During the shift we did about 12
The ‘bell’ rang straight away at the start
the cardiac room.
of the shift, sending us out to a ‘person calls and I stayed with the crew
down of unknown cause’. We drove to the for 14 hours.
I did notice that in this area of Chicago we
job and found a woman had slipped on
were working in, the patients appeared to
ice and had hurt her ankle. As we arrived
be a lot heavier than in the previous area, Both firehouses were extremely
there was a TV crew with the patient, who
with most of them falling between 21-
continued to film us as we got her into the welcoming and couldn’t have
40 stone. The crews don’t have ramps in
ambulance. We again drove to hospital done more to make me feel
the ambulances, so crews have to lift the
under emergency conditions. I asked the
crew why they did this and was advised that
patient up into the back. Luckily there is welcome and part of the team.
normally a fire crew there to help, but not Both houses were interested in
there was an incident where a crew didn’t
always and never at the hospital.
drive someone to hospital under emergency how things were ‘back in the UK’
conditions who should have been and the and asked numerous questions
This shift appeared a lot quieter than at
patient sued. To stop this happening again
they now drive everyone to hospital under
33 and I was advised that this was not about my job and the NHS. I must
normal. After nearly every job we managed say the firemen were extremely
emergency conditions.
to return to the firehouse for a while. This
good cooks and it was great to
gave me time to learn about the ‘squad’
We quickly dropped the patient off to come back to a fully prepared
and what made them special as well as the
hospital and returned to the ambulance.
We were given a job as soon as we left the
differences between the truck and engines. meal during the shift.
hospital to a ‘heart attack victim’ in a high
We were then called to a drug overdose
rise office building. We arrived to see a fire
in a drug rehabilitation centre. The middle
truck on scene. The patient had the classic
aged lady had taken several days’ worth
‘MI’ look: grey in colour and sweating
of different medications. She appeared
profusely. The fire crew got him onto our
well and was talkative all the way to the
stretcher and we then went into the lift
hospital.
to the ambulance. I was very impressed
how the high rise buildings are so well
organised for an emergency. We were met
at the entrance, directed to the lift,
20 21Issue 22 Spring 2018
Chicago Police Department – I was able to question him about his gang
days and how dangerous life is for him now.
with blood around them. The decided to
force entry and found a family of six all
Ride Along #3 stabbed to death. They also showed me a
Our second job was to a lady who had street corner where an innocent person was
I was given a five hour shift with the police force – was sadly shot and killed two weeks caused criminal damage to a subway shot and killed in the last week for simply
department in the 8th district. I was advised before my visit when, having left a meeting, door as she wasn’t allowed free ice from refusing to hand over his phone.
that I needed to report to Police HQ at the was one of the officers who responded to their drinks machine. When we got to the
start of my shift to get a bulletproof vest reports of a fleeing, armed and dangerous subway shop we were told that she was After the amazing pizza we were dispatched
and then the crew would pick me up. On suspect and was shot six times when he now next door in the laundromat. We were to my last call, a pregnant 16 year old girl
my arrival they were expecting me and I tried to apprehend the man. given a description of her and we were who had been domestically abused. We
was escorted upstairs by two detectives. I able to quickly locate her. It was decided got on scene and it started snowing, but
was given a huge bullet proof vest and was As we got back in 8th district we that if she agreed to pay for the damages she refused to get into the police car. She
then taken back downstairs to the front immediately got a call for a man who was we would leave, she did and we gave the explained that her boyfriend (an active gang
desk, where my crew were waiting for me, not being allowed to leave his house by subway shop her details to follow up. member with numerous guns and weapons
John and Pat. his mum and wife. I followed the police in the house) had hit her when she said
officers into a basement apartment to three It was now time for lunch and John and something he didn’t want to hear. Because
They explained to me when we got in the adults screaming and shouting at each Pat had promised to take me to what she was pregnant they decided to get
police car that they were nowhere near other. John and Pat managed to calm the they described was the best pizza place in CFD in attendance. John and Pat knocked
their district and we would only become situation quickly, establishing what had Chicago. As we drove there, they were able on the door, but the boyfriend refused to
available for calls once we were back in happened. The man advised that in January to describe the recent crimes committed answer. The girl was given a piece of paper
it. They were both extremely experienced he was targeted and shot multiple times on various streets on our route. One of to give to her local police station for an
police officers with around 40 years on due to his old gang affiliations. the places was a house with six white arrest warrant for her boyfriend. CFD then
the job between them, 11 of which had crosses outside. They advised that last year turned up and took her to the hospital for
been spent working as partners. They also The fight today had occurred as the man someone had called the CPD to advise one assessment.
explained how gun violence, fuelled by wanted to leave his house, however the of their employees hadn’t come to work
gangs and drugs, was making their job wife and mum were concerned for his for two days and asked for them to check The crew then drove me back to the Police
harder and more dangerous every day. The safety as he wasn’t very mobile and was on him. John and Pat were dispatched to HQ where I said my goodbyes.
stats show that on average there is a gang thought to be a ‘sitting duck’ to the gangs. the house. Unable to raise anyone at the
related shooting in Chicago every two It was decided that we would convey him property, they were just about to leave
hours. The Chicago Police Commander, to a friend’s house so he would be out of when one of them looked through the cat
Paul Bauer – a 31-year veteran on the police the house and safe. During the drive there flap and saw a person lying on the floor
22 23Issue 22 Spring 2018
I was extremely privileged to have the three
ride outs I did and will remember them
forever. Having previously believed some of
the areas near my station in High Wycombe
were ‘a bit dodgy’, I can now safely say they
are nothing compared to the dangerous
parts of Chicago I experienced! On the US
ambulance, the two person team is made
up of a paramedic and an ambulance
commander. The paramedic drives to the
emergency incident, does most of the
patient care and then drives the patient to
hospital. The commander role is very similar
to our clinical mentor role. This experience
has certainly made me more aware of the
autonomy I have as a paramedic in the UK
and whilst none of us look forward to an
over-run on a 12-hour shift, at least we
Main differences between SCAS and don’t get rostered to work 24 hours in one
the Chicago Fire Department hit!
èè The paramedics in Chicago work 24-hour shifts and then have three days off
èè If I had worn my SCAS uniform on the ride outs, I was told it would have been highly
likely I would have been shot as the uniform would have made me a gang target
èè In Chicago a fire engine or the police are dispatched to EVERY call to protect the
ambulance crew
èè The US ambulances are a lot smaller than ours, but we do share some of the same kit
(Lifepaks, for example)
èè Every patient is driven to hospital under emergency conditions despite their complaint or
condition
èè Emergency calls are not prioritised apart from cardiac arrests
èè If a patient refuses to go to hospital the hospital must be rung and advised of the refusal
èè My crew mates couldn’t believe that I was able to decide that a patient didn’t need to
go to hospital – they kept telling their colleagues and hospital staff that I was ‘the lady
who can say no!’
24 25Issue 22 Spring 2018
SCAS NATIONAL transformed NHS.”
The Trust’s participation in the Global Digital
SCAS announced as the digital arena. This recognition from NHS
England will enable us to deliver further
Exemplar programme will ensure SCAS
continues to lead the way in demonstrating
one of three digital improvements in patient care, efficiency and how digital technology can positively impact
integration within the local health system on patient care and support transformation
NHS pioneers and the wider NHS. projects to revolutionise the way in which
healthcare is delivered.
SCAS is one of three NHS ambulance “The additional funding allows us to
trusts that have been awarded a share of accelerate our investment in digital As part of the programme, SCAS is keen
£5m to develop into world class digital technologies and means we will be able to work with other NHS organisations and
organisations. to move more quickly towards our digital pursue jointly funded projects with the
vision to be ‘paper free at the point of Trust’s external partners.
On Wednesday 24 January, NHS England care and to provide seamless patient care
announced that SCAS and two other leveraging the full resources of the NHS’.”
ambulance trusts, West Midlands and North
East NHS Foundation Trusts, will be the first Vince Weldon, Associate Director of
organisations to enroll on the ambulance Information Management & Technology at
version of the Global Digital Exemplar (GDE) SCAS, said: “This recognition of the Trust’s
programme. investment in technology over many years
L
to improve patient care and make our staff
A
Over the next two years, SCAS will receive more effective will allow us to fast-track the
B
an additional c£1.7m from NHS England
O
next iteration of developments in the digital
GL
(which the Trust will match fund) to age. In particular we will see enhanced use
continue its pioneering work in digital of our vehicles as digital hubs, improved
L
transformation. Innovations already
A
forecasting and planning based on the use
I T
implemented by SCAS to make its services of wide-ranging data, and direct access for
DIG
more efficient, resilient and safe include: our clinicians (both on the telephone and at
R
the patient’s side) to shared and current care
L A
• Digitally integrated clinical patient man- information, all of which will improve our
P
agement systems and dispatch systems ability still further to provide the right care,
•
•
Virtual digital telephony platforms
Electronic patient record systemem
first time to the people we serve.”
Will Smart, Chief Information Officer for
Health and Care at NHS England, said:
EX E M
“We have taken a different approach
The announcement of an additional £5m with the ambulance branch of the GDE
in funding takes the total investment programme and are asking the three
from NHS England to £10m as the three successful Trusts to think of ways in
ambulance trusts develop into Global Digital which they can work together to drive
Exemplars. improvements through the use of digital
technology.
Charles Porter, Director of Finance at
SCAS, said: “We are privileged to have “By stepping up to become world class
been named a Global Digital Exemplar, these three Trusts will join the most digitally
which recognises the Trust as a successful advanced healthcare organisations across
technological innovator at the forefront of the globe and help deliver a sustainable and
26 27Issue 22 Spring 2018
Pipped to the post
for National Award
The Pre-Hospital Obstetric and Neonatal
Emergency (PHONE) course received
SCAS attends Royal launch second place for ‘Contribution to
Midwifery Education’ at the British
of Step into Health
Journal of Midwifery Awards 2018
held in Liverpool.
In January SCAS Melanie Saunders, Director of HR and Organisational Development The co-founders of the PHONE
attended the formal launch and celebration of NHS Employers Step Into Health Programme course – Darren Best, SCAS
with her colleagues HR Manager Victoria Dooley and Recruitment Advisor Laura Farrow. Education and Kat Simpson, Royal
Berkshire Hospital Midwifery Team –
As a result of the excellent, trail blazing work the Trust does with the MOD and our were recognised for “the commitment
recruitment of Military service leavers to the Trust, we were invited to have a brief chat with and influential education that has
the Duke of Cambridge who opened the event. contributed to the expansion of midwifery
knowledge through development of new
We spoke about the support we receive from staff, the veterans we employ and how staff education strategies and inspirational
throughout our amazing service deliver high quality patient care. teaching”.
Congratulations!
28 29Issue 22 Spring 2018
Practitioner Rotational Working
and the Health Education England
pilot
SCAS is delighted to have been selected as one of four ambulance services to take part in
a Health Education England (HEE) national pilot which trials a model of rotational working
for specialist and advanced paramedics.
SCAS Director of HR and OD, Melanie
Saunders attends ‘women in Leadership’
event
The model in each pilot site varies but can Portsmouth and Reading areas with their
involve specialist and advanced paramedic acute home visits as well as face-to-face
On Thursday 15 March, Director of HR and practitioners working in the Clinical consultations and telephone triage and we
OD, Melanie Saunders (pictured above Coordination Centre (CCC), community- are also developing opportunities across
back row, right corner), had the pleasure
Melanie said, based multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs), and the SCAS region. The aim within SCAS is to
of being invited to the House of Lords for GP practices, on a rotational basis. The build a long-term sustainable model.
the annual ‘Women in Leadership Lunch’. premise of the model is to provide the right
The event is hosted by Lord Dr. Hastings
I was pleased to hear at response, first time, to improve patient Commenting on the pilot, Paul Jefferies,
of Scarisbrick CBE and organised by Clive the event that the NHS is experience and outcomes. The National Assistant Director of Operations said: “We
Lewis OBE DL who launched the annual Ambulance Response Programme (ARP) know from our current paramedic rotation
event in 2012.
leading the way to address is acting as a key enabler to new ways of and from our work within primary care
the imbalance and currently working. that there is great potential to improve
The event follows the Davies Review which care to patients and reduce demand on
identified the underrepresentation of
has the highest We have already had some experience the ambulance service and secondary care.
females on Boards. proportion of females of rotating our Specialist Practitioners Being part of this national pilot gives us
(SPs) within primary care. These rotations additional support to develop our services
on boards. showed the potential to reduce avoidable and work closely with primary care and
conveyances to A&E and resultant hospital other health care professionals, whilst
admissions. developing our paramedic workforce and
sharing our experience and learning with
Involvement in the HEE pilot will allow us the other pilot sites.”
to support a number of GP practices in the
30 30 313
South Central
Issue 22 Spring 2018
Ambulance Service
NHS Foundation Trust
SCAS WIDE
Happy 3rd
birthday
999 Ted!!
999
TED
The second most famous Ted in the country
(behind Father) celebrated his 3rd birthday on
Tuesday 6 February!
Firstly he went into Bicester where he was bought
a 3rd birthday balloon, a badge and a very special
Bear-thday Card. He then visited Longfields School
where the school’s three and four-year-olds gave him a
great reception, culminating in a rousing rendition of
‘Happy Birthday’.
You can get
The next day, still buzzing from the previous
day’s celebrations, he visited Adderbury in touch with
ambulance station and then the Children’s 999 Ted on Twitter
Ward at the Horton Hospital.
@scas999Ted
Finally he concluded his birthday tour by doing
a surprise visit to Sacred Heart Primary school in
Henley-on-Thames to thank the three and four years
olds who had all previously sent him a birthday card
each.
32 33Issue 22 Spring 2018
SCAS THAMES VALLEY
SCAS joins UK’s largest
autonomous and connected
vehicle project
SCAS has taken part in a ground-breaking UK trial of connected and
autonomous vehicle technology in Milton Keynes.
SCAS was initially one of two emergency services approached by the UK
Autodrive project team. The suggestions, challenges and commitment during
the planning stages from Mark Begley, Head of Operations, and Steve Winfield,
Clinical Operations Manager for Milton Keynes and Aylesbury Vale, along with
the local ambulance service team, made SCAS the obvious emergency service
partner of choice for the Milton Keynes trial.
The project saw SCAS team up with Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors
European Technical Centre to demonstrate a range of the latest vehicle
technology including self-driving, self-parking and two connected car safety
features.
The first safety feature involved an Emergency Vehicle Warning (EVW) system,
which alerts drivers when an emergency vehicle is approaching and also
indicates which direction it is coming from. The EVW sends a signal directly
from the emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire engine or police vehicle) to nearby
connected cars. The driver is then informed that the emergency vehicle is Nigel added:
approaching and advised to make way for it. “As well as helping us get to emergency incidents
that little bit more quickly, this technology also has
The second trial demonstrated an Electronic Emergency Brake Light (EBBL) significant benefits when we’re then transporting a
feature which gives a warning when another connected car further up the seriously ill or injured patient to hospital on blue lights. If
road brakes heavily – potentially giving drivers several additional seconds to that journey can be made smoother for the patient, then this also potentially
avoid a possible collision. helps improve their chances of making a good recovery.”
Paramedic Team Leader, Lisa Pringle, who along with colleague Nigel Philip Astle, Chief Operating Officer at SCAS, added:
Mason, Paramedic, took part in the trials over a five day period “We were delighted to have been approached by the UK Autodrive project
between 14-23 March in central Milton Keynes, said: team. As well as being an innovative ambulance trust, we have a strong
“Some people do tend to panic a bit when they see or hear emergency commitment and focus at SCAS on safety – for our patients, for our staff and
vehicles approaching. As a result their vehicles can become very unpredictable for the communities we serve. By being involved in trials of such cutting edge
and we have to adjust our driving to manage that risk. The system we’re vehicle technology, we can provide valuable input from our frontline staff to
helping trial tells the driver not just how far away we are, but what direction the engineers, researchers and car manufacturers that will make our roads
we’re coming from. This helps them plan ahead even before they can see us safer places for all users in the future.”
and sometimes, even hear us coming.”
34 35Issue 22 Spring 2018
Our expanded service runs from 7am to 7pm, Saturday, Sunday and
Monday.
The benefit of this service is that the patient is having their pre-
hospital assessment, including point of care blood testing, at
The service was home and the therapist is able to assess their home environment,
nominated in the Royal
cognition and mobility and can provide equipment or signposting to
Berkshire Hospital Staff
other community support.
Excellence Awards and in the
Excellence in Partnership Awards,
where it was Highly Commended. Here is a typical patient journey with FFR:
The service was also nominated in
the SCAS Ambies, where it won The patient was found on floor by carer who called for an
the Partners & Stakeholders’ ambulance. FFR operated a blue light emergency response to reduce
Award for Innovation length of lie on the floor. On arrival patient was behind the front
2017. door. It appeared patient had gone to collect newspaper and fell as
Falls and Frailty she had not taken her frame. She was assessed as not having any
injuries and we put in the mangar cushion. Once up, she was able to
Response Team expands mobilise with her frame. She was medically checked and had point
of care blood testing. All results were within normal range, with no
Since the original pilot in 2015/16, the project that sees
clinical indication patient was unwell. The occupational therapist
collaboration between SCAS and the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH)
(OT) was able to confirm with carer that patient was managing well
has grown considerably.
and did not usually fall.
The Falls and Frailty Response (FFR) initiative entails paramedics
The patient’s son arrived and was anxious we were going to take
and occupational therapists working together to assess and
her to hospital. Family had expressed strongly to carer that we were
support older patients to remain at home and reduce unnecessary
not to take patient to hospital. We explained our role to the son
conveyance to A&E.
and OT completed environmental assessment, providing additional
equipment and mobility advice.
Patients must meet the following criteria:
The son was very grateful for our input and pleased his mum could
èèBe aged 65 and above
be assessed at home without the need for conveyance to A&E. As
èèHave fallen or are at risk of falls
patient is living with dementia, assessment at home was much less
èèLiving with frailty
stressful and avoided disruption to her routine. The patient remained
èèWould be conveyed to the RBH
at home.
We are not able to convey patients in the following circumstances:
The patient and her family were very pleased with the outcome.
èèHead injury
èèUnknown length of lie
èèHip pain
36 37Issue 21 Winter 2017/18 Issue 22 Spring 2018
Ground-breaking
ceremony for £14m
Blue Light Hub
SCAS Chief Executive, Will Hancock, and Head of
Operations for Milton Keynes and Aylesbury Vale, Mark
Begley, were amongst the invited VIPs and guests at a
ground-breaking ceremony in West Ashlands, Milton Keynes,
on Thursday 12 April.
The ceremony marked the formal start of construction of a new £14m
tri-services hub for local ambulance, fire and police services and was
also attended by BBC Look East and Heart FM.
Will Hancock said: “SCAS is proud to have been involved in this
exciting project from the outset. We already have great working
relationships with our partners, and this state-of-the-art tri-service
facility will help strengthen those partnerships even further for the
benefit for our communities.”
The facility is planned to open in Autumn 2019 and
will house SCAS teams currently operating from the
existing two resource centres in Bletchley and Milton
Keynes University Hospital.
38 38 39Issue 22 Spring 2018
Reading Minster and the SOS Bus
one year on
In February Stephen Pullin, Vicar of Reading Minster and Arch
Deacon of Reading hosted a dinner to celebrate one year of the
Reading First Stop project moving to Reading Minster.
It was a celebration of the collaborative working project and how
much has been achieved in the last year, and the short four weeks
we had to set up the Minster in January last year as the SOS scheme
moved from our previous home of a double decker bus before our
opening in February 2017.
Setting up a clinical area within a minster which has been in
existence in parts for 1000 years was quite daunting. ‘What would
modern cleaning products do to a 1000 year old door and an 500-
800 year old tiled floor?’ was one of the questions which needed to
be answered. We now use a vestry as our treatment room and our
patients now have a warm and comfortable church to wait in and
be kept safe whilst we sort a variety of problems both medical and
social and get them home safely.
SCAS and the Reading Minster staff were joined on the night by
the Sanctuary Volunteers, the Reading Street Pastors, Thames Valley
Police and Councillor Liz Terry from Reading Council who has been
the Lead Councillor and sponsor of the SOS Bus and Minster.
The project has been a great success, with a 9.5% increase in
patients seen at the Minster since the move from the Bus one year
ago.
We have developed a presence in the Church and regularly see
rough sleepers and provide medical care that would otherwise not
be provided for this community, along with our regular work of
caring for patients who have consumed too much alcohol and/or
sustained injuries on a typical Friday and Saturday night.
40 40 41Issue 22 Spring 2018
SCAS SURREY AND SUSSEX
Surrey NEPTS ‘Focus Week’ a Great
Success
It’s the anniversary of SCAS winning the contract to provide non-emergency
patient transport in Surrey, and with this the KPI performance targets will be
changing. This will help us to improve the already good service we give to our
patients in Surrey.
The whole NEPTS management team from SCAS spent the week before Easter
out and about in Surrey, helping the crews to learn about the changes to KPIs,
and spending time at Dorking introducing new processes in Dispatch to assist
them in meeting the new requirements for discharges.
The spotlight on the Dispatch function helped to improve the performance by
5-10% on a daily basis, and for the first time ever all of the major KPI targets
were regularly met.
In the weeks following this focus, the new procedures and attention on
discharges has been continued at Dorking with regular liaison between
ops and control continuing to show an improved focus on, and increase in,
performance.
NEPTS staff across Surrey have been very pleased to be involved in this process.
Tweet us
@SCAS999
42 43Issue 22 Spring 2018
SCAS HAMPSHIRE moment that his heart failure occurred,
right up until they passed his care onto
Mike initially found it a little unusual to be
pushed around everywhere in a wheelchair
Southampton University Hospital. Without as he had always been quite active. He
their amazing response and tremendous was keen to tell everyone at Hightown
Cardiac arrest survivor effort, our father would not be around that whilst he is not yet completely back
Mike meets SCAS team today.” to normal, he is able to manage a walk of
around 3-4 miles every day at a good pace
who saved his life The team performed over a dozen and the family had enjoyed a very special
defibrillator shocks on Mike at home and en Christmas together.
It was a new year to remember for some of SCAS’ route to hospital. Mike was taken out from
Hampshire staff when Mike Smith and members of his family, paid a visit to his home through the back door, moving “I am hoping to get back to my walking
our Hightown Resource Centre in Southampton on 2 January to meet some of the family car out of the way in the process, football in the near future”, adds Mike.
in order that the CPR could be maintained “It’s just the grandchildren now that need
the team that helped save his life when he suffered a cardiac arrest. all the way into the ambulance and on the to be reminded a little bit to go easy on me
drive to hospital. still!”
Mike suffered his cardiac arrest at home in Southampton on 13 July 2017.
“I had just done my usual thing during the Paramedic Kev Moore arrived eight minutes “I travelled behind in the second The grandchildren in question, Alex and
day”, recalls Mike, “which included a game after the initial call and as he was talking to ambulance”, says Jill, “it felt like such a long Freya, had also made the SCAS team some
of walking football. I remember coming Mike and carrying out his initial assessment journey but Chris kept me company and thank you cards and helped check that the
home for lunch and knew I wasn’t feeling and observations, Mike’s condition was talking throughout, which helped a cake their Mum, Amanda,
right. I called out to my wife, Jill, and she worsened and he went into cardiac arrest. lot.” had brought for everyone
then dialled 999.” Kev radioed for immediate backup and two
ambulances – the first crewed by Paramedic Whilst difficult to hear, Mike was very
The call was taken by Emergency Call Taker, Anne Carnell and Emergency Care Assistant keen not just to meet the team again and
Aaron Winn, in SCAS’ Clinical Coordination Torran Elliott, the second by Paramedic say thank you face-to-face, but also to
Centre in Bicester. Recognising the severity Sandy Stephens, Emergency Care Assistant understand what they did for him as he
of the symptoms Jill was describing – Chris Young and Student Paramedic Aaron has a complete memory loss from when Jill
chest pain and struggling to breathe – the Ochiltree – were also dispatched to the called 999 to waking up in hospital a few
call was prioritised as a potentially life- scene. days later.
threatening emergency. Dispatchers Phil
Hallinan and Jenny Burrett, based in the Daughters Amanda Lowe and Helen Wife Jill added, “Mike was sedated initially
Clinical Coordination Centre in Otterbourne, Smith couldn’t praise the team’s efforts and required further shocks at hospital
then immediately began sending help to the highly enough, saying “they all provided after he had been handed over. Despite all
family’s home. outstanding care, working tirelessly to that he had been through, he was only in
save our father by providing CPR from the hospital for two weeks before being well
enough to continue his recovery at home.” was as good to eat as it looked!
44 44 45Issue 22 Spring 2018
Personal
safety in the Keep dogs under
control
Keep your dog on a lead when walking
countryside on roads or when close to farm
animals. A dog can cause distress to
animals and endanger you. Keep your
dog under control always so as not to
disturb wildlife or annoy or frighten
other visitors.
Guard against all risk
In spring the countryside comes alive, bursting with colours and with wild of fire
animals and livestock getting around after a long and cold winter. The countryside is vulnerable to
fire especially during dry weather.
Accidental fires pose a great risk to
It’s also the starting season for getting out and about and enjoying farmers and foresters. Be careful
countryside strolls, jogs or bicycle rides. However, please be aware of the to extinguish all used matches and
dangers and also your obligations which come with these activities. The cigarettes. Use a stove for cooking
following mini guide gives you some very useful tips. rather than a fire. Never throw
cigarettes from a car window.
Take special care on
Know where you are country roads
allowed to go Use gates and stiles to Always drive carefully with reduced
Most land is private property and access cross fences, hedges speed on country roads. Consider
is only available with the goodwill and walls others when parking and avoid
and tolerance of the owner. Whilst When crossing fences, hedges and blocking entrances, gateways or other
most landowners do not object to walls, use the nearest gate or stile. drivers’ visibility. Walkers should take
recreational users on their land, some Damage to fencing can allow animals special care on narrow country roads
do. Always respect a landowner’s to stray. If you must climb a gate and if uncertain should walk in single
wishes. because it is difficult to open, always do file.
this at the hinged end.
Consider your personal
Keep to paths across safety
farmland Do not interfere with If possible do not go alone. If you
Help prevent damage to crops by livestock, machinery do, please make someone you trust
walking around the edge of a field and crops aware of your itinerary. Wear suitable
unless there is an existing path across it. These are valuable commodities and clothing and footwear as the weather
should be left alone. Interference with can change very quickly. Ensure your
Avoid fields where there are animals, as animals and equipment may endanger mobile phone is fully charged.
your presence may cause them stress you. Pay attention to warning signs as
and endanger your own safety. these are for your protection. Don’t go if the weather conditions are
beyond your experience.
n
g
p ai
m
n
O
46 47
CaIssue 22 Spring 2018
MESSAGE TO SCAS STAFF
North Harbour MEMBERS
RC Team Leader There are many and various
opportunities open to SCAS staff
Gilbert Hall
with EBP’s supervision and direction
and I would like to encourage
clinical and non-clinical staff to
volunteer.
Gilbert Hall, a Team Leader at North Harbour I feel easily inspired to try and engage with You can attend a “Guess my job”
Resource Centre, has recently embarked on pupils to encourage them in their own Gilbert event or engage with smaller
an educational project with EBP, a charity that development”. Hall -
groups of students in a business
provides a range of support for both primary Pictured
and secondary school year groups. Heather Smith of EBP was also very persuasive on the speed networking event, where
in identifying the positive benefits of having a
left you are asked about your career
The charity is a major provider of work wide and varied input from different people and paths into it. Alternatively
experience placement for year 10 pupils and already in a career, or who are able to tell you could support in a one-to-one
its goal is to inspire and mentor pupils to pupils about the differing ways that someone It was a surprisingly positive experience, one mentoring capacity where you would
make choices about future career goals, and may take to get into a job, and the wider which allowed me to look at my own role as be carefully matched to 14-16 year
develop an understanding that the world of world of work. This was the catalyst for me a paramedic and what it had taken to get to old after completing training with
work is open to them with many and varied to attend a ‘Guess my job’ afternoon session where I am today. Seeing my job from the EBP, and ongoing supervision.
opportunities. on February 21st at Southsea’s Cottage Grove view of sixty 9-10 year olds was enlightening
School. because their focus was on simple elements of
Inspiring schools is EBP’s continued initiative what we do with some very direct questions If you would like to get involved or
from the Shaping Portsmouth programme I was one of four volunteers attending the such as : for further information please contact
of the last three years and here Gilbert tells school and we were divided across four
er saved a life?” me at
us about his involvement as SCAS volunteer groups of year five pupils, who had been “Have you ev
representative. briefed by their teachers prior to the visit.
“Did you expect to be doing this job” èè gilbert.hall@scas.nhs.uk or
“As a Team Leader at North Harbour Resource We had to answer closed questions initially,
Centre, I was contacted by one of EBP’s and using props associated with our work, “How many hours do you work?”
representatives with a view to engaging with we encouraged the children to guess our èè EBP directly via
SCAS staff who may be prepared to volunteer role. This then opened up the questioning “How much do you ge www.ebpsouth.co.uk/
to be invited into school careers fairs, such once they had established what we did, and t paid?”
as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, enabled us to talk individually about our
Maths) which is held annually at CEMAST particular job and be specific about what “Does your job satisfy you?” Monica Moro, SCAS Membership
College Fareham, and Portsmouth’s “Get we do on a day to day basis and allow the and Engagement Manager, said
“Do you drive the ambu
Inspired” Skills Fair; both aimed at year six children to ask all about our own individual lance?” “Gilbert is a great communicator and
students. career pathway. motivator and I am delighted that he
is involved with this project.”
“Having watched my own children struggle
with direction for their study in relation to
t
career development, and understanding the
gh
obvious dilemma of where their focus should
be at school in relation to future prospects,
O li
t
n
o
Sp
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